CAT 2024: Everything You Need to Know - Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Registration, and More

CAT 2024: To facilitate admission to 20 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India, the CAT 2024 exam has been scheduled for November 23, 2024. CAT 2024 will probably be administered by IIM Calcutta, one of the top 6 IIMs. It was planned that the CAT 2024 registration procedure would open in the first week of August 2024 and end in the third week of September 2023. On July 28, 2024, the official CAT 2024 notification is expected to be released.

But because of the CAT’s moderate to high difficulty level, getting ready early is important. It is recommended that respective candidates begin their CAT 2024 preparation at least nine months in advance of the test. Read the following article for information if you intend to take the CAT 2024 exam.

Also Read: AP EAMCET 2024 Application on till 15 April 2024, New Exam Dates Announced

What is the CAT 2024 Exam?

The most difficult MBA entrance exam in India is called CAT. The CAT 2024 exam is accepted by more than 1300 MBA programs nationwide, and admission decisions are based on test results.

Three sessions of the CAT 2024 exam will be held at around 375 examination centers throughout more than 167 cities in the country. If prospective MBA candidates want to get into selective universities, they should start studying for the CAT 2024 exam as soon as possible. 

CAT 2024 Exam Highlights

CAT is the top MBA entrance exam in our country India. Over 1200+ B-schools in India accept it for admission to MBA/PGDM courses. Find here the key highlight of the CAT 2024 Exam:

CAT Exam Parameters	CAT 2024 Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body for 2024	IIM Calcutta (to be confirmed)
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT 2024 Exam Date	November 24, 2024
CAT Exam Timings	Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Fees	INR 2,400 (General category) and INR 1,200 (Reserved category)
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with an overall 50% score (45% for SC/ST candidates)
Number of Test Takers	3.30 lakh (in 2023)
CAT Syllabus 2024	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) & Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT exam mode	Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
No. of test cities	155
CAT exam website	https://iimcat.ac.in
Exam helpdesk no.	1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

CAT 2024 Exam Dates

The CAT 2024 is expecting that IIM will announce the dates by July 30, 2024. The following information outlines the key dates and timings for CAT 2024: CAT registration date 2024, CAT application deadline 2024, CAT the day of an examination, and expected CAT result date.

CAT Exam Events	CAT Exam Dates 2024
CAT 2024 notification release	28th to 30th July 2024
CAT exam 2024 registration dates	03-Aug-2024 (10:00 AM) to  15-Sep-2024 (5:00 PM)
CAT 2024 registration last date	15 September 2024
CAT form correction	Last week of September 2024
CAT Admit Card 2024	25-Oct-2024
CAT exam 2024 date	24 November 2024
CAT answer key release	The first week of December 2024
Answer key challenge process	The first week of December 2024
Declaration of CAT 2024 result	Last week of December 2024 or the First week of January 2025

CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for CAT 2024 include:

1. Candidates are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD/DA category) from a recognized university.
2. Candidates who are in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply for CAT 2024.

The final Sunday in November 2024 is when the exam is predicted to take place, and in July 2024, an official announcement is expected.

• Aspirants with professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible for CAT 2024, provided they meet the minimum acceptable percentage.
• No upper age limit is specified, allowing working professionals to apply for CAT 2024.
• While work experience is advantageous for IIM admission, it is not compulsory for CAT application.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2024

The CAT 2024 syllabus is divided into three major sections: data interpretation and logical reasoning, verbal ability and reading comprehension, and quantitative aptitude. The table below summarizes significant topics for candidates’ CAT 2024 preparation.

Sections	Syllabus	Weightage in Exam
Quantitative Ability (QA)	Number System Arithmetic Modern Math Number System Algebra Mensuration Trigonometry Geometry Arithmetic	34-36%
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading Comprehension Para Jumbles Para Summary Odd Sentence Out	32-34%
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Set Theory (Variables) Set Theory + Puzzles Puzzles with Additional Data Coding-Decoding and Series	30-32%

CAT 2024 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2024 exam is a 120-minute, MCQ-based test. In the exam, students must answer 66 questions from VARC, DILR, and QA. The following are the main highlights of the CAT 2024 exam pattern.

• The CAT exam is conducted in three sessions.
• Each session is for 120 minutes.
• The sectional time restriction is 40 minutes per section.
• The CAT Exam has three sections—VARC, DILR, and QA.
• Three points are given for each right answer.
• A single mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
• There is no negative marking for non-MCQs and skipped questions.
• Total number of questions: 66.
• Total marks are 198.
• It is not necessary to tackle all of the questions. 

CAT 2024 Exam Registration Process

The CAT 2024 registration form will be available on the IIM CAT website from the scheduled date. Candidates will be required to register for the exam by paying the requisite fee. Check below in brief, the process to fill out the CAT application form 2024.

• Visit the official website: Access the CAT registration form on the IIM CAT website [iimcat.ac.in], available from the scheduled date.
• Click on ‘new registration’: Initiate the registration process by selecting this option on the website.
• Provide essential details: Enter your date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID as part of the registration process.
• Complete CAPTCHA verification: Fill in the CAPTCHA code and verify your registration by entering the OTP received on your registered phone number.
• Log in with CAT 2024 ID: Use the CAT 2024 ID shared with you via email to log in and access the registration form.
• Enter personal and academic information: Fill in all required personal and academic details accurately.
• Upload documents: Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scanned copy of your signature as per the specified guidelines.
• Select preferences: Choose your preferred IIMs, courses, and test cities according to your preferences and convenience.
• Pay the application fee: Complete the registration process by paying the CAT application fee using a credit/debit card or net banking options. 

CAT 2024 Registration Date

It is anticipated that registration for the 2024 Cat Exam will open in the first week of August and close in the third or fourth week of September. November 24, 2024, is when the CAT 2024 exam is expected to take place. 

CAT 2024 Exam Registration Date

Events	Tentative Dates
CAT 2024 Registration Date	First Week of August 2024
CAT 2024 Registration Last Date	Third Week of September 2024
CAT 2024 Exam Date	November 24, 2024

CAT Admit Card 2024

The CAT 2024 admit card is a compulsory document for participating in the entrance exam and is exclusively issued to registered candidates. Those who have applied for CAT 2024 will receive their admit card through online mode. Here’s a step-by-step guide to download the CAT 2024 admit card:

• 1. Visit the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
• 2. Navigate to the ‘login’ tab
• 3. Enter your CAT 2024 application number and password
• 4. Access the ‘admit card’ section
• 5. Click on the ‘download’ button to obtain your admit card.

CAT 2024 Answer Key 

After the CAT exam in 2024, candidates can anticipate the release of the CAT 2024 answer key within three to four days. This key, presented as a candidate response sheet, offers invaluable insights into performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access and download the CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet:

1. Visit the official CAT 2024 website.
2. Navigate to the ‘login’ tab.
3. Input your CAT login ID and password.
4. Locate and select the ‘CAT 2024 answer key’ option on the screen.
5. Click on the ‘download’ icon to save the answer key as a PDF.

During the subsequent three to four days, the CAT answer key objection window will be open. Should a candidate detect any discrepancies in the official answer key, they have the opportunity to challenge it by completing an online form. The exam authorities will then review the objections and revise the CAT answer key as necessary to ensure accuracy and fairness.

CAT Exam 2024 Result

After the exam, the IIM CAT website will provide the CAT 2024 results 20 to 30 days later. Percentiles and sectional and overall marks will be included in the CAT scorecard. The steps to download the CAT 2024 result are as follows:

• Open iimcat.ac.in, the CAT website.
• The ‘CAT 2024 result/scorecard’ tab will appear.
• Put in your password and CAT application number.
• Select the section with the scorecard.
• Select the “Download” button and store the CAT 2024 scorecard PDF. 

CAT 2024 Selection Process

Candidates are shortlisted by the IIMs based on their MBA admissions CAT scores. The CAT 2024 score is acceptable for admission to the Executive MBA, Ph.D., and FPM programs, among other IIM courses. To be considered for full-time MBA admission, candidates must appear in the IIMs WAT-PI round. View the three steps of the IIM CAT regular MBA selection procedure below.

• Step 1: Candidates are whittled down based on their CAT scores.
• Step 2: Execution of WAT-PI round
• Step 3: Admission offer and final selection 

CAT 2024 Application Form

The CAT 2024 application form, which would allow admission to 20 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India, is expected to be available on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, in the first week of August 2024. The registration process for CAT 2024 will be done online, and candidates can fill out the form on the official website.

Once the CAT 2024 registration procedure is over, candidates will obtain their admit cards online. The CAT 2024 exam is scheduled to take place on the last Sunday in November 2024. The formal announcement for CAT 2024 is expected to be released in the last week of July.

CAT Exam Centres 2024

The CAT 2024 exam centers are scattered throughout 155 cities in India, with numerous test centers available in almost every location to provide candidates with flexibility. The exam is tentatively set for November 24, 2024, and will be administered in three slots. The official notification for the exam is expected to be announced in July 2024, with registration beginning in August 2024 and ending in September 2024. 

Conclusion:

CAT 2024, scheduled for November 23, 2024, is a crucial step for admission to 20 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India. Start your preparation early, as the exam is known for its moderate to high difficulty level. Stay updated with the CAT 2024 notification expected on July 28, 2024, and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern, syllabus, and registration process to ace the CAT 2024 exam.