All about CAT 2024 Exam that every beginner should watch | Complete CAT Exam Guide

Ananta Chhajer

18 Mar 202411:22

Summary

TLDRThe video script is a comprehensive guide for aspiring MBA candidates in India preparing for the CAT exam. It covers the exam timeline, application process, selection of preferred cities and institutes, and the pattern of the CAT exam. The speaker discusses the importance of CAT scores for admission to top B-schools and provides insights into the exam's three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. The script also touches on the preparation timeline, suggesting 10 months as ideal but acknowledging that effective preparation is possible in shorter periods. It highlights the success of students in the previous CAT exam, mentioning high scores and the benefits of a coaching approach that combines theory with practical application.

Takeaways

📚 The video discusses preparing for the CAT exam in India, focusing on the timeline and process for applying and taking the exam.
📅 The application form for CAT typically comes out in the first week of August and continues until the second or third week of September.
🏫 Candidates must choose their preferred cities for the examination and select the top two among them for convenience.
📝 It's crucial to decide which IITs and courses to apply for during the application process, without considering whether you want to attend interviews or not.
💳 The application fee for CAT is around ₹2250, and for SC/ST it's about half that amount.
Admission cards for CAT are released in the first week of November, providing important information like the examination center and city.
📚 The CAT exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
⏰ Each section of the CAT exam is conducted for 40 minutes, and candidates cannot switch between sections during the exam.
📈 The number of questions in each section can vary, typically around 24 for VARC, 20 for DILR, and 22 for QA, but this is not guaranteed and can change.
🎓 Top B-schools in India, such as FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, and IIMs, accept CAT scores for admission.
📉 The final CAT results, including percentiles, are released in the second or third week of January, followed by the release of shortlists and interviews for different MBA schools starting from February.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?
-The main purpose of the video is to provide information and guidance for students preparing for the CAT exam in India, covering topics like the exam timeline, application process, and preparation strategies.
When does the notification for the CAT application form typically come out?
-The notification for the CAT application form typically comes out in the first week of August and continues until the second and third week of September.
How many preferred cities can a candidate choose in the CAT application form?
-A candidate can choose six preferred cities in the CAT application form.
What is the importance of selecting the right IITs and courses in the CAT application form?
-Selecting the right IITs and courses is important as it determines the admission prospects. Candidates should apply to all IITs and courses they are interested in without limiting their options.
What is the application fee for the CAT exam and SC/ST category?
-The application fee for the CAT exam is around ₹2250, and for the SC/ST category, it is about ₹50.
When are the admit cards for CAT released, and what information do they contain?
-The admit cards are released in the first week of November. They contain important information like the examination center and the slot in which the candidate has to appear for the exam.
How is the CAT exam conducted in terms of slots and papers?
-The CAT exam is conducted in three slots: morning, afternoon, and evening. Each slot is assigned randomly, and three different papers are assigned across these slots.
When are the CAT exam results typically released, and what do they include?
-The CAT exam results are typically released around the second and third week of January. They include the candidate's percentile and the scaled score.
Which colleges accept CAT scores for admission, and what is the additional fee for applying to these colleges?
-Most top B-schools in India accept CAT scores. There is no additional application fee or form required for IITs, but for other B-schools, candidates may need to fill out separate application forms and pay additional fees.
What is the paper pattern for the CAT exam, and how is the timing structured?
-The CAT exam paper is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section is conducted for 40 minutes, and candidates cannot switch between sections.
How should candidates prepare for the CAT exam, and what resources are available for assistance?
-Candidates should ideally prepare for 10 months for the CAT exam, but it is possible to prepare in 6 months as well. Resources like the iQuanta coaching program, which has shown good results in the past, can be helpful for preparation.

Outlines

00:00

📚 CAT Exam Preparation and Application Process

This paragraph discusses the importance of the CAT (Common Admission Test) exam for MBA aspirants in India. The speaker emphasizes the need to think about the exam and provides a timeline for the application process. Key points include the release of the application form in the first week of August, the selection of preferred cities and institutes, and the submission of the application form by the first week of November. The paragraph also highlights the importance of choosing the right courses and institutes, the application fee, and the release of admit cards. The speaker also touches on the exam pattern, which includes three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability, each conducted for 40 minutes. The scoring system is explained, with +3 points for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones.

05:01

📅 CAT Exam Preparation Timeline and Strategy

The speaker provides a detailed CAT exam preparation timeline and strategy. They mention that while 10 months is an ideal time for preparation, it's not necessary and candidates can prepare in 6 months or even less. The speaker recommends iQube, a coaching institute, for CAT preparation, highlighting their dual pedagogy sessions combining theory classes with application classes. They also mention the success of iQube in the previous year's CAT, with many students scoring high percentiles. The speaker also discusses the importance of the foundation course offered by iQube and encourages joining their free WhatsApp group for updates and webinars. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the random assignment of slots for the CAT exam and how the difficulty level of the slot can affect the scaling of scores.

10:02

🏫 MBA Admission Process and Interview Preparation

This paragraph outlines the MBA admission process and interview preparation for multiple B-schools. The speaker explains that interviews will be conducted in February and March, with dates assigned based on the candidate's preference and the B-school's hearing timeline. The interview process includes a personal interview and a retentive aptitude test, which could be a GD (Group Discussion) depending on the B-school. The speaker also mentions that the interview slot will be the same for all B-schools a candidate applies to. The paragraph concludes with information on the admission process opening in April, where candidates need to deposit fees and complete their admission process. The speaker also mentions that the session for the part-time MBA at IIT will start from June.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡CAT

CAT stands for Common Admission Test, which is a standardized test conducted in India for admission into various management institutes. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the process and preparation for the exam. The script mentions 'CAT' multiple times, emphasizing its importance for MBA aspirants in India.

💡MBA colleges

MBA colleges refer to institutions that offer Master of Business Administration degrees. The video discusses various aspects of admission to these colleges in India through the CAT exam. The script mentions that the presenter has made several videos about CAT and these colleges, indicating their relevance to the video's content.

💡Admission process

The admission process involves a series of steps that candidates must follow to gain entry into MBA colleges. The script explains the timeline and requirements for the CAT exam, including the application form, preferred cities, and selection of institutes and courses, which are part of the admission process.

💡Application form

The application form is a crucial document that candidates must fill out to apply for the CAT exam. The video script details the importance of filling out the application form correctly, including choosing preferred cities and institutes, which is a key step in the CAT examination journey.

💡Preferred cities

Preferred cities are the locations where candidates would like to take the CAT exam. The script mentions that candidates need to select six preferred cities in their application form, which is an important part of the CAT application process as it determines the examination center.

💡Exam pattern

The exam pattern refers to the structure and format of the CAT exam. The video script describes the three sections of the CAT paper: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude, each with a specific time duration and question count.

💡Scorecard

A scorecard is a document that displays a candidate's scores in the CAT exam. The script discusses the release of the scorecard and how it is used in the admission process to shortlist candidates for MBA colleges, making it a vital component of the CAT journey.

💡Percentile

Percentile is a statistical measure that indicates the candidate's score relative to other test takers. The video script explains that the final CAT percentile will be released in January, which is a key factor for shortlisting candidates for interviews at various MBA colleges.

💡Interview process

The interview process is part of the selection criteria for MBA admission at some colleges, following the CAT exam. The script mentions that interviews will be conducted in February and April, and are an important step in the final admission process.

💡IIMs

IIMs stands for Indian Institutes of Management, which are a group of top business schools in India. The script discusses that most IIMs accept CAT scores for admission, and some have specific requirements like XAT or GMAT scores, highlighting their significance in the MBA admission process.

💡Preparation timeline

The preparation timeline refers to the duration and schedule for preparing for the CAT exam. The video script suggests that while 10 months is often recommended for ideal preparation, candidates with less time can also prepare effectively, as demonstrated by the success of students from the mentioned coaching institute.

Highlights

Introduction to the CAT exam and its significance for MBA admissions in India.

The timeline for the CAT exam, including notification release and application form submission dates.

The importance of selecting preferred cities and institutes while filling out the application form.

Details about the CAT exam pattern, including the three sections and the time allocated for each.

The marking scheme for the CAT exam, including the scoring system for correct and incorrect answers.

The process after the CAT exam, such as the release of admit cards and the exam slots assigned.

Information about the CAT exam slots and how they are randomly assigned to candidates.

The release of CAT exam results and the percentile calculation based on the difficulty level of the slot.

The shortlisting process by B-schools and the criteria they use, including CAT scores and other factors.

The importance of CAT scores for admission to top B-schools and the exceptions for some institutes like FMS and IIMA.

The role of coaching institutes like iQuanta in CAT preparation and their impact on student success.

The availability of resources like 24/7 doubt solving and foundation courses for comprehensive CAT preparation.

The strategy for CAT exam preparation, including the ideal timeline and the flexibility for different candidates.

The importance of practice and mock tests in CAT preparation and how they help in improving problem-solving skills.

Tips for selecting the right coaching institute and the factors to consider while making a choice.

The benefits of a dual pedagogy approach combining theory classes with application classes.

The process of shortlisting and interviews for admission to B-schools and the timeline for these events.

The final admission process after interviews, including fee deposition and confirmation of admission.

The journey of a CAT aspirant from preparation to admission and the steps involved in the entire process.