CAT 2021 - Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility, Application Process

CAT 2021: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) in computer-based mode. The conducting IIM will begin the CAT exam registration 2021 likely from the first week of August. The CAT exam 2021 is conducted for enrolling in a graduate management program. CAT 2021 has three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). CAT exam 2021 is going to be held on the last Sunday of November 2021 i.e. November 28, 2021 (Tentative). The exact CAT entrance exam 2021 date will shortly be announced by IIM on CAT 2021 official website. In this CAT entrance exam article, Careers360 provides complete details on the CAT registration 2021 starting and end date, how to apply for CAT exam 2021 online, CAT eligibility, age limit, application fee, and etc.

CAT Exam 2021 - Exam Overview

Before going to apply for CAT 2021, candidates should know the CAT exam is for what? and why we should appear?. The answer for what is a CAT exam? The Common Admission Test is called CAT. It is a computer-based test conducted in rotation by one of the six designated Indian institutes (IIMs) to get an MBA admission in IIMs or other top B-schools.

As per the last year's analysis, there are a total of 2,27,835 candidates are applied for CAT 2020. In that, 1,90,143 students appeared for the CAT entrance exam. A total of 37,692 candidates did not appear for the CAT exam last year due to one cause of infection COVID-19. So the present percentage has reduced when compared to previous year i.e. 83.456%. This year, we expect more than 2.5 lakh candidates to apply for the CAT exam 2021.

If any candidate plans to appear on IIM CAT 2021 this year, it is important to know about the CAT exam syllabus and exam pattern. The authority will not specify the CAT syllabus. However, the final CAT 2021 exam pattern will be announced after the completion of the MBA 2021-2023 admission cycle. With the help of the CAT exam syllabus, candidates can easily cover all the portions early and have more time for revision and taking mock tests.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2021

The eligibility criteria for CAT exam 2021 comprises the minimum qualification, marks, nationality that one needs to have to be able to apply for the CAT 2021 exam. Before going to apply for the CAT exam, one should know the eligibility criteria like who is eligible for the CAT exam and who is not eligible for the CAT exam. Read below to know the details related to CAT eligibility criteria 2021

Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2021

Detailed eligibility criteria of CAT 2021 pertaining to category-wise marks which the candidates must secure is discussed below.

• Candidates who successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream with 50% of aggregate marks (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) from any recognized university/ institute are eligible to apply for CAT 2021.

• Candidates who appeared in the final year of the degree examination or who have a backlog in their examination can also apply.

• There is no age restriction to apply for the CAT exam 2021.

• CAT 2021 does not mention that one needs to have any work experience to be eligible to apply, but if one has it, they are likely to have an edge.

CAT 2021 Exam Dates

The candidates who are going to apply for CAT Exam 2021 must know the CAT 2021 important dates such as application start and end date, admit card release date, CAT 2021 exam date, answer key release date, result date, cutoff, etc. The table shows the CAT 2021 important dates for all events related to the Common Admission Test.

CAT 2021 - Exam Dates

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CAT Exam Pattern 2021

The CAT exam pattern will comprise the duration of the exam, the total number of questions that will be asked, a mode in which the CAT 2021 exam will be held. Last year CAT exam pattern underwent a change due to COVID 19 pandemic and the exam was held in three slots on the same day: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. CAT 2021 exam duration has reduced to 120 minutes compared to CAT 2019. The sectional time duration was also reduced to 40 minutes per section (53.20 minutes for PwD). The below table clearly indicates the changes that were made in CAT exam pattern 2021.

CAT Exam Pattern 2021 - Key Highlights

CAT Exam Pattern 2021 - Sectional Composition

The IIMs conduct the CAT entrance exam for MBA admission on a rotational basis. Before beginning the preparation for the CAT exam, candidates should know the exam pattern of CAT 2021.

CAT 2021 Exam Pattern

CAT Syllabus 2021

When reviewing the comprehensive CAT 2021 syllabus, it is important to get an overview of the important topics from each section. Below is a table outlining important topics from the CAT exam syllabus. Detailed weightages of IIM CAT syllabus 2021 topics are given below in detail. By referring to the CAT exam syllabus 2021 and exam pattern table, candidates will get a clear idea about the topics asked in CAT exam 2021.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2021

There are a lot of books for the CAT 2021 preparation. In addition, some of the best books for the CAT exam and the CAT syllabus 2021 PDF official website link.

• The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VARC) - Nishit Sinha

• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency - Ananta Ashisha

• QA for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams - Trishna Knowledge Systems (Pearson)

CAT Sample Papers 2021

One way to prepare for CAT 2021 is to test what a candidate has read. Before going to take the test, the candidate should know the syllabus of CAT 2021. This is where the previous year’s question papers and mock tests of CAT and sample paper play a role. CAT previous year's question paper should be solved by the candidates as they will help in analyzing the quantity of preparation.

By downloading and going through the CAT question paper with a solution pdf file, the candidates will get a clear knowledge about the CAT 2021 question paper.

CAT 2021 Sample Papers

CAT Application Form 2021

CAT registration 2021 will begin from the first week of August 2021 and it will end in the last week of September 2021. The registration process for the CAT 2021 exam is online, where candidates have to fill the online application form and pay an examination fee of Rs 2,000. Any candidate who has graduated with a total of 50 percent can fill the CAT application form 2021. Final-year graduate candidates are also eligible to apply for CAT 2021.

CAT Registration Process 2021

The CAT 2021 registration process involves three steps:

• Online Registration

• Filling up of CAT Exam 2021 Application Form

• Payment of Fees

How to fill the CAT 2021 Application Form Online:

The candidates who are interested to apply for the Common Admission Test 2021 are required to submit the online application form. Here, we provide the step-by-step process to fill the CAT Application Form 2021.

Step 1: First, need to visit the CAT 2021 official website i.e. iimcat.ac.in

Step 2: Find and click the button called “New Candidate Registration” on the right side of the webpage.

Step 3: Then it will redirect to the registration page. From there, you have to enter the required details such as,

• Name of the Candidate

• Date of Birth

• Email Address

• Country

• Mobile Number and

• Captcha

Step 4: Once you entered all the essential details, click on the “Generate OTP” button. Using the OTP which is sent to the candidate's registered mail id, complete the CAT 2021 registration process.

Step 5: Next, log in to the dashboard and fill the CAT Exam Application Form 2021 with valid details like,

• Personal Details

• Other Personal Details

• Communication Address

• Emergency Contact Details

• Upload Documents (in a prescribed format and size)

Step 6: Fill in the academic details of SSC/ Class 10, HSC/ Class 12, Bachelor’s Degree Details, Master’s Degree Details, Other Professional Degree Details.

Step 7: After completing the above process, the candidate needs to enter the work experience details if any.

Step 8: Then choose the IIM Programmes & Interview Cities.

Step 9: Next, select any six preferred test cities to take CAT Exam 2021.

Step 10: Final process of the CAT Registration 2021 process is to make payment online for an application fee.

• For General Category Candidates: Rs 2000

• For SC/ ST/ PwD: Rs 1000

NOTE: The final amount also includes applicable additional fees.

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CAT 2021 Application Form Correction Window

The Indian Institute of Management will open the correction window for the CAT 2021 application form from the last week of September 2021 and it will remain open for two days. Mistakes in scanned images of signatures, photographs, or other documents can be modified during this CAT application form correction window.

Also, candidates can make changes to the test city option if provided. Candidates must log in and adjust the images as per the specifications. Any other changes can be made with the help of the CAT help desk at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

CAT Exam Centres 2021

CAT 2021 will be held in at least 159 test cities at more than 425 test centers across the country. Important details about these CAT test venues in CAT test cities are available on the CAT 2021 official website. Candidates will be assigned a test city nearest to their address. The name of the CAT test center within the test city will also be mentioned on the CAT admit card. Here, we provide some CAT exam centres in states' names as well as exam cities.

CAT 2021 Preferred Test City and Allocation Process

• Candidates will be given the opportunity to select six test cities of their choice.

• Cities and centers will be assigned to candidates only after the CAT 2021 registration deadline.

• Candidates need not rush to block slots and cities in the early days of CAT registration.

• Although IIMs try as hard as they can to nominate candidates for their first preferred city, if this is not possible, they will be assigned a city following the option given to them.

• The CAT exam session cannot be chosen because it will be assigned approximately.

All Delhi NCR cities were subdivided

CAT applicants from Delhi NCR can choose from six preferred test cities. Cities for Delhi NCR candidates:

IIM reserves the right to change or cancel any test center/ city and/or change the test time and date of their choice. Check the names of states where the CAT exam centres are located:

CAT 2021 Exam Centres

Quick Links

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CAT Mock Test 2021

The official mock test of CAT 2021 will be available on the CAT 2021 official website at IIM tentatively in the third week of October 2021. CAT Mock Test 2021 gives the real picture of the actual CAT exam. If the Indian Institutes of Management offer only one or two CAT mock tests, candidates can try on the web from various coaching centers. The IIM CAT exam mock test should be an integral part of the CAT preparation because it allows students to know exactly how to answer, navigate between sections, and more. Before going to take the mock test, the candidates should know the CAT exam strategy and tips.

In the meantime, the CAT official mock test (2020) can be used to understand how the test goes. IIMs conducts a separate mock test for PwD category candidates. These candidates get 53.20 minutes for each section in CAT 2021. The total of 159.60 minutes to complete the CAT Exam 2021. Persons with the Disability category with low vision can practice the official CAT mock test 2021 for PwD from the official CAT website.

CAT Admit Card 2021

Candidates can download the respective CAT 2021 admit card using their CAT login credentials till the day of the CAT exam. The admit card will be released in the last week of October. The CAT admit card 2021 is a mandatory document to take to the examination center. Failure to carry the CAT 2021 Admit Card at the Examination Center may result in disqualification from the CAT Exam. Therefore, candidates are required to download their hall tickets before the CAT exam day.

How to Download CAT Admit Card 2021 Online

To download the CAT 2021 admit card, candidates should follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Go to the official CAT 2021 website i.e. iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: Then find and click on the “CAT Admit Card 2021” download link.

Step 3: It will redirect you to the admit card login window. From there, enter the required CAT login credentials (User ID and Password).

Step 4: A pop-up will appear on the page stating that the CAT application form has been successfully submitted and then click on the "Close" tab.

Step 5: The complete form and information related to CAT candidate details will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Next, click on the admit card download tab.

Step 7: A new page will open, which will reveal the test center address and shift time along with the Common Admission Test 2021 admit card.

Step 8: Check all the details mentioned in the Admit Card and take its printout.

By following the above steps, candidates can easily download their appropriate CAT exam admit card in pdf format. If there are any errors or discrepancies while downloading the admit card of CAT 2021, send an email to the authorities to cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in or calling 1800-266-3549. They will shortly resolve the issues regarding the CAT exam 2021 admit card.

CAT Sample Admit Card

Here, we have attached the last year's sample CAT admit card. Maybe the authority will change the upcoming CAT exam admit card pattern. If any changes may happen in the CAT 2021 admit card, then we will intimate here. So keep in touch with us.

CAT 2021 - Exam Day Guidelines

The candidates who are all going to appear in CAT 2021 must follow some exam day guidelines which helps to face the exam without any stress. Candidates should know the time and CAT 2021 exam date so as not to miss anything. This is the primary CAT exam day tip. IIM has strongly advised the candidates to follow these on CAT 2021 exam days.

Exam Day Guidelines to Follow at CAT Exam Center 2021

• Candidates are advised to reach the CAT exam center at least one hour before the gate closes.

• Please double-check the reporting time before the deadline for CAT 2021.

• Bring the CAT Admit Card 2021 and the required documents (ID Proof).

• Use the applicant's number printed on a CAT 2021 admit card to locate the exam lab/ console in the CAT exam centres.

CAT Answer Key 2021

IIM will be releasing the CAT 2021 answer key for slot 1, slot 2, slot 3 along with the CAT response sheet in online mode in the first week of December 2021. Based on last year's trends, the CAT answer key 2020 was released on December 8, 2020. The final answer key will have the correct answers to the questions asked in the CAT 2021. Candidates can challenge the CAT exam answer key 2021 with evidence in support of their claim.

For the objection, they have to pay Rs 1,200 per question. Officials will refund only for all challenges that appear to be valid. Candidates can measure their potential CAT 2021 score. All the candidates who came for the examination can download the CAT response sheet 2021 file by entering the CAT login ID and password after IIM is released. The response file of CAT entrance exam 2021 will indicate the answers given by the candidate to a particular question. Details of unanswered questions will also be given in the response sheet.

CAT Answer Key 2020 - Download Links

Check out last year’s CAT Answer Key from the table below:

CAT Result 2021

Candidates will get to know how they have performed in the exam when the CAT result 2021 is released by the authorities. To download their CAT scorecard 2021, candidates must use a registered CAT login ID and password. The scorecard for CAT 2021 will have a section and overall scaled score and percentile. Candidates should take the printout of the CAT 2021 result and keep it safe till the admission process is over. CAT result validity period is one year i.e. December 31, 2022.

CAT 2021 Result: Key Points to Note

• CAT 2021 Result Date & Time will be announced on the CAT official website.

• After the announcement of the CAT 2021 results, the IIMs will announce the CAT scorecard and CAT rank list 2021 live.

• You can download the CAT scorecard 2021 as soon as the results of CAT 2021 are declared.

• IIMs will send the CAT score via SMS to all the candidates who appear in the CAT exam 2021.

• Candidates can download the CAT scorecard 2021 in a few steps from the CAT official website.

How to Check CAT Result 2021 Online:

In order to know the CAT 2021 result, the candidates need to follow the following procedure.

• First, go to the official website of CAT 2021.

• Visit the dashboard using the CAT login credentials like User ID and Password.

• Then find and click the tab called “CAT Result”.

• It will appear on the screen.

• Click the “Download” link to download the CAT scorecard 2021.

CAT 2021 Result - Last Year’s Trends

• CAT results 2020 have been declared on January 02, 2021, at 4 PM, Saturday.

• 9 candidates have secured 100 percent overall in CAT 2020 examination. They are all men.

• Out of the nine candidates who got the overall percentage, 7 were from engineering / technical background, 1 candidate was from the mathematical background and 1 was from a management background.

• Of the 9 candidates, 5 candidates are from the IITs, and the remaining 4 candidates are from IIM Indore (IPM program), Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, BITS Pilani, and YMCA institute of Engineering respectively.

• Out of the total 100 percent marks, 3 candidates are from Rajasthan and the remaining 6 candidates are from Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana respectively.

• In CAT 2020, 19 candidates scored a total of 99.99 percent, of whom 18 were men and 1 were women. Of these candidates, 16 are from Engineering / Technology, 2 from Economics, and 1 from Management.

• CAT 2020 was held on November 29, 2020, in three shifts. A total of 1,90,144 candidates appeared for the exam, which was held at 430 test centers in 159 cities across India.

• The gender distribution of the candidates who appeared for CAT 2020 is as follows;

CAT 2021 Cut Off

The minimum marks required for test-takers to call for an additional MBA selection process are called the CAT cut off 2021. IIMs like IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Raipur, etc will release the CAT cutoff 2021 from August onwards.

CAT 2021 for the best IIMs is typically 99 to 100 percentile for general category students. For the reserved category of students, the CAT cut-off will be slightly lower at 97 to 98 percent. CAT 2021 is expected to be 95 to 99 percent to enroll in top MBA colleges like FMS, SPJIMR, MDI. The CAT cutoff includes the overall cutoff and sectional cutoff. Careers360 provides the CAT percentile predictor to predict the candidate's overall performance.

IIM CAT Cutoff - Past Year’s Cut off

IIM CAT Admission 2022 - Parameter and Weightage

CAT Selection Process 2021

Candidates who clear the CAT 2021 entrance examination will have to take part in the selection process of CAT 2021 which includes shortlisting of candidates by the IIMs for the next round of selection. Some of the key elements of the CAT selection process 2021 are the academic performance at the school and college level, gender, and required work experience of candidates. The respective IIMs determine their own CAT cutoff, on the basis of which they list candidates and assign weightage to different categories. IIM will consist of

• Written Ability Test (WAT)

• Group Discussion (GD)

• Personal Interviews (PI)

CAT Reservation Criteria 2021

IIM provides some reservations for different categories of students applying for any business management program. To know CAT 2021 eligibility criteria for MBC, OBC, SC, ST, PwD, General, see the below table:

Reservation Policy for Person with Disability (PwD)

For PwD candidates, they must submit the PwD certificate issued by a competent authority. Individuals with different type of disabilities accepted under the PwD reservation:

• Blind/ Low vision candidates.

• Candidates with hearing impairment.

• Candidates with a cerebral palsy or locomotive disability.

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CAT 2021 - Counseling Procedure and Seat Allotment

The CAT counseling 2021 and selection process will begin in January 2022. As soon as the CAT results are announced, IIMs will release the individual cut off, and candidates who qualify for the CAT cut off criteria will be invited to WAT, GD/ PI.

That there is no centralized CAT counseling portal for students, so candidates should apply separately on the official website of each IIMs.

• Based on the CAT cut-off determined by each IIM, the candidates will be shortlisted.

• Listed candidates will then receive invitation letters for WAT, GD/ PI rounds.

• The invitation letter will indicate the registration link, last date for completion of registration, WAT/ GD and PI date, WAT/ GD, and PI location.

Documents to be Carried:

• Class 10 mark sheet

• Class 12 mark sheet

• Graduation certificate

• Reservation category certificates (if applicable)

• Interview Letters

• CAT Scorecard

For seat allotment to various B-schools, you need to visit the official website of the college and fill-up the form to register. Select and lock your option before submitting. You will receive a notification via SMS or email. Once the seat is confirmed, go to the designated college/ institute and submit the seat reservation order.

CAT Participating Institutes 2021

Candidates should understand that CAT participating institutes are of two types namely IIMs and non-IIMs. About 115 CAT 2021 participating institutes are allowed to enroll in their MBS and postgraduate programs. Non-IIMs must apply to IIM-conducting CAT before being notified as one of the participating institutes. 20 IIMs and other institutes like 6 IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, JNU, IMT Ghaziabad, IPU, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai to name a few use CAT scores.

IIM Admission Criteria and Programmes

CAT Exam - Last Year’s Exam Statistics

After the completion of the CAT 2020 exam, the CAT convener provided slot-wise statistics on the total number of candidates appearing for the exam.

List of Top B-Schools Accepting CAT Scores and Cutoffs

There are 600+ B-schools that accept CAT scores and cutoffs. Many participating institutes of the CAT 2020 entrance exam begin the admission process once the CAT entrance exam is conducted. Depending upon the candidate's percentile in the MBA CAT entrance exam, the respective authorities of B-schools shortlist them for the next selection rounds for admission in the MBA program. Check the list of Top B-schools Accepting CAT scores and CAT cutoffs in the table below:

B-School Accepting CAT Scores - City-wise