CAT 2020: Exam Dates, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Results

What is CAT Exam?

Common Admission Test or CAT exam is a common aptitude test which is a doorway to 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India. CAT is held in online mode in over 156 cities. The exam includes 100 MCQs & non-MCQs from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).

The official website of CAT 2020 (iimcat.ac.in) has all the related information about the entire admission process related to IIM admission through CAT EXAM. The admission notification is generally released every year in the month of July – August, those who intend to take CAT EXAM should keep a close eye on the website so that one can apply well in time. Every year more than two lakh candidates appear in CAT exam as against less than 10000 seats.

CAT 2020 Slot and Reporting Timing

CAT 2020 will be held on November 29, 2020 (Sunday) in three sessions of 2 hours duration each as the schedule given below:

• CAT 2020 Slot 1 (Morning Slot) Timings: 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM (Reporting Time-7 AM)

• CAT 2020 Slot 2 (Afternoon Session) Timings: 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM (Reporting Time-11 AM)

• CAT 2020 Slot 3 (Evening Session) Timings: 4.30PM to 6.30 PM (Reporting Time – 3 PM)

In case you are going to appear in CAT 2020, kindly note down the above CAT exam date and timings for your slot to reach the examination hall in time.

How to Download CAT Exam Admit Card 2020

IIM has notified the CAT admit card 2020 on its official website iimcat.ac.in. In order to download CAT admit card, candidates need to take the following steps:

Step 1 - To visit the official website of CAT- iimcat.ac.in

Step 2 - To enter the CAT login ID and password

Step 3 - Then click on download admit card tab

Step 4- Finally ensure details and take a print out

CAT 2020 Exam Notification

CAT 2020 Admit Card has been released. Click here for download.

CAT 2020 Date has been released. Check here for details.

CAT 2020 Exam Pattern & Syllabus. Check here for exam pattern details.

CAT 2020 Mock Test. Click here for test.

CAT 2020 Preparation: Expert Tips, Strategy & Guide. Check here for details.

CAT 2020 Result - Check Percentile & Download Score Card. Check here for details.

CAT Exam Analysis. Click here for details.

CAT 2020 Answer Key. Check here for details.

CAT Exam Highlights

CAT 2020 Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility for CAT exam is graduation. Besides that there are other details to be noted down for CAT eligibility criteria:

• The candidate should acquire a bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) from a recognized board or university
• The candidate have to complete a professional degree (CA/ CS/ ICWA) with necessary percentage
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or in anticipation of result are also eligible to apply for CAT exam

CAT 2020 Important Dates

CAT exam date 2020 was proclaimed on July 29 by IIM Indore. Have a look at the table below for the schedule of the UPCOMING CAT 2020-21 EXAM for your reference:

CAT 2020 aspirants who aspire to pursue MBA in 2021 have to check all the details related to the exam to be able to diagram their preparation and the next two years in academics. CAT exam is held annually and the competition in this exam is towering, so they must make sure they are fully organized to take the test. Here are some more details about CAT exam given below.

Changes in CAT 2020

• The time duration of the exam has been condensed from 180 minutes to 120 minutes. For every section, the candidates will get 40 minutes.
• There is an increase in the exam slots two to three. The exam timings are: Slot 1- 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, slot 2 - 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, slot 3 - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
• CAT application fee has been augmented from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,000 for General category students. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the fee has been increased from Rs 950 to Rs 1,000.
• This year, the candidates can select at least six cities to allot for the UPCOMING CAT exam centre. According to last year, the number of favored test cities was limited to four.
• There is no rise in the number of CAT test cities. The exam will be conducted in 156 cities across India like last year.
• ?There has been no change in the testing mode. CAT will be conducted in Computer Based Test mode.

CAT 2020 Exam Pattern and Test Structure

CAT question paper is segregated into three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. Every section is given maximum time limit as 40 minutes. The candidates are required to solve both MCQ and Non-MCQ type questions. The questions paper is generally of moderate difficulty level with QA being more challenges in terms of hard-hitting questions. Check the highlights of CAT exam pattern as under.

List of CAT 2020 Test Cities

CAT exam will be carried out in two slots at various exam centres in 156 cities across India. Candidates can offer up to six preferences for test city allocation during the CAT application process. They will be given an exam centre in one of the six cities chosen, according to the accessibility of seats.

CAT Registration Trend for the Years together

This year, approximately 2.3 lakh candidates registered for CAT exam. In 2019, about 2.44 lakh candidates had undertaken the CAT exam and 2.10 lakh appeared in the exam. The number of applications customary for CAT exam 2019 is the highest since 2010.

CAT Preparation 2020: Preparation tips for the aspirants

CAT 2020 aspirants shouldinitiate their preparation at least six months before the exam date. A minimum of six months preparation is obligatory to score 99+ percentile in the exam. There are three fundamentals in CAT preparation – theoretical clarity, perform and modification. Those taking CAT exam for the first time, must first get proverbial with the syllabus and exam pattern. We have programmed some key tips on to create CAT preparation underneath:

• Short list the topics from the latest syllabus of CAT 2020 and segregate them according to your strengths and weaknesses

• Join coaching institutes or online coaching for CAT to learn effectively as it involves lot of competition.

• To join online study portals to prepare effectively such as educational youtube channels, educational groups available online, etc.

• Buy comprehensive and relevant study material based on the latest exam pattern and syllabus of CAT

• Plan a topic wise study strategy and study them systematically

• Practice at least 30 questions from the topic you learn on the same day to assess your learning ability.

• Try to cover the syllabus as early as possible so that you can revise them effectively before the exam day.

CAT Exam Day Guidelines 2020

CAT EXAM Aspirants should always carry the following documents to the exam centre to get entry inside the exam hall:

• Admit card: The aspirants of CAT 2020 exam should carry their admit cards to the exam centre. Entry is not allowed without admit card and photo ID.
• Identity Proof: Besides carrying the CAT admit card, aspirants should carry a photo ID proof such as College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card), employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhaar card.
• Name change document: In the event of change of name aspirants are required to carry a name change certificate/document.
Items banned inside CAT exam hall:

1. Eatables and beverages

2. Jewellery and accessories that contain metal

3. Jackets and clothes with pockets

4. Calculator, watch, phone, iPad or any electronic item

5. Bags and purses

6. Closed footwear

Note: Aspirants having metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring medical certificate of the same at test centre

MBA Admission through CAT

IIM admission and selection process commences after the declaration of CAT result. Every IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to choose candidates to participate in the next round of admission process.Have a look at the selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs.

IIM Admission Selection Process

CAT selection procedure for all the IIMs comprises of the following:

1. To screen the candidates on the basis of their CAT score
2. Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
3. Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Non-IIM Selection Process

Institutes who are undertaking CAT score other than IIMs also demeanor GD/PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM program. Though, there are a few colleges that recognize students based on CAT score only.

CAT Cut - off Percentiles

CAT cut off for IIM admission is decided by each institute category wise. Despite the fact that the qualifying cut offs range between 80 and 90 (General category), final cut offs are much higher.

Please refer the given table below indicating qualifying CAT cut offs 2019 for reference.

Reputed Colleges Accepting CAT Exam Score

CAT scores are considered by 20 reputed IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across the country. One may visit the links to know the cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM.

Reputed institutes accepting Non-IIMs CAT score

Here is the list of reputed 20 MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list includes IITs to offer MBA program through their Department of Management Studies.

Campus Wise - IM Fees

Kindly refer the list of MBA/PGP program fees of each IIM. The amount mentioned here is course fee of PGP/MBA (2 years).

*The Fees has been rounded off to the nearest lakh. The fees can increase in the new academic session.

CAT 2020 Exam FAQs:

Q: May I how many times is CAT exam held in a year?
A: CAT exam is held online once in a year. The exam will be conducted in three sessions this year. Every session will be of 120 minutes. Before 2020, the exam was held in two sessions and the exam duration was 180 minutes.

Q: May I know the application fee charged for CAT exam?
A: The application fee charged for CAT exam is Rs 2,000 for General category and Rs 1,000 for Reserved category students.

Q: What is age limit to appear in CAT exam?
A: There is no age limit prescribed by the authorities to appear in the exam. Any graduate or a candidate in the final year of graduation is eligible to apply for CAT.

Q: Are there any scholarship schemes in IIMs that candidates can avail while taking admission?
A: IIMs provide scholarships to commendable candidates and the ones who belong to the economically weaker section.

Q. Can a candidate in thesecond year of graduation appear for CAT for practice purpose?
A: No, the candidate has to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria for CAT to be able to appear for the exam.
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Q: Can anyone appear for more than one slot for CAT exam?
A: No, each aspirant can appear for CAT exam in one slot only. The slot will be chosen to the candidate by the exam authority. To guarantee every candidate attempts the exam in only one slot, admit cards, photo IDs, candidate photo, and biometric record will be verified.

Q: Are there any special requirements for PwD candidates?
A: Yes, there are special requirements for PwD candidates, such as scribe assistance and extra exam hours.

Q: Will there be extra one hour for PwD candidates distributed among three sections of CAT question paper?
A: Yes. PwD candidates will be given one hour extra in the exam. This extra hour is divided equally among the three sections.

Q: What documents are required for the candidates belonging to EWS category while applying for the CAT EXAM?
A: EWS category candidates are required to upload an EWS category form available on the CAT website. The form must be duly filled and self-attested.

Q: What is the marking scheme for CAT?
A: Every right answer given by the candidate will be awarded three marks. There will be a total of 300 marks allotted to the question paper.

Q: Is there negative marking?
A: Yes CAT EXAM will follow negative marking as for every wrong answer one mark will be deducted.