Common Admission Test: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
imported>Shahaagam3467
mNo edit summary
 
imported>Shahaagam3467
mNo edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 20: Line 20:
| offered            = Once a year (usually on the last [[Sunday]] of [[November]]).
| offered            = Once a year (usually on the last [[Sunday]] of [[November]]).
| attempt_restriction = No restriction  
| attempt_restriction = No restriction  
| regions            = 170+ cities and towns all over [[India]].
| regions            = 170 cities and towns all over [[India]].
| language            = [[English language|English]]
| language            = [[English language|English]]
| test_takers        = {{Increase}}  2.93 Lakhs (CAT 2024)  
| test_takers        = {{Decrease}}  2.58 Lakhs (CAT 2025)  
| prerequisite        = Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least 50 % marks or equivalent GPA (45 % in case of [[Scheduled Castes|SC, ST]], [[Physical disability|PWD]] candidates). Final year undergraduate students are also eligible
| prerequisite        = Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least 50 % marks or equivalent GPA (45 % in case of [[Scheduled Castes|SC, ST]], [[Physical disability|PWD]] candidates). Final year undergraduate students are also eligible
| fee                = {{INRConvert|2500}} for General/ [[Economically Weaker Section|EWS]]/NC-OBC category  candidates.
| fee                = {{INRConvert|2600}} for General/ [[Economically Weaker Section|EWS]]/NC-OBC category  candidates.
{{INRConvert|1250}} for [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|SC/ST]]/[[Physical disability|PWD]] category candidates
{{INRConvert|1300}} for [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|SC/ST]]/[[Physical disability|PWD]] category candidates
| score_users        = Various business schools in India
| score_users        = Various business schools in India
| qualification_rate  =
| qualification_rate  =
Line 49: Line 49:


== Exam pattern ==
== Exam pattern ==
The Common Admission Test (CAT), like virtually all large-scale exams, utilizes multiple forms, or versions, of the test. Hence there are two types of scores involved: a [[raw score]] and a scaled score.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) uses different versions of the exam each year, so it reports two types of scores: a [[raw score]] and a scaled score.


The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or left attempted. Candidates are given '''+3 points''' for each correct answer and '''-1 point''' for each incorrect answer, no negative marking for '''TITA''' (Type in the Answer) questions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MBA Entrance Exams in India - Check Exam Dates, Fees & Pattern |url=https://www.learningroutes.in/blog/mba-entrance-exams-india}}</ref> No points are given for questions that are not answered. The raw scores are then adjusted through a process called equating. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called 'scaling'.
The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or left attempted. Candidates are given '''+'''3 points for each correct answer and -1 point for each incorrect answer, no negative marking for TITA (Type in the Answer) questions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MBA Entrance Exams in India - Check Exam Dates, Fees & Pattern |url=https://www.learningroutes.in/blog/mba-entrance-exams-india}}</ref>  


The change in the total number of questions and number of questions per section in CAT can vary by year. On the whole, there are 68 number of questions combining each section. The very first section which is the verbal ability and reading comprehension contains 24 questions, further bifurcating 16 questions of reading comprehension and 8 questions of verbal ability, then next section is of data interpretation and logical reasoning which contains 22 questions and the last section is of quantitative ability which contains 22 questions making it to 66 questions in total.
Since different versions of the test may vary slightly in difficulty, the raw scores are adjusted using a method called '''equating'''. After that, the scores are '''scaled''' to ensure fairness, so that scores from different exam slots can be compared accurately.


CAT is conducted in three slots/sessions (Morning Slot, Afternoon Slot, Evening Slot).<ref>{{Cite web |title=All You Need to Know About Common Aptitude Test |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/cat-2023-all-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-common-aptitude-test-101699952868348.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
The '''number of questions''' in CAT can change from year to year. Recently, the paper has had '''68 questions''' divided into three sections:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=CAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Sections, Types of Questions, & Marks |url=https://www.imsindia.com/blog/cat/cat-exam-pattern/ |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=IMS India |language=en-US}}</ref>


===CAT Pattern and Duration===
* '''Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)''' – 24 questions
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAT 2023 Mock Test Navigation Guide |url=https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/EForms/CAT23/CAT_2023_Mock_Test_Navigation_Guide.pdf |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526101858/https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g01/pub/756/EForms/CAT23/CAT_2023_Mock_Test_Navigation_Guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)''' – 22 questions
* '''Quantitative Ability (QA)''' – 22 questions


Three 40-minute sessions will be held to conduct the CAT 2024 exam. A total of 120 minutes will be given. The CAT exam pattern will consist of  [[Multiple Choice Question]] and non-multiple-choice questions or TITA {Type In The Answer} questions. The three sections in the exam are as follows:
CAT is held in three sessions in a single day: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. Candidate can give exam in only on of the session. <ref>{{Cite web |title=All You Need to Know About Common Aptitude Test |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/cat-2023-all-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-common-aptitude-test-101699952868348.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>


* '''Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)'''
===CAT Pattern and Duration===
* '''Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)'''
The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted in three sessions, each of 40 minutes, for a total exam duration of 120 minutes (2 hours). The CAT exam pattern includes both [[Multiple Choice Question]] and non-MCQ or TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions. The test comprises the following three sections:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shrivastava |first=Vipra |date=Nov 4, 2025 |title=CAT 2025 Exam Pattern |url=https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-pattern |url-status=live |website=www.shiksha.com}}</ref>
* '''Quantitative Ability (QA)'''


-> 24 questions are asked in VARC (8 Questions from VA and 4 RCs each asking 4 questions each).
# Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
#* 24 questions in total: 8 Verbal Ability questions and 4 [[Reading comprehension|Reading Comprehension]] passages, each containing 4 questions.
# [[Data Interpretation]] & [[Logical reasoning|Logical Reasoning]] (DILR)
#* 22 questions are asked across 5 sets, 2 sets having 5 questions each and 3 sets having 4 questions each.
# [[Quantitative analysis (finance)|Quantitative Ability]] (QA)
#* 22 questions covering topics such as [[Arithmetic]], [[Algebra]], [[Geometry]], [[Number system|Number System]], and Modern Math.


-> DILR section has gone under significant changes. In 2024, IIM C asked 22 questions in 5 sets changing number of questions from CAT 2023.
In total, the CAT 2025 exam consists of 68 questions, with a maximum score of 204 marks.<ref name=":0" />


-> 22 questions are asked in QA, 22 independent questions are asked from topics such as [[Arithmetic]], [[Algebra]], [[Geometry]], Number System & Modern Math.
Candidates can not switch between sections while answering; the order of sections is fixed as: VARC → DILR → QA.


There will be a maximum score of 204 marks and 68 total questions in the CAT exam pattern.
==Controversy==


Candidates cannot jump between the three sections while taking the exam. The order of the sections is fixed: '''VARC -> DILR -> QA'''.
In 2003, CAT got leaked leading to re examination <ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031124/main2.htm |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref>
 
==Controversy==


In CAT 2024, a question of slot 2 in VARC was challenged by students and educators but IIM C did not accept any changes. One candidate took the matter to the court still the challenge was not accepted.
In CAT 2024, a question of slot 2 in VARC was challenged by students and educators but [[Indian Institute of Management Calcutta|IIM C]] did not accept any changes. One candidate took the matter to the court still the challenge was not accepted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=CAT 2024: Delhi High Court dismisses plea challenging CAT 2024 results, says ‘we find no reason to interfere’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/cat-2024-delhi-high-court-dismisses-plea-challenging-cat-2024-results-says-we-find-no-reason-to-interfere-101736240868726.html |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>


IMS, a renowned coaching institute claimed that one of their faculty, Sayandeep Chaudhari, scored perfect 204/204, but after the result it was found that he lied about his score, later IMS took down all the social media posts about him.
In CAT 2025, [[Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode|IIM K]] released provisional answer keys without releasing provisional answers for QA (TITA) questions


==CAT registrations in numbers over the years==
==CAT registrations in numbers over the years==
Line 173: Line 176:
|293,000
|293,000
|-
|-
|2025
|295,000<ref>{{Cite news |date= 1 Dec 2025 |title=CAT 2025 Media Release 01 Dec 2025|url=https://cdn.digialm.com/per/g06/pub/32842/EForms/image/CAT2025/CAT_2025_Media_Release_01_Dec_2025.pdf |access-date= 1 Dec 2025}}</ref>
|258,000
|}
|}
''Note: Data of candidates registered till 2012 are approximate.''
''Note: Data of candidates registered till 2012 are approximate.''

Latest revision as of 07:56, 15 December 2025

Template:Short description Template:Redirect-distinguish Template:Use Indian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox examination

The Common Admission Test (CAT)[1] is a computer based test for admission in graduate management programs. The test consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The exam was taken online over a period of three hours, with one hour per section. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 precautions, Indian Institute of Management Indore decided to conduct the CAT Exam in 2 hours with 40 minutes devoted to each section.[2] The Indian Institutes of Management started this exam and use the test for selecting students for their business administration programs (MBA or PGDM). The test is conducted every year by one of the Indian Institutes of Managements(IIMs) based on a policy of rotation.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In August 2011, it was announced that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) would also use the CAT scores, instead of the Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET), to select students for their management programmes starting with the 2012-15 batch.[3]

Before 2010, CAT was a paper based test conducted on a single day for all candidates. The pattern, number of questions and duration have seen considerable variations over the years.

On 1 May 2009, it was announced that CAT would be a Computer Based Test starting from 2009. The American firm Prometric was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the test from 2009 to 2013.[4] The first computer based CAT was marred with technical snags.[5] The issue was so serious that it prompted the Government of India to seek a report from the convenor.[6] The trouble was diagnosed as 'Conficker' and 'W32 Nimda', the two viruses that attacked the system display of the test, causing server slow down.[7] Since 2014 onward, CAT has been conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). CAT 2015 and CAT 2016 were 180-minute tests consisting of 100 questions (34 from Quantitative Ability, 34 from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and 32 from Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.[8] CAT 2020 onwards, the exam duration has been reduced to two hours, with 40 minutes allotted per section.[9]

Eligibility for CAT

The candidate must satisfy the below specified criteria:[10]

  1. Hold a bachelor's degree, with not less than 50% or equal CGPA (45% for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PWD)/Differently Able (DA) classification)
  2. The degree should be granted by any of the universities consolidated by an act of the central or state statutory body in India or other instructive organizations built up by an act of Parliament or pronounced to be considered as a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.
  3. Competitors appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification examination and the individuals who have finished degree prerequisites and are anticipating results can likewise apply. If selected, such applicants will be permitted to join the program temporarily, only if they present a certificate most recent by June of next year in which the exam is held, from the principal/registrar of their college/institute (issued at the latest 30th June of that year) expressing that the competitor has finished every one of the prerequisites for acquiring four-year or three-year college education/identical capability on the date of the issue of the certificate.

Exam pattern

The Common Admission Test (CAT) uses different versions of the exam each year, so it reports two types of scores: a raw score and a scaled score.

The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or left attempted. Candidates are given +3 points for each correct answer and -1 point for each incorrect answer, no negative marking for TITA (Type in the Answer) questions.[11]

Since different versions of the test may vary slightly in difficulty, the raw scores are adjusted using a method called equating. After that, the scores are scaled to ensure fairness, so that scores from different exam slots can be compared accurately.

The number of questions in CAT can change from year to year. Recently, the paper has had 68 questions divided into three sections:[12]

  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 questions
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 22 questions
  • Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 questions

CAT is held in three sessions in a single day: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. Candidate can give exam in only on of the session. [13]

CAT Pattern and Duration

The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted in three sessions, each of 40 minutes, for a total exam duration of 120 minutes (2 hours). The CAT exam pattern includes both Multiple Choice Question and non-MCQ or TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions. The test comprises the following three sections:[14]

  1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
    • 24 questions in total: 8 Verbal Ability questions and 4 Reading Comprehension passages, each containing 4 questions.
  2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
    • 22 questions are asked across 5 sets, 2 sets having 5 questions each and 3 sets having 4 questions each.
  3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

In total, the CAT 2025 exam consists of 68 questions, with a maximum score of 204 marks.[12]

Candidates can not switch between sections while answering; the order of sections is fixed as: VARC → DILR → QA.

Controversy

In 2003, CAT got leaked leading to re examination [15]

In CAT 2024, a question of slot 2 in VARC was challenged by students and educators but IIM C did not accept any changes. One candidate took the matter to the court still the challenge was not accepted.[16]

In CAT 2025, IIM K released provisional answer keys without releasing provisional answers for QA (TITA) questions

CAT registrations in numbers over the years

The number of registrations in the past years are shown in the following chart:[17]

Year No. of candidates

Registered

No. of candidates

Appeared[18]

2005[19] 170,000 155,000
2006 191,000 180,000
2007 250,000 230,000
2008 290,000 276,000
2009 241,000 230,000
2010 204,000 185,000
2011 205,000 186,000
2012 214,000 195,000
2013 194,516 173,714[20]
2014 196,988 170,000[21]
2015 218,664 179,602[22]
2016 232,434 195,679
2017[23] 231,067[24] 199,632
2018[25] 240,338 209,405
2019 244,169 209,926
2020 227,835 190,144
2021 229,969 191,660
2022[26] 255,501 222,184
2023 328,000[27] 288,000
2024 329,000[28] 293,000
2025 295,000[29] 258,000

Note: Data of candidates registered till 2012 are approximate.

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

  • Script error: No such module "Official website".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Standardized tests in India Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "Navbox".

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Common_Admission_Test&oldid=4891503"