Written BySachin Gupta Content Writer
CAT 2023 registration date is expected to be Aug 3, 2023. IIM CAT 2023 registration will be open for 40-45 days till the third week of September 2023. To apply for CAT, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Last year, 2,55,501 candidates registered for CAT. This year, more than 2.6 lakh candidates are expected to appear for CAT 2023. Check CAT Registration Process, Form, and Fees
No changes have been made to CAT exam pattern last year. CAT question paper comprises 2 types of questions- MCQs and TITA. Candidates planning to take CAT 2023 must download and solve CAT previous year papers.
- CAT exam comprises 66 questions divided into 3 sections- VARC (24), DILR(20), and QA(22).
- CAT exam time duration is 120 minutes.
- CAT total marks 2022 are 198. 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer.
- There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
CAT 2023 Cut off (qualifying) for IIMs ranges from 80-95 percentile. To get 95+ percentile in CAT 2023, once must attempt at least 60% of the questions with 95% accuracy. As per expert analysis, a score of about 95-97 would be sufficient to score 99+ percentile. Check CAT Score Vs Percentile
What is CAT? CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a national-level MBA/ PGDM entrance test conducted for admission in 20 IIMs and 1000+ other CAT score accepting B-schools. Every year around 2,00,000 candidates apply for CAT exam to get admission to 5000+ MBA/ PGDM seats.
CAT 2023 Exam Dates
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 notification | July 31, 2023 |
| CAT 2023 registration date | August 3, 2023 |
| CAT last date to apply 2023 | Third week of September 2023 |
| Last date to submit CAT registration fees | Third week of September 2023 |
| CAT 2023 form correction window opens | Last week of September 2023 |
| Last date to edit CAT application form | Last week of September 2023 |
| CAT 2023 Admit Card | Last week of October 2023 |
| CAT 2023 Mock Test | November 8, 2023 |
| CAT 2023 Exam Date | November 26, 2023 |
| CAT 2023 Answer Key and Response Sheet Release Date | First week of December 2023 |
| CAT 2023 result date | Last week of December 2023 |
People Also Ask
Ques. Is CAT 2023 exam date out?
Ans. As per CAT exam date trends, CAT 2023 exam date is likely to be November 26, 2023. IIM conducting body will conduct the exam in three slots- Morning (8:30 to 10:30 AM), Afternoon (12:30 to 2:30 PM), and Evening (4:30 to 6:30 PM).
Ques. Is there any CAT exam in 2023?
Ans. Yes, CAT exam will be there in 2023. IIM CAT 2023 will be held on Nov 26, 2023, in 3 slots- forenoon, afternoon, and evening. CAT exam is scheduled every year on the last Sunday of November.
Ques. Who will conduct CAT in 2023?
Ans. Every year, one of the 6 top IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore) conducts CAT exam. IIM Bangalore and IIM Ahmedabad conducted CAT in 2022 and 2021 respectively. CAT exam 2023 is expected to be held by either IIM Lucknow or IIM Calcutta.
Ques. Is CAT 2023 online of offline?
Ans. CAT 2023 is an online computer based test for admission to the MBA/ PGDM programs offered by IIMs. Candidates need to take CAT 2023 exam on a computer screen at the allotted test center.
Ques. Is CAT exam 2 times a year?
Ans. CAT exam is conducted annually in multiple shifts on a single day. This year, CAT 2023 exam will be held on Nov 26, 2023 in CBT mode in about 154 test cities.
CAT 2023 Exam Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Exam | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
| CAT 2023 Conducting Body | IIM-C or IIM-L, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta or Lucknow |
| CAT Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Frequency of CAT exam | Once every year |
| CAT Application Process | Online |
| CAT Application Fees |
|
| Minimum Marks Eligibility | 50% and 45% in Graduation for GN & Reserved category respectively |
| Duration of CAT Exam | 2 Hours |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections:
|
| Number of Questions | 66 |
| Medium of Exam | English (Exam is conducted in CBT mode) |
| Admission | 20 IIMs + Various other Institutes |
| Courses Offered | MBA/ PGDM in various streams |
| CAT Helpdesk | cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in; 1800-2090-830 |
| CAT Official Website | Official CAT Registration Guide- Download PDF |
CAT Full Form
CAT Full Form is Common Admission Test. CAT is the only national level entrance exam for admission to MBA courses in IIMs. Till 2008, CAT was conducted in pen-paper mode. From 2009 onwards, CAT exam is being conducted as a computer-based test. Every year, CAT exam is conducted by one of the top 6 IIMs on a rotational basis. CAT (full form- Common Admission Test) was introduced by IIMs for admitting candidates to their MBA and PGDM courses. Now, CAT scores are accepted by more than 500 b-schools.
Check CAT Preparation Plan and Study Notes for QA, VARC, DILR
People Also Ask
Ques. Is CAT exam only for MBA?
Ans. CAT exam is conducted for MBA/ PGDM admissions to the 20 IIMs and top non-IIMs like FMS Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, Delhi School of Business, NITIE Mumbai, IIT Roorkee, IBS Hyderabad, and others. To take admission to MBA programs offered at the 20 IIMs, it is compulsory to take CAT as no other exam is accepted for admission.
Ques. Can I study MBA without CAT?
Ans. CAT is mandatory if you wish to pursue MBA from IIMs. However, there are various other colleges that provide admission to MBA/ PGDM without CAT. Most candidates who take CAT also appear for other MBA exams like MAT, CMAT, XAT, NMAT, IIFT, etc., to increase their chances of pursuing MBA. The list of top colleges accepting exam scores other than CAT is given below:
| Colleges | Exam Accepted |
|---|---|
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT |
| SIBM Pune | SNAP |
| IBS Hyderabad | IBSAT |
| IIFT Delhi | IIFT |
| JBIMS Mumbai | MAH CET, MAT, CMAT |
| SIMSREE Mumbai | MAT, CMAT, ATMA |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai | NMAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT |
| Goa Institute of Management, Goa | XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT |
| Alliance School of Business, Bangalore | NMAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, KMAT |
Ques. Are 12th marks important for CAT?
Ans. To apply for CAT exam, 12th marks are not important. You just need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved candidates). However, at the time of admission, 12th marks may play an important factor as most IIMs award a considerable weightage to past academic records in preparing the final shortlist.
Ques. CAT exam is for what purpose? What are the benefits of passing CAT exam?
Ans. CAT exam is primarily taken by students for admission to full-time MBA/ PGDM courses offered by the 20 IIMs in India. CAT exam scores are also accepted in other 500+ MBA colleges across the country. If it is your dream to get an MBA degree from top institutes and then get high paying jobs in top MNCs, then clearing CAT exam is what you should be focusing on. CAT exam is not only beneficial in terms of admission opportunities, but taking this exam also increases your analytical and thinking skills.
Ques. What is the average salary I can expect after completing my MBA from IIM?
Ans. Based on the previous admission statistics, the average salary packages offered by the top IIMs ranges between 15-25 lakhs per annum. Aspirants have also received packages above 50 lakhs per annum after completing their MBA from top 3 IIMs- IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. The average salary packages offered at the newer IIMs is usually between 8-15 lakhs per annum.
CAT 2023 Notification
CAT 2023 Notification will contain all the important details regarding the Common Admission Test. CAT 2023 Notification will also mention the helpline numbers and the link to the official CAT exam website- iimcat.ac.in.
How to download CAT 2023 Notification?
To download CAT exam notification PDF, you need to visit the official IIM CAT website and click on the PDF link for CAT Information Bulletin. Candidates can also download other important documents from CAT official website including CAT Eligibility PDF, IIM Selection Process PDF, etc. Other important certificates related to scribe affidavit, diasbility, category are also available for filling CAT application form.
Details Mentioned in CAT Exam Notification
CAT Notification mentions all important details related to CAT exam dates, application form release date, registration fees, number of test centers, reservation criteria, CAT exam eligibility, exam pattern, and any changes in the syllabus. It must be noted that the list of programmes offered by all the IIMs is also mentioned in the official notification for CAT. One can find the below-mentioned details in CAT information bulletin 2023:
- CAT Eligibility: The details of CAT exam eligibility is mentioned for all category of candidates. Those having a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) can apply for the exam.
- CAT Registration Dates and Fees: CAT Notification mentions the start date, last date, and time of CAT registration. Also, the category-wise registration fees is mentioned in the notification. CAT exam registration fees is non-refundable.
- CAT Exam Date: The notification for CAT exam mentions the exam date, number of shifts, and the mode of the examination.
- CAT Reservation Criteria: To claim the reservation benefits, candidates must carefully select their category while filling CAT application form as no changes are allowed later. The reservation criteria mentioned in previous year’s CAT notification is tabulated below:
- CAT Test Centers: CAT notification mentions the number of test cities for CAT. IIMs reserve the right to cancel or add any test city or center. CAT 2023 will be conducted in more than 150 cities across India.
- CAT Admission Process: Each IIM is independent to follow its own selection procedure and eligibility criteria for MBA admissions. CAT exam forms an important component of the selection process. IIMs can also take into account the previous academic record, work experience, and other details while shortlisting candidates.
- IIMs and Courses Offered: CAT Notification begins with the list of IIMs along with their official websites and the PGP courses offered through CAT exam.
CAT Notification Sample
To get an idea of how the official CAT Notification (Information Bulletin) looks like, download last year’s CAT notification PDF.
CAT Notification: Previous Year Trends
Candidates must go through the official CAT notification pdf before registering for CAT exam. Tabulated below are the CAT notification trends for the past 5 years.
| CAT Notification | Release Date |
|---|---|
| CAT notification 2022 | July 31, 2022 |
| CAT notification 2021 | July 31, 2021 |
| CAT notification 2020 | July 29, 2020 |
| CAT notification 2019 | July 26, 2019 |
| CAT notification 2018 | July 29, 2018 |
| CAT notification 2017 | July 29, 2017 |
CAT Exam Conducting IIM
Every year, CAT exam is conducted by one of the 6 top IIMs on a rotation basis. Last year, CAT was conducted by IIM Bangalore on Nov 27, 2022. In 2021, CAT exam was conducted by IIM Ahmedabad on November 28, 2021.
CAT 2023 Eligibility Criteria
To fill CAT 2023 application forms, candidates need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria defined by the exam conducting authorities.
- Graduation: It is mandatory to have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks: Candidates must have scored at least 50% in graduation. For reserved category candidates, the minimum aggregate marks are 45%. Read CAT 2023 Reservation
- Age: There is no upper age limit criteria to appear for CAT 2023.
- Final Year Students: Final year students can also apply for the exam, however, they will be given admission only if they meet the minimum marks criteria of 50% (40% for SC/ ST/ PwD) after graduation. Furthermore, those who have completed their final examination and are awaiting results can also apply.
- Professional Degrees: Candidates with CA/CS/ICWA degrees are also eligible to fill CAT application form.
- Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT exam.
Read detailed CAT Eligibility Criteria 2023
People Also Ask
Ques. Can a 12th pass apply for CAT?
Ans. No, a 12th pass cannot apply for CAT. You need to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to be eligible to apply for the Common Admission Test.
Ques. Is there any age limit for CAT?
Ans. No, there is no age limit for CAT exam. Candidates with a 3 years bachelor’s degree in any discipline are eligible for CAT exam, irrespective of their age.
Ques. Can I give CAT without graduation?
Ans. As per CAT minimum eligibility criteria, graduation is mandatory. However, final year students can also sit for CAT. Their admission is subject to the attainment of a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved category) in graduation.
Ques. Can a 3rd year student give CAT 2023?
Ans. Yes, a 3rd year student can give CAT 2023. He/ she will be given admission only if he fulfills the aggregate minimum marks criteria after completing the final year. The minimum marks criteria is 50% (45% for ST/ SC/ PwD).
CAT 2023 Login
CAT Login 2023 and password is generated after the basic registration for CAT exam is completed. To generate CAT login details, eligible candidates need to visit iimcat.ac.in and fill in the basic registration details like name, number, gender, nationality, date of birth, email id, etc. and submit the form. The generated CAT login details are displayed on the screen and also sent on the registered email id of the candidate. CAT Login user id is a unique 8-digit number and CAT login password is a 7-digit number. CAT 2023 login details are used to complete the application form, make form corrections, download admit card, answer key, and result.
CAT 2023 Login: Forgot User ID and Password
If you forget your CAT 2023 Login credentials, i.e. password and user ID, you can recover it by following the steps given below:
- Visit the official website and click on ‘Registered Candidate Login’.
- Click on the tab for “Forgot User ID/ password”.
- Enter your registered email address, mobile number, and captcha.
- The user id and the password reset link will be sent on your registered email address and mobile number.
- Open this link to reset your CAT login password.
CAT 2023 Registration
Every year around 2 lakh candidates register for CAT exam. CAT Registration is the first step in getting admission to MBA programs offered by IIMs, IITs, and other top colleges. IIM Banglore will release CAT 2023 Application Form on August 3 (tentative). CAT 2023 registration process is completely online and the application forms are made available at iimcat.ac.in.
| Direct Link for CAT 2023 Registration- (To be Updated) |
IIMCAT Registration 2023: How to Apply?
Given below is the official video guide for CAT 2023 Registration.
CAT 2023 Registration Process
New Candidate Registration: Generate CAT User ID and Password
Candidates need to create their login credentials- CAT ID and Password on the official website-iimcat.ac.in by following the below-mentioned steps:
- Visit the official website and click on the ‘Register’ tab under the ‘New Candidate Registration’ section.
- Enter the basic details- email, name, contact number, country, and date of birth, etc., and click on ‘Submit’ to get an OTP.
- Enter the OTP and Captcha code and click on ‘I Agree and Submit’.
- Your CAT User ID and password will be generated and sent on your registered email id. Note it down for all future correspondence.
Fill CAT Application Form
Now, log in using the user ID and password generated in the previous step to fill CAT application form 2023. The below-mentioned details have to be filled in CAT application form:
- Personal Details: Date of Birth, Category, Gender, Nationality, Details of Parents, Address of correspondence, Emergency contact details.
- Academic Details: Class 10th marks, class 12th marks, graduation and postgraduation scores, professional degree/ course details.
- Work Experience Details: Although not a mandatory field, you can enter full-time work experience details in this section.
- IIM Program Preference: Candidates need to select the IIM institute, the program they wish to apply for, and the interview city.
- CAT Exam City Preference: Candidates can select 6 CAT exam cities from the drop-down list based on their convenience of time and travel. Check CAT 2023 Exam Centers
Upload Documents
While filling CAT application form 2023, scanned images of the below-mentioned documents have to be uploaded:
- Photograph: Recent photograph (not older than 6 months) in .jpg/ .jpeg format. File size should be less than or equal to 80kb.
- Signature: Signature should be done only in black ink on a white paper. Size of the image (.jpg/ .jpeg) should not be more than 80kb. The recommended dimension is 80mm x 35mm.
- NC-OBC/ SC/ ST Certificate: Self-attested scanned copy of category certificate in PDF format. The maximum file size allowed is 200 kb.
- PwD Certificate: Download the PwD certificate from the official CAT 2023 website. Fill the details, self attest, and upload as a PDF file of 200 kb or less.
Read CAT Document Upload Guidelines
Pay CAT 2023 Registration Fee
CAT 2023 Application fee needs to be paid online after completing the above steps. CAT registration fee can be paid via Debit Card. Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or online wallets.
| Category | CAT Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/ NC-OBC/ EWS | INR 2300 |
| SC/ ST | INR 1150 |
| PwD/ DA | INR 1150 |
CAT 2023 Form Correction
CAT Form Correction facility is a one-time opportunity to rectify mistakes, if any in the editable fields. Candidates who have paid the application fee within the stipulated time are able to edit the below-mentioned details:
- Signature
- Photograph
- Test City Preferences
CAT Registration Statistics
| CAT Exam Year | Total Number of Registrations |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,55,501 |
| 2021 | 2,29,969 |
| 2020 | 2,27,835 |
| 2019 | 2,44,169 |
| 2018 | 2,41,000 |
| 2017 | 2,31,000 |
| 2016 | 2,32,292 |
| 2015 | 2,18,664 |
| 2014 | 2,18,664 |
| 2013 | 1,94,000 |
| 2012 | 2,15,000 |
| 2011 | 2,05,000 |
| 2010 | 2,04,000 |
| 2009 | 2,42,000 |
| 2008 | 2,90,000 |
People Also Ask
Ques. Can I register for CAT 2023 now?
Ans. No, the registration window will open in the first week of August 2023. It is mandatory to submit the application form to appear for CAT 2023.
Ques. What is the last date for CAT registration?
Ans. The last date for CAT registration 2023 will be in the third week of September 2023. You will be allowed to apply only till 5:00 PM. No applications will be accepted after the closure of the registration window of CAT 2023.
Ques. Is CAT fee refundable?
Ans. CAT 2023 exam fee is INR 2300 for GN/ OBC/ EWS category. For candidates applying under SC/ ST/ PwD categories, the examination fee is 50% lesser, i.e. INR 1150. CAT application fee is non-refundable. Once you register for CAT exam and make the fee payment, you cannot claim a refund of the registration fee even if you decide to not take the examination.
Ques. What are the documents required for CAT exam?
Ans. You need to keep a few documents required to apply for CAT exam. These documents include:
- Scanned Images of Photograph and Signature
- Duly filled scanned copies of category certificates (if applicable) downloaded from CAT official website.
- Disability certificate
- Details of marks obtained in class 10, 12, and graduation
Ques. How do you correct a mistake in CAT application form?
Ans. If you have submitted your CAT application with an error, you correct the mistake when IIM open CAT form correction window. Remember that you can edit these details during the correction period:
- Test city preference
- Photograph
- Signature
CAT 2023 Exam Pattern
CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 by IIM Ahmedabad and these changes have continued for the 2022 exam as well. No changes are expected in this year as well. So, as per CAT Exam Pattern 2023, the question paper will be divided into 3 sections having a total of 66 questions.
- Mode of Exam: CAT 2023 will be conducted in online CBT mode at 438+ test centers located across 158+ major cities of India.
- Medium of CAT Exam: It is conducted only in the English language.
- CAT Exam Duration: 120 minutes for the entire paper
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes for each of the 3 sections.
- Type of Questions: MCQs and TITA-type questions
- Number of Questions: 66 questions (70-75% MCQs and 25-30% TITA-type questions)
- Number of Sections: 3 sections- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).
- CAT Marking Scheme: 3 marks awarded for every correct answer and 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer. No negative marking for TITA-type questions.
- Sectional Distribution of Questions:
| CAT Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 72 |
| CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 20 | 60 |
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 66 |
| Total | 66 | 198 |
CAT 2023 Marking Scheme
Given below is the CAT exam marking scheme for MCQ and TITA-type questions:
| Particulars | MCQs | TITA-type Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 | +3 |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 | No Negative Marking |
| Unanswered | - | - |
CAT Question Paper Pattern Over the Years
CAT exam pattern is reviewed every year by the conducting IIM to ensure its conformity with the needs of the IIMs. As expected, this year, no changes have been introduced in the test pattern. Tabulated below is the year-wise list of CAT exam conducting IIMs along with the trends of the changes introduced in CAT question paper pattern:
| CAT Exam Year | CAT Exam Conducting IIM | CAT Question Paper Pattern over the years | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections | Exam Duration | Number of Slots | Numer of Questions | Remarks | ||
| 2022 | IIM Bangalore | 3- VARC, DILR, QA | 120 minutes | 3 | 66 | No surprise changes in the paper pattern. QA toughest in 2 years. Para Completion questions came as a surprise in VARC. |
| 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 120 minutes | 3 | 66 | No prior information of revision in exam pattern. CAT question paper came as a surprise for the candidates. |
| 2020 | IIM Indore | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 120 minutes | 3 | 76 | Number of questions reduced to 76 and exam conducted in 3 slots instead of 2. |
| 2019 | IIM Kozhikode | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 180 minutes | 2 | 100 | - |
| 2018 | IIM Calcutta | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 180 minutes | 2 | 100 | CAT Quant section was rated to be the toughest of the last 10 years. |
| 2017 | IIM Lucknow | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 180 minutes | 2 | 100 | - |
| 2016 | IIM Bangalore | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 180 minutes | 2 | 100 | For the first time, CAT exam was conducted in the first week of December instead of the last week of November |
| 2015 | IIM Ahmedabad | 3- VARC, DILR, Quant | 180 minutes | 2 | 100 |
|
| 2014 | IIM Indore | 2- VALR, QADI | 170 minutes | 4 | 100 | Drastic change in the number of questions from the years 2011-13. Number of questions increased from 60 to 100. |
People Also Ask
Ques. Who will make CAT 2023 paper?
Ans. CAT 2023 paper will be set by the exam conducting body, i.e. either IIM Calcultta or IIM Lucknow.
Ques. Will CAT 2023 have negative marking?
Ans. Yes, CAT 2023 will have a negative marking to the extent of 33% of the allotted marks. As each question is of 3 marks, there will be a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.
Ques. Is CAT 2023 pattern changed?
Ans. IIM has not announced any changes in CAT 2023 pattern. The paper pattern of CAT 2023 will remain the same as last year.
Ques. How is CAT paper divided?
Ans. CAT paper is divided into three sections of 40 minutes each. The first section is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension followed by Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and finally Quantitative Aptitude.
Ques. Is CAT exam MCQ type?
Ans. CAT exam is both MCQ and Non-MCQ type. Based on the analysis of CAT 2022, you can expect 46-49 MCQs and 17-20 Non-MCQ or TITA type questions in the question paper.
CAT 2023 Syllabus
CAT Syllabus includes topics from 3 subjects- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
- CAT VARC Syllabus includes topics like grammar, vocabulary, RC passages, and para jumbles.
- CAT DILR Syllabus comprises DI sets based on tables, graphs & charts, caselets, and LR sets based on analytical & non-verbal reasoning.
- CAT Quant Syllabus consists of class 10th and 12th standard topics of Mathematics like arithmetic, algebra, numbers, geometry, etc.
CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Para Jumbles | Para Completion |
| Fill in the Blanks | Solved Sample Questions |
| Phrase Modifiers | Pronouns |
| Type of Clauses | Type of Articles |
| Reading Comprehension | Prepositions |
| Parts of Speech | Error in Tenses |
CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
| Arithmetic | Algebra |
| Geometry | Trigonometry |
| Mensuration | Number System |
| Modern Math | Cube & Square Roots |
| Mean, Mode Median | Topic Wise Important Formulas for QA |
CAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Seating Arrangement | Syllogisms |
| Venn Diagram for Probability | Blood Relations |
| Puzzles | Clocks and Calendars |
| Pie Charts and Tables | Statement and Assumptions |
| Solved Questions on DILR | Bar Graph |
People Also Ask
Ques. What is the syllabus for CAT 2023?
Ans. The syllabus for CAT 2023 includes various topics of verbal ability, quant, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. The major topics of CAT syllabus include reading comprehension, para jumbles, para summary, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number system, seating arrangements, caselets, tabular DI, and combination graphs.
Ques. Does CAT syllabus change every year?
Ans. No, CAT syllabus has not changed in the past 10 years. Although the weightage of topics in the exam may vary from year to year, the overall syllabus of CAT is the same.
Ques. What is the main subject for CAT?
Ans. The main subjects for CAT include mathematics, english, and logical reasoning. You have to prepare various sub-topics of 10th standard mathematics in the QA section, application of English language skills in the VARC section, and data & logical analysis in the DILR section.
Ques. Where can I find CAT Syllabus PDF?
Ans. You can find CAT Syllabus PDF in the link provided on this page. IIMs do not publish CAT syllabus pdf on the website. We have provided the detailed syllabus based on an expert analysis of previous year papers. Check CAT Syllabus PDF
CAT Previous Year Papers
Previous year CAT question papers are helpful in understanding the type of questions and difficulty level of the paper. Furthermore, solving 1-2 question papers on a regular basis will help you in improving the speed and accuracy level of answering the questions. Candidates can download the previous year's question papers given below to prepare for CAT 2023 exam.
| Section & Slot Number | CAT Question Paper 2022 | CAT Question Paper 2021 | CAT Question Paper 2020 | CAT Question Paper 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Quant Slot 1 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| CAT DILR Slot 1 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| CAT VARC Slot 1 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
Download more CAT Previous Year Papers:
CAT 2023 Mock Test
- CAT 2023 Mock Test will be released on the official website 2-3 weeks before the exam date.
- The total time duration of CAT 2023 Mock test will be 120 minutes with a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The official links to take the mock tests will be released at iimcat.ac.in.
- CAT 2023 Mock Test Link offers aspirants access to online tests to become familiar with computer based test instructions, procedures, and features.
Topic-wise CAT 2023 Sample Papers
Given below are the links to attempt topic-wise practice questions for CAT 2023.
People Also Ask
Ques. Who will set CAT Question Paper 2023?
Ans. Every year, CAT Question Paper is set by the exam conducting IIM. CAT 2023 question paper will be administered and conducted by either IIM Calcutta or IIM Lucknow.
Ques. Is solving previous CAT papers enough?
Ans. Solving previous CAT papers is an essential part of the preparation. You should definitely solve CAT questions from previous papers. Also, it is equally important to solve sample papers and to take mock tests.
Ques. Which was the toughest CAT paper?
Ans. The difficulty level of CAT paper is moderate to difficult every year. CAT 2022 and CAT 2021 question paper were rated moderately difficult. In 2018, the question paper of Quant was considered to be the toughest in 10 years.
Ques. Does IIM release CAT previous year papers?
Ans. No, IIM does not officially release CAT previous year papers on its website. The actual CAT previous year papers that you find on this page have been sourced from the students who have taken the exam.
Ques. Which IIM sets the toughest paper?
Ans. Every year, there are variations in the level of difficulty. Based on the analysis of previous year papers of the last 10 years, we can say that IIM Calcutta usually sets the toughest CAT paper.
CAT Previous Year Exam Analysis
Overall, CAT exam last year was of moderate difficulty with QA being the toughest. VARC was surprisingly easier in 2022 compared to the last 2 years while DILR continued to be the most time-consuming. Check Slot-wise CAT Exam Analysis (2022-2014)
CAT 2022 Slot 1 Analysis
| Section | No. of Questions | Question Distribution | Level of Difficulty | Good Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT VARC Exam Analysis | 24 | 21 MCQs and 3 TITA questions:
| Easy to Moderate | 16-18 |
| CAT DILR Exam Analysis | 20 | 14 MCQs and 6 TITA questions: 4 sets with 5 questions each
| Moderate and Lengthy | 12-13 |
| CAT QA Exam Analysis | 22 | 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions
| Moderate to Difficult | 13-14 |
| Overall | 66 | 49 MCQs and 17 TITA questions | Moderate | 40-45 |
CAT 2022 Slot 2 Analysis
| Section | No. of Questions | Question Distribution | Level of Difficulty | Good Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT VARC | 24 | 18 MCQs and 6 TITA questions:
| Easy to Moderate | 17-19 |
| CAT DILR | 20 | 14 MCQs and 6 TITA questions- 4 Sets with 5 questions each | Moderate | 12-13 |
| CAT QA | 22 | 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions
| Moderate-Difficult | 13-15 |
| Overall | 66 | 46 MCQs and 20 TITA questions | Moderate | 38-43 |
CAT 2022 Slot 3 Analysis
| Section | No. of Questions | Question Distribution | Level of Difficulty | Good Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT VARC | 24 | 21 MCQs and 3 TITA questions:
| Easy | 18-20 |
| CAT DILR | 20 | 14 MCQs and 6 TITA questions- 4 Sets with 5 questions each | Moderate to Difficult | 11-13 |
| CAT QA | 22 | 14 MCQs and 8 TITA questions
| Difficult | 12-14 |
| Overall | 66 | 49 MCQs and 17 TITA questions | Moderate to Difficult | 37-42 |
People Also Ask
Ques. Which slot of CAT is easier?
Ans. There is no fixed pattern as to which slot of CAT is easier. Last year, slot 1 of CAT exam was rated moderate to difficult while the other two slots were rated moderate. In 2020, slot 2 was considered by many to be the toughest of all the three shifts.
Ques. What is the difficulty level of CAT?
Ans. The overall difficulty level of CAT is usually moderate to difficult. Out of the three sections, Quantitative Aptitude is usually rated easier than VARC and DILR.
Ques. Which CAT slot is the hardest?
Ans. Based on the analysis, in the 2022 slot 2, DILR was the lengthiest while in CAT 2022 slots 1 and 3, QA was the toughest. Similarly, n CAT 2021 slot 1 and 3, DILR was the hardest while in slot 2, VARC was reported as the toughest section. The overall difficulty level of slot 1 was reported to be higher than slots 2 and 3.
CAT Coaching Centers 2023
CAT 2023 aspirants can also join a coaching institute to prepare for the exam. CAT Coaching Institutes provide best teachers having multiple years of experience.
- CAT coaching centers also provide specifically curated study notes, practice papers, overall & sectional mock tests, doubt clearing sessions, etc.
- CAT Coachings also provide a platform where many CAT aspirants can interact and share strategies and opinions.
While selecting the coaching center you can take one demo session with a few institutes. Some of the city-wise coaching centers are provided in the table below:
| CAT Coaching Centers in Delhi | CAT Coaching Centers in Hyderabad |
| CAT Coaching Centers in Mumbai | CAT Coaching Centers in Chennai |
CAT 2023 Preparation: Online Coachings, Resources, and Study Materials
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a drastic shift to online coaching for various MBA exams like CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT, etc. There are numerous online coaching centers, study channels, youtube channels, and online study material for CAT preparation.
- Top CAT online coaching platforms include Unacademy, T.I.M.E, Career Launcher, IMS India, CATking, MBA Hitbullseye, etc.
- These online education platforms offer well-curated courses with live sessions, study materials, doubt sessions, short revisions, sample papers, and mock tests.
- There are numerous android apps for CAT preparation like MBA Exams Guide by CL, CATability, Unacademy, MBA Test Prep, etc.
People Also Ask
Ques. Which coaching is best for CAT 2023?
Ans. There are various choices when it comes to CAT 2023 coaching. Some of the top coaching institutes are Career Launcher, T.I.M.E, IMS India, Unacademy, MBAGuru, and Hitbullseye.
Ques. Is coaching needed for CAT preparation?
Ans. Coaching is not necessary. However, you can join one if you feel you need expert guidance, mentoring, and study material curated by experts. There are various instances of students topping CAT exam without any regular coaching classes. So, understand your level and then decide whether coaching is needed for CAT preparation or not.
Ques. When should I start coaching for CAT?
Ans. The best time to start coaching for CAT is July or August 2023. This provides you with 4-5 months of intensive involvement with preparation of CAT exam. You can also join more than one coaching center for mock test series and sample papers.
Ques. Is CAT online coaching worth it?
Ans. Guidance of any kind, whether online or offline is worth it. After COVID-19 pandemic, many candidates prefer to join online classes opposed to offline coaching. With online coaching, you can avoid wasting time in travel and invest that in preparation.
How to Prepare for CAT exam in 3 months?
To prepare for CAT exam 2023 in 3 months, candidates must go through the expert tips and strategies to score well. The most important tips to keep in mind are:
- On the first 2 days, go through CAT exam analysis of 2022 and 2021 to get hold of what the exam demands. The same is provided in this article.
- In QA, start preparing with arithmetic topics like profit and loss, mixtures, time speed and distance, etc.
- Devote 2 hours everyday to clear the concepts of a topic and then practice 15-20 questions for another 1-2 hours.
- Mandatorily refer to Arun Sharma CAT books to solve different levels and types of questions.
- Give 2 hours to VARC preparation every day. Solve Reading Comprehension passages from last 10 years’ CAT question papers provided here.
- Begin solving CAT sample papers and previous year papers during the second half of October 2022.
- In the last month focus on preparing for DILR for the first 15 days as it is mostly practice based.
- For the last 15 days of CAT exam preparation, focus only on joining CAT mock test series offered by top coaching institutes like Career Launcher and T.I.M.E.
| CAT Exam Study Plan to Score above 99 percentile | Number of Days for Preparation |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 20-25 |
| Algebra + Geometry | 5 + 6 |
| Reading Comprehension (mostly practice at least 3-4 passages every day) | 15 |
| Parajumbles + Vocabulary | 4 |
| LR Puzzles | 8 |
| DI sets based on bar graphs, tables, and pie charts (especially the combination questions) | 8 |
| Solving Sample Papers, Previous Year Papers, and Mock Tests | 15 |
| Total | 55-60 days |
CAT Exam 2023: How to Attempt CAT Question Paper to Score 99+ percentile?
Every candidate appearing for CAT exam aims to score above 99 percentile to get MBA admission in top IIMs. However, scoring a 99+ percentile in CAT exam requires more than just attempting maximum questions in CAT question paper. Scoring 99+ percentile requires a clear understanding of CAT exam pattern & marking scheme, developing speed and accuracy, and strategy to attempt CAT question paper. Given below are some of the important points on how to attempt CAT exam paper to score 99+ percentile:
Do not focus on attempting 100% of the paper
Focus more on accuracy than quantity. Attempt only those questions that you are sure about as giving wrong answers will lead to a negative marking of 1 mark per incorrect answer. As per experts, attempting 80% questions with 100% accuracy is enough to score above 99 percentile.
Choose CAT questions wisely
Choosing the right questions is extremely important to score well in CAT exam. Start with the easy questions and then move to the more time-consuming ones. Do not spare more than 2 minutes for any question. If unable to solve, mark it for later and move to the next question.
Know CAT score normalization process
Many candidates find the score normalization process in CAT exam a little confusing. Hence, it becomes extremely difficult to predict the scores they might obtain in CAT exam. As CAT exam is conducted in 3 slots, the difficulty level is not the same. CAT score normalization is basically the calculation of scaled scores to ensure that all candidates are judged on an equal level of difficulty irrespective of their CAT exam slot. Read CAT Score Calculation and Normalization
Time Management is the key in CAT exam
As CAT exam is time-based, time management holds 50% importance in clearing CAT exam with a 99+ percentile. Toppers and experts also agree that time management is the game changer in CAT exam. So, practice sectional and overall mock tests with a timer set as per the actual exam duration. Measure your progress and attempt more and more such sample papers to improve your time management.
Focus on meeting the sectional and overall CAT cut off
Candidates will be given 40 minutes to attempt each section in CAT 2023 exam. Candidates need to attempt a reasonable number of questions in all the sections to be able to clear the overall and sectional CAT Cut off.
| CAT Exam Section | Number of Questions | Good Attempts to score 99+ percentile |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 17-18 |
| DILR | 20 | 14-15 |
| Quant | 22 | 15-16 |
| Overall | 66 | 46-49 |
CAT 2023 Admit Card
CAT 2023 Admit Card will be released by the conducting IIM in the last week of October 2023. It will be available for download on the official website-iimcat.ac.in.
- CAT Admit card contains the exam center address, exam time, reporting time, google map link to locate the test center, and exam day instructions.
- Candidates must carry a printout of the admit card along with a valid ID proof to the exam center on the day of CAT 2023 exam.
How to Download Admit Card of CAT 2023?
The steps to download Admit Card of CAT 2023 are given below:
- Visit the official CAT website- iimcat.ac.in.
- Click on the Login button under ‘Registered Candidates Login’ tab.
- Enter your CAT id and Password to login.
- Click on ‘Download CAT 2023 Admit Card’
- Your hall ticket will be displayed on the screen. Download and take a printout.
- Save the soft copy of your admit card for future reference.
CAT Admit Card 2023 Download Link
CAT Admit Card 2023 download link will be available at iimcat.ac.in under the registered candidates login. The direct link for CAT 2023 Admit Card download will also be provided below for your ease.
| CAT Admit Card 2023 Download Link (To be updated) |
CAT Exam Day Schedule 2023
CAT exam date is November 26, 2023. The schedule will remain the same as 2022 for all the 3 slots. CAT Exam Day Schedule 2023 is given below.
| Particulars | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Exam Time | 8:30 am to 10:30 pm | 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm |
| CAT Exam Reporting Time | 7:00 am | 11:00 am | 3:00 am |
| CAT Exam Center Entry Closing Time | 8:15 am | 12:15 pm | 4:15 pm |
| CAT Exam Time for PwD Candidates | 8:30 am to 11:10 am | 12:30 pm to 3:10 pm | 4:30 pm to 7:10 pm |
Complete Exam Day Schedule (Key Events & Time Slots) is given below:
CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines
Candidates appearing for the exam need to follow the exam day instructions for CAT 2023:
- CAT exam day reporting: Candidates must report at their respective test center at least 1.5 hours before the scheduled CAT exam time to avoid any inconvenience and complete the biometric screening on time.
- Carry all the essential documents: All candidates must mandatorily carry a printout of their CAT Admit Card along with a photo ID proof to the test center for verification. Valid ID proofs could be either Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Passport, PAN Card, Driving License, or a Photo ID issued by the current education institute or employer.
- Do not carry prohibited items: Certain items are not allowed inside CAT exam hall. So, CAT exam aspirants are advised to avoid carrying items like jewelry, bags & wallets, calculators, watches, mobile phones & other electronic gadgets.
- Use Google Map Link feature to locate CAT exam center: Introduced last year by IIM Ahmedabad, the Google Map Link feature on the Admit Card of CAT to check the exact location of the allotted test center is expected to be available for this year’s CAT exam as well.
- Follow COVID-19 guidelines: All the candidates appearing for CAT exam need to follow the COVID-19 guidelines of wearing a mask, social distancing, hand sanitization, thermal screening, and submitting the duly-filled self declaration form.
- Do not talk to anyone after your CAT exam has started. This might be considered as cheating and may lead to disqualification.
The detailed exam day guidelines are available in the video provided here:
CAT Exam Day Process
Candidates must be well aware of the process they have to follow on CAT exam day. Before starting with the exam, candidates will have to go through a few formalities.
- On arrival at the test center for CAT, firstly the candidates need go through the process of frisking (security check using handheld metal detectors).
- Post completion of this task, document verification will be done and candidates will be assigned their systems for taking CAT exam.
- Finally, candidates will have to complete the registration process (IRIS scan & photo registration) and login to the test screen to begin CAT exam.
- Candidates can check the last year’s official exam day process PDF provided below:
People Also Ask
Ques. What should I bring on CAT exam day?
Ans. You should mandatorily carry your admit card along with a valid ID proof in original on CAT exam day. Ensure that you affix the same passport-size photograph on the admit card as the one uploaded during registration.
Ques. What should I do on CAT exam day?
Ans. On CAT exam day, you need to report at the assigned center as per the reporting time sent via SMS or email the previous day. At the test center, you need to go through the frisking process, document verification, IRIS and photo registration. After taking the online test at the allotted computer system, you need to submit the feedback and exit the exam hall.
Ques. Can we wear jeans in CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, you can wear jeans in CAT exam. As per the guidelines issued, you can even wear pullovers, sweaters, and cardigans that have no sleeves.
Ques. Can we wear watch in CAT exam?
Ans. No, you cannot wear watches in CAT exam. Watch is one of the prohibited items in CAT exam centers. So, it is advised to avoid wearing watches and other electronic devices like bluetooth, earphones, headphones, and mobile phones.
Ques. Can I wear socks in CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, wearing socks is allowed on CAT exam day. The latest CAT test day guidelines released at iimcat.ac.in state that you can wear socks in CAT exam.
Ques. Can we go to washroom during CAT exam?
Ans. Candidates can take a bio break only before entering the test lab. After entering the lab, no candidates will be allowed to use washrooms unless there is a medical emergency or one has a doctor-certified medical condition like diabetes. In such exceptional cases, the candidates will be escorted by the staff to the washroom.
CAT 2023: Last Minute Tips
- Attempt 2 full-length sample tests each on November 24 and 25. Do not forget to analyze your performance, mistakes, and strategy.
- Before seeing the detailed solutions for the mock tests that you give, check only the correct answer and try to solve it yourself. This will help you in analyzing the mistake you made in either calculation or approach.
- Try to attempt these papers in the slot allotted to you for CAT exam day. This will help you in developing the mental condition to take CAT 2023 in the given slot with maximum efficiency.
- Go through the CAT score vs percentile analysis of previous years to set a predefined target of attempting a minimum number of questions in CAT 2023 paper.
- Many top scorers suggest having a clear strategy for the exam day in terms of the ideal attempts, time management (set time limit for every question), order of attempting MCQs and Non-MCQs, etc.
- Make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before CAT 2023 exam day to avoid lack of concentration and focus.
- Keep all the essential documents ready, i.e. CAT 2023 Admit Card and Photo ID proof to avoid any last minute hassles.
- To avoid any delays on reaching the exam center on Nov 26, locate and visit your allocated test center a day or two before the exam.
CAT Exam 2023: Test Cities and Centers
CAT 2023 will be conducted in around 425 test centers located in 150+ CAT exam cities. Candidates applying for CAT exam 2023 will be given the option to choose 6 test cities in order of preference. Click on the link below to check the list of CAT test cities.
List of CAT Test Cities - Check Here
| State | List of CAT Test Cities |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Guntur; Kakinada; Kurnool; Nellore; Rajahmundry; Tirupathi; Vijayawada; Visakhapatnam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dibrugarh; Guwahati; Silchar |
| Bihar | Aurangabad; Muzaffarpur; Patna; Purnea |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Bhilai; Raipur |
| Delhi-NCR | Delhi, New Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Panipat, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, |
| Goa | Madgaon; Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad; Anand; Gandhinagar; Rajkot; Surat; Vadodara |
| Haryana | Ambala; Bahadurgarh; Hisar; Palwal; Rohtak; Sonipat |
| Himachal Pradesh | Simla; Waknag |
CAT 2023 Exam Analysis
CAT 2023 Exam Analysis will be provided here based on the expert analysis and student feedback. Candidates preparing for this year’s CAT exam can check the slot-wise CAT previous year exam analysis provided in the article above.
CAT 2023 Question Paper
CAT 2023 Question Paper for each slot will be available for download. You will find the answer key and solutions along with the question paper.
| CAT 2023 Question Paper | Check Here |
CAT 2023 Answer Key
CAT 2023 Answer Key will be released just 4 days after the conclusion of CAT exam. Along with the answer key, IIM will also release the response sheet for CAT 2023 exam on the official website- iimcat.ac.in. Using the answer key and response sheet, candidates can calculate their raw scores. The answer key objection window will be opened for 3-4 days to allow candidates to submit challenges against the provisional answer key, if any.
How to Check CAT 2023 Answer Key?
To download CAT 2023 Answer Key, candidates must follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Visit the official IIM CAT official website- iimcat.ac.in.
- Login using your CAT user id and password.
- Click on the link for CAT 2023 Answer Key to download the same in PDF format.
- Save CAT 2023 answer key pdf for future reference.
People Also Ask
Ques. How do you get CAT Answer Key?
Ans. IIM releases CAT Answer Key in pdf format in candidate login on the official website. To get CAT 2023 answer key you will have to login using your user id and password at IIM CAT official website.
Ques. What is the response sheet of CAT?
Ans. The response sheet of CAT is a document that provides the answers marked by candidates on CAT exam date. Along with that, it also provides the correct answers as per the authority.
Ques. When will CAT 2023 Answer Key be out?
Ans. CAT 2023 Answer Key will be out in the first week of December 2023. Last year, CAT Answer Key was released on Dec 1, 2022.
Ques. How do you check CAT Answer Key?
Ans. To check CAT Answer Key 2023, test-takers need to login at iimcat.ac.in. IIM will neither release the pdf directly on the website nor send the slot-wise CAT Answer Key on your email id.
CAT 2023 Result
CAT 2023 Result will be released in the form of a scorecard in the last week of Dec 2023 or the first week of Jan 2024. Last year, the result was released on Dec 21, 2022. The scorecard mentioning the overall and sectional scores will be available for download till Dec 31, 2024. CAT Result 2023 will be released only on the official website-iimcat.ac.in. Soon after, IIM will release CAT 2023 result statistics and display the list of CAT Toppers 2023
CAT 2023 Result Date
CAT 2023 Result Date is expected to be in the last week of December 2023. IIM has had the trend of releasing the result in the first week of January. However, last year, CAT result was released way early on Dec 21. CAT Result 2023 will be valid for 1 year from the date of its release.
| Year | CAT Exam Date | CAT Result Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | November 26, 2023 | To be announced |
| 2022 | November 27, 2022 | December 21, 2022 |
| 2021 | November 28, 2021 | January 3, 2022 |
| 2020 | November 29, 2020 | January 2, 2021 |
| 2019 | November 25, 2019 | January 4, 2020 |
| 2018 | November 24, 2018 | January 5, 2019 |
| 2017 | November 26, 2017 | January 8, 2018 |
How to Check CAT 2023 Result?
To check CAT Result, you have to log in using your CAT user id and password on the release date. The steps to download CAT 2023 Scorecard are provided below:
- Visit CAT 2023 Official Website- iimcat.ac.in
- Click on the Download tab for CAT 2023 Scorecard
- Enter CAT 2023 User ID and password to login
- View and download the scorecard for future reference
CAT Result Statistics
CAT 2023 Result statistics will be updated here after the declaration of the same. IIM CAT Result Statistics for the year 2022 have been updated as per the report published by IIM on the official website.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Candidates Registered | 222218 |
| Number of Candidates Appeared | 255501 |
| Percentage of Female Candidates Appeared | 35% |
| Percentage of Male Candidates Appeared | 65% |
| Number of Transgender Candidates Appeared | 4 |
| Number of Candidates Scored 100 Percentile | Male- 11 Female- 0 |
| Number of Candidates Scored 99.99 Percentile | Male- 21 Female- 1 |
| Number of Candidates Scored 99.98 Percentile | Male- 19 Female- 3 |
CAT 2023 Topper List
CAT 2023 Topper List will include the percentile score, gender, and the academic discipline of the candidates who have scored more than 99.98 percentile in CAT 2023. CAT 2023 Topper list will be updated here after the declaration of CAT Result 2023. Check CAT Topper List and Statistics
CAT Topper List 2022
CAT Topper List 2022 is provided below for your reference. As per official statistics, 55 candidates scored 99.98 percentile and above in the 2022 exam. Out of these, only 11 managed to score a 100 percentile.
| CAT Percentile | Discipline | Gender |
| 100 Percentile | Engineering: 10 Non-Engineering: 01 | 11 Male |
| 99.99 Percentile | Engineering: 16 Non-Engineering: 06 | 21 Male 1 Female (Engg) |
| 99.98 Percentile | Engineering: 15 Non-Engineering: 07 | 19 Male 3 Female (Engg) |
CAT 2023 Percentile Score Calculation
CAT 2023 percentile score calculation is done on the basis of the scaled scores of the candidates. CAT Scaled scores are calculated through the normalization process across all 3 slots. Check CAT 2023 Score Calculation and Normalization
IIM has provided the detailed procedure followed for calculating CAT percentile score (both overall and sectional). Given below is an illustration of CAT score calculation for the QA section.
CAT 2023 Score vs Percentile
CAT Score vs Percentile analysis is useful in providing an idea of the score needed to get a desired percentile. CAT Score is the total score obtained in the exam based on the marking scheme. Scaled CAT scores are different from the raw scores.
Tabulated below is the expected score vs percentile of CAT 2023 based on previous year’s cut offs and exam analysis of all slots of previous year exam.
| CAT Percentile | CAT Score- VARC | CAT Score- DILR | CAT Score- Quant | CAT Score- Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.5+ | 38-40 | 32-34 | 39-41 | 105-108 |
| 99+ | 34-35 | 28-30 | 36-37 | 98-102 |
| 98+ | 32-33 | 27-28 | 30-32 | 90-93 |
| 95+ | 32-34 | 20-21 | 28-30 | 80-82 |
| 90+ | 29-30 | 17-19 | 26-27 | 72-75 |
| 85+ | 24-25 | 14-15 | 20-22 | 59-61 |
| 80+ | 20-22 | 11-13 | 15-16 | 46-48 |
People Also Ask
Ques. Is CAT result 2023 out?
Ans. No, CAT result 2023 will be out 3-4 weeks after the conclusion of the exam only on the official website- iimcat.ac.in. The link to download CAT result 2023 will be provided here.
Ques. At what time will CAT result be declared?
Ans. Based on the official website’s CAT result time, CAT 2023 result will be released at 5:00 PM at iimcat.ac.in.
Ques. How can I check my CAT 2023 result?
Ans. To check your CAT 2023 result, you need to visit iimcat.ac.in, click on the link for CAT 2023 Scorecard, login using your CAT user id and password, and download your CAT 2023 scorecard.
Ques. What is a good score for CAT?
Ans. On analyzing the trends of CAT marks and percentile, it can be said that getting above 100 marks is considered good to get 99+ percentile in CAT. If marks are between 95-100, you can expect to get 98+ percentile.
Ques. What percentile is 30 marks in CAT?
Ans. Based on CAT score vs percentile analysis of the past 2 years, 30 marks in CAT will be equivalent to less than 50 percentile. To get above 80 percentile in CAT you need to score above 50 marks in CAT 2023.
CAT 2023 Cut off and MBA Admission 2024-26
CAT Cut off is the minimum CAT percentile required to participate in the MBA admission process of IIMs, IITs, and other CAT score accepting colleges.
- Candidates have to clear both the sectional and overall cut offs to be eligible for admission.
- The qualifying CAT 2023 cut off for admission to the 2024-26 batch will be released by the respective IIMs for shortlisting candidates for GD/ PI rounds.
CAT 2023 Admission Criteria & Process for IIMs
- Each IIM has its own selection criteria and process for MBA/ PGDM admissions. The 3 stages that form a part of the selection process are:
- Clear the qualifying CAT cut offs and fill out the application form on the official website of the respective institute.
- GD/ PI shortlist is released on the basis of CAT score, past academic performance, work experience, gender diversity, and academic diversity.
- Appearance for GD/ PI rounds and preparation of final merit list.
Previous Year CAT Cut off and Admission Criteria for IIMs
Given below are the qualifying CAT cut offs and admission criteria for top IIMs to be eligible for admission:
| IIMs | Category | DILR | VARC | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Bangalore CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 75 | 80 | 75 | 85 |
| IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| IIM Lucknow CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 75 | 75 | 75 | 80 |
| IIM Calcutta CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 80 | 80 | 75 | 85 |
| IIM Indore CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| IIM Nagpur CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 72 | 72 | 72 | 85 |
| IIM Amritsar CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | 75 | 75 | 80 | 85 |
| IIM Rohtak CAT Cut off & Admission Criteria | General | - | - | - | 95 |
| IIM Shillong CAT Cut off and Admission Criteria | General | 75 | 75 | 75 | - |
IIM CAP CAT Cut off and Admission Process
- IIM CAP is the Common Admission Process conducted for admission to baby and new IIMs- IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur, IIM Jammu. Check CAT CAP Counselling
- CAP process is conducted only for shortlisting the candidates for PI and conducting the PI rounds. The final merit list preparation criteria is different for all the 9 IIMs.
- Last year, IIM Udaipur conducted CAP Counselling process for shortlisting candidates for PI. Before that, IIM Trichy conducted the CAP counselling process.
IIM CAP CAT Cut off for the participating IIMs is given below:
| Category | Overall Cut off |
|---|---|
| General | 92 |
| EWS | 70 |
| NC-OBC | 74 |
| SC | 54 |
| ST | 40 |
| DAP | 40 |
IIM CAP Participating Institutes
CAT 2023: IIM Admission Criteria 2024-26
Based on CAT 2023 Cut off percentile and IIM Admission Criteria 2024-26, the candidates will be admitted to the MBA/ PGP programs offered by the 20 institutes. Given below is the IIM PI Shortlist Criteria and Final Merit List preparation parameters for top IIMs based on last year’s criteria:
| IIM | PI Shortlisting Criteria (Weightage of Parameters) | Final Merit List after PI (Weightage of Parameters) |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad Shortlist Criteria | IIM Ahmedabad PI shortlist is prepared based on the composite score prepared using the below mentioned formula:
| Final Selection – FCS = PIF * Normalised PI Score + AWTF * Normalised AWT Score + CATF_FCS * Normalised CAT Score + ARF_FCS * AR
|
| IIM Bangalore Shortlist Criteria | IIM Bangalore PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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| IIM Calcutta Shortlist Criteria | IIM Calcutta PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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| IIM Lucknow Shortlist Criteria | IIM Lucknow PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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| IIM Indore Shortlist Criteria | IIM Indore PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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| IIM Kozhikode Shortlist Criteria | IIM Kozhikode PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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| IIM Amritsar Shortlist Criteria | IIM Amritsar PI shortlist criteria include:
|
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Check IIM Admission Criteria and Selection Process in detail
I
CAT Cut off 2023 for IITs
CAT Cut off and Selection Process for IITs: 8 IITs also accept CAT Scores for admission to their MBA programs. Given below are the qualifying CAT cut off for IITs. Check MBA Selection Process for IITs
| IIT | CAT Cut off for General | CAT Cut off for SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Kharagpur | 90 percentile | 75 percentile |
| IIT Bombay | 80 percentile | 60 percentile |
| IIT Delhi | 90 percentile | 60 percentile |
| IIT Kanpur | 80 percentile | 55 percentile |
| IIT Roorkee | 90 percentile | 70 percentile |
| IIT Madras | 90 percentile | - |
| IIT Dhanbad (ISM) | 80 percentile | 60 percentile |
| IIT Jodhpur | 98 percentile | |
CAT 2023 Admission Process for IITs
Admission to IITs will be based on CAT score, WAT/ PI performance, past academic records, and work experience.
| IIT Bombay MBA Admission Criteria | IIT Kharagpur MBA Admission |
| IIT Kanpur MBA Admission Criteria | IIT Roorkee MBA Admission |
Admission to Top Non-IIMs through CAT scores
Getting into IIMs is tough as the cut offs are usually above the 99 percentile. However, there are 500+ colleges other than IIMs that accept CAT scores for MBA/ PGDM admissions. Top Non-IIM MBA institutes include FMS Delhi, Delhi School of Economics, IITs, KJ Somaiya, etc. CAT 2023 admission process for Non-IIMs will include the below-mentioned stages.
- Firstly, candidates need to clear the qualifying CAT 2023 cut off to be eligible for applying.
- CAT qualified candidates will be shortlisted for participation in WAT/ GD/ PI.
- Finally, candidates will be selected on the basis of CAT scores, GD/ PI scores, and academic qualifications depending on the parameters set by the respective institute.
The list of top 20 non-IIMs accepting CAT scores for MBA/ PGDM admission is provided in the table below along with the expected cut off percentile based on the analysis of previous years’ cut off data.
Check Top MBA Colleges Accepting 85-90 Percentile in CAT 2023
CAT Exam 2023: MBA Programs Offered by IIMs
Every IIM offers admission to a variety of MBA/ PGDM programs through CAT exam. The table below mentions the programs offered by all 20 IIMs along with the link to check the detailed course structure, fees, and admission policy.
| IIMs | MBA Programs | Link for Details of Every Course with Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP, PGPX | Check Here |
| IIM Amritsar | MBA, MBA-BA, MBA-HR | Check Here |
| IIM Bangalore | PGP, PGPEM, PGPPM, PGPBA | Check Here |
| IIM Calcutta | MBA | Check Here |
| IIM Tirchy | PGPM, PGPBM, PGPM-HR | Check Here |
| IIM Kozhikode | PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, EPGP | Check Here |
| IIM Lucknow | PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM | Check Here |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | PGP | Check Here |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | PGP | Check Here |
| IIM Indore | PGP, PGP-HRM | Check Here |
| IIM Jammu | PGP | Check Here |
| IIM Kashipur | PGP, EPGP | Check Here |
| IIM Nagpur | PGP | Check Here |
| IIM Raipur | PGP | Check Here |
| IIM Ranchi | PGP, PGP-HRM | Check Here |
| IIM Rohtak | PGP, EPGPX | Check Here |
| IIM Sambalpur | MBA | Check Here |
| IIM Shillong | PGP, PGPEX | Check Here |
| IIM Sirmaur | MBA, MBA-BA | Check Here |
| IIM Udaipur | MBA | Check Here |
CAT 2023 College Predictor: Predict your chances of getting MBA Call from IIMs & Non-IIMs
CAT 2023 College Predictor is designed by Collegedunia to help CAT test-takers in predicting their chances of getting admission into top MBA colleges including 20 IIMs and 500+ non-IIMs. CAT College predictor shows results based on the previous year’s CAT cut offs. Candidates just need to enter their expected score or percentile to get the list of most suitable colleges for MBA/ PGDM. Last year’s qualifying cut offs for IIM Ahmedabad was 80 percentile while it was 85 percentile for IIM Bangalore and Calcutta. Check CAT College PredictorPeople Also Ask
Ques. What is the cut off for CAT 2023?
Ans. CAT 2023 cut off is the minimum percentile score (both sectional and overall) required to be eligible for IIM MBA admissions for the batch 2024-26. The CAT 2023 qualifying cut off and admission criteria is released separately by each IIM on their respective admissions website.
Ques. Which IIM has the lowest CAT cut off?
Ans. CAT Cut off qualifying percentile for the general category ranges from 80-95 for all the IIMs. CAT Cut off 2022 was 80 percentile, i.e. the lowest for IIM Visakhapatnam and IIM Ahmedabad. The sectional cut off was 70 percentile for all the three sections.
Ques. Will CAT cut off go down this year?
Ans. CAT Cut off is determined by each IIM based on various factors like the number of seats available, number of candidates, previous year cut offs, and other policies of the institute. The qualifying cut off for CAT 2023 is expected to remain the same as last year with only a variation of 3-5 percentile.
Ques. Can I get IIM with 95 percentile?
Ans. IIM CAT Call Cut off is above 98 percentile for the top IIMs and FMS Delhi. You can get a call from new IIMs with 95 percentile in CAT. Apart from these, you can also expect admission calls from non-IIM institutes like GIM Goa, XIMB, Great Lakes, etc.
Ques. Is 90 percentile CAT score hard?
Ans. To get a 90 percentile in CAT, you must attempt at least 30-35 questions with a minimum 95% accuracy. Based on CAT score vs percentile analysis of the last year, a score above 72 is likely to get you a 90+ percentile in CAT exam 2023.
Ques. What is the process of selection in IIM after CAT 2023?
Ans. After CAT 2023 exam, the shortlisted candidates will get a call from the IIMs based on the final CAT Cut off. GD/ PI/ WAT rounds will be conducted in the final round selection of eligible candidates in MBA/ PGDM programs. Then, based on the final composite score prepared by IIM, the candidates will be admitted to the 2024-26 batch.
Ques. Is there an interview after CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, IIM CAT selection process includes the Interview round of shortlisted candidates. Based on the performance in the interview and CAT score, the final selection of candidates is done.
CAT 2023 Reservation
For CAT exam registration, the only benefit provided to the reserved categories is a relaxation of 5% in graduation marks. Reserved category candidates need only 45% in graduation to register for CAT exam. CAT 2023 Reservation is provided by the IIMs based on the rules laid down by the Government of India. As per the category-wise reservation norms, the percentage of seats reserved are tabulated below for your reference:
| Category | Percentage of Seats Reserved |
|---|---|
| Schedule Caste | 15% |
| Schedule Tribe | 7.5% |
| Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes | 27% |
| Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | Up to 10% |
People Also Ask
Ques. Is there any reservation in CAT?
Ans. As per CAT eligibility norms, the reserved categories, i.e SC/ ST/ PwD get a relaxation of 5% in minimum marks required in graduation. The application fee is also less for these categories. It is INR 1150 for the SC/ ST/ PwD categories and INR 2300 for other categories. Reservation of seats is available based on the rules laid down by the Government of India. To avail the reserved seats, you must carefully select your category in the CAT registration form.
Ques. How much reservation is there in CAT 2023?
Ans. As per the legal norms, 15% of the seats are reserved for SC and 7.5% for ST candidates. 27% reservation is available for the NC-OBC candidates belonging to the “non-creamy” layer . Up to 10% seats are reserved for EWS category candidates. Also, as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, 5% seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD).
Ques. Is OBC certificate required for CAT?
Ans. Candidates belonging to the NC - OBC category need to produce the NC-OBC certificate duly signed by competent authority and submit a photocopy of the same at the time of interview. Furthermore, the OBC certificate must be submitted at the time of joining the MBA/ PGDM programmes of any of the IIMs.
Ques. Does CAT have EWS category reservation?
Ans. Yes, there is a reservation of upto 10% for candidates belonging to the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category. Those who mention their category as EWS during the registration are eligible for availing this benefit.
CAT 2024
Like previous years, CAT 2024 exam will be held on the last Sunday of November 2024, i.e. November 24 in 3 slots by one of the 20 IIMs. CAT 2024 Registration will begin with the release of the official notification tentatively in the last week of July 2024. CAT 2024 eligibility, exam pattern, and syllabus are expected to remain in line with that of CAT 2023.
CAT Exam Date Trends
| CAT Exam Year | CAT Exam Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2022 | November 27, 2022 |
| CAT 2021 | November 28, 2021 |
| CAT 2020 | November 29, 2020 |
| CAT 2019 | November 24, 2019 |
| CAT 2018 | November 25, 2018 |
| CAT 2017 | November 26, 2017 |
| CAT 2016 | December 4, 2016 |
| CAT 2015 | November 29, 2015 |
| CAT 2014 | November 16, 2014 |
Why take CAT Exam?
CAT is the only exam accepted for MBA admission to the IIMs. Admission to these prestigious management institutes offers a bundle of opportunities for making a career in business administration. After passing CAT exam with a good percentile, you will be able to get admission to not only these 20 IIMs but also top non-IIMs like IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, FMS Delhi, etc.
CAT Exam: Benefits of pursuing MBA from IIMs
Candidates must go through the following points to know the benefits of pursuing an MBA from IIMs after CAT exam.
- Better Job Prospects: MBA from IIMs after clearing CAT exam definitely adds to better job prospects. Top companies recruit MBA graduates from IIMs. Some of the top recruiters include the likes of Barclays, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, KPMG, HSBC, Deloitte, Walmart, Accenture, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Zomato, ICICI Bank, etc.
- Higher Salary Packages: The average salary packages offered by the top IIMs ranges between 25 to 50 lakhs while for new IIMs, it ranges between 10 to 20 lakhs. From top IIMs, candidates have also received annual salary packages ranging from 70 lakhs to 1 crore.
- Guidance from highly experienced faculty: Faculty at IIM are well renowned for their expertise in the field of management and business administration. Most of them are themselves IIM Alumni and thus are able to provide the best knowledge and consultation.
Other MBA Entrance Exams that MBA aspirants are searching and applying for are mentioned in the table below:
CAT 2023 FAQs
Ques. Who will conduct CAT 2023?
Ans. CAT 2023 will be conducted by one of the 6 top IIMs. Based on trends, it is very likely that CAT 2023 will be conducted by either IIM Lucknow or IIM Calcutta on the last Sunday of November 2023.
Ques. When should I start preparing for CAT 2023?
Ans. Ideally, 4-6 months are required to prepare for CAT 2023 depending on your previous attempts and level of knowledge. If you are preparing for the first time, then it is advised to start early. CAT 2023 will take place in the last week of November 2023, so you should start preparing from April or May 2023. If you have already prepared for CAT and other MBA exams previously, then 2-3 months will suffice, so you can begin preparation for CAT 2023 in July or August 2022.
Ques. How can I start CAT preparation for 2023?
Ans. You can start preparation for CAT 2023 by going through the syllabus and exam pattern of CAT. It is extremely important to start preparing with the topics that carry more weightage in the CAT exam syllabus. Candidates preparing for the first time may join a coaching institute for expert guidance. Solving CAT previous year question papers is a must to prepare for and score well in CAT exam.
Ques. How do I apply for CAT 2023?
Ans. To apply for CAT 2023, candidates have to visit the official IIM CAT 2023 website to fill the application form. The stepwise process to apply for CAT 2023 is provided here:
- Step 1: Visit the official CAT 2023 website- iimcat.ac.in
- Step 2: Generate CAT 2023 login credentials, i.e. User ID and password
- Step 3: Fill CAT 2023 Application Form for personal details, academic details, work experience, and test city preferences.
- Step 4: Upload the documents required for CAT 2023 registration (photograph, signature, category and PwD certificates)
- Step 5: Pay CAT registration fee 2023 via online mode of payments.
- Step 6: Confirmation of application submission on your registered email id.
Ques. Is CAT Syllabus same every year?
Ans. CAT Syllabus remains the same every year with only a few variations in the weightage of topics. CAT Syllabus 2023 is divided into three sections- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Ques. When will CAT 2023 official notification be released?
Ans. CAT 2023 official notification will tentatively be released by the conducting IIM in the 4th week of July 2023.
Ques. Which IIM will conduct CAT 2023?
Ans. Every year 1 of the top 5 IIMs conducts CAT exam. In 2021, the exam was conducted by IIM Ahmedabad. CAT 2023 exam conducting IIM will be announced in the last week of May 2023.
Ques. Will CAT 2023 Application Forms be available offline?
Ans. No, CAT 2023 Application Forms will not be available via any offline mode. The entire registration process will be online on the official website- iimcat.ac.in.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, there is a negative marking of 33% for MCQs, i.e. 1 mark is deducted for each wrong attempt. For TITA questions, there is no negative marking.
Ques. Will XLRI Jamshedpur accept CAT 2023 scores?
Ans. No, XLRI does not accept CAT scores for admission to its PGDM programs. Admission to XLRI Jamshedpur is only granted on the basis of XAT scores. However, CAT scores are accepted by 20 IIMs, 8 IITs, and 200+ other top MBA colleges.
Ques. Is there a form correction facility in CAT?
Ans. Yes, CAT form correction window will be open for 2-3 days after the closure of the registration window. Candidates will be able to edit the following details:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test City Preferences
Ques. In which mode will CAT 2023 be conducted?
Ans. CAT 2023 exam will be conducted only in online CBT mode at 400+ test centers located in 150+ major cities in India. CAT exam is neither conducted in pen-paper mode nor internet-based test mode.
Ques. What is the minimum overall and sectional CAT cut offs for admission to IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, The qualifying CAT Cut off is expected to be 80 for the general category, 75 for NC-OBC, 70 for SC/ PwD, and 60 for ST. However, the final CAT cut off for MBA admission in IIM Ahmedabad is expected to be above 99 percentile.
Ques. Is there any age limit to take CAT exam?
Ans. No, there is no age limit to take CAT exam. However, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Also, there is no limit on the number of attempts.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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