CAT Application

Know About the CAT Application Process, Syllabus & Eligibility

The Common Aptitude Test is popularly known as CAT. It is a national-level management entrance exam conducted every year by different IIMs. The test guarantees entry into all IIMs i.e., Indian Institute of Management and other top-notch CAT participating management institutes across the country.

It is one of the most important exams for entry into the leading Management institute across the country. Every year approximately 2.5 lakhs aspirants appear for the test. The application process runs for the common aptitude test from July to August in the following year. The test happens once a year. All applicants must meet a set of eligibility criteria to earn a chance to sit for the exam.

Process for CAT Application

Following are some of the essential application steps for all aspirants to follow:

Filling of the application form: all the aspirants can apply for CAT exam through online mode only. The first step towards the application process involves the actual filling of the application. An applicant must visit the official advertisement for the detail’s application process.

Essential Docs Submission: This step involves the introduction of required docs. Some of these include Class 10- and 12-marks sheet, graduation Mark sheet and Certificate, DOB certificate, Address proof, and Caste category certificate (if applicable). The essence of the docs is to verify that an applicant meets the academic qualification needed by the exam conducting body.

Application Fee: It involves the payment of a non-refundable application fee of INR. 1900 for General Category aspirants and INR. 950 for SC/ST/PWD Aspirants. In this step of fee, payment aspirants can pay online using their credit/debit card or online banking as per their convenience.

Syllabus for CAT Exam

The test Conducting body does not release any official syllabus for the CAT exam. However, this exam has been conducting for an extended period of time. The exam mentors from the preparing institutes have analyzed the exam syllabus. Below are some of the critical areas to study.

Quantitative Ability (QA)

  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Averages
  • Percentage
  • Time & Work
  • Speed, Time and Distance
  • Number System
  • Probability
  • Permutation & Combination
  • Progressions
  • Simple & Compound Interest
  • Functions
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Inequalities
  • Mixture and Allegation
  • Set Theory

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VA)

  • Para jumbles
  • Antonyms
  • Synonyms
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Analogies
  • Idioms and phrases
  • One-word Substitutions
  • Error-Spotting

Data Interpretation (DI)

  • Pie Charts
  • Bar Charts
  • Venn diagram
  • Graphs
  • Direction Test
  • Coding-Decoding
  • Clocks and Calendars
  • Sequences and Series
  • Syllogisms
  • Binary Logic
  • Blood Relations
  • Arrangements
  • Puzzles
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Assertion and Reason

CAT Test General Structure

The CAT test is divided into three significant sections. These are Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation. But there is three round of selection procedure happens in CAT test when aspirant appears to form the first stage. These are the Written Test, Group Discussion, and followed by Personal Interview. The total duration of the exam is three hours. The test consists of Computer Based Test.

CAT Test Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must meet a given set of requirements to qualify to sit for the Xavier Aptitude Test. Therefore, the Exam Board advise the applicants to go through the advertisement for the CAT exam carefully before applying for the exam. Below are some of the criteria which should be followed.

  • Aspirants should have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • Aspirant must be a citizen of India.
  • Bachelor’s degree must be of a minimum of 3 years.
  • The Overall percentage of marks of the appearing aspirant should be 50% in Bachelor’s Degree (45% for SC/ST/PWD aspirants).
  • No upper or lower age limit required for appearing for the test.
  • NRI and foreign aspirants can also apply to the institutes with GMAT scores.

Selection Procedure of CAT Test

All participating B-Scholl, along with the IIMs, has their Selection Criteria. All participating B-school set their cut-off list for selecting the appropriate aspirant for their Institutes. The things which are taken into consideration while considering the aspirant for the seat are; the aspirant CAT score, His/hers UG, 10th, and 12th Percentage of marks. Finally, their performance on GD and PI should be considered for the final selection into the B-Schools.

 Common Aptitude Test Exam Centre: CAT is conducted across all over India with the specifically mentioned city. Aspirants must visit the advertisement briefly for the selection of the Exam Centre.

 Common Aptitude Test (CAT) Results: After Completion of the CAT test, the result will be made available on the website. The concerned authority announces the CAT results in January. It is advisable to the aspirants that they should keep visiting the concerned Sites regularly for the Updates regarding the CAT test and Availability of result. Aspirants who have appeared for CAT will be able to see their results when it will be made available on the official site.

Written by
Yarav Srivastava
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