What Is CAT Exam? Pattern, Syllabus, Duration & Purpose

WHAT IS CAT EXAM?

What Is CAT Exam? Introduction: Understanding the CAT Exam Clearly Many MBA aspirants begin their journey with one basic question — what is CAT exam and why is it important? The Common Admission Test is the most widely accepted entrance exam for MBA admissions in India. Before filling the application form, beginners often worry about eligibility, exam difficulty, attempts, and whether CAT is meant only for engineers. Understanding the CAT exam properly helps avoid confusion, mistakes, and unnecessary stress during registration.

What Is CAT Exam?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted every year by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

The CAT exam is used to shortlist candidates for:

MBA and PGDM programs at IIMs
Management programs at IITs
Top B-schools such as FMS, MDI, SPJIMR
More than 1000 MBA colleges across India

Important to know:
Clearing CAT makes you eligible for shortlisting, but it does not guarantee admission.

CAT Full Form and Exam Purpose

Item	Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test
Exam Level	National
Conducted By	One of the IIMs
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Purpose	MBA / PGDM admissions

CAT Exam Is For What Purpose?

The CAT exam evaluates:

Analytical thinking
Logical reasoning
Language comprehension
Quantitative aptitude

It is designed to test problem-solving ability, not academic background.

Who Can Apply for CAT Exam?

One of the strongest advantages of the CAT exam is its inclusive eligibility rules.

Common Admission Test Eligibility Criteria

You can apply for CAT if:

You have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
You are in the final year of graduation
Your degree duration is minimum 3 years

Minimum Graduation Marks Required

Category	Minimum Percentage
General / EWS / OBC	50%
SC / ST / PwD	45%

Key Eligibility Points

No age limit
No restriction on number of attempts
All academic streams are eligible
Distance education degrees are accepted if UGC-recognized

CAT Exam Pattern

Understanding the CAT exam pattern helps beginners plan preparation in a structured way.

CAT Exam Pattern Overview

Section	No. of Questions	Time
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	~24	40 minutes
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	~20	40 minutes
QA (Quantitative Ability)	~22	40 minutes
Total	~66	120 minutes

Total Question in CAT Exam

Around 66 questions
Combination of MCQs and non-MCQs (TITA)
Sectional and overall time limits apply

CAT Exam Duration and Marking Scheme

Total Duration: 2 hours
Marking Scheme:
- +3 marks for correct answers
- −1 mark for incorrect MCQs
- No negative marking for non-MCQs

Accuracy and time management matter more than attempting all questions.

CAT Syllabus

There is no officially fixed syllabus, but the pattern remains consistent.

CAT Syllabus by Section

VARC

Reading Comprehension passages
Para-jumbles
Summary and inference questions

DILR

Tables, charts, graphs
Logical puzzles
Data interpretation sets

Arithmetic (highest weightage)
Algebra
Geometry
Number system

CAT Previous Years’ Papers – Click here to take CAT 2025 QA in test format

CAT vs XAT

Factor	CAT	XAT
Conducted By	IIM	XLRI
Used For	IIMs + many B-schools	XLRI + select colleges
Decision Making Section	No	Yes
GK Section	No	Yes

Most aspirants focus on CAT first, then extend preparation to XAT.

Admission Process in IIMs After CAT

Clearing the CAT exam is only the first stage.

IIM Admission Process Includes:

Clearing CAT cutoff
Academic and profile shortlisting
Written Ability Test (WAT)
Personal Interview (PI)
Final merit list based on composite score

Top 10 IIMs in India and Average Packages

Below is an approximate overview of the average salary packages offered at the top IIMs. Figures are indicative and vary each year.

IIM	Approx. Average Package (₹ LPA)
IIM Ahmedabad	34–36
IIM Bangalore	33–35
IIM Calcutta	34–36
IIM Lucknow	30–32
IIM Kozhikode	28–30
IIM Indore	25–27
IIM Shillong	24–26
IIM Udaipur	22–24
IIM Trichy	20–22
IIM Ranchi	19–21

These packages are influenced by academic profile, internships, specialization, and performance during campus recruitment.

CAT Study Material and Preparation Basics

CAT Study Material Options

Standard quantitative and reasoning books
Previous year CAT question papers
Section-wise practice material

CAT Exam Mock Test Importance

Helps identify strengths and weaknesses
Improves speed and accuracy
Builds exam-day confidence

Campus Recruitment After IIMs

After completing an MBA from IIMs, students participate in campus recruitment processes where companies offer roles in:

Consulting
Finance
Marketing
Product management
Operations and analytics

Recruiters evaluate overall profile, not just CAT score.

Common Myths About CAT Exam

CAT is only for engineers ❌
Age matters for CAT ❌
Multiple attempts reduce chances ❌
CAT guarantees IIM admission ❌

All of the above are false.

Final Summary: What Is CAT Exam?

The CAT exam is India’s most important MBA entrance examination. It is open to candidates from all academic backgrounds and age groups.

Eligibility rules are simple, but selection depends on performance in CAT, academic profile, and interview stages. Understanding the CAT exam clearly helps aspirants make informe

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the CAT exam and why is it important for MBA admissions?

The CAT exam, or Common Admission Test, is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management. It is important because CAT scores are used for admission into all IIMs and many top MBA colleges in India. For students aiming to pursue an MBA from reputed institutions, CAT acts as the primary screening test.

2. Where can I register online for the CAT exam?

Candidates can register for the CAT exam through the official CAT website released every year by the conducting IIM. Registration is done online, where applicants need to create an account, fill in academic and personal details, upload documents, and pay the application fee within the specified deadline.

3. Who can apply for CAT exam?

Any candidate who has completed or is in the final year of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university can apply for the CAT exam. Applicants from all academic streams such as Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, and professional courses like CA, CS, or CMA are eligible, subject to minimum percentage requirements.

4. What is the CAT exam pattern and duration?

he CAT exam is conducted in computer-based mode and consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA) The total exam duration is 2 hours, with 40 minutes allotted to each section.

5. Are there any official CAT exam preparation books?

There are no books officially published by the IIMs for CAT preparation. However, several well-known publishers and authors provide trusted preparation books that cover the CAT syllabus, practice questions, and previous year trends, which are widely used by aspirants.

6. Which online platforms offer CAT mock tests?

Many established online learning platforms and MBA preparation providers offer CAT mock tests. These platforms provide full-length mocks, sectional tests, and detailed performance analysis to help candidates understand their strengths and weaknesses.

7. What are the best apps to practice CAT questions?

Several mobile apps are available that allow candidates to practice CAT-level questions daily. These apps usually include topic-wise quizzes, previous year questions, mock tests, and performance tracking, making them useful for regular practice and revision.

8. Can I get sample CAT exam papers from coaching institutes?

Yes, most major coaching institutes provide sample CAT exam papers and practice sets. These sample papers help aspirants understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions commonly asked in the CAT exam.

9. How do top coaching institutes prepare students for CAT exam?

Top coaching institutes prepare students for the CAT exam through a structured approach that includes concept-building classes, regular practice sessions, mock tests, performance analysis, and doubt-solving support. They focus on improving accuracy, time management, and exam strategy rather than rote learning.

10. Is CAT eligibility same as IIM admission criteria?

No, CAT eligibility and IIM admission criteria are not the same. CAT eligibility only determines whether a candidate can appear for the exam. IIM admission criteria include additional factors such as CAT cutoffs, academic performance, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in interviews and written assessments.