The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. The CAT exam is considered to be one of the most competitive exams in India, and it opens the door to some of the most prestigious business schools in the country. In this blog, we will discuss the CAT ka Full Form and who is eligible to take the exam.
The CAT ka Full Form is Common Admission Test. The CAT exam is conducted annually to select candidates for admission into the postgraduate management programs offered by various IIMs and other business schools in India. The exam is designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude for management studies and consists of questions in areas such as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Eligibility for CAT Exam
To be eligible for the CAT exam, a candidate must fulfill the following criteria:
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent examination are also eligible to apply.
- Minimum Marks: The candidate must have scored a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PWD) in their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent examination.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for the CAT exam.
- Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India. Non-resident Indians (NRIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs), and overseas citizens of India (OCI) are also eligible to apply.
- Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate can make for the CAT exam.
Management Institutes of CAT
The CAT exam is considered to be highly competitive, with lakhs of students appearing for the exam every year. The exam pattern is designed to test a candidate’s analytical and problem-solving abilities, and it requires consistent preparation and practice to crack the exam. The CAT exam is conducted in over 150 cities across India, and candidates can choose their preferred exam center while filling up the application form.
Apart from the IIMs, there are several other prestigious management institutes in India that accept CAT scores for admission into their management programs. Some of these institutes include:
- Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi
The CAT exam is a computer-based test, and candidates are provided with an on-screen calculator during the exam. The duration of the exam is 180 minutes, and it consists of 100 multiple choice questions. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, while each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 1 mark.
In addition to the CAT exam, some IIMs also conduct their own selection process, which includes Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). The selection process is designed to evaluate a candidate’s communication skills, leadership abilities, and overall personality.
Registration Process for CAT Exam
The CAT exam is usually conducted in the month of November every year, and the registration process for the same starts in August. The registration process for the CAT exam is conducted online. And candidates can register on the official website of the CAT exam.
The registration process for the CAT exam involves the following steps:
- Registration: Candidates need to visit the official website of CAT and create a login ID by providing their basic details.
- Filling out the Application Form: After successful registration, candidates need to fill out the application form by providing their personal, educational, and other details.
- Uploading Documents: Candidates need to upload scanned copies of their photographs, signature, and other relevant documents.
- Payment of Application Fee: After completing the application form, candidates need to pay the application fee online.
- Submission of Application Form: After completing all the above steps, candidates need to submit the application form online.
The application fee for the CAT exam varies for different categories of candidates. For general category candidates, the application fee is Rs. 2000, while for SC, ST, and PWD candidates, the application fee is Rs. 1000.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CAT exam is one of the most sought-after management entrance exams in India. It is conducted annually to select candidates for admission into the postgraduate management programs offered by various IIMs. And other business schools in India. To be eligible for the CAT exam, a candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. And must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent examination.
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