What Should You Do After CAT 2024 Results

The Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level management aptitude test, which is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The purpose of this admission examination is to gain admission into postgraduate management courses, such as, Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is offered by many different institutions or colleges in India.

Since, CAT is an aptitude test, it is considerably tougher and more competitive because it allows students from any educational background to appear for the exams. Any individual with a bachelor’s degree can apply for CAT exam at any point of their career or education

What After CAT 2024 Results?

CAT 2024 results were declared on December 19, 2024. There are many steps that the candidates need to follow after the declaration of CAT results, some of them are given below:

• The first step is to download the scorecard from the official CAT website. Candidates need to login to their account by providing their application ID and password.
• The scorecard will display the candidate’s overall and sectional scores, along with the percentile. This information is essential for getting admission into various management institutions.
• Candidates are advised to research for business schools or institutions based on their CAT scores, for admission.
• Candidates will start the application process for the schools they wish to apply for and further prepare for personal interviews and group discussion rounds as part of the admission process.

Candidates must keep checking the website at regular intervals for dates and deadlines. The admission process will be over by May 2025. And interview rounds will be concluded by March-April.

CAT Result Guidance

After the declaration of CAT results, candidates must follow a procedure to understand their result and apply to different business schools based on their scores:

• Candidates must visit the official website of CAT and login using their application ID and password.
• The next step is to download their scorecard, which will include their overall and sectional scores, along with their percentiles.
• Candidates must thoroughly analyze their scorecard to understand their performance in each section: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
• Since each institute has their own CAT cut-off scores and admission criteria, candidates must familiarize themselves with the admission criterias of the institutions they wish to apply for, and further search for institutions that accept admission based on their CAT scores.
• Candidates must look for topics and career choices that align with their goals.
• Many institutions conduct Personal Interviews (PI) and Group Discussions (GD) as [art of their selection process. In order to thoroughly prepare for these rounds, candidates must brush up on current affairs, and personal interview questions.
• Candidates must apply to the Business schools that they are interested in and keep all the necessary documents necessary, such as essays, recommendations and transcripts. 
• Candidates must keep checking the websites of the institutions that they applied to and keep track of the necessary dates. 

MBA Admission Process Post-CAT

• Written Ability Test/Group Discussion-Personal Interview, is the second phase of CAT admission, after the results of CAT examination are declared. The cut-off scores for different management institutes are different and therefore they release their cut-off score for this round. This round generally takes place around the months of February to April, therefore candidates get a time period of nearly two months to prepare for this phase. 
• In the third phase of MBA admission, the composite score of each candidate is calculated, based on several parameters. Composite score means the total score that the candidate has obtained out of hundred, during the selection process, based on the below mentioned parameters:

Also Read :  Differences Between SNAP Score and Percentile

WAT/GD-PI Preparation Tips for Aspiring CAT students

Preparing for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), is a crucial step for CAT aspiring students. Who are aiming to get admission into prestigious institutions. Some tips are given below:

• Candidates must stay updated with current affairs and the events that are happening around the world, which is why candidates must read newspapers, magazines and online news portals, in order to stay updated. This knowledge will be invaluable in the GD and PI rounds. 
• Candidates can also collaborate with peers and form a study group. They can further practice discussing various topics and GDs. This learning environment will further enhance the communication skills of students. 
• Candidates can also practice engaging in mock interviews, with friends or mentors.This experience will give them a boost of confidence.
• For GD: candidates are advised to remain calm under pressure, and carefully structure their argument based on evidence or example. Candidates must avoid rambling and present their points directly, without going astray from the topic.
• For PI: Candidates must be through about their resume, so that they’d be able to answer anything if asked. Candidates must prepare for questions like: ‘Te;; me about yourself’ or ‘Why do you want to pursue MBA at our institution?’. Candidates must be honest and dress appropriately for the interview.

Shortlisting B-Schools after CAT

After the declaration of the CAT results, candidates must shortlist business schools based on their scores, and other factors, such as the institution’s ranking and academic environment:

• Different B-Schools ask for specific percentiles, such as, IIM Bangalore requires a minimum cut-off of 80 to 85 percentile in each section. 
• Other than CAT scores, B-Schools also evaluate candidates based on their Class 10 and Class 12 marks, along with their graduation percentage. Consistency in academic records can significantly enhance a candidate’s profile. 
• Some B-Schools also prefer candidates with prior work experience and relevant work experience can enhance a candidate’s chance at getting admission.
• While shortlisting B-Schools, candidates must look over certain aspects, such as:

1. Reputation and Ranking: Candidates must look into the rank of various B-Schools through sources such as NIRf.
2. Specializations Offered: Candidates must ensure that they are considering offering the specialization that they align with their career choice. 
3. Fees and Financial Aid: Candidates must investigate and compare the fee structure of different institutions and look for financial aid, and scholarships that are available. 

Non-CAT exams for MBA

CAT is a highly competitive exam but alternative exams to pursue MBA are also available and are listed below:

• Management Aptitude Test (MAT): This exam is conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA) and is conducted four times a year. 
• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT): This exam is conducted by Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), And over 150 institutions accept Xavier scores for admission.
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT): This exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This score is accepted by all AICTE approved institutions.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): This exam is conducted by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It is a globally recognized test and is accepted by top B-Schools in India and Abroad. 

Preparing MBA Applicants

Preparing for MBA application is a very strategic process, and some of the tips are given below:

• Candidates must have a clear cut goal and reflect on the reasons for pursuing an MBA course. Candidates must have plans based on their career goals.
• Top MBA programs give preference to candidates with prior work experience, Therefore, candidates must focus on gaining professional experience that highlight their leadership skills and capacities.
• Candidates must focus on strengthening their academic profile because MBA institutions evaluate a candidate’s profile by going through their graduation CGPA as well. If the graduation CGPA is not strong, candidates must take courses like statistics or finance.
• Candidates must start preparing for entrance exams way before and not wait till the last moment. They must give time to their weak areas and try to improve.
• Candidates must thoroughly prepare for WAT/GD-PI rounds by brushing up on their general knowledge and engaging in mock interviews with friends or mentors.

FAQs

1) What should be done after getting CAT results 2024?

After acquiring the scorecard, candidates must analyze their performance and determine which B-Schools will align with their cut-off marks and career goals.

2) How long is the CAT score valid?

The CAT score is valid for only one year.

3) What if my CAT scores are not satisfactory?

Scoring below the expectation mark does not eliminate the chances of getting admission into a good MBA program. Moreover, candidates can also prepare and appear for alternative entrance exams for getting MBA admission.

4) What are some other entrance exams for MBA admission except CAT?

Some entrance exams other than CAT are - XAT, SNAP, CMAT, GMAT, MAT.

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