Common Admission Test, popularly abbreviated as CAT will be conducted in last week of November 2021. Conducted by first generation IIMs on a rotational basis the exam is taken by more than 2 lakh candidates for admission in post graduate management courses in IIMs. CAT scores are also accepted in the management programs of IITs as well. Marks secured by a candidate in this exam are valid for one year after release of the results.

Update: CAT 2020 is scheduled to take place on November 29, 2020, application process for which has started. Check Details Here

• The total duration of the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes). The paper is divided into 3 sections which allows candidates to spend an hour on each. There are MCQ and some TITA(Type In The Answer) Questions

• The question paper includes three sections which are QA (Quantitative Ability), VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DI and LR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning). 

• The application fee for CAT is INR 2000 for general category, and INR 1000 for candidates who are from reserved category (SC, ST, PwD, PA). 

• It is a computer based test with a total of 100 questions. There are 75 MCQ questions which have negative marking while 25 non MCQ questions with no negative marking. Check Complete CAT Syllabus

• Three marks is awarded for every correct answer and one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer

• Candidates aspiring to take this exam must have secured at least 50% in their bachelor major, while candidates from reserved category must have at least 45% in the same.

• CAT scores are converted to percentile after the process of normalization. Your percentile refers to the number of candidates who scored below you (80 percentile means 80% examinees scored lesser than you).

CAT Preparation TipsCAT Percentile Predictor CAT Paper AnalysisCAT Cutoff

CAT 2021 Exam Pattern Highlights

Important features of the exam are tabulated below:

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CAT 2021 Eligibility 

There is no age limit prescribed for appearing in CAT. Also, there is no fixed number of attempts and the candidates can apply as many times as they want. Some specific eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

• In order to qualify for taking this exam, one must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognised institution. 

• For candidates belonging to reserved category, there is a relaxation of 5% with regards to the minimum marks requirement. 

• Candidates in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply to apply for this. Such candidates are required to fill in the marks of their last university marksheet received. 

• Apart from all permanent residents of India, foreign nationals can also appear for CAT subject to fulfil the eligibility criteria

Note: 2 year bachelor degree which is acceptable for CAT is not acceptable by IIMs which require a 3 year bachelor degree.

Eligibility of Most Popular IIMs

Each IIM publishes their own cutoff for admission after CAT announcement every year. Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their CAT score after which new IIMs that practise CAP (Common Admission Process) conduct separate personal interviews, group discussions, and written tests. List of the selected candidates are released by these bodies. 

Criterion for some of the popular IIMs are:

IIM Ahmedabad:

• Selection of students for Analytical Writing Test and Personal Interview based on CAT score 

• Over the years the cutoff percentile for CAT is generally 80.

• Other factors like work experience, academic record, are also taken into consideration.

IIM Bangalore

• The cutoff score for admission into their management courses has consistently been 90 percentile over the years.

• Written Ability Test and Personal Interview follows after the candidate has been shortlisted.

• Academic record like performance in the 10th and 12th standard also contributes to your chances of admission.

IIM Calcutta

• Academic record, academic diversity factor for bachelor’s degree, and work experience are important contributing factors. 

• CAT cutoff score for the past few years has been 90% percentile. 

• Performance in Aptitude Test and Personal Interview hold a considerable weightage. 

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CAT 2021 Section wise Exam Pattern

As mentioned earlier, the paper is divided into 3 compulsory sections with a total of 100 questions. One should dedicate equal amounts of time for preparation as IIMs require a sectional cutoff along with the over percentile. The pattern is similar every year and the sample papers help in understanding the exact approach. Assumptions can be made based on CAT paper analysis of previous years.

• Questions will be of two types; MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) and TITA(type in the answer) questions but negative marking is only applicable for MCQ questions. 

• The three sections of the paper are QA (Quantitative Ability), VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), and DI and LR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning).

• As one hour is alloted for each section, students can start the next section only when they complete one. Each section will be locked after an hour.

• The marking scheme is as the follows - 3 marks awarded for a correct answer and 1 mark deducted for a wrong answer. 

• No marks are awarded or deducted if a question is not attempted. It is therefore advised to refrain from attempting a MCQ question by mere guesswork. 

• Candidates belonging to the PwD category will get 80 mins for each section (4 hours in total).

Each section has both MCQ and non MCQ questions. More details are tabulated below:

Get acquinted with CAT section wise Syllabus and Pattern

• CAT Quantitative Aptitude Important Topics, Syllabus and Tips
• CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Important Topics, Syllabus and Tips
• CAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning Important Topics, Syllabus and Tips

CAT 2021 Quantitative Ability Exam Pattern

This section tests the mathematical skills of a candidate and speed is an important factor contributing to better score. The number of questions one can expect from each topic is given below, based on the 2019 paper.

CAT 2021 Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

This section is meant to check the student’s command over the English language. You can expect a large number of questions from the reading comprehension section. Topic wise weightage is tabulated below. This data is based on the 2019 paper.

CAT 2021 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

The final section of the paper, data interpretation and logical reasoning aims at testing the candidate’s analytical skills and calculation power. This is probably the toughest section of the paper and most time consuming. The topics range is vast and needs a lot of practice and dedication to master the same. 

The table below gives you an estimate of the number of questions you can expect based on last year’s data. Questions from both slot 1 and 2 are included. 

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Major Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years

The syllabus and pattern of the Common Admission Test have been changing many aspects. It is needed in a bid to cope up with the constant modifications of various subjects, syllabus trends, and growing number of students trying their luck to secure a spot in one of the IIMs. 

In the year 2009, the method of the entrance exam moved online from pen and paper. Again in 2011, changes were made in the number of sections. What are the major changes made over the years?

• 2009: The year 2009 saw a major change in the way this examination was conducted. For the first time, students had to take the test online instead of the conventional pen and paper.

• 2011: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation & Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning was changed to 2 sections instead of 3. Time constraints for each section were also introduced.

• 2015: This year saw many changes like on screen calculator, increase in time limit from 170 to 180, introduction of MCQs, and 3 sections instead of 2.

Also Read: CAT Exam Pattern Trend Analysis - 1995 to 2019

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CAT 2021 Section Wise Syllabus 

Understanding the syllabus in depth is of vital importance to score well in this exam. Despite the fact that no official syllabus is published by the administration, we can easily understand the same by examining the questions in the previous papers. The topics covered in this exam are widely from what students already studied in their school years from the 9th grade to 12th. 

• Quantitative Ability: This section has topics like Geometry, Arithmetic Progression, Installment Payments, Ratios and Proportions, Arithmetic Mean, Logarithm, Work and Time. 

The most important topics with maximum weightage is put on Arithmetic followed by general topics like Profit and Loss, Number System, and Geometry.

• Data Analysis & Sufficiency: Topics covered in this part are Graphs, Column Graphs, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Graphs representing Area, and Venn Diagram

• Logical Reasoning: You can expect questions from Critical Reasoning, Visual Reasoning, Assumption-Premise-Conclusion, Assertion and reasons, Statements and assumptions, Matrix arrangements, and Coding and Decoding

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: Focuses on Verbal Reasoning, Syllogisms, Contextual usage, Analogies, Sentence completion, Idioms, Sentence Correction.

Focus on Reading Comprehension more as about 70% questions come from this topic. 

CAT 2021 Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 

This section of the Common Admission Test has not been modified much over the years. The topics in this section are mostly covered in the 10th standard. It is an important section of the exam as it covers about 40% of the total questions.

Important Books for Quantitative Aptitude

The right resources if utilized adequately can increase the chances of success for anyone. What are the best books you should consider for quantitative aptitude?

• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma ( 9352602242)

• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K. Verma ( 9311123870)

• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha ( 9332570019)

Read  Best Books for CAT Preparation 

Preparation Tips for Quantitative Aptitude

You can keep the following tips in mind while preparing for this particular section.

• Do not try to memorize the steps for common mathematical problems but rather focus on understanding the basic concepts. Start with the easier problems as you work your way to the complex ones. 

• Learn the tables, squares, and tricks to solve complex calculations in a matter of seconds. 

• Time management is an important factor that increases your chances of success. You get 2 minutes during the exam to solve each problem. Make a habit of solving problems in just a minute and 30 seconds to save time for the difficult questions.

• Maintain a notebook for all formulas, tricks, and solve the free mock tests available online. Focus on the areas where you lack.

• Start revising with the Number System and then move to topics like Algebra or Permutation Combination.

• Aim for the easier questions first, then the moderate ones, and finally the hardest of all. 

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CAT 2021 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Syllabus 

Important Books for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

This section is probably the toughest one to crack but with the best resources, you can expect to score high. Some important books for better preparation are listed below: 

• CAT 2020 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha 

• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha 

• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma 

Preparation Tips for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

As this is the hardest section of the paper, one must prepare meticulously to solve the problems easily. Consider the following advises to crack this part: 

• Familiarize yourself with the types of problems in this section; graphs, data tables, and puzzles. 

• Learn fraction calculations and tricks to convert percentages to fractions. This will save a lot of time during large calculations.

• Read a question several times if needed to understand it completely. 

• Refrain from assuming any information that is not given in the question. Over approximation to simplify calculations should be avoided.

• Carefully analyse terms such as only, other than, apart from, unless, some, etc. this will help you establish basic facts which are of vital importance. 

• Time management is important for this section as it generally takes about 10 minutes to complete each problem.

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CAT 2021 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Syllabus

Important Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Some of the recommended books for scoring in this section are:

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant 

• 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay

• PSC for VA for CAT by Nishit Sinha

Preparation Tips for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Despite this section being quite scoring, students who are not very familiar with the English language might find themselves struggling to understand sentence structure and derive its meaning. Go through these helpful tips if you want to improve. 

• Improve your reading skills to score in this section. Read books, magazines, news articles, or anything that you find interesting. 

• While practicing reading, try to include content on a variety of topics such as politics, economics, news, scientific discoveries, journals, history, and so on. 

• Pay attention to the basics of grammar like moun, verb, tense, adjectives, subject verb agreement. 

• Note down any new word you come across and learn its meaning. Try to increase your vocabulary by learning at least a new word each day. Maintain a notebook or tool to keep track of the same.

• Read the questions before reading the passage. This will help you scan the answers easily while going through it. 

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Indicators in Online Exam 

While answering the questions online, you will find each question marked with a color. Candidates must familiarize themselves with this color pattern to avoid confusion. The indication for each color will be shown on your system’s screen.

• Red indicates that a question has not yet been answered but not marked for review.

• Green indicates that a question has been answered but not marked to review.

• Grey suggests that the question has not been viewed.

• Violet indicates that a question has not been answered despite being marked.

• Violet with green tick suggests that a question marked for review has been answered.