Know CAT Evolution Over the Years
CAT Evolution Over the Years - One of the most prestigious exams, Common Admission Test also known as CAT, has evolved over the years in terms of mode of examination, number of questions, registered students, exam pattern and so forth. It has been observed that IIMs over the past few years have introduced several changes, therefore Careers360 brings to you the CAT evolution over the years to keep candidates in track with the changes and changes that might appear in coming years. Let’s take a closer look.
CAT 2020 will be conducted by IIM Indore. CAT 2020 Registration will begin tentatively from the First week of August 2020.
CAT Test Taking Window Over the Years
The table below states the number of slots and windows in which CAT was held over past few years. Since 2015 CAT has been conducted in two slots earlier than that, in more than 2 slots CAT was conducted.
Past Year Test Taking Window
Year | Test taking window | Slots |
2019 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2018 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2017 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2016 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2015 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2014 | 2 days | 4 slot |
2009-13 | 20 days window | 40 slots |
CAT Registration trend over the past 13 years
Over the past 13 years, year 2019 saw the highest number of registrations. Check the complete list of total number of registration every year in the table below:
Number of registrations over years
Year | No. of Applications Registered | No. Of Applicants Appeared |
2019 | 2,44,169 | 2,09,926 |
2018 | 2,40,338 | 2,09,405 |
2017 | 2,31,000 | 1,99,632 |
2016 | 2,32,434 | 1,95,000 |
2015 | 2,18,664 | 1,79,602 |
2014 | 1,96,988 | 1,67,829 |
2013 | 1,94,516 | 1,73,714 |
2012 | 2,14,000 | 1,95,000 |
2011 | 2,05,000 | 1,86,000 |
2010 | 2,04,000 | 1,85,000 |
2009 | 2,41,000 | 2,30,000 |
2008 | 2,90,000 | 2,76,000 |
2007 | 2,50,000 | 2,30,000 |
CAT Evolution Over the Years
2009
Change from paper based test to computer based test
It was in 2009 that for the first time CAT was held in computer based mode or online mode. To get acquainted with the online test, it was the biggest challenge for the test takers. Before 2009 the exam used to be conducted in paper based mode, wherein the students used to mark their answers on the OMR sheet.
Exam Duration
Due to the shift in mode of examination, the duration of the exam also increased to two hours and 15 minutes. With the shift in the mode of exam and duration, the test takers witnessed many technical glitches which led to re-test of CAT.
2011
Reduction in number of sections
In 2011, IIM Calcutta conducted CAT. The authorities deducted the number of sections in CAT from three to only two sections. The two sections were combination of 2 subjects each:
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability.
However, the number of questions remained the same that is 60. Each section consisted of 30 questions.
Sectional Time Limit
With the reduction in number of sections, authorities imposed the section time limit to attempt a particular section. This change was welcomed by the students as it helped them in effective decision making and reduced the chances of wasting time on a particular question.
2014
Increase in number of questions
This year saw a drastic change by the increase in number of questions. Earlier there used to be 30 questions in each section, however on 2014 it was increased by 20 questions in each. Therefore, making it to 50 questions in each section.
2015
Introduction to on-screen calculators
With the introduction of on-screen calculators it came as a relief to the candidates of CAT in solving Mathematical problems.
Change in exam pattern
This year again saw the change in the complete of exam pattern of CAT in the following ways:
The number of section was again increased to three as it was till 2010.
Non-MCQ questions were introduced from 2015 onwards, wherein candidates have to type the answer in one liners.
The duration of the exam was increased from 170 minutes to 180 minutes.
2016
Change in Schedule
CAT is usually held in the last week of November. However, in 2016 it was for the first time that CAT was held in the first week of December that is on December 4 in two slots.
2019
Application Form
In 2019 several changes were introduced in the application process of CAT:
The registration fee increased by Rs. 100, from Rs. 1800 to Rs. 1900 for general/NC-OBC categories. Also it increased by Rs. 50 for SC/ST/PwD categories from Rs. 900 to Rs. 950.
New exam centres were added.
New payment partners were added:
PayU
BillDesk
Paytm
CAT Pattern changes over the years
Year | Number of Questions | Sections | Marking Scheme | Duration | Conducting Body | Other Element |
| 2020 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 180 Minutes | IIM Indore | |
2019 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude | 3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer | 180 Minutes | - | |
2018 | There were a total of 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | - | |
2017 | Total number of questions were 100 (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | - | |
2016 | Number of questions were 100 divided into three sections (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Quantitative Ability , Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | ||
2015 | Total number of questions were 100 (32 in one section and 34 in other two sections) | Quantitative Ability , Verbal and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer (No negative marking for non-MCQs questions) | 180 Minutes | Introduce On-Screen Calculator/ Induction of Non-MCQ | |
2014 | Total 100 Questions (50 per sections) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (Not in order) | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 170 Minutes | Test was divided into two sections | |
2013 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Indore | - |
2012 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | 3 Marks for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Kozhikode | - |
2011 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning | + 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 140 Minutes | IIM Calcutta | - |
| 2007 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
| 2006 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
| 2005 | Total 75 questions (25 per section) | Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 3 Marks for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer | 150 minutes | - | - |
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Questions related to CAT
How to prepare for CAT in 4 months by self study and which books are best to prepare for it?
Hello
To prepare for your CAT in 4 months first you need to Understand the exam pattern , there will be a total of 100 mcqs.
Your complete CAT paper is divided into three major sections :-
*Quantitative Ability
*Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
*Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Top books which you can follow for CAT are listed below section wise :-
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY
*
How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
:-
it is a great book covering all topics as per CAT syllabus, with good and elaborative examples , questiond divided into 3 levels of difficulty .
DATA INTERPRETATION AND LOGICAL REASONING (DILR) :-
* Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by K. Sinha Nishit :- it covers both fundamental and advanced topics with explained examples , questions of three difficulty levels are there etc
* How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma :- it has strategy and concepts to solve questions quickly and accurately, excerises are designed in a manner to boost Logical thinking etc
VERBAL ABILITY AND READING COMPREHENSION
* Word Power made easy by Norman Lewis:- Best for improving vocabulary and learning correct usage of words.
* Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT by Ajay Singh:- it has more than 200 passages for practice ,test papers of other B-School etc
* How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay: - it has past years papers analysis , topicwise segregation is there along with mock papers
For detailed information go through
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/best-books-for-cat-preparation
*Make a routine to utilise the time in the best possible way and to avoid procrastination and laziness .
*Keep short breaks of 20 to 25 minutes after every 1.5 to 2 hours between your studies in your routine .Half of the time of your studies must be for practicing questions
*Solve previous year question papers of CAT :-it will let you know the examination pattern, type and difficulty level of questions, also concepts behind the question often gets repeated, so you should definitely solve year papers
*Once you are done with complete CAT syllabus then go through CAT mock test papers , it will let you know your preparation level and and weak areas so that you can work on them and perform well in your examination
For detailed information go through
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-cat/amp
Thank you
Answer laterI am weak in varc section. How to overcome that section ana how to complete the whole syllabus in 3-4 months
VARC Section of CAT is one of the most scoring section. It requires lot of practice and concentration to choose the correct and accurate option.
Below are the some measures you can take to improve your score in VARC Section:
- Read lot of novels
- Read newspaper daily
- Improve vocabulary - try to learn 3-4 new words daily
- Try to build an ability to write and predict the answer
- Try to understand type of questions
- Go through previous year paper
- Solve as many as mock test as you can because VARC Section needs lots of practice
Below are the steps for completing the whole syllabus in 3 months:
- In First 15 days cover the whole grammar part as it is necessary to solve VARC Section and start reading newspaper and novels from first day.
- In next 15 days do solved exercise in which you are able to determine types of questions and how to answer them.
- In next 15 days do unsolved exercise and determine your mistakes and improve them.
- Now you only have to give more and more mock tests and determine your percentile. Try to give minimum 2 mock test in a day. This will increase your speed and accuracy.
Hope this will help you.
All the best.
What is the CAT Cutoff for IMI Bhubaneswar?
Hello,
80 Percentile For Merit Scholarship and 55% for Admission
Candidates having a first-class career and securing at least 80 percentile in CAT /XAT/CMAT and at least 80 percent in GMAT are awarded upto INR 1,00,000/-.
Hope this helps
How is Xavier School Of Rural Management Bhubaneswar? What is the required CAT percentile to get a call from this college?
You can use the careers360 platform for finding the review of Xavier School of Rural Management Bhubaneswar. The reviews are written by the students studying in the institute. The link is given below
https://www.careers360.com/colleges/xavier-school-of-rural-management-bhubaneswar
You can refer the below link to know XIMB cutoff
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/ximb-cutoff
hi my name is praveen my 10th marks 53% 12th marks 55% 5 drop years Bachalor in arts 76% im shedule caste catagory what if i score 90% + in CAT do i have any hope for a good career please answer me
Hello Aspirant!
Regarding your question, the good news is that your CAT marks aren't contingent on your performance in 10,12 Board exams and college exams. Also, if you do well in CAT, you can get into a good management school with 90% above, hopefully an IIM.
All the best! Prepare well
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