All About CAT- Full Form of CAT, Admission, Courses, Syllabus, Eligibility & Career

CAT:Common Admission Test

CAT stands for Common Admission Test.CAT is conducted every year by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on a rotational basis. CAT is a computer-based test held for admissions in elite B-Schools across India. A seat in these institutions promises high pay-packages and a rewarding career in the corporate world. As such, CAT remains one of the most sought-after competitive examinations and attracts graduates from all streams. The score is not only accepted by the IIMs, but also by other 100+ top notch B- Schools across the country. Approximately 4,000 seats are offered by the IIMs. If any candidate wants to take admission in any of the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) or other prestigious management colleges in India, he needs to clear CAT. Furthermore, each institute (IIMs or other prestigious management institutes) has its own parameters to select candidates in addition to CAT score such as written test, group discussion, personal interview, academic performance, work experience etc.

CAT 2020 Eligibility Criteria

1. The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories], awarded by any University or educational institution as incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature in India or declared to be deemed as an University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

2.Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. However, it may be noted that such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally, only if they submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that they have completed all the requirements for obtaining the Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of issue of the certificate.

3.Candidates applying for CAT 2019 should fulfill any one of the following conditions: • Completed Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks*. • Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with required percentage*. • Should be in the final year of Bachelor’s degree with required percentage.SC/ST/PwD candidates should have minimum 45%. For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%.

4.The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate would be calculated based on the practice as followed by the respective University/Institution. In case of grades/CGPA, the conversion to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure as certified by the respective University/Institution. If any University/Institution confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA, and multiplying the result with 100.

5. IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website www.iimcat.ac.in. Applicants should note that the mere fulfilment of the minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for short listing by IIMs. Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email account and a phone number throughout the selection process.

6.The candidate needs to submit the certificate by June 30, 2021 (issued on or before June 30, 2021) stating that the candidate has fulfilled all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification on the date of the issue of the certificate.


7. The percentage of marks will be calculated based on the calculation pattern followed by the concerned University/Institution. 

CAT 2020 Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

1.Number Systems

2.Profit, Loss and Discount

3.LCM and HCF

4.Speed, Time and Distance

5.Percentages

6.Time and Work

7.Ratio and Proportion

8.Averages

9.Quadratic Equations & Linear Equations

10.Complex Numbers

11.Simple and Compound Interest

12.Logarithm

13.Sequences and Series

14.Inequalities

15.Probability

16.Surds and Indices

17.Set Theory & Function

18.Permutation and Combination

19.Mixtures and Alligations

20.Trigonometry

21.Coordinate Geometry

22.Geometry

23.Mensuration

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus

1.Tables

2.Caselets

3.Bar Graphs

4.Line Charts

5.Column Graphs

6.Venn Diagrams

7.Pie Chart

8.Other Basic Reasoning Questions

9.Calendars

10.Number and Letter Series

11.Clocks

12.Venn Diagrams

13.Cubes

14.Seating Arrangement

15.Binary Logic

16.Logical Matching

17.Logical Sequence

18.Syllogism

19.Logical Connectives

20.Blood Relations

Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

1.English Usage or Grammar

2.Vocabulary Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms)

3.Fill in the blanks

4.Sentence Correction

5.Cloze Passage

6.Jumbled Paragraph

7.Meaning-Usage Match

8.Analogies or Reverse Analogies

9.Summary Questions

10.Verbal Reasoning

11.Facts-Inferences-Judgments

12.Reading Comprehension

ADMISSION PROCESS

Please note that each IIM is independent to mandate their own eligibility criteria (including academic
cut-offs and relative weights) and follow different selection processes. Performance in the CA
examination is an important component for consideration in the selection process. IIMs may
also use the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and
other similar inputs in short-listing of candidates at various stages of the selection process. For

more information, refer to the admissions policies of individual IIMs on their respective official websites.