CAT Exam 2023: CAT is a two-hour exam with 66 questions. VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude are the three categories into which CAT questions are classified. Total score for CAT test 2023 is 198. A multiple choice question has a negative marking of 33.33% for each incorrect response. Negative marking is not applicable to TITA questions in the CAT exam.
- Highlights of the CAT Exam
- Exam dates and schedule for CAT 2023
- Important Dates & Events for CAT 2023
- Latest News and Updates about CAT
- CAT 2023 Eligibility Cateria
- Registration and Login for CAT 2023
- CAT Exam Pattern for 2023
- CAT 2023 Syllabus Topic Wise
- Months to Prepare for the CAT 2023
- CAT Mock Test Series
- CAT-based IIM MBA Admission Process
- IIM CAT Cut Off
- FAQ?
Examine the CAT Syllabus and Pattern. Practice RC passages, para jumbles, and para completion questions if you want to do well on the CAT VARC. Focus on learning the topics in math and algebra first in order to prepare for the CAT Quant syllabus. There are no specific chapters in DILR to get ready for. The only way to get a 95+ percentile in this part is through practice. Check Topic Weighting for CAT 2023. The range of the CAT Cut off for IIM.
Highlights of the CAT Exam
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test |
| CAT 2023 Conducting IIM | IIM Lucknow |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Frequency of exam | Once every year |
| Application Process | Online |
| Registration fees | – INR 2400 for GN category – INR 1200 for Reserved category |
| CAT exam duration | 2 Hours |
| Sections | – Quantitative Ability (QA) – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| TITA Questions in CAT | ‘Type In The Answer’ questions in CAT. MCQs. |
| Total marks of CAT exam | 198 |
| Medium of Exam | English (Exam is conducted in CBT mode) |
| Admission | 20 IIMs + 1000 Other MBA Colleges |
| IIM Full Form | Indian Institute of Management |
| CAT 2023 Helpdesk | – Email: [email protected] – Phone: 1800-2090-830 |
iimcat.ac.in is the official website of CAT registration, login, official media releases, information brochure, admit card download, scorecard download. IIM Lucknow activated iimcat.ac.in 2023 on July 30, 2023.
Exam dates and schedule for CAT 2023
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 Exam Time | 8:30 am to 10:30 am |
| Slot 1 Reporting Time | 7:00 am |
| Slot 1 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 7:10 am to 8:00 am |
| Slot 1 Test Screen Login | 8:15 am |
| Slot 2 Exam Time | 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm |
| Slot 2 Reporting Time | 11:00 am |
| Slot 2 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 11:10 am to 12:00 pm |
| Slot 2 Test Screen Login | 12:15 pm |
| Slot 3 Exam Time | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm |
| Slot 3 Reporting Time | 3:00 pm |
| Slot 3 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 3:10 pm to 4:00 pm |
| Slot 3 Test Screen Login | 4:15 pm |
Important Dates & Events for CAT 2023
The following list of crucial dates and events for CAT 2023 is based on the official notification issued by IIM Lucknow on July 30, 2023.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 Exam Time | 8:30 am to 10:30 am |
| Slot 1 Reporting Time | 7:00 am |
| Slot 1 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 7:10 am to 8:00 am |
| Slot 1 Test Screen Login | 8:15 am |
| Slot 2 Exam Time | 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm |
| Slot 2 Reporting Time | 11:00 am |
| Slot 2 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 11:10 am to 12:00 pm |
| Slot 2 Test Screen Login | 12:15 pm |
| Slot 3 Exam Time | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm |
| Slot 3 Reporting Time | 3:00 pm |
| Slot 3 Admit Card Scrutiny, Frisking, and Biometric Registration | 3:10 pm to 4:00 pm |
| Slot 3 Test Screen Login | 4:15 pm |
Latest News and Updates about CAT
- IIM Amendment Bill 2023 Approval:
- The IIM Amendment Bill 2023 was approved by the parliament.
- The total number of IIMs has been increased to 21.
- The name of NITIE Mumbai has been changed to IIM Mumbai.
- CAT Scores Accepted by IIFT:
- Starting this year, IIFT will accept CAT 2023 scores for admission.
- CAT 2023 scores will determine admission to IIFT’s MBA (IB) and MBA (Business Analytics) programs.
- IIFT will not conduct a separate entrance exam.
- CAT 2023 Registration Open:
- Registration for CAT 2023 is now open.
- To apply, visit iimcat.ac.in.
- The application deadline is September 13, 2023.
- Eligible candidates can apply online to take the exam this year.
- CAT 2023 Notification Released:
- On July 30, 2023, the official notification for CAT 2023 was released by IIM Lucknow.
CAT 2023 Eligibility Cateria
- The eligibility criteria for CAT 2023 is defined by IIM Lucknow in the official notification.
- A graduation degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) is required to apply for CAT exam 2023.
- Final-year graduation students can also apply, provided they meet the minimum marks and eligibility criteria before admission.
- CA/ICWA/CS degree holders are also eligible to register for the exam.
- There is no age limit or limit on the number of attempts for the CAT exam. Candidates can take the CAT exam every year until they are satisfied with their result.
- The CAT 2023 Calendar has been released by IIM-L (IIM Lucknow) on the official website.
- The calendar provides dates for all important events and the exam day schedule.
- CAT 2023 is being conducted by IIM Lucknow.
- The CAT 2023 IIM Convenor is Prof. Sanjeet Singh Phogat.
- Prof. Sanjeet Singh Phogat is responsible for coordinating all CAT-related activities, including question paper preparation, technical coordination with TCS (the testing agency), and ensuring smooth conduct of the exam.
Registration and Login for CAT 2023
|
|
|---|---|
Registration for CAT User ID and Password | Obtain your User ID and Password by registering on the official CAT website. |
Login to Fill CAT Application Form | Use your User ID and Password to log in and complete the CAT application form. Provide details of your academic courses, work experience, programme preferences, and test city preferences. |
Upload Scanned Images | Upload scanned images of your photograph and signature, along with any other required documents, such as category and disability certificates. Make sure to follow CAT 2023 Photo Size Guidelines. |
Pay CAT Registration Fees 2023 | Pay the CAT registration fee online. The fee is INR 1200 for SC/ST/PwD category and INR 2400 for all other categories. |
Confirmation Email | Once your registration is successful, IIM will send a confirmation email to your provided email address. |
Errors to Avoid During CAT Registration | Be cautious and accurate while filling out the form to avoid errors. |
Forgot CAT User ID or Password? | If you forget your User ID or Password, follow the necessary steps to retrieve them. |
Already Registered? | If you have already registered, use the CAT Login Link available on the official website @iimcat.ac.in. |
CAT Exam Pattern for 2023
CAT 2023 exam pattern is the same as last year. There are 66 questions in CAT exam which you have to answer in 2 hours.
- There is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes each for VARC, QA, and DILR
- CAT exam is held in online computer based test (CBT) mode
- There are 2 types of questions in CAT exam- MCQ and TITA.
Can we use calculator in CAT exam?: Yes, only the provided on-screen calculator can be used in CAT exam. IIM Ahmedabad introduced the on-screen calculator in CAT exam 2015.
What are TITA Questions in CAT?: TITA questions in CAT exam are the ‘Type In The Answer’ questions wherein no options are provided like MCQs. You have to directly type the answer in the space provided.
CAT Exam Marking Scheme
CAT 2023 total marks are 198 (3 marks per question). There is negative marking in CAT exam.
- 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer of MCQs.
- No marks are deducted for TITA questions.
- For unanswered questions, no marks are deducted.
CAT 2023 Syllabus Topic Wise
We have included here the topic- or chapter-level weighting for the CAT 2023 curriculum for your reference, based on the number of questions from each topic that were asked in the CAT exam over the previous two years. You are strongly advised to prepare for CAT 2023 according to the weight assigned to each item on the exam syllabus.
Section | Topics | Estimated Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Analogies | 25-30% |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Caselets, Data Sufficiency, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Calendars, Clocks, Seating Arrangements, Venn Diagrams, Binary Logic, Logical Matching | 25-30% |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Set Theory, Functions, Quadratic and Linear Equations | 35-40% |
Months to Prepare for the CAT 2023
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation:
- Focus on mathematical topics like profit and loss, discount, false weights, mixtures, time, speed, distance, SI/CI, and time and work as your initial focus.
- Learn shortcuts for percentages and ratios to quickly solve questions.
- Practice 15-20 questions daily from 3 different topics to enhance your problem-solving skills.
VARC CAT Preparation:
- Practice parajumbles daily to improve your skills in handling these types of questions effectively.
- Solve reading comprehension questions from the last ten years of CAT exams to gain insights into the types of passages and questions.
DILR CAT Preparation:
- DILR in CAT doesn’t involve complex concepts, focus on improving logical reasoning and data interpretation skills.
- Since DILR questions are more about strategy and quick analysis, practice regularly to enhance your speed and accuracy.
CAT Mock Test Series
A crucial component of CAT exam preparation is taking both full-length and sectional mock examinations. For ongoing practice, you can sign up for any coaching center’s CAT mock exam series. Among the most popular exam series in India are the TIME CAT mock test, Unacademy CAT sample test, and Career Launcher CAT mock test.
CAT-based IIM MBA Admission Process
Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| CAT Exam | Candidates must appear for the CAT exam and achieve the minimum required cut-off for the respective IIM. |
| CAT Result Declaration | Candidates check their CAT results and percentiles on the official CAT website. |
| Shortlisting | IIMs release shortlists based on CAT scores and other parameters like academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors. |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) | Shortlisted candidates attend WAT and PI rounds conducted by IIMs. |
| Final Selection | Performance in WAT and PI, CAT scores, academic profile, and other factors determine final selection. |
| Final Admission Offer | Selected candidates receive admission offers from the respective IIMs. |
| Acceptance of Offer | Candidates accept the offer by paying the acceptance fee within the specified time. |
| Document Verification | Candidates’ documents are verified for authenticity and eligibility. |
| Fee Payment | After document verification, candidates pay the admission fee as per IIM’s instructions. |
| Induction and Orientation | Selected candidates join the MBA program with an induction and orientation session. |
IIM CAT Cut Off
The minimum percentile needed to qualify for admission at the specific institute is known as the CAT Cut off for IIM. For IIM, a CAT cut-off score between 80 and 95 percentiles is required. However, for most schools, the ultimate IIM CAT Cut off is higher than 98 percentile.
IIM (in order of NIRF 2023 Ranking) | CAT Cut off for IIM |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad Cut off | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore Cut off | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode Cut off | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta Cut off | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow Cut off | 90 |
| IIM Indore Cut off | 90 |
| IIM Raipur Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Rohtak Cut off | 95 |
| IIM Udaipur Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Kashipur Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Trichy Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Ranchi Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Shillong Cut off | 75 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam Cut off | 80 |
| IIM Jammu Cut off | Male- 90, Female- 87 |
| IIM Nagpur Cut off | 85 |
| IIM Amritsar Cut off | 85 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya Cut off | 92 |
| IIM Sambalpur Cut off | Male- 92, Female- 80 |
| IIM Sirmaur Cut off | 92 |
FAQs
The Common Admission Test is the full name of the CAT. It is an entrance exam held annually for admission to MBA programs at IIM and other Indian business schools.
Yes, the CAT 2023 exam will take place in November. The CAT exam will take place in 2023 on November 26, according to IIM Lucknow. There is still time to register for the exam through September 13.
Yes, CAT 2023 will be held in the month of November. There will be CAT exam in 2023 on November 26, confirmed IIM Lucknow. The registration for the exam is already underway till September 13.
MBA without CAT is also beneficial because there are other ways to get into the best business schools. If you can get an MBA admission without taking the CAT, you can still learn and achieve similar things, provided you can get into one of the top universities that accepts scores other than the CAT.
Any graduate who received a 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) or higher is qualified to take the CAT. The applicant is still qualified for the CAT even if they are in their final year of graduation. Holders of professional degrees are also permitted to take the CAT exam in 2023.
