The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted in India for admission into MBA (Master of Business Administration) and other postgraduate management programs offered by the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many top B-schools across the country.
Conducting Body: One of the IIMs (rotates annually)
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Frequency: Once a year (usually in November)
Validity: CAT score is valid for 1 year
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
| Sections | 3 |
| Total Questions | 66 (Approximate) |
| Total Marks | 198 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only); no negative marking for non-MCQs (TITA) |
| Languages |
English only |
Sectional Time Limit: You cannot switch between sections. Each section has a fixed 40-minute window.
TITA Questions: "Type In The Answer" — no options provided, must type the answer manually. No negative marking for these.
MCQs: Multiple Choice Questions — 4 options per question, -1 for incorrect answers.
After the CAT results are released, each IIM and B-school prepares its own shortlist of candidates based on:
CAT Percentile (Overall and Sectional cut-offs)
Academic Performance (10th, 12th, Graduation)
Work Experience (if applicable)
Diversity Factors (gender, academic background, etc.)
? Each institute sets its own cut-offs, and meeting them doesn't guarantee a call—your overall profile also matters.
Shortlisted candidates are called for the next round, which may include:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| WAT (Written Ability Test) | Short essay on a current, abstract, or opinion-based topic |
| PI (Personal Interview) | Face-to-face interview assessing personality, goals, academics, GK, etc. |
| GD (Group Discussion) (less common now) | Group-based discussion on a topic (used by some non-IIM B-schools) |
Most IIMs now prefer WAT + PI format over GD.
Top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta give more weight to WAT-PI and academic history, not just CAT score.
B-schools like:
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IIT Bombay/SJMSOM
IIFT (via its own test or CAT)
also have similar multi-stage processes, with interviews, GDs, and sometimes psychometric tests or group task.
