The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) started this exam and is a pre-requisite for selecting students for their Masters in Business Administration Programs.

This computer-based test is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their 2-year full time postgraduate programs in management.

Other Indian business schools like IITs, FMS, S P Jain, MDI, and IIM Mumbai also accept CAT scores as part of their selection process. From 2009 onwards, CAT became a computer based test wherein subjects are subdivided into different areas i.e.: Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Data Sufficiency, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Ability.

CAT is a 2-hour, online test held in November and it has three sections.
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 40 minutes
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR) - 40 minutes
• Quantitative Ability (QA) - 40 minutes

As per the CAT eligibility criteria, any candidate applying for CAT must have completed or would be appearing for a Bachelor's degree, final year examination with a minimum of 50% aggregate.

Unlimited CAT attempts! No restrictions. Master CAT early, enter a B-School and accelerate your earnings and growth.

• CAT Preparation: Initiate your CAT (Common Admission Test) preparation promptly upon deciding to pursue an MBA at IIMs. Achieving a competitive CAT score is crucial.
• Academic Excellence: Maintain a strong academic record, particularly in your undergraduate studies.
• Leadership and Extracurriculars: Showcase your leadership skills and active involvement in extracurricular activities, especially if you are a current college student.
• WAT/GD-PI Rounds: If shortlisted based on your CAT performance, prepare rigorously for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
• Tailor Your Approach: Recognize that each IIM may have specific admission criteria. Tailor your application strategy accordingly.

Unlike memorization, CAT demands practice. Consider MSD's cricket prowess – it's about forming a habit. Achievers have prepped for CAT for varied durations: 2 years, 1 year, or even 3 months. No fixed timeframe; early commencement ensures confident test-taking. There's no one-size-fits-all, but aiming for 1.5 to 2 years on average is a prudent strategy. The sooner you dive in, the more at ease you'll be during preparation, fostering a robust foundation for success. Start now, consistently practice, and watch your confidence soar as the CAT approaches.

Analyze the format of CAT, evaluate your strengths, and design a well-rounded study schedule. Keep up with current events, pinpoint areas that need improvement, and ask for help when you need it. Getting proper mentor guidance and analysis of your performance makes you succeed.

The number of CAT preparation tests you should take in a day depends on your learning pace and schedule. It's essential to balance quantity with quality. Analyzing the test is super important, even more than taking the test. It's like having a phone with no battery—it doesn't do anything. People take different amounts of time for analysis. Only take the next test after putting into action what you learned from the analysis. That way, you make the most progress.

Absolutely! CAT doesn't have a passing mark. The key is aiming for around 45+ out of 198, ensuring at least one IIM call. With focused practice, targeting 5+ correct answers in each section is manageable. It's not about being an average student but putting in a dedicated effort to hit the mark. So, buckle down, and practice strategically, and those 45+ marks can open doors to prestigious B-schools.

XAT is conducted by XLRI for admission into its several management institutes all over India and other B-Schools as well. SNAP is conducted for admissions into 15+ Symbiosis colleges. CMAT and NMAT are some of the other MBA entrance exams conducted for admission into various B-Schools pan-India.