INTRODUCTION
CAT known as the common Admission Test is one of the top entrance exams in India, the exam is a gateway for students to get admission to top-class B-schools in India like IIM. CAT is not only an entrance exam but a golden opportunity to fulfill one’s dream in business. The exam is computer-based and takes place once in a year. The exam has 3 sections in total Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The exam conducted by the IIM institutes is based on authority and rotation. They use the CAT scores for selecting candidates for postgraduate courses like MBA, PGDM, etc. Recently it has been announced that IIT and IIS will also use CAT scores instead of JEMT to select candidates for management programs. The exam enables students to study in top-rated institutes like IIM where students can get a quality education, highly ambitious peers, and expert faculty to provide a brilliant learning environment. So students not only get an education but also get a lifetime experience of teamwork and motivation to continue to dream big and shape the future of the country. For cracking the CAT exam students must have a smart and effective plan. Staying motivated and choosing the right materials while making strategies also elevates the results of the exam. The exam is not just for MBA aspirants other than that many institutes accept CAT scores for management studies and higher studies in different sectors, every year almost more than 2 lakh candidates register for the exam.
CAT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized university
- A minimum of 50% marks for the open category and 45% marks for the SC/ST/PwD category in the bachelor's degree
- Candidates in the final year/semester of their degree program can also apply
- No age limit or work experience requirement
CAT EXAM DATE HIGHLIGHTS
- CAT registration begins in the month of August
- The exam takes place in last week of November
- The result announces in 1st week of January
CAT EXAM PATTERN AND TEST STRUCTURE
- The exam is computer-based.
- For each section 40 minutes is given.
- Students cannot change sections in between.
- The exam is MCQ-based.
- For each correct answer +3 marks awarded
- For each wrong answer, -1 mark is deducted.
- There are three sections in the exam.
- Total number of the question is 66.
- The total mark is 198.
- The exam duration is 120 minutes.
- In the first section verbal ability and reading comprehension there are 24 questions and the total mark is 72.
- In the next section data interpretation and logical reasoning there are 20 questions of 60 marks.
- In the third section quantitative ability there are 22 questions of 66 marks.
CAT CUT-OFF
The cut-off for CAT is:
- The cut-off marks varies from university/ colleges to university/ colleges every year
- The top B-schools like IIM ask for 98 to 99 percentile.
- Other business schools accepts minimum 50%tile .
CAT REGISTRATION PROCESS
- For application students have to log in to the official website https://iimcat.ac.in.
- Then student has to create an account and create user ID and password.
- After that an OTP will be generated for authentication.
- Then the students have to fill in the additional details like qualification, personal information, and desired city(for the exam center).
- Students have to upload scanned passport copy photos and signatures.
- After that students have to pay the application fee through online method.
- The fees for the general category students is Rs.2400
- For reserved categories the fees is Rs.1200.
CAT EXAM PREPARATION TIPS
- Students has to go through the syllabus.
- Students must know the topic thoroughly.
- After that students must be acquainted with the exam structure and make a strategic plan to complete the exam in time.
- Investing in high-quality study material is also important.
- Students must get help from either online lectures or coaching classes to get a clearer idea about the exam.
- Having a constant study routine and a healthy study habit one can crack the exam easily.
- Students must practice the previous year's question papers and sign up for serialized mock tests to check their progress.
- Overall staying motivated and working hard while being consistent is the way to go.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CAT
With all the pressure while preparing for exams, here are some systematic tips to crack your competitve exams –
- Begin by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern, including the number of sections, types of questions, marking scheme, and time duration. This will help you strategize your preparation effectively.
- Develop a comprehensive study plan that covers all the topics included in the syllabus. Allocate specific time slots for each subject or topic, ensuring balanced coverage.
- Set achievable goals for each study session and the overall preparation period. Break down your goals into smaller milestones to track your progress effectively.
- Identify the topics or sections that carry more weight or that you find more challenging. Allocate more time and effort to these areas while ensuring you cover all topics adequately.
- Collect high-quality study material such as textbooks, reference books, online resources, and previous years' question papers. Ensure the material is reliable and covers the entire syllabus.
- Practice is key to success in any competitive exam. Solve sample papers, practice questions, and mock tests regularly to improve your speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
- Regular revision is crucial to retain information and reinforce learning. Schedule dedicated time for revision sessions to go over previously covered material and ensure better retention.
- Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time frame. Practice time-bound mock tests to improve your speed and efficiency in answering questions.
- Keep yourself updated with current affairs, the latest developments, and relevant news related to your exam. Stay informed about any changes in the exam pattern or syllabus.
- Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude throughout your preparation. Setbacks and challenges are inevitable, but perseverance and determination will help you overcome them.
- Don't hesitate to seek clarification or assistance from teachers, mentors, or peers whenever you encounter difficulties or have doubts. Clearing your doubts promptly will prevent misunderstandings from snowballing into larger problems.
- After taking mock tests, analyze your performance critically to identify strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving weaker areas while maintaining proficiency in strong ones.
- While practising mock tests, simulate exam conditions as closely as possible. Sit in a quiet environment, adhere to time limits, and avoid distractions to replicate the real exam experience.
- Learn from your mistakes and setbacks during practice sessions. Analyze the root causes of errors and take corrective measures to avoid repeating them in future exams.
- Finally, believe in yourself and your abilities. Maintain confidence in your preparation and stay focused on achieving your goals. With dedication, perseverance, and strategic preparation, you can crack any competitive exam successfully.