CAT 2020: Registration (Started), Exam Dates, Preparation, Pattern, Syllabus, Admit Card

CAT 2020 - Indian Institute of Management, Indore has started the registration window for CAT 2020 on August 5. Authorities had activated the official website of CAT 2020 exam, iimcat.ac.in on July 29. Common Admission Test 2020 will be held on November 29 in two sessions. Candidates can do their CAT 2020 registration till September 16. Candidates will have to pay the increased registration fee of Rs 2000 (gen candidates) and Rs 1000 (reserved category) through online means. They will have to choose 6 exam cities instead of 4 while filling the application. The CAT 2020 mock test will be available from October 16. There is no change in the CAT exam pattern this year. CAT is a computer based test for admissions to 20 IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMI, JBIMS & 500 plus Bschools across the country. CAT exam will be conducted in 156 cities across India.
Latest : CAT 2020 registration begins from August 5. CAT 2020 to be held on November 29.

IIM Indore will facilitate the CAT 2020 admit card download from October 28. CAT 2020 result will be announced in the second week of January 2021. CAT scores will be valid for one year only. IIM selection process includes CAT scores and qualifying in WAT, GD and PI. More than 2,40,000 students had registered for the CAT exam in 2019.

What is CAT exam?

Common Admission Test is the full form of CAT. It is a computer based test held by one of the six designated Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in rotation. Cat exam for what - IIM and other MBA admissions are through the exam. CAT exam is designed to gauge the quantitative ability, verbal ability and reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning skills of the candidates who appear for it to try for admissions at the IIMs and other leading BSchools. CAT exam scores are used not just by the IIMs but also by the Indian Institutes of Technology which also offer MBA programmes.

CAT 2020 - Overview

What's New In CAT 2020

• There is an increase in CAT application fee 2020. It is Rs 2000 for general category and Rs 1000 for the reserved category In 2019, it was Rs 1900 and Rs 950 respectively
• In wake of COVID 19, candidates can select 6 exam centres according to the preference as compared to 4 cities last year

CAT 2020 Exam Dates

IIM Indore has announced that CAT 2020 exam date is November 29. CAT exam dates are mentioned in the table below. Candidates can use the same to keep track of the important CAT exam events and plan their preparation.

CAT 2020 Dates

CAT 202O Official Website looks like -

What is eligibility for CAT exam?

Applicants appearing for the exam must meet the CAT 2020 eligibility criteria which includes academic qualifications, age and nationality and other parameters as given below

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute or university (students from all backgrounds like engineering, humanities, science, commerce, arts etc can apply)
• Candidates who are in the final year of graduation are eligible to apply for CAT exam 2020
• General and OBC-NC category applicants must have scored at least 50 percent marks in aggregate or equivalent in their graduation. Reserved category candidates must have scored 45 percent in their graduation
• CAT 2020 exam has no age criteria.

CAT Application Form 2020

IIM Indore has released CAT 2020 application form from August 5. The last date of CAT exam 2020 registration is September 16. Steps to fill CAT application form are given below:

Step 1 - Generate CAT user id and password

Step 2 - Use CAT 2020 Registration Login and fill details

Step 3 - Upload required documents and images

• Photograph - 30 mm (width) x 45 mm (height) in JPEG/JPG format in a file not more than 80 KB
• Signature - 80 mm (width) x 35 mm (height) in JPEG/JPG format in a file not more than 80 KB
• PwD/ Category certificate if applicable

Step 4 - Pay the CAT exam fee through debit card/ credit card or net banking and submit.

CAT 2020 Registration Fee

Check the steps to fill CAT application form below.

CAT 2020 Application Form Correction

Mistakes in the application form can be corrected when the CAT application correction window opens after September 16 when the CAT 2020 registration process ends. To make the corrections, they must login and rectify the details and submit them in the CAT exam 2020 registration form. Students should note that not all fields can be corrected.

Also Read: CAT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 2020

CAT Application Statistics

CAT Exam Preparation

How to prepare for CAT 2020? Big question that is asked by most aspirants. However, there is no simple answer or shortcut for CAT preparation. It involves not just knowing CAT exam details but also checking out CAT subjects, books, tips from experts, CAT toppers and constantly solving CAT exam papers. The below table has been compiled keeping all these aspects in mind. Aspirants can use this concrete CAT 2020 preparation plan to ace the exam.

CAT Syllabus – Resources, Books and Materials
A crucial need to ace CAT exam 2020 is having the right CAT preparation material on hand. Now, most of these can be bought or even referred online. These cover the entire CAT syllabus and are a must for every CAT exam aspirant.

• CAT 2020 Preparation Material
• Best Study Material for CAT 2020
• Best Books for CAT Preparation
• CAT 2020: Important topics for preparation

CAT Preparation Strategy – 1 Year to Last Minute

It is well known that the CAT exam preparation strategy differs from stage to stage. A one year preparation would need different handling while the monthly preparation would need different strategy. The reason being that as time passes, students may get familiar with the subjects, topics and would need more revision and practice than studying.

• One Year Study Plan for CAT 2020
• How to Prepare for CAT 2020 in 6 months
• How to Prepare for CAT in 4 months?
• How to prepare for CAT 2020 in 3 months
• How to Prepare for CAT 2020 in 2 Months
• CAT Last Minute Preparation Strategy

What is the best way to prepare for CAT 2020?

Every student has a method of preparation. Each aspirant has his/her own limitations and way of working and studying. This is why CAT preparation strategy matters if one has to crack the exam. The various types of CAT preparation strategies are given below suitable for all types of aspirants appearing for CAT exam.

• How to Score 100 Percentile in CAT 2020?
• How to Prepare for CAT 2020 - CAT Exam Preparation Tips
• CAT 2020 Preparation Tips for Beginners
• How to crack CAT 2020 in first attempt?
• How to Prepare for CAT 2020 While Working?
• CAT Preparation 2020 - How to prepare for CAT without coaching

CAT Preparation Tips – Toppers and Experts

Most toppers who have cracked the CAT exam have some or other other personal experiences, tips that helped in this journey of theirs. Mentors also experts who have coached many such aspirants know strategies to prepare for CAT that help. While the fact is that most have succeeded with a lot of hard work and dedication, one can always see if there is some tip that may help in CAT preparation 2020. Check such experts and toppers just to be motivated, understand some good tips and aim for the best results.

• How Toppers Prepare for CAT 2020
• Know the CAT 2019 Toppers

CAT Syllabus 2020

IIMs don't specify any particular CAT exam syllabus. The CAT 2020 syllabus given below is based on the CAT exam analysis of the past years. Candidates can also download the CAT syllabus pdf to keep it handy during preparation.

CAT Syllabus

Watch Careers360's Video to Know All About CAT Exam 2020 -

CAT Exam Centres 2020

The notification has mentioned that CAT 2020 will be held in 374 exam centres across 156 cities in the country. Candidates must choose six test cities while filling the CAT 2020 registration form. The CAT 2020 test centre allotted will be mentioned on the admit card/hall ticket with complete address details and the location code. The list of states and the number of CAT 2020 test cities are given below

CAT Exam Centres and States

CAT Exam Pattern 2020

There is no change in exam pattern of CAT 2020 as per the official CAT notification. One important factor in CAT 2020 preparation is the knowledge of how the CAT exam paper is like. Every aspirant has to know how many sections, subjects, types of questions, marking scheme etc to crack the exam. Check the CAT 2020 exam pattern detailed in the table below to know this and more.

CAT Exam Pattern

CAT Question Papers

One way to cement preparation is to test what a candidate has studied. This is where the previous year question papers of CAT and sample papers as well as mock test play a role. CAT exam question papers of previous years must be solved by the candidates as it will help them to analyse the level of their prepration.

CAT Question Papers with Answer Key

CAT Mock Test 2020

The official mock test of CAT 2020 will be released on October 16. CAT mock test gives a true picture of the test. While IIMs only give one or two mock tests, candidates can get these on the net from various coaching centres and otherwise too. CAT mock tests should be an integral part of preparation as this allows students to know how exactly to time their answers, navigation between sections and more. The CAT official mock test (2019) can be used in the meantime to understand how the test goes.

IIMs have a separate mock test for PwD candidates. These candidates get twenty minutes extra for each section and need to complete CAT 2020 in four hours or 240 minutes. So the CAT mock test for PwD is released separately along with the regular one. The 2019 official CAT mock test for PwD candidates can be used for practice in the meantime.

CAT Admit Card 2020

It is mandatory for all candidates to carry and show the CAT 2020 admit card at the exam hall while appearing for the exam. CAT admit card 2020 can be downloaded by registered candidates from October 28 after entering their login details. The admit card of CAT 2020 will mention the exact address of the test centre and CAT exam day instructions to be followed . CAT hall ticket must be printed on A4 size paper. Any mistakes or discrepancies in the CAT hall ticket must be rectified by writing an email to the authorities at cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in or calling them on 1800-266-3549.

What to Carry to CAT Exam Centre?

• Candidates must bring with a valid government identity proof along with the hall ticket

• A Medical certificate is mandatory if the candidate requires a scribe

• CAT 2020 dress code specifies that plain pullovers, sweaters, cardigans without pockets are permitted inside the test centre

• Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body must bring the medical certificate to the CAT test centre.

CAT exam day - Do's and Don'ts

Some instructions are given for CAT exam by the authority and these are printed on the admit card. All candidates appearing for the exam must follow them. CAT 2020: 10 Dos and Don'ts for the exam day are a compilation of the instructions to be followed by candidates. Also the other important pointers to note are CAT 2020 Mistakes you must avoid on exam day

CAT 2020 Exam Day Guidelines

CAT Exam Analysis 2020

Post exam, CAT 2020 exam analysis will be provided for the overall and sectional papers. CAT exam analysis from students who have appeared for the exam will be available. In addition, in depth CAT 2020 exam analysis by experts from the coaching institutes will also be available after the exam concludes. The difficulty levels of the exam and expected cutoffs can be gauged from this analysis.

CAT Candidate Response File 2020

All candidates who have appeared for the exam can download their CAT 2020 response file after it is released by IIMs in the first week of December by entering the CAT login id and password. The response file of CAT 2020 will mention the answers which the candidate gave to a particular question. The details of the unanswered questions will also be given.

CAT Answer Key 2020

IIMs is expected to release the final CAT 2020 answer key in online mode around December 15. The final answer key will contain the correct responses to the questions asked in the test. Candidates can challenge it within a stipulated time with proof in support of their claim. They will be required to pay Rs 1200 per question. The authorities will refund the amount only for all challenges found correct. Candidates can gauge their probable CAT 2020 score.

CAT Result 2020

Candidates can know their qualifying status in the second week of January when the authorities release the CAT 2020 result. To download their CAT 2020 scorecard, aspirants must use their registered CAT ID and password. The scorecard of CAT 2020 will contain sectional and overall scaled scores and percentiles. Candidates must take the print out of the CAT result 2020 and keep it safely till the completion of the admission process. CAT scorecard will be valid for a year.

CAT Normalization Process

Since the CAT exam is conducted in two slots, the equivalence of the papers is ensure through the normalization process adopted by the IIMs. The details of the CAT 2020 normalization process are given on the official website. The CAT normalization process takes adjustment for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms into account before the normalizing the scores. Achieved CAT scaled scores will be converted into percentiles to shortlist candidates for selection. The overall scaled score is computed by adding scaled scores of the three sections.

CAT Percentile Predictor

Once the exam concludes, candidates are curious to know about the likely percentile which they would score. The CAT 2020 percentile predictor is a tool which can be used by the candidates to know their probable percentile. BY using this tool, candidates will be able to know their overall and sectional score even before the announcement of CAT result. By knowing the percentile well in advance, candidates will get an idea as to which IIMs and other B-schools they can apply to. By judiciously using the CAT percentile predictor, candidates will be able to prepare for the next round of selection.

CAT Cutoff 2020

The minimum qualifying marks which are required by the candidates to be eligible for next round of selection are referred to as the CAT 2020 cutoff. The minimum percentile is generally referred to as the CAT cutoff 2020. Some of the important factors which are taken into account while determining the CAT cutoff 2020 are the overall difficulty level of the entrance exam, the total number of candidates who appeared for the entrance test, the seats that are offered in different programmes.

CAT 2019 Cutoff for top colleges

CAT Selection Procedure 2020

Candidates who clear the entrance exam will have to participate in the selection procedure of CAT 2020 that include shortlisting of candidates by the IIMs for the next round of selection. IIM will comprise Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). Some of the important components of CAT 2020 selection procedure include academic performance of the candidates at the school and college level, gender, requisite work experience etc. The respective IIMs determine their own cutoff on the basis of which they shortlist the candidates and also allocate weightage to different sections.

CAT Reservation Criteria 2020

All the IIMs and the management institutes follow the reservation criteria that has been laid down by the candidates. The category wise reservation percentage is given below in the table:

Category wise seat reservation

CAT Participating Institutes 2020

Candidates must understand that CAT participating institutes are of two types- IIIMs and Non- IIMs. About 115 CAT 2020 participating institutes allow admission to their MBS and postgraduate programmes. Non-IIMs have to apply to the conducting IIM before being declared one of the CAT participating institutes. 20 IIMs and other institutes like 6 IITs, NITs, IISc Bangalore, JNU, IPU, IMT Ghaziabad, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai to name a few use CAT scores.

IIM Programmes and Admission Criteria