Common Admission Test (CAT)

CAT Exam 2022

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance examination for admission to graduate management programs. Depending on the scores, candidates can get admission into one of the 20 IIMs and 1,200 B-schools in India. MCQs and Non-MCQs from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability make up the CAT question paper (QA). The exam's difficulty level ranges from moderate to difficult.

Every year, around 2 lakh applicants take the CAT exam in order to compete for 5000+ seats. It is a two-year MBA entrance exam offered by 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). IIMs provide education from the highly-qualified instructors and the opportunity to study with top students.

CAT 2022 Exam Summary

The table below lists some of the most important aspects of the CAT exam that applicants should be aware of

CAT 2022 Official Notification

IIMs release CAT official notification in the last week of July. The CAT 2022 official notice has been released in the fourth week of July 2022 and all pertinent information regarding exam dates, eligibility, pattern, and so on are mentioned clearly. 

CAT Latest Updates 2022

Check the latest updates related to top CAT 2022 below

• September 21, 2022: Registration Deadline (Extended)
• October 27, 2022: Release of Admit Card
• November 27, 2022: Exam Date

CAT Important Dates 2022

The dates for CAT 2022 have been published on the official website. The following is a table with tentative dates and events:

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2022

Candidates applying for the examination must know the eligibility criteria, which are given below:

Age Criteria

There will be no age or attempt limit for CAT applicants.

Education Qualification

The following are some of the requirements that candidates must meet in order to apply for the CAT 2022 exam:

• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any discipline from a recognised college or institute.
• Applicants must have a 50 per cent or higher average in the appropriate exam (45 per cent for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) or equivalent.
• Candidates in their final year of a Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification examination, as well as those who have finished their final examination and are waiting for results, are eligible to apply.
• Professional degree holders (CA, CS, or ICWA) are also eligible.

Reservation Criteria for CAT 2022

According to legislative requirements, CAT 2022 has reservations for several categories, such as:

CAT Application Form 2022

The filling out of the CAT application form has to be done online. On the official website, candidates can register for CAT 2022. Candidates must complete the form with all of the required information. The following documents are required to complete the CAT 2022 Application Form:

How to Complete CAT 2022 Application Form

• Register for CAT 2022: Visit CAT 2022 official website. Name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and country of origin are required fields. After verification, a user ID and password will be provided to the candidate's registered email address and mobile number. Log in with CAT 2022 user ID and password to access the application form.
• Filling in the Application Form: Candidates must fill out their personal information, including their name, father's name, date of birth, gender, nationality, category, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Candidates must choose their preferred IIMs as well as the course they wish to pursue. The candidate has a choice of up to six cities in which to take the exam.
• Paying CAT 2022 Application Fee: After filling out all of the essential personal information, candidates must pay for the application form using a debit/credit card, Internet Banking, or another method of payment.

CAT Application Fees

The application fee for the CAT exam has increased. The following table shows the current fees for completing the application form:

Application Form Filling - Start & End Date

There will be no centralised counselling for CAT 2022 exam, as each IIM will perform individual counselling based on CAT scores.

Following the announcement of the results, the CAT 2022 admission procedure will begin. The final admissions procedure will take place at each of the IIM campuses. The admissions procedure is unique for every IIM, hence candidates should visit the respective website before applying.

Every shortlisted candidate will get an admission confirmation message via their registered email address and phone number. To accept the admission offer, candidates must report to their assigned centre within the given time period.

CAT Exam Centres 2022

Kashmir has been included as a new CAT Exam Centre for this year. The exam centre has been added to the list, as well as a deadline extension for filling out the application forms. Candidates can also look at the table below for a list of CAT exam centres that were added last year:

New CAT Exam Centres added for Delhi NCR Applicants

Exam Centre for CAT 2022

The conducting board had allocated a total of 425 test centres across 159 testing cities for the 2021 session. The exam centres for CAT 2022 will be announced along with the official notice.

CAT Exam Pattern 2022

The CAT exam includes a time limit for each section. This means that applicants will not be able to start with whatever section they like or switch between sections. They must work through the CAT question paper in order, from section one to section three. The sections will be organised in the following order:

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Skills.

Aspirants must keep in mind that they must complete each section within the time allotted and that once they do, the screen will automatically advance to the next segment. At a later point, no adjustments or revisions will be permitted.

The table below summarises the number of questions asked in each area of the CAT exam, as well as the time allowed for each:

Sections of CAT Exam and Their Weightage

There are three components to the CAT question paper. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QAT (Quantitative Aptitude) are three types of aptitude tests (QA). Check out the table below for the question and marks distribution in each section:

Marking Scheme for CAT Exam 

Before taking the exam, candidates should familiarise themselves with the CAT marking scheme so that they may choose which questions to answer and which to omit.

• CAT 2022 paper will have a total of 198 points.
• Each question will be worth three points.
• For each incorrect answer, a minus one mark will be deducted.
• If a candidate chooses not to attempt the question, no marks will be deducted.
• Some questions in each part may not be multiple-choice, therefore candidates must enter answers on the screen.

The marking scheme for CAT is summarised in the table below:

CAT Selection Process 2022

On its official website, each Indian Institute of Management (IIM) publishes its own set of selection criteria. In the MBA Admission Process 2022-23, performance in the CAT 2022 exam is an important factor to consider. Institute Accepting CAT score will shortlist candidates for additional selection phases (Personal Interview, Written Ability Test/Group Discussion) based on their performance in the CAT exam.

MBA Admission CAT Selection Process 2022-23

IIMs will shortlist candidates based on the CAT score and the selection process. Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI) will be part of the CAT selection procedure. However, several institutes have converted to a virtual personal interview mode solely in the present Covid-19 scenario.

Stages of CAT Exam

There are three rounds in the selection process for IIMs for CAT, including:

Round 1: IIM Shortlist and CAT Result

Round 2: Personal Interview

Round 3: Final Selection and Verification of Eligibility

Round 1: IIM Shortlist and CAT Result

CAT 2021 results have been released, and IIM shortlist dates will be notified soon, with all IIMs beginning the shortlisting process. The CAT cut-off will be announced by each IIM depending on the CAT score. On the individual IIMs' websites, a list of new IIM shortlisted candidates for the forthcoming CAT Counselling will be posted.

Shortlisted candidates will receive interview letters directly from each IIM. The CAT IIM shortlisting criteria differ from one IIM to the next.

IIM Interview Call Letter - MBA Admissions Process 2022 through CAT

Candidates who are chosen for the first stage of the CAT selection process in 2022 will receive invitation letters to their registered email addresses. The following information will be included in the invitation letter:

• Registration information can be found here.
• The deadline for completing the CAP registration has passed (for 9 IIMs)
• WAT/GD and PI dates, times, and locations

Round 2: WAT, PI, and GD Rounds 

Written Ability Tests (WAT), Personal Interviews (PI), and Group Discussions (GD) are the next stages of the IIM MBA selection process 2022-23 for all students who meet the CAT cut off (GD). Candidates are judged on their general knowledge, communication skills, prior round performance, and cognitive abilities.

Round 3: Final Selection and Verification of Eligibility

Any candidate selected for a personal interview at an IIM must meet the CAT final selection process' eligibility and verification requirements.

CAT Marking Scheme 2022

VARC, DILR, and QA are the three sections of the CAT question paper. Candidates must answer both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions. The questions on the paper are normally of intermediate difficulty, with QA posing more difficult questions. Following are the highlights of the CAT 2022 exam pattern:

CAT Syllabus 2022

The CAT Syllabus will consist of 3 topics, i.e Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Aspirants must be completely familiar with the CAT quantitative aptitude syllabus, which is based on the previous year's question papers. As the CAT exam does not have a specified syllabus, many applicants struggle and become confused during their CAT Quant test preparation. 

However, it should be emphasised that the questions are usually based on a few themes that are asked every year. As a result, candidates are advised to review the previous year's question trends, familiarise themselves with relevant knowledge, and prepare accordingly. Based on the past year's question paper research, some of the topics are predicted to reappear in CAT 2022.

For the Complete CAT Syllabus, Click the link below.

• CAT Exam Syllabus 2022

CAT 2022 Preparation Tips

For IIM aspirants, CAT is one of the most difficult exams. The CAT exam is challenging for students to pass. However, if you plan a proper strategy and timetable for this exam, you will undoubtedly succeed in passing it. We've provided some exam preparation ideas for you here.

1. Organising your time - It is one of the most crucial aspects of exam preparation. Students must adhere to a strict preparation and study plan. This will assist pupils in passing the examination. The CAT is an aptitude test in which pupils must have conceptual clarity and know-how to solve problems using quick approaches.
2. Question papers from previous years - Students must prepare from the previous year's question papers in addition to learning from books. Students can learn more about the difficulty level, types of questions, and other details by consulting prior year question papers. You'll also be aware of your areas of strength and weakness.
3. Mock exam for practice - To pass the CAT exam, you'll need to have a lot of logical thinking, which you can acquire by taking practice tests. You can also manage your time for each segment with the help of simulated tests.
4. Recognise syllabus and exam pattern - Before beginning their studies, candidates should familiarise themselves with the CAT test format and syllabus. The CAT exam is divided into sections, and candidates must manage their time according to the complexity of each section. To begin their preparations, students must obtain all relevant information about the CAT's official syllabus.
5. Books and study aids - Students would be perplexed by the extensive CAT syllabus if they do not have access to CAT books and study materials. Good books and study materials are essential for improved preparation. Students can also use previous year's question papers to familiarise themselves with the exam format, types of questions, and scoring system.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid stress - It is critical to have a healthy mind and body in order to concentrate better during exam preparation. Maintain a nutritious diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating junk food and drinking alcoholic beverages. Practice yoga and meditation to improve your concentration while studying for your exams.
7. Revision - Because of the long syllabus, the candidate will not have enough time to revise. Candidates will forget to review essential topics due to a shortage of time. Candidates must attempt to revise the entire syllabus and crucial topics three to four days before the examination. Students should set aside at least one week for revision of topics they have already studied.
8. Performance analysis - Analysing yourself will offer you a clear picture of where you stand and will also assist you in identifying your weak areas. You'll have a clear image of where you need to focus your extra work once you've identified these weaker areas.

CAT Exam Taking Strategy 2022

• Spend a few moments thinking about the question. A quick explanation of why any option is correct or incorrect might cross your mind. You can do well on the actual examination if you are willing to practice this tip on sample logical thinking questions.
• Do not make any assumptions or use any information that is not provided by the question. This isn't a test to see how much you know about a subject in general. When choosing between the different responses to each reading passage, consider only the information provided.
• Read the factual paragraph and the sentence completion instruction carefully. When making your decision, you must consider both factors.
• Before eliminating or selecting one of the solution alternatives, make sure to read all of them thoroughly.
• When answering questions that need you to choose a legitimate conclusion, always go with the one that is most likely to follow from the information provided. Select the one conclusion that clearly does not suit the information supplied to you in questions that ask you to determine the erroneous choice.
• When reading the factual facts provided by each question, pay special attention to words like "all," "none," and "some." Other phrases to consider are "other than," "only," and "until." These terms will be crucial in determining which facts will be used in your reasoning.
• Negative prefixes such as non—, un-, and dis- should be avoided. These could be crucial in outlining the paragraph's main points.
• Any answer choices using the quantifiers "all" or "zero" should be avoided at all costs. In general, these terms in the sample practice questions and the genuine CAT evaluation do not indicate erroneous response selections. They'll show up in both correct and bad response choices.
• Keep an eye out for the word "only" and the phrase "if and only if."

CAT Admit Card 2022

CAT Admit Card will be released on the official website. Candidates who complete the application process successfully will be able to access their admission cards.

• A printout of the admit card, as well as a valid photo ID, must be brought to the exam centre.
• The admit card will contain vital information such as the exam centre, exam times, and so on.

How to Download a CAT Admit Card?

CAT 2022 Admit Card may be easily downloaded by visiting the official CAT website. Candidates must log in using the User ID and password that is received during CAT Registration 2022. The following is the procedure for obtaining a CAT Admit Card:

• To go to the official CAT website click here.
• Fill in your Username and Password.
• On the right side of the homepage, click 'Download Admit Card.'
• Your applicant profile will be redirected to you.
• To store the admit card for future use, click the Download Admit Card icon.
• The final step is to print the CAT Admit Card.

Important Details Mentioned on CAT 2022 Admit Card

CAT Result 2022

The CAT Result 2022 will be released a few days after the examination. To download the CAT Scorecard for 20 IIMs, 7 IITs, and other non-IIM institutes, candidates must visit the official CAT website.

Important Points from CAT Result

Candidates must read the following critical instructions from IIMs regarding the declaration of CAT results and the download of scorecards:

• The CAT 2021 scorecard is only available online on the official website and will not be mailed. However, to download the CAT scorecard, an SMS will be issued to the candidate's registered mobile number.
• The candidates' overall and sectoral scaled scores will be included in the CAT results. It's important to remember that the total scaled score is based on the candidates' overall raw scores, not the sum of the scaled scores from the VARC, DILR, and QA parts.
• CAT scores will be valid until December 31, 2022, and candidates can apply to MBA programmes that accept CAT scores as long as they meet the other minimum requirements.
• The issuance of a CAT scorecard does not ensure acceptance into MBA programmes. IIMs and non-IIMs both publish their own cut-offs and follow their own admissions procedures for MBA/PGDM programmes.

CAT Cut-off 2022

In the CAT, a score of more than 100 is required to achieve the 99 percentile. The specific marks earned in each segment vary depending on the exam's difficulty level. To achieve a total score of more than 100, one must obtain at least 35 points in VARC, 30 points in LRDI, and 37 points in QA. If a candidate achieves a score of more than 99 percentile on the CAT exam, he or she may be contacted by:

• IIM Ahmedabad - An 80+ percentile in 10th, 12th, and bachelor's is a good CAT score to obtain a call.
• IIM Bangalore - Candidates must have an 80+ percentage in their 10th, 12th, and graduation years in addition to a good CAT score of 99.5+. 
• IIM Calcutta - Candidates must earn a score of 99.5+ and 80+ in their 10th and 12th grades, they can get a call from IIM Calcutta.

Previous Year Cut-off

The CAT 2021 Cut-off has been announced by IIMs to help screen candidates for the admission process (GD and PI). The following table shows the CAT 2021 cut-off for general category candidates:

Every CAT aspirant keeps an eye on the CAT cut-offs for all of the leading B-Schools so that they know what they're aiming for. The CAT cut-off is the first stage that an applicant must pass before being considered for future procedures. While the actual CAT cut-off is far higher than the CAT cut-off set by the institutions, these CAT cut-offs must be considered so that the applicant has a realistic goal to strive for.

The following are the overall tendencies for top B-Schools:

• To be considered for the interview rounds at the top IIMs and universities like FMS and ISB Hyderabad, candidates must have a CAT score of over 99 percentile.
• For an interview call, new IIMs such as IIM Udaipur, IIM Trichy, and others have a CAT Cut Off of 90-95 percentile.
• Baby IIMs have comparable CAT Cut Offs to the New IIMs, although some can go as low as the 85th percentile for the suitable individual.
• CAT Scores and CAT Cut Offs for Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges might range from the 50th to the 80th percentile.

Cut-offs for IIMs in CAT

For candidates from the general category, the CAT Cut Offs for IIMs are exceptionally high. The CAT cut-offs for major IIMs, according to recent trends, are: 

• IIM Ahmedabad - 99 percentile 
• IIM Bangalore - 99 percentile 
• IIM Calcutta - 99 percentile

The CAT cut-offs for the top three IIMs are, as expected, extraordinarily high. IIM Ahmedabad, on the other hand, provides opportunities to candidates with a variety of backgrounds. As a result, candidates with a Bachelor of Arts degree may receive a call from IIM Ahmedabad even if their percentiles are significantly lower. For the remaining old IIMs:

• IIM Lucknow will take in the 97-98 percentile
• IIM Kozhikode will take in the 97-98 percentile and 
• IIM Indore will take in the 97-98 percentile.

These IIMs must lower their CAT cut-offs in order to recruit students who are not eligible for admission to the top three IIMs. The IIMs are able to recruit a broader set of candidates by lowering the cut-off.

For new IIMs:

• IIM Shillong has a 95%
• IIM Udaipur has a 95%
• IIM Ranchi has a 95%
• IIM Raipur has a 95%
• IIM Rohtak has a 95%
• IIM Trichy has a 95%
• IIM Kashipur has a 95%
• IIM Sirmaur has a 95%
• IIM Bodh Gaya has 90-95%

CAT 2022 List of Colleges

FAQs Related to CAT 2022

Let us take a look at a few frequently asked questions related to CAT 2022.

Q.1: What is the Quantitative Aptitude part of the CAT?
Ans: Quantitative Aptitude (CAT) simply refers to an individual's ability to solve numerical and mathematical computations in a brief amount of time. It evaluates a person's ability to play with numbers in a sensible manner. This is frequently requested in most competitive tests.

Q.2: What are the best books to read in order to prepare for CAT VARC?
Ans: 'Word Power Made Easy' by Norman Lewis and 'Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT' by Ajay Singh are the best books to prepare for CAT VARC. Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay 'How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT'

Q.3: Is it possible for me to do well in the CAT with self-study?
Ans: Yes, self-study can help you score well in the CAT if you are motivated and diligent in your preparation. Find reliable study resources and limit your reading to a few books. Take practice tests on a regular basis and examine your results in each section. Form your own tactics to ace the exam based on your talents and shortcomings.

Q.4: What is the difference between data interpretation and logical reasoning?
Ans: Data interpretation and logical reasoning is a component of the CAT that assesses students' ability to make decisions quickly and with limited information. Data interpretation entails studying data, and logical reasoning entails using logic to reach a conclusion.

Q.5: How can I enhance my CAT score in a short period of time?
Ans: Doing one or two fake tests per day for a week is the greatest way to analyse your performance. Before you begin, review all of the topics and identify your weak and strong areas. Do the preparation when you've identified these locations.