The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their post-graduate management programs. CAT scores are also accepted by several other management institutes across India. In this blog, we will discuss the purpose of the CAT exam and will discuss why you should opt for the CAT exam.
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The Primary Purpose Of The CAT Exam
The CAT exam’s purpose is to select candidates for admission to the IIMs and other leading management institutes in India. The IIMs are some of the most prestigious management institutes in the country and offer a wide range of post-graduate management programs, including the two-year Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM), the one-year Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP), and the Fellow Program in Management (FPM). These programs are highly sought after by students and professionals looking to build a career in management.
Apart from the IIMs, several other leading management institutes in India, including the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) in Delhi, Management Development Institute (MDI) in Gurgaon, and SPJIMR Mumbai, also accept CAT scores for admission to their management programs. These institutes are highly respected in the industry and offer a range of management programs to cater to the diverse needs of students and professionals.
What is the CAT Exam Pattern?
The CAT exam is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in various areas, including quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. The exam is conducted in online mode and consists of three sections, with a total of 66 questions. Candidates are given 120 minutes to complete the exam, and there is a negative marking for wrong answers. Have a look at the given below table to know more details about the CAT exam pattern.
| SECTION | DURATION | Number of questions (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | 40 minutes | 24 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes | 20 |
| Quantitative Ability | 40 minutes | 22 |
| Total | 120 minutes | 66 |
Who Can Apply For the CAT Exam?
Aspirants who are taking the CAT 2023 must fulfil the eligibility criteria, which is mandatory for the submission of the CAT 2023 application form. It is imperative to be aware of the eligibility criteria to apply for the CAT exam, which are shown below.
- Candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with an aggregate of at least 50% for the general category (45% for SC, ST and PWD candidates) in any discipline.
- Candidates who are in the final year of their under graduation are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam. These candidates must submit provisional graduation certification with the required marks during the admission process.Â
- Candidates with backlogs or arrears in their undergraduate are not eligible to apply for the CAT examination.
Is CAT exam tough?
The CAT exam is considered to be one of the toughest entrance exams in the country and is a benchmark for excellence in management education. CAT is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in various areas to offer admission to top management institutes. The CAT will decide whether the candidate has the eligibility of pursuing an MBA at IIMs or other top b-schools. The exam has become synonymous with the IIMs and other leading management institutes in India and is a badge of honour for those who clear the exam.
Benefits Of Taking the CAT Exam
- Gateway to Top Management Institutes in India.
- Career Growth Opportunities
- Higher Salary Packages in IIM Placements
- Networking Opportunities: Management institutes offer several networking opportunities to their students, including industry interactions, guest lectures, and alumni meets. These opportunities can help students build their network and connect with industry leaders.
- Personal Development: Management programs are designed to develop a candidate’s problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills. These skills are not only useful in a professional setting but also in my personal life.
Top MBA Colleges In India Accepting CAT Scores
Top 20 Indian Institutes of Management – IIMsÂ
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta
- Indian Institute Of Management(IIM), Lucknow
- Indian Institute Of Management (IIM), Kozhikode
- Indian Institute Of Management (IIM), Indore
- Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Trichy
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kashipur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ranchi
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Udaipur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Visakhapatnam
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bodh Gaya
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Amritsar
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Sambalpur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Sirmaur
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu
Top Non-IIM Colleges accepting CAT Scores In India
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi
- S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai (for outside Maharashtra candidates)
- Institute Of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
- National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
- Department of Management Studies (IIT Delhi), New Delhi
- Shailesh J Mehta School of Management (IIT Bombay), Mumbai
- Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSOM), IIT Kharagpur
- Xavier Institute of Management (XIM), Bhubaneswar
- International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi
There are some other popular b-schools in India, including GIM Goa, Great Lakes Chennai, Fores School of Management, etc. One can also check out all the details of MBA institutes in India, along with their fees, placements and other details.
In conclusion, the CAT exam is a national-level entrance exam conducted by IMs for admission to their post-graduate management programs. The exam is also accepted by several other leading management institutes in India. The CAT exam is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude in various areas and is considered to be one of the toughest entrance exams in the country. The exam is a benchmark for excellence in management education and is highly respected in the industry.
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