CAT - Common Admission Test

CAT exam will be held most likely on November 27, 2022. The name of CAT 2022 conducting IIM is expected to be announced soon. The exam schedule will be announced in the last week of July. Applications for CAT 2022 will begin in the first week of August and go on till the third week of September 2022. Application fee for General candidates is INR 2,200 where as for Reserved category candidates, it is INR 1,100. CAT exam will be conducted in three sessions in 156 cities in online mode in three sessions and the duration will be two hours. Candidates will have to solve 66 objective-type questions in the stipulated time. No change is expected in the CAT 2022.

Common Admission Test or CAT exam is a national level management aptitude test, that a candidate has to clear for admission to the MBA courses offered by 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India. Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year which is conducted in computer based mode for two hours. The CAT question paper comprises MCQs & non-MCQs from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high. Apart from MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admisison to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes. 

Candidates planning to appear for the CAT this year, must know the key highlights of CAT 2022 exam. Take a look at the table below:

The minimum eligibility criteria for CAT exam is graduation in any stream. Read below detailed CAT eligibility criteria:

• Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) from a recognised university to appear in CAT 2022.
• Candidates who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with the required percentage can also appear for CAT.
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting the result are also eligible to apply for CAT 2022 exam.

Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria

CAT exam dates 2022 will be announced by July 31. Take a look at the table below for the tentative schedule of CAT 2022:

CAT exam is conducted by the top six IIMs on rotation basis. The name of CAT 2022 convening institute will be announced by May. Check the below table to know which IIMs conducted CAT in recent years:

The syllabus of CAT 2022 exam has remained the same for more than last ten years. Check below the in-focus topics of CAT 2022 syllabus for exam preparation:

Also Read:

• CAT exam syllabus for VARC, DILR and QA
• CAT exam: How scaled CAT score will be calculated?
• Strategies to score 99+ percentile in CAT 2022

CAT question paper is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. Candidates are required to solve both MCQ and Non-MCQ type questions. The questions paper is usually of moderate to high difficulty level with QA posing more challenges in terms of tough questions. Check the highlights of CAT 2022 exam pattern below:

Number of candidates who appeared for CAT 2021

CAT exam is considered to be the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. The overall paper is moderate to tough in terms of difficulty level, with one of the two sections being easier than the other. Check the table below for overall difficulty level of CAT Exam in past five years:

• Make a list of topics according to your strengths and weaknesses.
• Join online study groups on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, etc.
• Collect relevant study material and recommended books for CAT preparation.
• Make a day-wise plan and allot one topic each from VARC, DILR and QA.
• Practice two-three questions from the topic studied on the same day to assess how much you have learnt.
• Gradually, increase the speed in covering the number of topics each day.

For detailed and section-wise CAT 2022 preparation strategy, read CAT preparation: Tips, tricks and expert guide

Go through the articles listed below for expert tips and topper interviews for CAT preparation:

Prepare for CAT 2022 exam with previous years' question papers & prep guides. Get topper tips & expert advice.

CHECK OUT:

• Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions
• Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions
• Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions - Part 2
• Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions
• CAT prep: These many mock tests will optimise your score

Try this CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.

Try CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.

Click on the links below to know how CAT toppers prepared for the exam and note down exam day tips that they have to offer:

CAT 2022 exam registrations will begin most likely from August 3 and end by September 23. Last year, the CAT application fee was increased by 10 per cent. For General category students the application fee was INR 2,200 and for reserved category students, it was INR 1,100. This year, the fees is expected to remain the same. Check below CAT registration and application process 2022:

• Go to iimcat.ac.in website
• Click on new registration
• Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register
• Log in with the ID received in email to fill the application form
• Enter personal and academic details
• Upload a passport sized photo and scanned signature
• Select preferred courses and IIMs
• Select preferred test cities
• Pay application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

Note: Candidates can select up to six cities for allotment of CAT exam centre.

CAT registrations in past 10 years

A total of 2.31 lakh applications were received for CAT 2021. In 2020, about 2.30 lakh candidates registered for CAT exam and about 1.97 students appeared for it. In 2019, about 2.44 lakh candidates applied for the CAT exam and 2.10 lakh appeared in the exam. The number of applications received for CAT exam 2019 is the highest in past 10 years. 

CAT 2022 admit card will be available on the official website for download from the scheduled date. The CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre, thus candidates must download a colour print-out of the same. It is advised to download two copies, as one copy is to be submitted at the exam centre. The CAT 2022 admit card has test centre location, exam slot, reporting time and other related information printed on it. Here’s the process to download CAT 2022 admit card:

• Log on to CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
• Click on 'login' tab
• Enter CAT 2021 application number and password
• Go to 'admit card' section
• Click on 'download'

Also Read: CAT 2022 admit card

Like last year, CAT 2022 exam will be conducted by following COVID-19 guidelines. Read below documents to carry and items prohibited at the CAT 2022 exam centre.

Documents to carry

Candidates appearing for the exam must carry the following documents to the CAT exam centre to get entry inside the exam hall: 

• Admit card: Candidates appearing for the CAT 2022 exam must carry two print outs of their admit cards with their photo affixed on it. Entry without admit card and photo ID will not be permitted. 
• Identity Proof: Along with the admit card, candidates are required to carry a photo ID proof such as College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card), employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhaar card
• Name change document: In case a candidate changed their name, they will be required to carry a name change certificate/document

Items prohibited inside the CAT 2022 exam hall:

• Calculator, watch, phone, iPad or any other electronic item
• Bags and purses
• Eatables and beverages
• Jewellery and accessories that contain metal
• Jackets and clothes with pockets
• Closed footwear 

Note: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring medical certificate of the same to the test centre.

Also Read: 

• What to carry to the CAT exam centre
• Official CAT test day guidelines

Take a look at CAT 2022 exam day work flow:

• Visit the official website of CAT 2022 (iimcat.ac.in)
• Click on the 'login' tab
• Enter CAT login ID and password
• Click on 'CAT 2022 answer key' will appear on the screen
• Click on 'download' icon to save it as PDF

The answer key objection window will be opened for four days from the day of release. Candidates will be required to fill an online form, upload a supporting document to prove the object is valid and requisite fee.

CAT 2022 exam result will be declared most likely in the first week of January 2023. The CAT 2022 exam scorecard will be issued in downloadable PDF format, which can be accessed on the CAT 2022 website by using login ID and password. The CAT 2022 result cum scorecard contains each candidate’s raw scores (sectional and overall) and percentiles (section and overall). Here’s the process to download CAT 2022 result:

• Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
• Click on CAT 2022 result/scorecard tab
• Enter CAT application number and password
• Go to scorecard section
• Click on download

Also Read:

• CAT 2022 result download
• CAT score vs CAT percentile: Know the difference

IIM admission and selection process begins after the announcement of CAT result. Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:

IIM Admission Process

CAT 2021 selection procedure for all the IIMs includes the following:

1. Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
2. Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
3. Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Also Read: 

• IIM admission and selection criteria through CAT
• Courses offered by IIMs
• IIM cut offs for 2022 admission
• IIM shortlist: Final results, wait list, selection process

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Institutes accepting CAT 2022 score other than IIMs also conduct GD/PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. However, there are a few colleges, which admit students based on CAT score only. 

Also Read:

• MBA admission process and deadlines 2022
• MBA fees of top colleges in India

Check CAT cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

CAT cut off for IIM admission is fixed by each institute category wise. While the qualifying cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut offs:

*The cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category.

CAT scores are accepted by 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across the country. You can visit the links in the below table to know the cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM: 

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Exam Score

Given below is the list of top 20 MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list includes IITs offering MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies. 

Also Read:

• Top 30 MBA colleges accepting CAT score apart from IIMs
• MBA from IITs: Admission process, selection criteria, CAT cut off and fees

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The amount mentioned here is course fee of PGP/MBA (two years). 

 *The fee amounts mentioned in the table above have been rounded off to the nearest lakh. The fees may increase in the new academic session.

FAQs Regarding CAT Exam

Q: What is the CAT 2022 exam date?

Q: When will CAT 2022 registrations begin?

Q: What is the difficulty level of CAT exam?

Q: Which are the top MBA colleges I can apply to with 80 percentile CAT score?

Q: What is the application fee for CAT exam?

Q: Is there an age limit to appear in CAT exam?

Q. I am in the second year of graduation. Can I appear for CAT for practice purpose?

Q: Can I appear for more than one slot of CAT exam?

Q: Are there any special provisions for PwD candidates?

Q: Is the extra one hour for PwD candidates distributed among three sections of CAT question paper?

Q: I belong to EWS category, which documents do I need to upload with CAT application form?

Q: What is the marking scheme for CAT exam? Is there negative marking?

Q: Can I select my preference for shift and test date?

Q: What are the scholarship schemes in IIMs that candidates appearing in CAT can avail of upon admission?

For queries regarding CAT Registration, Application and Payment Processing, Document uploading:

cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) - Monday to Saturday 9:00AM to 6:00PM (excluding National holidays).

For Academic queries like eligibility, category and PwD certificate, please contact CAT Centre office with contact details as follows:

cat2021@iima.ac.in

+91-079-7152 4630 / 4631 / 4633 / 4634 (Monday to Friday excluding holiday, from 9:30am to 5:30pm)

CAT CentreC/o. Admissions Office,Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad,Vastrapur, Ahmedabad – 380 015, Gujarat, India

CAT exam date will be announced on July 31, 2022 at the exam website and in newspapers. It will be announced online at the IIMCAT website and in national dailies. The exam is expected to be held on November 27, 2022. CAT exam registrations will begin from the first week of August, 2022.  

The CAT exam is conducted for admission to the 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-Schools across India. Every year, about two lakh candidates apply for the CAT. Get all the information about CAT exam dates 2022 here to prepare for the exam and fill the application form.

DFP-Banner

• CAT registration: CAT registration for 2022 exam will be an online process. The notification will be announced in the last week of July and registration process will begin in the first week of August. Candidates can apply for the CAT exam on iimcat.ac.in website. The application window will remain open till the third week of September 2022. To apply for CAT exam, candidates need to register and create an account, fill the application form and make online fee payment.

• CAT form correction dates: After the CAT 2022 application process, the examination authority will provide a chance to candidates to edit a few fields in the already submitted application forms. Candidates will be allowed to update photo, signature and test city preference in their forms.

• CAT admit card release date: CAT 2022 admit card will be issued in the fourth week of October. Candidates will be required to download their admit cards from the official website. No hard copy of will be issued, thus candidates must download their admit cards before the CAT exam day.

• CAT 2022 exam: CAT 2022 exam will be held most likely on November 27. Candidates will have to appear for the exam in Computer Based Testing mode at allotted test centres. CAT exam will be held in three slots - 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. 
• CAT answer key release and objection dates: After the CAT exam, answer keys and individual response sheets will be released. In case any candidate feels the official answer is wrong they can raise objection to it by filling an online form. The examination body will verify the candidate's claim and revise the CAT answer key if required.

• CAT result date: The result of CAT 2022 will be announced in the first week of January 2023. Test takers will be required to download their CAT scorecards from the official website.

CAT 2022 notification regarding the schedule will be released on July 31. Check the table below for tentative events and dates of CAT 2022 exam:

CAT exam is a common aptitude test for MBA admission. Check below key highlights of CAT 2022 exam:

Read More:

• CAT Question Papers
• CAT Exam Pattern
• CAT Syllabus
• CAT Exam Analysis
• CAT Cut Offs
• CAT Preparation Tips and Strategy
• Best Books For CAT Preparation
• CAT Mock Tests for Practice

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

CAT Percentile predictor prepared by Shiksha.com helps students to get their predicted CAT percentile on the basis of their expected exam score. So, predict your CAT score by clicking the link below:

Q: When will CAT 2022 exam be conducted?

Q: When will CAT registration for 2022 exam begin?

Q: Will CAT exam 2022 also be conducted in three shift?

Q: When should I start preparing for CAT exam 2022?

Q: When will CAT 2022 result be announced?

Q: Will IIM release CAT answer key before result?

Q: When will IIM shortlisting process begin for admission through CAT?

Q: Where can I fill CAT 2022 form?

Q: What is the age limit to appear for CAT?

Q: What if I have not completed graduation by the time of CAT exam?

Q: What is the syllabus for CAT exam?