CAT 2023 exam will be conducted on 26th November 2023 in three sessions across 156 cities in India. This year the exam will be conducted by IIM Lucknow, one of the top 6 IIMs that run the test rotationally.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based management aptitude test conducted in India by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their postgraduate management programs (MBA or PGDM). It is one of India’s most popular MBA entrance exams, with over 2 lakh candidates appearing for it every year.
The registration process will be conducted online, and the forms for the same will be available on the official website from the first week of August to the third week of September. Graduates or final-year students can fill out the CAT application form 2023. Dr. Sanjeet Singh, faculty at IIM Lucknow, has been appointed as the CAT 2023 exam Convener.
CAT exams can offer candidates admission in various business schools in India. More than 1200 MBA colleges accept the CAT score. Some of the top MBA colleges are IIM, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, FMS, IM, IITs, GIM, GLIM, LIBA, NITIE, MICA, IRMA, KIIT SOM, BIMTech, AMU, JMI, BHU among others.
Eligibility Criteria
- The CAT 2023 eligibility criteria require candidates to have completed their undergraduate with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
- Candidates with the required percentage of professional degrees (CA/CS/ICWA) can also appear for CAT.
- Candidates who are in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or any other equivalent qualification and are awaiting the result are also eligible to appear in the exam.
- CAT 2023 has no age restrictions, and anyone fulfilling the above criteria is welcome to apply.
- There is no limit to attempting the CAT exam. You can appear as many times as you want.
Registration Process
The registration process for CAT 2023 exam consists of three steps. Candidates will have to complete all stages to apply successfully. The locations of CAT 2023 registration are:
Stage 1- Create a candidate profile
- Open the official website of CAT exam 2023, iimcat.ac.in, and click “New Candidate Registration.”
- This will direct you to a new page that will require the following details:
- Name of the Candidate
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
- Country
- Mobile Number and
- Captcha
- Once all the required information is filled in, click “Generate OTP.” OTP will be shared on the registered email ID and mobile number. Enter the received OPT to verify your email ID and mobile number.
- Now login again using the CAT ID and password created, and fill in the following details.
- Personal Details
- Other Personal Details
- Communication Address
- Emergency Contact Details
- Upload Documents (in the prescribed format and size). The list of documents is as follows:
| Document | Format | Size |
| Photograph | .jpg or .jpeg | <= 80 Kb |
| Signature | .jpg or .jpeg | <= 80 Kb |
| NC-OBC/SC/ST Certificate | <=200 Kb | |
| PwD/DA Certificate | <=200 Kb |
Stage 2- Fill in the Academic details
- Login again with the credentials of the profile you just made.
- Provide academic information, which includes class 10th marks, class 12th marks, qualifying degree scores, etc.
- Work experience certificate, if applicable.
- Once filled in, select exam cities. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred exam cites
Stage 3 – Pay the CAT 2023 registration fee
- Pay the CAT 2023 registration fee through any available method (Debit/Credit cards, Net banking, etc.)
- The registration fee is as follows:
- General Category Candidates: Rs 2,300
- For SC/ ST/ PWD: Rs 1,150
- Take a printout of the filled CAT 2023 application for future reference.
CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is a three-hour test consisting of three sections:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Particulars | Details |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Mode of Conduct | Computer-based |
| Questions Per Sections | VARC-24DILR-20QA-22 |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Total Marks | 198 |
| Time Allotted Per Section | 40 minutes each |
| Types of Questions | MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer) |
| Marks Awarded for Correct Answer | +3 for every right answer |
| Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer | -1 for every wrong answer, TITA has no negative marking |
CAT Admit Card
- In October 2023, the admit card for CAT 2023 will be released. The following information should be considered for the same:
- Candidates may see their admission cards by entering the official website with their registration ID and password. The admission card would, after that, be available for download.
- The admission card will provide the examination locations, dates, and other exam information.
- On the exam day, candidates must have their admit cards on hand.
CAT Syllabus
Candidates should have an in-depth understanding of the subject and be well-prepared for the test to do well on the CAT exam and gain admission to their preferred business school. The extensive CAT syllabus covers various areas, including verbal aptitude, arithmetic, reading comprehension, and data analysis.
Grammar, verbal reasoning, and reading comprehension are all part of VARC.
The math concepts covered in the Quant portion are those found in classes 9–10 and include number systems, geometry, measurement, algebra, and arithmetic. These fundamental ideas offer a solid foundation for successfully addressing quantitative issues.
The DILR part, on the other hand, is part comprises sets centered around number series, graphs, data sufficiency, and common reasoning ideas. Candidates need to use analytical and logical thinking abilities to solve these many questions kinds, which might be difficult.
The following topics should be practiced as they are most frequently asked in the CAT exam:
| Syllabus | Topics |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading comprehension, Parajumbles, parasummary, verbal reasoning, phases Modifiers, parts of Speech, sentence exclusion etc. |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Seating Arrangement, DI-based reasoning, grid-based DI,Charts, graphs, arrangements, blood relations, Data sufficiency, Assumptions, Coding Decoding etc. |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Algebra, arithmetic, number systems, geometry, Binomial Theorem, Time-Speed-Distance, In-equations, quadratic and linear equations etc. |
To score the best desired result in your CAT 2023, you need the best preparation for the same and to do here are some of the popular books that you can use to prepare for the exam:
Books you can refer to prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT’- by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Nishit K Sinha
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Books you can refer to prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- ‘How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT’ – by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha.
- ‘How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT’ – by Arun Sharma
- Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – Ananta Ashisha
Books you can refer to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- ‘How to prepare for Quantitative for the CAT’ – by Arun Sharma, published by MGH Education
- Quant study modules by Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT – Sharma and Upadhyay
- PSC for VA for CAT – Nishit Sinha
CAT Results
The CAT results will be announced in December and will be accessible on the official website. Results of the CAT 2023 exam will be valid till December 2024.
The IIMs will also publish cut-offs for the batch of 2024–2026. There is no centralized CAT exam counselling because each IIM has its process for interviews and subsequent admission stages.
Meanwhile, Check out the list of Top 10 CAT Coaching in other cities
Are you looking to crack the CAT exam in other cities? We’ve got you covered! Discover the top 10 CAT coaching centres across various cities, offering expert guidance, comprehensive study materials, and personalized mentoring to help you achieve your dream score. Whether you’re a seasoned CAT aspirant or just starting your preparation, these institutes are here to boost your chances of success. Explore the best coaching options and pave your way to a brighter future.
Meanwhile, you can also check our list of Top 10 CAT Coaching & other cities:
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