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Management entrance exam

CAT

Common Admission TestThe entrance test for IIM postgraduate programmes, also accepted by many leading B-schools.

Conducted by
The IIMs, on rotation
Level
Postgraduate
Frequency
Once a year
Typically held
November
Mode
Computer-based test
Duration
2 hours (sectional time limits)

Who it's for

Graduates and final-year students planning an MBA/PGDM, with or without work experience.

  • MBA / PGP at IIMs
  • MBA/PGDM at many other B-schools

Typical eligibility

  • Bachelor's degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
  • Final-year undergraduate students can apply

Exam pattern

Duration

2 hours (sectional time limits)

Marking

+3 for a correct answer; −1 for incorrect MCQs; no negative for type-in answers

SectionDetails
VARCVerbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
DILRData Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
QAQuantitative Ability

Patterns are revised from time to time. Confirm the current pattern in the official information bulletin.

Subjects

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
  • Quantitative Ability

How to prepare

  1. 01

    Reading habit first — RC dominates VARC

  2. 02

    Set selection is the real DILR skill; practise choosing, not just solving

  3. 03

    Take sectional mocks early, full mocks from about four months out

Typical preparation timeline

  1. Jan–Apr

    Basics

    Arithmetic, algebra, reading habit

  2. May–Aug

    Practice

    Sectional tests, DILR sets

  3. Aug–Nov

    Mocks

    Weekly full mocks, deep analysis

Colleges that accept CAT

From our directory. Cut-offs vary by year, category and programme.

  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1958

    IIT Bombay

    Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +3
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Design
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1961

    IIT Delhi

    New Delhi, Delhi

    Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +3
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Design
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1959

    IIT Madras

    Chennai, Tamil Nadu

    Indian Institute of Technology Madras

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +2
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Management
    • +1
    View detailsGet guidance
  • GovernmentFeatured

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1961

    IIM Ahmedabad

    Ahmedabad, Gujarat

    Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹12L – ₹14.5L
    Entrance
    CAT
    • Management
    View detailsGet guidance
  • Government

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1951

    IIT Kharagpur

    Kharagpur, West Bengal

    Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹2.2L – ₹2.6L
    Entrance
    JEE Advanced, JEE Main +2
    • Engineering
    • Science
    • Management
    • +2
    View detailsGet guidance
  • Government

    Institute of National Importance · Est. 1973

    IIM Bangalore

    Bengaluru, Karnataka

    Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

    Indicative fee / yr
    ₹12L – ₹13.5L
    Entrance
    CAT
    • Management
    View detailsGet guidance

CAT guidance

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