CAT 2024 Registration Deadline Tomorrow: fee, exam pattern, selection process at IIMs

The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on November 24 in three sessions from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm to 6: 30pm

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) will close the registration for the Common Admission Test 2024 (CAT 2024) tomorrow, 13 September. Interested and eligible candidates can fill out the CAT 2024 registration form by visiting the official website, In CAT 2024, admit cards will be released on 4th November.

Candidates need to pay the application fee to complete the CAT registration process in 2024. The CAT 2024 registration fee for General Category, Economic Weak Section (EWS) candidates is Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,250 for candidates in reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

CAT 2024 exam date and pattern

The CAT 2024 exam date is November 24. The CAT 2024 exam will be administered in a total of three shifts: the first one from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second one from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and the last one from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Online CAT 2024 will be the mode of delivery.

CAT 2024 consists of three sections - Verbal Comprehension and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). A maximum of 66 questions will be on the CAT 2024 paper. According to the marking scheme of CAT 2024, the candidates will lose 3 marks for every correct answer and 1 mark for every wrong answer. No negative markings for wrong answers.

CAT 2024: Selection process at IIMs

After the CAT results are declared, each IIM prepares a shortlist based on CAT scores and other factors. The shortlisting process varies slightly for each IIM, but generally includes:

1. CAT Cut-off: Have a minimum cut-off percentage for each section and total CAT score. The cut-off is different for each IIM and different sections. Most IIMs give a lot of weightage to the CAT score, usually 30-50%.
2. Education: 10th, 12th grade, and proposed examination.
3. Work Experience: Many IIMs consider work experience and prefer candidates with relevant work experience, mostly in management or technical roles.
4. Written Aptitude Test (WAT): This is a written test where candidates have to write an essay on a topic. This article can discuss current issues, abstract topics, or business issues. This part assesses the candidate's ability to express his ideas, build his arguments, and communicate effectively in writing.
5. Group Discussion (GD): Some IIMs conduct a Group Discussion, where a group of candidates discuss the topic given by the group. It can be about commercial, political, economic, or social issues. It tests the candidate's communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and ability to communicate their ideas.
6. Personal Interview (PI): A personal interview will be conducted by a panel of faculty members and industry experts. The interview can focus on - personal background, career goals, motivation to do an MBA, knowledge of current affairs, education, work experience, and external achievements.