The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test for admission to graduate management programs, particularly for MBA courses offered by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 B-schools in India. Here are some key details about the CAT exam:
- Sections: The test consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
- Duration: The exam is typically three hours long, with one hour per section. However, due to COVID-19 precautions, the duration was reduced to 2 hours with 40 minutes devoted to each section in 2020 and subsequent years.
- Eligibility: Candidates must be graduates with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent from a recognized university to be eligible for the CAT exam.
- Syllabus: The CAT exam syllabus includes Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high.
- Preparation: The average time necessary to complete CAT study is about five months, and solving sample question papers and taking online mock exams is an integral part of CAT preparation.
In summary, the CAT exam is a highly competitive and rigorous test that evaluates students profiles to shortlist them based on their merit for admission to management programs, particularly MBA courses in India.
