CAT 2019 Question Paper and Answer Key

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance examination in India, primarily used for admissions into postgraduate management programs, including those offered by the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

Benefits of Taking the CAT:

Admission to Top Management Institutes

Development of Essential Skills

Opportunities in Public Sector and Government Jobs

Personal Growth

Hello there,

With a 77.38 percentile in CAT and sectionals of 61/89/67 , it may be challenging to secure admission to NIT Tiruchirappalli for an MBA, as their cutoff tends to be higher. However, there are still some possibilities, and you could consider these steps:

1. NIT Tiruchirappalli (MBA): Generally, the cutoff for NIT Trichy’s MBA program is around 85-90 percentile, depending on the year and category. Your chances might be slim, but it’s always good to check with the college directly for their specific cutoff.
   
   

2. Other Colleges to Consider:

   • IMT Ghaziabad (Consider their sectional cutoffs): Known for its management programs, IMT could be a good option with your profile.
     
     
   • XIME Bangalore: This college has a more accessible cutoff and offers a good ROI.
     
     
   • UPES Dehradun: If you're looking at newer or specialized MBA programs, UPES could be another option.
     
     
   • KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar: They accept CAT scores and have reasonable cutoffs.
     
     
   • IIMs (if in lower percentiles in the category, check IIMs like IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, or IIM Kashipur).
     
     
   • Symbiosis Pune (SIBM): They have slightly more flexible cutoffs, depending on their intake.
     
     

3. Other Entrance Exams: You could also look at other entrance exams like XAT, NMAT, or SNAP to apply to colleges like XLRI Jamshedpur, NMIMS Mumbai, or Symbiosis Institutes.

Additionally, considering your strong sectional score in DILR (89), you could focus on colleges with a more flexible approach to sectionals and percentile aggregation.

I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.

Hello,

With a 65 percentile in CAT and belonging to the General category, gaining admission to the University School of Management Studies (USMS), IP University, could be quite difficult. USMS usually has a higher cutoff for General category applicants, often falling between 75-85 percentile or even higher, depending on the specific year. However, these cutoffs can fluctuate based on various factors such as the number of applicants, available seats, and overall trends in CAT scores. Therefore, while there may be a possibility, it's crucial to verify the specific cutoff for the year you are applying.

If your percentile aligns with the eligibility or cutoff requirements, admission to USMS won't rely solely on your CAT score. Most MBA programs, including those at USMS, require candidates to participate in additional selection processes like Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), or a Personal Interview (PI). These stages are intended to assess your communication abilities, general awareness, analytical skills, and overall fit for the program. Thus, even if you meet the necessary CAT cutoff, it's vital to prepare for the GD and PI rounds. Excelling in these can often offset a slightly lower CAT score and enhance your chances of being selected.

Moreover, while concentrating on USMS, it’s also beneficial to consider other colleges that accept a 65 percentile in CAT. Several private institutions, such as JIMS, NDIM, and Amity University, might provide you with better admission opportunities and have solid placement records. To improve your performance in GD and PI rounds, focus on enhancing your knowledge of current affairs, practising mock interviews, and refining your communication skills.

While admission to USMS may be competitive, a dedicated approach to preparation and exploring alternative options will help you secure a spot in a reputable MBA program.

Hello Kritika,

Here’s a categorized list of top colleges accepting CAT , XAT , SNAP , and NMAT scores for MBA/PGDM programs:

Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

• IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) : Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, etc.
  
  
• FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies)
• SPJIMR Mumbai (SP Jain Institute of Management and Research)
• MDI Gurgaon (Management Development Institute)
• IITs offering MBA: Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, etc.
• IIM Rohtak Integrated Program (IPM)
• NITIE Mumbai (Now IIM Mumbai)
• IMT Ghaziabad (Institute of Management Technology)
• TAPMI (T.A. Pai Management Institute), Manipal
  
  Colleges Accepting XAT Scores
  
  
• XLRI Jamshedpur (Xavier School of Management)
• XIM University Bhubaneswar (Xavier Institute of Management)
• SPJIMR Mumbai (also accepts CAT)
• IMT Ghaziabad (also accepts CAT)
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai/Gurgaon
• TAPMI Manipal
• LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration), Chennai
• GIM (Goa Institute of Management)
  
  Colleges Accepting SNAP Scores
• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune
• Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development (SCMHRD), Pune
  
  
• Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune
• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Bangalore
• Symbiosis Institute of Digital & Telecom Management (SIDTM)
  
  Colleges Accepting NMAT Scores
• NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies), Mumbai
  • NMIMS campuses: Bangalore, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Indore, Chandigarh.
    
    
• XIM University, Bhubaneswar (MBA-HRM)
• K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
• Alliance University, Bangalore
• Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
• Woxsen University, Hyderabad
  
  Tips for Selecting Colleges
  
  
• Focus on Rankings: Check NIRF, QS, or Business Today rankings.
• Placement Records: Ensure the college has strong placement partnerships in your desired industry.
  
  
• Location and Fees: Consider location and affordability based on your budget and goals.
  
  
  I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
  
  Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.

Hello,

Here are important points regarding your query :-

• Opportunity for candidates: IIM Kashipur might be inviting candidates for further consideration, regardless of initial CAT scores.
• Broadening applicant pool: They may aim to review diverse profiles beyond just percentile.
• Different criteria: Other factors like academic performance, work experience, and diversity may contribute to the decision.
• Possibility of screening: The email could be a formality, and actual shortlisting will depend on various selection criteria.
• No guarantee of shortlist: The invitation doesn’t ensure selection; many institutes offer preliminary applications before filtering through comprehensive evaluations.

Hope it helps !

Hi,

Based on the previous year analysis, According to your CAT 2024 percentile some of the colleges in which you have chances to get a seat includes:

• ISBR Business School
• SOIL Institute of Management
• Birla Institute of Management Technology
• GD Goenka University
• The ICFAI University
• Great Lake Institute of Management
• Jaipur National University

You can predict more colleges using the CLAT 2024 college predictor tool .

Hope this information will help you

Hello Greetings

With a CAT 2024 percentile of 68.28%, you may face a challenging time getting into IIT Delhi, as their cutoffs are typically higher. However, being an SC female student, you may be eligible for relaxation in the cutoff criteria .

To give you a better idea, here are some general CAT cutoff percentiles for IITs and other top B-schools:

- *IIT Delhi*: Typically above 90 percentile for general category students.

- *Newer IIMs*: Such as IIM Vishakapatnam, IIM Shillong, and IIM Udaipur, may have lower cutoffs, around 80-90 percentile.

- *Other top B-schools*: Like IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, and TAPMI, may also consider students with lower percentiles.

It's essential to note that CAT cutoffs can vary from year to year, and other factors like your academic background, work experience, and performance in the personal interview (PI) and written ability test (WAT) also play a significant role in the admission process.

To explore more options and predict your chances of getting into various colleges, you can use online CAT college predictor tools .

Have a great day

Hello Greetings

Considering your 82.58 percentile in CAT and 22 months of industry experience in IT and Financial analysis, you have several options for General Management PGDM or PGPM programs.

*Decent Colleges Accepting Low CAT Percentile:*

- _SPJIMR_: Offers PGDM and PGPM programs, accepting CAT scores, with a minimum eligibility criterion of 50% aggregate in graduation ¹ ².

- _SOIL_: Provides PGPM and PGDM programs, considering CAT scores, with a focus on experiential learning ³.

- Other institutes like _IMT Ghaziabad_, _XIMB_, and _IRMA_ might also accept candidates with lower CAT percentiles, but this may vary depending on the program and intake.

*Key Factors to Consider:*

- _Work Experience_: With 22 months of experience, you might be eligible for PGPM programs, which typically require more work experience than PGDM programs ¹.

- _Career Gap_: Explain your career gap effectively in your application, highlighting any relevant activities or skills gained during that period.

- _Profile-Based Selection_: Some institutes consider profiles, including work experience, academic background, and extracurricular activities, in addition to CAT scores ¹.

*Next Steps:*

1. Research the institutes mentioned above and their programs.

2. Review the eligibility criteria, admission process, and fees for each program.

3. Prepare your application, ensuring you effectively communicate your strengths, work experience, and career goals.

4. Be prepared for interviews, focusing on your profile, experience, and motivation for pursuing a PGDM or PGPM program.

Remember, a lower CAT percentile doesn't necessarily limit your options. Focus on showcasing your strengths, experience, and fit with the program to increase your chances of admission.

Have a great day

Hi Gaurav,

With a CAT 2024 percentile of 93.94, you have a strong chance of receiving interview calls from several esteemed institutions. Here's a breakdown of potential options:

1. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs):

While the top IIMs (like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) typically have higher cutoffs, several newer and mid-tier IIMs have cutoffs around your percentile:

IIM Udaipur: Final cutoff between 93-95 percentile.

IIM Sirmaur: Final cutoff around 91-92 percentile.

IIM Rohtak: Final cutoff between 94.5-96 percentile.

IIM Vishakhapatnam: Final cutoff around 92-93 percentile.

IIM Nagpur: Final cutoff between 95-97 percentile.

IIM Ranchi: Final cutoff between 94-96 percentile.

IIM Bodhgaya: Final cutoff between 93-95 percentile.

IIM Shillong: Final cutoff around 92 percentile.

IIM Jammu: Final cutoff between 93-94 percentile.

IIM Amritsar: Final cutoff around 95 percentile.

IIM Trichy: Final cutoff between 95-96 percentile.

These cutoffs are approximate and can vary based on factors like category, academic background, and work experience.

2. Other Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores:

Beyond the IIMs, several prestigious institutions accept CAT scores and have cutoffs within your percentile range:

SPJIMR Mumbai: Known for its management programs.

MDI Gurgaon: Offers a variety of management courses.

FMS Delhi: Renowned for its MBA program.

IITs (e.g., IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi): Some IITs offer MBA programs with cutoffs around 90-95 percentile.

IMI Delhi: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

MICA Ahmedabad: Specializes in communications and offers management programs.

JBIMS Mumbai: Known for its management courses.

Goa Institute of Management: Offers various management programs.

Welingkar Mumbai: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

NITIE Mumbai: Focuses on industrial engineering and management.

IMT Ghaziabad: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Kolkata: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

XIMB Bhubaneswar: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Bhubaneswar: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMT Hyderabad: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Bhubaneswar: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IMT Hyderabad: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Bhubaneswar: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMT Hyderabad: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Bhubaneswar: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IMT Hyderabad: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

IMI Bhubaneswar: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

IMT Hyderabad: Provides management courses with competitive cutoffs.

UPES Dehradun: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs.

BIMTECH Greater Noida: Provides mana

gement courses with competitive cutoffs.

IFMR GSB Chennai: Offers management programs with competitive cutoffs