Everything about CAT 2024 in 1 Click ✅ CAT Exam COMPLETE Details

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to the CAT exam for MBA admissions in India, detailing its structure, eligibility, syllabus, and preparation strategies. With over 200,000 applicants annually, CAT is a crucial test for admission to top B-schools like IIMs. The video covers exam patterns, marking schemes, and the importance of mock tests. It also discusses alternative exams and addresses common queries, aiming to assist prospective MBA students in their journey.

Takeaways

• 📅 The CAT exam is conducted on the last Sunday of November, likely the 24th of November in 2024.
• 💻 CAT is a Computer Based Test (CBT) with no option to take it from home.
• 📝 The exam consists of 66 questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (Quant).
• 🕒 Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes and the total duration of the exam is 2 hours.
• 🎯 The marking scheme awards 3 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for each incorrect MCQ answer, with no negative marking for TITA questions.
• 📚 There's no defined syllabus, but the exam covers math up to 10th-grade level and is application-based.
• 📈 The CAT exam is taken by around 200,000 to 250,000 people annually, making it India's largest management entrance exam.
• 💼 CAT scores grant admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
• 📋 Eligibility requires a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation for general category and 45% for reserved categories, along with a minimum 3-year graduation degree.
• 📈 Preparation typically takes a year and involves concept videos, question banks, and mock tests.
• 🌐 The exam is conducted across approximately 160 cities with around 350 test centers, and candidates can choose 6 preferred cities during registration.

Q & A

What is the purpose of creating the CAT exam video?

The purpose of creating the video is to provide a comprehensive guide for the CAT exam to those who are unaware of the exam's details, such as its pattern, syllabus, and preparation methods, as the creator faced similar challenges during their preparation.

What is the CAT exam and why is it significant in India?

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a major management entrance exam in India, significant because it is taken by approximately 200,000 to 250,000 people annually for MBA admissions, with the top business schools, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), granting admission based on the scores.

When does the CAT exam registration typically open and close?

The CAT exam registration form usually opens in the first week of August and closes by the middle of September.

On which date is the CAT exam likely to be held in 2024?

The CAT exam for 2024 will most likely be held on the 24th of November, as it is conducted on the last Sunday of November.

What are the registration fees for the CAT exam for general and reserve category students?

The registration fee for the CAT exam was 2400 rupees for general category students and 1200 rupees for reserve category students.

What are the two major eligibility conditions to register for the CAT exam?

The two major eligibility conditions are having a minimum of 50% marks in graduation (45% for reserved category) and possessing a minimum of a 3-year graduation degree.

Can final year students apply for the CAT exam?

Yes, final year students can apply for the CAT exam, even if they are in their final year on the date of the exam.

How many questions are there in the CAT exam and what is the time allotted to solve them?

There are 66 questions in the CAT exam, and the time allotted to solve them is 2 hours.

What is the marking scheme for the CAT exam?

For every correct answer in the CAT exam, you get 3 marks. For every wrong MCQ answer, there is a deduction of 1 mark. TITA questions and skipped questions are considered as zero without any negative marking.

How is the CAT exam divided into sections?

The CAT exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (Quant), with 24, 20, and 22 questions respectively.

Is there a defined syllabus for the CAT exam?

No, there is no defined syllabus for the CAT exam. It generally includes math up to the 10th-grade level, but the questions are application-based.

What is the duration of preparation for the CAT exam and what does it involve?

The average duration of preparation for the CAT exam is one year, involving understanding concepts through videos, practicing with a question bank, and taking mock tests.

How is the CAT exam conducted and what is the process for result declaration and admission?

The CAT exam is conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) in physical centers across the country. Results are declared in the last week of December or the first week of January, followed by an admission process that includes interviews and other evaluations based on the CAT score and other factors.

Are there any alternatives to the CAT exam for MBA admissions?

Yes, there are alternatives like XAT, SNAP, CMAT, and MAT exams, and some MBA colleges that do not require the CAT exam, evaluating based on the candidate's profile.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to CAT Exam

The speaker introduces the Common Admission Test (CAT), a significant management entrance exam in India, with over 200,000 participants annually. They share their personal experience of researching the exam due to a lack of guidance and aim to simplify the information for future test-takers. The video covers the CAT exam's purpose, registration process, timeline, fees, and eligibility criteria. It also provides an overview of the exam's structure, including the types of questions and the marking scheme. The speaker emphasizes that the exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is for those seeking MBA admissions.

05:02

📘 Understanding CAT Exam Structure and Syllabus

This section delves into the structure of the CAT exam, detailing the number of questions, time limits, and the distribution across three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (Quant). The speaker clarifies that there is no defined syllabus but provides a PDF with a syllabus and trend analysis. They also recommend using past papers for practice. The preparation strategy involves videos for concept clarification, question banks for practice, and mock tests for assessment. The speaker discusses the option of self-study versus coaching and highlights iQuanta as a coaching institute, mentioning its success with previous CAT toppers.

10:05

📙 CAT Exam Preparation and Admission Process

The speaker outlines a one-year preparation plan for the CAT exam, divided into five stages: covering basics, understanding concepts, clearing the syllabus, taking mock tests, and revising. They mention partnering with iQuanta for the video and provide details about their course, including new features for non-engineers. The speaker also discusses the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format of the CAT exam, the process of selecting test centers and slots, and the normalization process to ensure fairness across different exam slots. They cover the result declaration timeline, the admission process involving interviews and other criteria, and the validity of the CAT score. The speaker concludes by discussing alternatives to CAT for MBA admissions and provides contact information for queries.

Keywords

💡CAT exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance exam in India for admission into postgraduate management programs, primarily at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). In the script, the CAT exam is the central theme, with the video aimed at providing comprehensive details about the exam, its pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategies.

💡MBA admissions

MBA stands for Master of Business Administration, a postgraduate degree that focuses on business management. The CAT exam is conducted for MBA admissions, as mentioned in the script, highlighting its importance for candidates seeking to pursue an MBA in India.

💡IIMs

IIMs, or Indian Institutes of Management, are a group of top business schools in India. The script mentions that the CAT exam grants admission to these prestigious institutions, emphasizing the value of a good CAT score for MBA aspirants.

💡Eligibility

Eligibility refers to the qualifications or requirements needed to be met for participation in a particular activity. In the context of the video, eligibility conditions for the CAT exam include a minimum percentage in graduation and a minimum duration of the degree, which are crucial for potential test-takers to know.

💡MCQ

MCQ stands for Multiple Choice Questions, a type of question where the test-taker is given a question and multiple possible answers, and must choose the correct one. The script explains that MCQs make up a significant portion of the CAT exam, with a penalty for wrong answers.

💡TITA

TITA, or 'Type in the Answer', is a question format where the test-taker must type the exact answer into a box. The script notes that TITA questions do not have negative marking, which is an important aspect of the CAT exam's marking scheme.

💡Syllabus

The syllabus refers to the list of topics or subjects that are covered in an examination. The script mentions that although there's no defined syllabus for the CAT exam, it generally includes math up to the 10th-grade level, which is crucial information for exam preparation.

💡Mock tests

Mock tests are practice exams designed to simulate the actual test conditions. The script suggests that mock tests are an essential part of CAT exam preparation, allowing test-takers to gauge their performance and improve their strategies.

💡Normalization and scaling

Normalization and scaling is a process used in the CAT exam to adjust scores to ensure fairness across different test sessions. The script explains that this process accounts for variations in difficulty levels across different exam slots, ensuring equitable scoring.

💡CBT

CBT stands for Computer-Based Test, which is a type of examination delivered on a computer. The script clarifies that the CAT exam is a CBT, meaning that all questions are presented and answered electronically at a test center, rather than being taken from home.

💡Academic profile

An academic profile encompasses a student's educational background, achievements, and qualifications. The script mentions that, along with the CAT score, an applicant's academic profile is considered during the MBA admissions process, indicating the importance of a strong educational background.

Highlights

CAT is the largest management entrance exam in India with 200,000 to 250,000 applicants annually.

The CAT registration typically opens in the first week of August and closes in mid-September.

The exam is usually conducted on the last Sunday of November.

The registration fee for CAT was 2400 INR for general category and 1200 INR for reserve category in the previous year.

CAT grants admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

Eligibility requires a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation for general category and 45% for reserved category.

A minimum 3-year graduation degree is required to apply for CAT.

Final year students are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam.

No work experience is required for the CAT exam.

The exam consists of 66 questions to be solved in 2 hours.

Questions are divided into MCQs and TITA types.

Each correct answer in MCQs awards 3 marks, while incorrect answers deduct 1 mark.

There is no negative marking for TITA questions or unanswered questions.

The exam is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quant, with different question distributions.

The time limit for each section is 40 minutes, and sections cannot be switched during the exam.

There is no defined syllabus for the CAT exam; it includes math up to 10th-grade level and is application-based.

The CAT exam is considered to have a moderate difficulty level.

Mock tests and question banks are essential for CAT exam preparation.

Coaching for CAT is not mandatory, and many resources are available for self-study.

iQuanta is recommended for CAT coaching, with many toppers emerging from the institute.

The CAT exam is conducted in 3 slots, and a normalization process ensures fairness across different papers.

Results are typically announced in late December or early January.

The CAT score, along with academic performance and extracurricular activities, is considered during the MBA admission process.

The CAT exam score is valid for one year for most business schools.

Alternative exams like XAT, SNAP, CMAT, and MAT are available for MBA admissions if CAT does not go well.

The CAT official website provides a helpline number and email ID for any queries.

Transcripts

Hi guys and welcome back to the channel.

In this video, we will discuss the complete details of

the Common Admission Test, which is the CAT exam.

Before making this video,

let me explain why I'm creating it.

When I was preparing for the CAT exam, I had no idea

that such an exam is conducted for MBA admissions.

None of my family members had pursued an MBA.

I didn't have any friends or seniors in college

who were familiar with it.

I conducted extensive research to understand

the exam pattern, syllabus, and how to prepare.

I also read about the experiences of others.

The whole process took me about a month.

That's why I've made this video.

If you want to take the CAT exam in 2024,

you won't need anything else besides this video

to know what this exam is about

and how to prepare for it.

Let's first understand an overview of the CAT exam.

CAT is the biggest management entrance exam

in India because almost 200,000 to 250,000 people

appear for this exam every year.

Last year, 3.28 lakh people registered for it.

The registration for CAT is done online.

The application form usually opens in the first week

of August and closes by the middle of September.

It is conducted on the last Sunday of November,

which means the CAT exam for 2024

will most likely be held on the 24th of November.

Last year, the registration fee was 2400 rupees

for general category students and

1200 rupees for reserve category students.

This exam grants admission to the IIMs, which

stands for the 'Indian Institutes of Management',

which are the top business schools in the country.

Now that you know the basics,

let's talk about the eligibility and process.

There are two major eligibility conditions

to register for the CAT exam.

Firstly, you need to have a minimum of 50% marks

in your graduation.

This refers to your aggregate marks

from all semesters, which should be at least 50%

at the time of application.

If you belong to a reserved category,

the percentage required is 45%.

The second condition is that you must possess

a minimum of a 3-year graduation degree.

It could be a 4-year or even a 5-year degree,

but a minimum of 3 years is necessary.

An important point here is that even if you're in your

final year, you can apply for the CAT exam.

If you are in your final year on the 24th of November,

you are eligible to register for this exam.

For this exam, no work experience is required.

It's not necessary.

Even if you have it, you can still apply.

If you are studying in any recognized

college or university in India,

then you can definitely apply for this exam.

It doesn't matter whether you're an engineer or

non-engineer, your degree is obtained online or offline.

You can register for it.

So, our eligibility criteria are covered.

Let's talk about its structure now.

Last year, this exam had a total of 66 questions.

The time allotted to solve these questions is 2 hours.

The types of questions asked in this exam

are divided into two categories.

The first type is called MCQ,

which stands for multiple-choice questions,

where you're given four options to choose from.

The second type is TITA,

or what we call 'Type in the Answer' questions.

In these, you're provided with a box

where you have to type your answer.

For instance, if there are four options,

you might need to type something like 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Sometimes, if the answer to a question is 120,

you'd have to type 1 2 0.

The split of these 66 questions is such that

almost 48 questions are MCQs,

and 18 questions are of the TITA type.

Now, let's understand its marking scheme.

For every correct answer, you get 3 marks.

For every wrong answer,

there's a deduction of 1 mark,

but this deduction of 1 mark applies only to MCQs.

This means if you answer a TITA question incorrectly,

there won't be any negative marking;

It'll be counted as zero.

Similarly, if you skip or leave a question unanswered,

it'll also be considered as zero

without any negative marking.

Now, let's talk about its sections.

This exam consists of three sections.

The first one is Verbal Ability and Reading

Comprehension, referred to as VARC.

The second is Data Interpretation and Logical

Reasoning, known as DILR.

The final is Quantitative Aptitude, often called Quant.

No. of questions varies across these three sections.

For example, VARC has 24 questions,

DILR has 20, and Quant has 22.

The highest number of marks possible in each

section would be 24 multiplied by 3, which is 72.

Similarly, it would be 60 and 66.

As I mentioned earlier, the time limit for the entire

exam is 2 hours, but it's also divided section-wise.

The first section is allocated 40 minutes.

The second section also gets 40 minutes.

The third section has 40 minutes as well.

When you start the paper, firstly VARC will appear,

followed by DILR, and then Quant.

You cannot switch between sections,

nor can you change the order.

VARC will be there for a complete 40 minutes,

only then will DILR appear,

and after 40 minutes, Quant will appear.

Let's discuss the syllabus and difficulty level of exam.

Honestly, there's no defined syllabus for CAT exam.

Even if you visit the official website,

you won't find specific chapters mentioned.

The general understanding is that

it includes math up to the 10th-grade level,

but the questions are application-based.

The questions asked vary between

easy, medium, and difficult levels.

Overall, the CAT exam is considered

to have a moderate difficulty level.

For your reference, I had prepared a PDF file where

I mentioned the syllabus of the CAT exam.

In this, you'll find the syllabus.

On the second page, there's a trend analysis

of chapters for Quant, indicating the number of

questions from each chapter in previous years.

This will help you understand

which chapters are important for this exam.

Along with this PDF, I would recommend

looking into past years' papers.

These PDFs are available online for free.

Simply download them and check what kind of paper

was presented last year; it will help you.

Let's talk about the preparation for the CAT exam.

Preparation for this exam is done over a year.

Some people do it for a shorter duration,

while others put in more time.

On average, one year is considered sufficient.

The study material for it is divided into three parts.

Firstly, you need some videos to clear your concepts.

Secondly, you require a question bank for practice.

Thirdly, you need mock tests,

which are like sample papers.

You solve them online to gauge your comfort level

and track how your scores improve.

Coaching for preparing for this exam isn't mandatory,

but it's an option.

Many people self-study using books to cover their

concepts, know the questions, and then take mocks.

On the other hand, some opt for coaching

where mocks, videos, question banks,

everything is provided by the coaching institute.

Here, I'd suggest thoroughly checking

a coaching institute's website, their demo videos,

and their reviews before joining.

For this video, I've partnered with iQuanta because

last year, several toppers emerged from there.

For instance, Gursimran Ahuja, who scored 99.8%

and got into IIM Ahmedabad.

Rishi Mittal scored 100% and joined IIM Bangalore.

Ananta, who scored 99.9%, went to IIM Ahmedabad.

All these toppers were iQuanta students.

In fact, many questions in last year's CAT 2023

were from iQuanta's CAT course.

You can also check the reviews of students about this

on a particular blog post which I'll provide a link to.

This time, iQuanta is adding Non-Engineer Conceptual

Videos for their CAT 2024 Course, which will

essentially summarize the content from 6th to 10th

NCERT textbooks, aligned with the CAT Syllabus.

Past students of iQuanta have shared that the

institute generally covers each topic in two ways.

Firstly, they explain it in their live stream classes.

Then there's an application-based session where

they present questions related to the topic.

This way, you not only know the concepts of a topic

but also learn how to apply them.

You will also have a 24x7 doubt-solving facility.

You can get your questions resolved at any time.

If you're looking for good coaching for CAT 2024,

you can consider iQuanta.

I have added all the details, strategies,

syllabus, everything about iQuanta's CAT course

in the description.

You can check it out comfortably.

Let's talk about the plan I mentioned for one year

and how it's divided into stages.

It consists of five stages.

First, you cover your basics.

Then move on to understanding concepts,

followed by efforts to clear your syllabus.

Next, you start taking mocks, and finally, you revise.

I've already created a comprehensive video on this,

which I'll link in the description for you to check out.

For those deciding to self-study, I'll also make a

detailed video outlining a daily routine.

For now, you can use an Excel sheet where

I've structured all the available YouTube videos

on different chapters, which can assist you.

If you need guidance throughout this entire process,

you can use Instagram, YouTube, or Reddit channels.

There are numerous creators available there.

If you need to resolve any doubts,

there are excellent Facebook groups available,

such as iQuanta's Facebook group.

Similarly, there are several WhatsApp groups,

and a proper forum on Reddit.

You'll also find groups on Telegram.

The CAT exam is a CBT (Computer Based Test),

which means you don't have to write anything.

You're provided with a computer or a desktop

where the questions appear, and

you use a mouse to mark your answers.

You do get rough sheets for calculations,

but you don't mark any answers on any sheet.

Everything is done on the computer.

Note that this is conducted in physical centers.

It's not an exam you can take from home.

You have to go to a test center to take the exam.

Generally, you have the option to select 6 cities.

There are around 350 test centers across the country.

The exam is conducted in approximately 160 cities.

When you fill out the form,

they ask you for your preferred 6 cities.

Based on your preferences,

the test centers are allocated to you.

The CAT exam is conducted in a total of 3 slots.

The first is the morning slot,

which is from 8:30 to 10:30 AM,

followed by the afternoon slot from 12:30 to 2:30 PM,

and finally, the evening slot from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

The slot you're assigned is totally random.

You have no control over it.

However, it doesn't make a difference.

Different papers are presented in all three exams.

You might think that if a different paper comes,

the paper in another slot might be easier.

For this, a process called

normalization and scaling is used.

Basically, when your exam result comes out, your

total marks are received, which will be allotted to you.

These marks are then scaled or normalized.

This means that depending on how difficult the paper

was in your slot, it is adjusted accordingly,

either increased or decreased so that all the papers

across different slots are considered at an equal level.

After that, the answer key is released,

usually within 7 days from the exam day.

This allows you to check approximately

how many marks you might score.

Let's discuss the CAT exam's result

and the admission process.

The result arrives in the last week of December

generally or the first week of January.

Some colleges, such as certain IIMs,

don't require a separate application form.

While filling out the CAT form, you can select

which IIMs and programs you wish to apply for.

Your application will be directly sent to those IIMs.

For other MBA colleges, you have to apply separately

along with the CAT form.

The application deadlines for applying to these other

colleges vary—some are before the CAT exam,

some are after, but before the result,

and for some colleges, it's after the result.

You can check individually on their websites.

I have also made a video for reference,

and you can watch it for more details.

After the CAT Exam, the interview rounds typically

inquire about four main aspects broadly.

Each college has its own criteria, such as

personal interviews, group discussions,

written ability tests, and statement of purpose.

I've also made a video recently on this topic,

which you can check out.

During the admissions process for MBA colleges,

the CAT score is one component,

along with your academic marks,

whether you have work experience or not, and the

evaluation of your profile & extracurricular activities.

After considering all these factors,

the colleges create their merit lists.

Each college has its own selection criteria.

The CAT exam score is valid for one year

for most business schools.

You can take the exam as many times as you wish.

The exam is held only once a year, but you can take

the exam for as many years as you want.

There is no maximum age limit for this exam.

Now let's talk about alternatives,

if your CAT exam doesn't go well.

There are some MBA colleges that

don't require the CAT exam.

They evaluate based on your profile

without needing the CAT score.

Another thing is there are exams

other than CAT that you can take.

Most colleges accept these exams too,

such as XAT, SNAP.

IIFT didn't happen this year, but IIFT is also an exam.

Similarly, you can take the CMAT or the MAT exam.

The final point is about queries.

If you have any doubts, then the CAT official website

provides a helpline number and an email ID

that you can reach out to.

Every year, different IIMs conduct the CAT exam.

CAT 2023 was conducted by IIM Lucknow.

This is an in-depth about the CAT exam,

covering everything you may want to know

before you start your preparation.

I truly hope that what I personally saw within a month,

I've managed to cover and explain in a video—

not too short, a bit long, but in a simple manner.

I truly hope that it helps you.

Thank you so much for watching, guys!

Wish you the very best for your journey.