CAT 2024 Registration, Important Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus: Check Steps to Register
CAT 2024 Registration:- IIM Kolkata has begun the CAT Registration 2024 from August 1, 2024, on its official website iimcat.ac.in. The CAT exam registration will continue till September 13, 2024. The exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024, the candidates who wish to pursue an MBA or business studies can register themselves before the deadline by providing the required details, including their personal and academic information.
Candidates should make sure they check the CAT 2024 eligibility criteria before filling up the CAT application form.
This article covers CAT 2024 important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and registration steps, read the complete article for a more detailed overview.
About the CAT 2024 Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 becomes a way into the prestigious IIMs and other top business schools in India, one of the most important steps in the life of aspiring management students who want to mold their future in the best possible manner.
This year the CAT 2024 exam will be conducted on 24th November 2024 i.e. in three sessions. In CBT (computer-based test) mode the exam will take place across over 135 cities in India. By one of the top six IIMs, the CAT exam is conducted on a rotational basis, and this year, IIM Calcutta will administer the exam.
As the CAT exam is coming nearer, the candidates need to be proficient in the registration process, important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus. So, now let's have a look at it one by one.
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
The key highlights of CAT 2024 are as mentioned below:-
| CAT Exam Particulars |
CAT 2024 Details |
| Full form of CAT |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| For 2024 the Conducting Institute |
IIM Calcutta |
| Level of Exam |
National |
| Frequency of Exam |
Once a year |
| Exam Date for CAT 2024 |
November 24, 2024 |
| Timings of the CAT Exam |
- Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
|
| Exam Fees for CAT 2024 |
2,500 INR (General category) and 1,250 INR (Reserved category) |
| Test Takers Number |
3.30 lakh (in 2023) |
| Mode of CAT exam |
Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs |
| Number of test cities |
170 |
| CAT exam website |
https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. |
1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT 2024 Exam Date
The crucial dates and timelines for CAT 2024 including the CAT 2024 registration date, the CAT 2024 applications final date, the scheduled CAT 2024 exam date, and the expected CAT 2024 result date are as mentioned below:-
| CAT Exam Events |
CAT Exam Date 2024 |
| CAT 2024 notification |
July 28, 2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 registration starts |
August 1, 2024 (Begins at 10:00 AM) |
| Registration ends |
September 13, 2024 (Till 5:00 PM) |
| CAT form correction |
Last week of September 2024 |
| CAT Admit Card 2024 |
November 5, 2024 |
| CAT exam 2024 date |
November 24, 2024 |
| CAT answer key release |
The first week of December 2024 |
| Answer key challenge process |
The first week of December 2024 |
| Declaration of CAT 2024 result |
Last week of December 2024 or the First week of January 2025 |
CAT 2024 Registration
The CAT 2024 registration form will be available on the IIMCAT website from 1st August 2024. Therefore, by paying the requisite fee the candidates will be required to register for the exam. Kindly follow the steps mentioned below to sign up for the exam:-
1. Visit the official website “iimcat.ac.in”.
2. After visiting the website, click on ‘new registration’.
3. Enter your name, dob, nationality, phone number, and email ID.
4. Fill CAPTCHA code and verify registration with the OTP received.
5. To fill out the form, log in with the CAT 2024 ID shared via email.
6. Enter academic (SSC/10th/Equivalent Details, HSC/12th/Equivalent/Diploma Course Details, Bachelor’s Degree Details, Master’s Degree Details, & Other Professional Degree Details) and personal details (candidate’s name, dob, nationality, & category).
7. Upload a recent passport-size photo within the dimensions of 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels and a scanned signature within the dimensions of 80mm x 35mm.
8. Select preferred IIMs for example IIM Raipur; IIM Rohtak; IIM Udaipur; IIM Shillong; & IIM Visakhapatnam, courses, and test cities.
9. At last, via credit/debit card or net banking, pay the CAT application fee i.e. for the general category; it is INR 2,500, and for SC/ST/PwD; it is INR 1,250.
CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria
For the CAT 2024 exam, to appear, the candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria as mentioned below:-
- The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA (for SC, ST, and PWD/DA category, 45% aggregate) from a recognized university,
- Candidates who are in the final year of a bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or waiting for results can also appear for the CAT 2024 exam.
- The candidates who hold a professional degree i.e. CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with the required percentage are also eligible.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam follows an MCQ and non-MCQ format and is conducted in three sessions with a session duration of 120 minutes. The exam paper is divided into three sections, which include VARC, DILR, and QA divided into 40 minutes of time limit for each section. The total number of questions asked in the exam is 66, where for every correct answer the candidates receive three marks and for each incorrect answer lose one mark. For non-MCQs, there is no negative marking or penalty for skipping questions. The maximum score the students can achieve in the exam is 198, and it is not mandatory to attempt all questions.
Mentioned below is the overview of the CAT Paper Pattern 2024:-
| Mode of CAT exam |
Computer Based Test |
| CAT 2024 Exam Duration |
120 minutes
40 minutes per section
|
| CAT exam slots |
- Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
|
| Number of questions |
66 |
| CAT total marks |
198 |
| Language of question paper |
English |
| Number of answer choices |
4 |
| Question Type |
MCQ and non-MCQ |
CAT 2024 Syllabus
The CAT 2024 syllabus is divided into three main sections, which consist of Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). An overview of the CAT exam syllabus is mentioned below:-
| Section |
Topics |
Weightage in Exam |
| Quantitative Ability |
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Number System
- Modern Math
- Mensuration
|
34-36% |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
- Bar Graphs
- Venn Diagrams
- Clocks & Calendars
- Team Formation
- Seating Arrangement
- Data Tables
- Data Charts
|
30-32% |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
- Para-summary
- Jumbled Paragraphs
- Picking the Out Sentence
- Long & Short Passages
|
32-34% |
Conclusion
For the CAT 2024 exam, proper preparation and awareness regarding the CAT 2024 registration process, important dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus are essential for success. Ensure that you comply with the deadlines and carefully go through the steps to avoid any last-minute hassles. Best of luck to all the aspiring candidates!
