Common Admission Test
Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prominent national-level business aptitude test administered by Indian Institutes of business (IIMs) for admission to MBA programmes. It is also approved by over 1,200 business schools in India. Every year, around two lakh people apply for the CAT test.
The CAT test evaluates students in three areas: verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and quantitative ability (QA). The exam’s difficulty level is moderate to high, making it a difficult yet necessary step for individuals wishing to pursue an MBA or comparable programmes.
Candidates who wish to pursue an MBA in the 2024 academic year must take the CAT test. The CAT results are used for admission to MBA programmes, Executive MBA programmes, PhD programmes, and FPM programmes at IIMs and other B-Schools.
What is CAT?
CAT (Common Admission Test) is India’s most prestigious national-level MBA entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. It is the key to admission into 20 IIMs and over 1,200 top B-Schools including FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, IITs, and others.
📋 CAT Exam Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a year (usually last Sunday of November) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Official Website | www.iimcat.ac.in |
| Accepted By | IIMs + 1200+ B-Schools across India |
| Score Validity | 1 Year |
🧾 CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Latest Format)
| Section | Duration (Minutes) | No. of Questions | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 | ~24 | MCQs + TITA* |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 | ~20 | MCQs + TITA |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 | ~22 | MCQs + TITA |
| Total |
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🧠 CAT Exam: Gateway to IIMs & India’s Top B-Schools
What is CAT?
CAT (Common Admission Test) is one of India’s most prestigious national-level MBA entrance exams. It is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis and serves as a gateway to 20 IIMs and over 1,200 top B-Schools across India, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, and IITs’ MBA programs.
📋 CAT Exam Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a year (usually last Sunday of November) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Official Website | www.iimcat.ac.in |
| Accepted By | 20 IIMs + 1200+ B-Schools across India |
| Score Validity | 1 Year |
🧾 CAT Exam Pattern
| Section | Duration (Minutes) | No. of Questions | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 | ~24 | MCQs + TITA* |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 | ~20 | MCQs + TITA |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 | ~22 | MCQs + TITA |
| Total | 120 minutes | 66 Questions | Objective + Subjective |
*TITA (Type In The Answer) questions are non-MCQ and require direct input by the candidate. No negative marking for TITA.
🧠 Why Take CAT?
✅ Entry to top IIMs and elite B-Schools
✅ Gateway to high-paying management careers
✅ Opportunity for specialization in marketing, finance, HR, analytics, and more
✅ Opens doors to global MBA options via equivalence
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At Mathematica Complete Education, we help aspirants build a solid foundation with:
Conceptual clarity in Quant, LRDI, and VARC
Sectional tests and full-length mock exams
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Frequently Asked
Questions
CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is a national-level aptitude test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA programs.
The CAT exam evaluates candidates in three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST applicants) or be in their final year of bachelor’s studies.
Candidates can prepare through coaching classes, online resources, books, and mock exams. Mock exams are particularly helpful for practice.
Yes, CAT is known for its rigorous examination process and is considered more challenging than many other MBA admission tests. However, with dedicated preparation, candidates can achieve success.
CAT plays a significant role in the careers of ambitious management professionals in India. It opens doors to top MBA programs and lucrative career opportunities.