CAT Exam: Eligibility and Pattern Explained

What is the CAT?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance test in India, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotating basis. CAT scores are used for admission to the IIMs and accepted by many other management institutes across the country.

Who can take the CAT?

Eligibility is based primarily on holding a bachelor's degree with the minimum percentage that the IIMs specify, with relaxations for certain reserved categories as defined in the official notification. Final-year undergraduate students are generally also allowed to apply, subject to the conditions stated each year. Because the exact percentage and category criteria are set in the official notification and can change, always confirm them on the official CAT website.

• A recognised bachelor's degree (minimum percentage per official notification)
• Category relaxations as defined officially
• Final-year students may apply, subject to official conditions

Broad exam structure

The CAT is a computer-based test broadly organised into sections covering verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning, and quantitative ability. The number of questions, sectional timing, and marking scheme are announced in the official notification each year and have changed over time, so check the current pattern on the official site rather than relying on older descriptions.

How CAT scores are used

IIMs and many other institutes use the CAT score as one component of their selection process, which can also include academic record, work experience, and later stages such as written assessments and interviews. Each institute publishes its own selection criteria officially.