Common Admission Test, usually known as CAT, is an entrance exam conducted by one of the old IIMs. This entrance exam is used for shortlisting candidates for admission to MBA or PGDM programs at prestigious institutes like all the IIMs, MDI, IITs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and many other B-schools all over India. CAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance exams in India. CAT exam is taken by approximately two to three lakhs students every year. Candidates from various backgrounds like Engineering, Commerce, Arts, and Law appear for this exam every year. The CAT exam will be conducted across 156 cities all over India. It will be conducted in two slots- Morning and Afternoon Slot.
A candidate is eligible for the exam if he or she has secured at least 50% marks in his or her graduation degree of at least three years duration from a reputed or recognized college/university. Moreover, candidates in their final year of graduation can also take the exam.
The CAT exam consists of 66 questions. The duration of the CAT exam is 120 minutes. It is a computer-based test. There is a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Mostly the questions are MCQ based. However, you will find some TITA(type in the answer) questions. Following are the sections and number of questions per section-
Section | Number of Questions |
Verbal Ability | 24 |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation | 20 |
Quantitative Ability | 22 |
There is no particular syllabus specified by the officials. However, based on the past years' papers trends, following is the CAT syllabus-
Quants- Arithmetic, Algebra, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Permutations, Combinations, Probability, Geometry, Logarithms, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Number Systems, and Progressions & Series.
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation- Bar Graphs, Caselets, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Mixed charts, Linear arrangements, Circular arrangements, Numeric Logic, Critical Path, Truth & Lie, Games & Tournament, LR based DI, Quants based LR, Truth & Lie
Verbal Ability- Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Para Summary, Paracompletion Para jumbles and Odd man out.