The MAT, CAT, CMAT, NMAT, GMAT, and other management tests are available in the country. Most management candidates take the CAT Exam, which is an important management entrance exam. Every applicant who wants to earn a position in business management dreams of being accepted into the IIM. The CAT is a national-level entrance exam that is essential for individuals interested in pursuing an MBA at the IIMs and top management schools. Admission to the IIMs is contingent on passing the CAT Exam. Since the exam is tough and the competitions intense, candidates should begin preparing eight to ten months in advance.
The three components of the CAT Exam are verbal ability and reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. Registration for the exam begins in the first week of August or in the last week of July. The CAT Admit Card is released a few weeks before the exam. The exam is a Computer Based Test, and the level of difficulty varies from moderate to difficult. Before creating a preparation strategy, aspirants must first comprehend the CAT Exam pattern.
CAT Exam Highlights
- During the exam, candidates will be handed rough papers to use for calculation.
- Every correct answer receives a positive score of 3, while every incorrect response has a negative score of 1. There are no negative marks for TITA questions or unanswered questions.
- The questions must be answered in the order they are presented. Test takers will not be permitted to switch between sections throughout the exam.
- The quantitative aptitude portion includes questions on the number system, sequences, profit and loss, time and distance, geometry, speed, measurement, discount, series quadratic equations, simplification, simple interest, and other topics.
- Questions in the VARC section are based on reading comprehension passages, odd sentences, cloze passages, para-summary, and other topics.
- The DILR part covers subjects such as line charts, tables and graphs, caselets, seating arrangements, syllogism, binary logic, puzzles, bar graphs, and charts.
- The exam has both MCQ and non-MCQ questions, with a total of 66 questions and a 40-minute sectional time limit. For Multiple-Choice Questions, the candidates must select the appropriate option from a list of four, and for Non-Multiple-Choice Questions, the candidates must type in the answer on the screen.
- Candidates will also have access to a calculator on the screen. On-screen timers indicate how much time is left to finish the exam. Candidates can also use the on-screen timer to mark their progress through each section. After the exam has begun, switching between sections or fixing questions from other sections is not permitted. The exam will last 120 minutes in total. Candidates must remember that each section has a deadline and an assessment.
Candidates will be able to get into the premier IIMs only if they score 90+ percentile in the CAT Exam. The CAT Exam is accepted by the majority of MBA colleges in Kolkata for admission, followed by a group discussion and interview. Each college has its own set of selection standards. With only a few months until the exam, candidates must focus entirely on the CAT Exam and prepare diligently.