CAT 2018

CAT 2018 - IIM Calcutta has announced the result of CAT 2018 on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Candidates who appeared for the test can simply login to the official website or the link given below to check and download their result. Earlier, on January 1, owing to some technical glitch, some candidates could view their CAT result 2018. The login option was disabled thereafter till the announcement was made on January 2, 2019, evening. IIM Calcutta had released the official CAT 2018 answer key for both slot 1 and slot 2 on December 7. The last date to raise objection/s (if any) based on the Question Paper PDF was December 10, 2018, until 5:00 PM. The candidate response sheet and question paper were released on November 30. To check the CAT answer key 2018, candidates need to login to the official website with their CAT user id and password. For any discrepancy with the answer key of CAT 2018, candidates could file an objection against a payment of Rs 1200 per objection until December 10.  CAT 2018 was conducted on November 25 in two slots at 374 centres across 147 cities of the country.

According to the candidates, the overall difficulty level of the exam was rated moderate to difficult. Test takers have mixed reactions. Some are of the opinion that the questions in the Verbal section were difficult while some said it was the easiest section. Same goes for the Quant section. Some said it was difficult while others commented Quant had the easiest questions among the three sections. The DILR was unanimously rated as moderate in terms of difficulty. The second slot began at 2:30 pm and concluded at 5:30 pm. The Common Admission Test or CAT is the most competitive MBA entrance exam of India taken by around 2 lakh candidates every year. IIMs conduct CAT on a rotational basis every year for admission to 20 IIMs and over 100 B-schools across India. Around 4,000 seats are offered through the 20 IIMs for PG management programmes. Prof. Sumanta Basu of IIM Calcutta is the CAT convener for this year.

Latest: CAT 2018 Result announced

The exam pattern of CAT 2018 remained the same as last year. The exam was held for a duration of 180 minutes with three timed sections, namely VARC, DILR, and QA carrying a total of 300 marks. This article of Careers360 brings to you the detailed information on CAT 2018 regarding the notification, important dates, eligibility criteria, registration process, application form, exam pattern, exam analysis, result, cutoff, selection process etc.

What's New in CAT 2018

• CAT Admit Card 2018- Candidates can check their exam centre location using the link of the Google Map given on the admit card to get the location of the respective examination centre on Google maps

• Above 2.41 lakh candidates have applied for the exam.

• As many as seven new exam cities have been added to the list of CAT 2018 exam cities. The exam will be conducted in 374 exam centres located in 147 cities this year (2 new states added - Mizoram and Nagaland).

• The application fee of CAT has also been increased to Rs. 1900 for General/ NC-OBC candidates and Rs. 950 for SC, ST & PWD candidates. Earlier the CAT registration fee was Rs. 1800 and Rs. 900 respectively.

• Addition in Modes of Payment- The new CAT 2018 payment partners are BillDesk, PayU and Paytm.
• From this year onwards, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, will also accept the CAT score for admission to its MBA programme offered by the School of Management and Entrepreneurship.

CAT 2018 Overview

CAT 2018 Important Dates

IIM Calcutta has released the important dates of CAT 2018. Take a look at the important dates in the below table-

CAT Important Dates

CAT Percentile Predictor

Once the exam has been successfully conducted, candidates will naturally be eager to know their CAT performance in terms of score and percentile. The wait may seem long for some, since the result of CAT 2018 will be released more than a month after the exam. For the benefit of CAT candidates, Careers360 has created a special tool called CAT Percentile Predictor tool wherein candidates will be able to predict their CAT percentile right after writing the exam.

The CAT Percentile Predictor tool will allow the test takers to estimate their overall and sectional percentile even before the result is announced. They will also be able to estimate their chances of securing admission in top B-schools like old IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow etc.), new IIMs (Amritsar, Ranchi, Sirmaur, Sambalpur etc.), FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, amongst others. It is ideal to use the CAT percentile tool to calculate the score and analyse the performance after checking the CAT answer key. Further, using this tool will help the candidates prepare accordingly for the selection rounds of whichever B-schools they are targeting.

CAT Result 2018

The result of CAT 2018 has been declared on January 5, 2019. To download the result, candidates need to login to the official website or visit the link given above in this article. The CAT 2018 result has been declared in the form of a scorecard. Candidates can simply login with their registered CAT user ID and password to download the PDF file of the result. The result or scorecard of CAT 2018 will carry information like sectional and overall scaled scores and percentiles.

The result is available only in online mode and IIMs won’t send it to the test takers by post. Candidates must take print out of the CAT 2018 scorecard and preserve it till the admission process is over.

How to Download CAT 2018 Result

• Visit the CAT 2018 official website

• Login through your CAT user id and password

• Click on the ‘Score Card’ tab

• Check and download your result of CAT 2018 (pdf file of the result will be downloaded)

CAT Normalization Procedure

CAT 2018 is conducted in multiple slots across single day window, it is necessary to normalize the scores of test takers from both slots. IIMs normalize the CAT 2018 scores using a formula similar to that of GATE. At the time of CAT 2018 result, scaled scores for each section along with percentiles will be announced. The practice is followed in order to equate the scores and to ensure that none of the candidates from either slot be in an advantaged or disadvantaged position.

CAT Cutoff 2018

The cutoff of CAT 2018 refers to the minimum percentile to secure in order to get shortlisted by the participating institutes. The CAT 2018 cutoff varies from institute to institute. While the top running B-schools have a higher range of cutoff and vice versa. The cutoff of CAT 2018 generally depends on the factors like difficulty level of the exam, number of test takers, number of seats among others.

Some of the IIMs have already released the CAT cutoff 2018 for different categories. Other IIMs and top B-schools are expected to release the same very soon. Here is the CAT 2018 cutoff for the IIMs who have released it officially.

CAT 2018 cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad

CAT 2018 cutoff for IIM Lucknow

CAT 2018 cutoff for IIM Calcutta

CAT 2018 cutoff for IIM Indore

CAT 2018 Cutoff for IIM Udaipur

CAT 2018 Cutoff for IIM Bangalore

CAT 2018 Cutoffs for Non-IIMs

The cutoff of CAT 2018 for non-IIMs is expected to be similar to that of last year. Check the expected cutoff figures below:

CAT Cutoff

CAT Selection Procedure 2018

According to the selection procedure of CAT 2018, each participating institute conducts its admission process separately. They shortlist candidates based on CAT 2018 cutoff. The shortlisted candidates have to then appear for the selection rounds including Group Discussion (GD) or Writing Ability Test (WAT) or both and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The new IIMs conduct Common Admission Process (CAP) where the shortlisted candidates from all participating IIMs have to appear for WAT and PI rounds. Followed by the CAT 2018 selection procedure, each IIM release their separate merit list.

The final selection process of B-schools or the CAT selection procedure of participating B-schools is based on multiple criteria such as performance in CAT 2018, GD/WAT & PI rounds and past academic records and/or work experience. The criteria or parameters vary from institute to institute. IIMs release their detailed admission criteria after the CAT notification every year.

CAT 2018 Reservation Criteria

IIMs and other Government institutes follow the reservation criteria of candidates. The following table brings to you the category wise seat reservation percentage.

Category wise seat reservation

CAT 2018 Analysis

As per the CAT 2018 analysis by experts, the overall difficulty level was moderate to tough. Quantitative Ability section was the toughest followed by Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The Verbal Ability section was the easiest. In terms of comparison between slots, Slot 2 was slightly tougher than that of the Slot 1 or the forenoon session.

CAT 2018 Analysis

CAT Candidate Response File 2018

IIM Calcutta has released the Candidate Response File (CRF) on November 30, 2018. The candidates who appeared for the exam on November 25 can check their responses by logging in to the official website with their CAT user id and password. It will allow them to check whether their responses were registered correctly or not during the exam. After this, IIM Calcutta will release the answer key in the second week of December.

CAT Answer Key 2018

IIM Calcutta released the official answer key of CAT 2018 December 7, 2018. With the help of the answer key, candidates can check the correct answers and calculate their estimated scores. Candidates would need to login to the official website (iim.ac.in) to download the CAT 2018 answer key. Moreover, IIMs also provided the option to challenge answer keys or questions by paying Rs. 1200 per question within December 10, 2018, until 5 pm. Based on the validity of the challenge, IIMs would take appropriate action and refund the challenge application fee.

CAT 2018 Counselling

CAT authorities do not conduct a common counselling process for the final admission. The participating institutes conduct their selection procedure separately. However, the new IIMs conduct a Common Admission Process (CAP) or a common counselling process for the candidates who have been shortlisted by all the new IIMs.

Candidates shortlisted for the CAT 2018 counselling rounds of new IIMs will have to appear for essay writing (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Apart from the new IIMs, other B-schools do not conduct CAT counselling process.

CAT 2018 Participating Institutes

A total of 115 B-schools accepted CAT scores last year out of which 114 are in India and one is in Singapore. In a first, there is an international CAT participating institute. Singapore Management University, joined the list of CAT participating institute last year to become the first ever international B-school to accept the CAT score. It is expected that more than 100 B-schools in India and abroad will register for being the CAT 2018 participating institutes. Out of the total number of participating institutes, 20 are IIMs.

Apart from that, CAT 2018 participating institutes include public and private institutes. Among the former, noted ones are IITs, NITs, FMS Delhi, MANAGE Hyderabad, IISc Bangalore to name a few. The top private participating institutes include MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad to name a few. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has also joined the list of CAT participating institute from this year for admission to its MBA programme.

Check the fee, number of seats and programmes offered by IIMs in the table given below:

IIMs Seats and Fee

CAT Admit Card 2018

The admit card of CAT 2018 was released on October 24. The procedure to download the CAT 2018 admit card is completely online. IIMs would not send the admit card by post, hence candidates must ensure that they download the admit card before the exam date, by logging in with their credentials.

CAT admit card 2018 is one of the most important documents which must be carried on the exam date and preserved till the admission process is over.

How to Download CAT 2018 Admit Card?

• Visit the CAT 2018 official website

• Logging in through your CAT login ID and Password

• Click on the tab ‘Admit Card’

• The admit card of CAT 2018 will appear on the screen

• Download the admit card and keep a soft copy for future use

How to correct errors in CAT Admit Card 2018?

In case any discrepancy is found in the CAT 2018 Admit Card, candidates must contact the exam authority immediately to get it corrected. Contact the CAT Helpdesk at the following details for any corrections that must be made in the hall ticket:

CAT Toll-Free Number: 1800-266-3549; Call on the Toll-free number, Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (excluding National holidays).

CAT Helpdesk email address: [email protected]

Do's and Dont's for CAT test day

Do's for CAT test day:

• Candidates who have the morning slot will be required to report at 7:30 AM and candidates who have the afternoon slot will have to report by 1 PM to allow sufficient time for frisking and completing the formalities before taking the CAT exam. 
• It is mandatory to follow the below procedures sequentially on CAt test day, as specified by IIM Calcutta:

• Cooperate with Test centre staff during document Verification and Frisking
• Use the Reference Number printed on the Admit Card, to check the location of Exam Lab from the List displayed on the Notice Board at the Test Centre.
• Return Writing Pad with all pages intact and Pen post the Exam to the Invigilator
• Ask for any help only from Test Centre Invigilator during the exam
• Provide attendance in the Form with the signature when asked for in the Exam Lab. 
• Post the Exam, hand over Admit Card duly signed to Invigilator present in the Exam Lab.

Dont's for CAT test day:

• Avoid attempting to appear for CAT 2018 Exam more than once. Candidature will be cancelled if a candidate is found to appear for the test multiple times.
• Do not request entry to the Test Centre post 8:45 a.m. for the Forenoon Session and post 2:15 p.m. for the Afternoon Session.
• Do not involve yourself in any arguments with other Candidates or Test centre staff or attempt to copy or cheat. The decision of concerned authority will be treated s final on the test day.
• Do not use the keyboard at any point in time; this will lock your computer system. 
• Do not request for change of Test Centre/Exam Lab/Console on the Exam Day. 
• Do not waste Writing pad pages as it is distributed only once per Candidate during the course of the Exam or carry any page from the writing pad outside the exam lab after the test.

What are the things allowed inside the exam hall?

• Only Admit Card of CAT 2018
• Photo Identity Card
• Required Medical certificate and Scribe affidavit (if any) 
• Socks, plain Pullovers / Sweaters / Cardigans (without any pockets) are allowed 
• Candidates with the metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body should bring a medical certificate of the same at the Test Centre.

What are the things NOT allowed inside the exam test hall?

• Mobile phone
• Bag, wallets
• Jackets
• Jewellery
• Watch
• Electronic gadgets
• Stationery items

How to prepare for CAT 2018

The examination of CAT is one of the toughest entrance tests to crack. So “How should one go about preparing for the exam?” is the most fundamental question CAT aspirants have. What you need is a lot of hard work accompanied by smart planning. In order to ensure a higher rate of success in the test, Careers360 brings you some tips and tricks for CAT 2018 preparation:

• Candidates must carefully go through the syllabus of the respective CAT paper they are appearing in.

• Prepare a day-to-day timetable for yourself.

• Plan for dedicated study hours.

• Practise Previous Years Question Papers and Sample Papers

• The practice of sample papers/model papers helps to know your strengths and weakness. After knowing the weak areas, you can plan how to work and improve in those areas.

• Take more and more Mock Tests which will give you the real taste and feel of the actual exam.

• Refer to the important CAT Books that cover the entire syllabus.

• Apart from every strategy and planning, the most important aspect of CAT 2018 preparation includes taking good care of your health.

Watch video on How to Prepare for CAT 2018

Important links:

CAT 2018 Mock Test

IIMs had released the CAT mock test 2018 on October 17, to help the candidates to understand the exam pattern/structure. The mock test enabled the test takers to practice and get familiar with the online test format and navigation process of the test. The test aspirants are advised to take at least 8-12 mock tests prior to appearing the main exam on November 25, 2018. IIM Calcutta had released two mock tests. One for all the candidates and the other for the PwD candidates with low vision. Both the test links are made available on the iimcat.ac.in homepage.

Candidates can also check the usage of the online calculator and timer. However, aspirants must note that the mock test of CAT 2018 is meant for practice purpose only and the questions should not be treated as sample questions as there is hardly and qualitative similarity in the questions.

CAT Exam Pattern 2018

According to the exam pattern of CAT 2018, it's a computer-based test of 3 hours duration carrying 100 objective type multiple choice and non-multiple choice type questions. The areas or sections from which the questions are asked include Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR).

Watch Video on When and how to start CAT 2018 preparation

The table below brings the CAT 2018 exam pattern or structure of the exam-

CAT 2018 Exam Pattern

Marking Scheme –Each question carries 3 marks. For each wrong answer, there is negative marking of one mark. There is no negative marking scheme for non-MCQs or TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.

Marking Scheme

CAT 2018 Syllabus

There is no specific syllabus for CAT 2018. The experts have laid out the CAT syllabus 2018 based on the previous years’ exam analysis and the topics covered. While there might be a few topics which will be added to the syllabus and some topics might get omitted, the overall syllabus is likely to remain the same.

CAT 2018 Syllabus

CAT Sample Paper 2018

Aspirants can download the CAT Sample Papers from the Careers360 Sample Paper Store for free. By solving the sample papers, test takers will be able to test their preparation status, as well as be familiar with the test-taking process.

To Download CAT 2018 Sample Paper –Click here

CAT 2018 Exam Centres

The exam centres of CAT 2018 will be located in 374 test centres located across 147 cities in India. Two new exam states have been added to the list this year - Mizoram and Nagaland.

While filling the CAT 2018 registration form, candidates have to select four exam centres city in the order of preference. The exam centre will be allotted by IIMs and the final centre can be seen on the CAT admit card.

CAT 2018 exam centres

CAT Question Paper 2018

In a first, IIMs had released the official CAT question paper for 2017. It is expected that the question paper for 2018 will also be declared by IIMs in the first week of December. Candidates aspiring to appear for CAT 2018 must download the question paper in order to know the types of questions and topics to expect. To Download CAT 2017 question paper - Click here