The Common Admission Test, commonly known as CAT, is one of the most popular and highly competitive entrance exams in India. It is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis to select eligible candidates for admission to their management programs. In this blog post, we will discuss in detail what the CAT exam is, its full form, purpose, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and fees so Cracking the CAT Exam becomes easier.
What is the CAT Exam?
The CAT exam is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to postgraduate management programs offered by various IIMs and other top business schools in India. The exam is a computer-based test that assesses the candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills to evaluate their suitability for management education.
CAT Exam Full Form:
The full form of CAT is the Common Admission Test. It is conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their MBA programs.
CAT Entrance Exam:
The CAT exam is one of the most popular and competitive entrance exams in India. It is the gateway to admission to some of the most prestigious management programs in the country. The exam is conducted once a year, usually in November, and is open to graduates from any discipline.
CAT Exam Pattern:
The CAT exam is a computer-based test that consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes, with 60 minutes allotted for each section. The number of questions in each section varies every year, but the total number of questions is usually around 100. Students must have a practice for all sections for Cracking the CAT Exam.
CAT Exam Fees for OBC:
The registration fee for the CAT exam is the same for all categories. However, candidates belonging to the OBC category may be eligible for a fee waiver if they meet certain income criteria. The fee for the CAT exam is usually around Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500, depending on the category of the candidate.
What is the Purpose of Cracking the CAT Exam?
The CAT exam is conducted for admission to postgraduate management programs offered by various IIMs and other top business schools in India. The exam is designed to evaluate the candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills to assess their suitability for management education. The CAT score is one of the most important criteria for admission to these programs, and candidates with a high CAT score are given preference.
CAT Exam Eligibility:
The eligibility criteria for the CAT exam are as follows:
- The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute.
- The candidate must have secured a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in their bachelor’s degree.
- Candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwD categories are eligible for a relaxation of 5% in the minimum marks requirement.
- There is no upper age limit for the CAT exam.
CAT Exam Syllabus:
The CAT exam syllabus is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The topics covered in each section are as follows:
- VARC: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, para jumbles, and para completion.
- DILR: Data interpretation, logical reasoning, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, tables, caselets, and puzzles.
- QA: Number systems, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, permutation and combination, and mensuration.
In conclusion, the CAT exam is a highly competitive entrance exam conducted for admission to postgraduate management programs offered by various IIMs and other top business schools in India. It is a computer-based test that assesses the candidates’ aptitude, reasoning, and communication skills to evaluate their suitability for management education. Candidates who wish to appear for the CAT exam must fulfil the eligibility criteria, which includes having a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. The exam has three sections, namely VARC, DILR, and QA, and the syllabus includes topics such as reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. A high CAT score is one of the most important criteria for admission to these programs, and candidates who score well are given preference. Aspirants who are planning to take the CAT exam should prepare well and practice regularly to increase their chances of success.