CAT Exam 2024: Result (Declared), Cutoff, Dates, Question Paper Analysis, Pattern, Syllabus
CAT result 2024 has been announced. Candidate can download their CAT 2024 result now. IIM Calcutta released the CAT 2024 scorecards today at the iimcat.ac.in website. According to the media release shared by the institute, 14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, among which, one is a woman candidate. 29 candidates have scored 99.99 percentile and 30 candidates have scored 99.98 percentile.
CAT exam 2024 was conducted by IIM Calcutta in three shifts at over 385 test centres in 170 cities across India. The CAT 2024 question paper this year was moderately difficult for all three slots. The total number of questions were 68. DILR had 22 questions instead of 20. There were no parajumbles in the paper. The number of sets in DILR section of CAT 2024 was 5. Provisional CAT 2024 answer key was released on December 3, 2024 and final CAT 2024 answer key was released on December 16, 2024. There is no change from the provisional CAT 2024 answer key.
What is CAT Exam?
Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level management aptitude test conducted by the IIM for admission to MBA and other postgraduate courses offered by its 21 campuses (NITIE Mumbai has been added to the cluster as IIM Mumbai). Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. In CAT 2023, applications touched the record high of 3.30 lakh. The total number of CAT 2024 registration is 3.29 lakh. Candidates who clear the CAT exam are eligible for admission to over 1300 MBA colleges in India, apart from the IIMs.
Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs
Apart from full-time MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes of IIMs and other B-Schools. This exam is open for not only graduates but also post graduates and working professionals. Check below the list of courses offered by the IIMs through CAT.
| IIM | Courses Offered Through CAT |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP, PhD |
| IIM Amritsar | MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, PhD |
| IIM Bangalore | PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | PGP, PhD (FPM) |
| IIM Calcutta | MBA, PhD |
| IIM Indore | PGP, PGP-HRM, FPM |
| IIM Jammu | PGP, PhD |
| IIM Kashipur | MBA, MBA (Analytics), MBA (WX), PhD, EFPM |
| IIM Kozhikode | PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, PhD, PhD (PT) |
| IIM Lucknow | PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM, FPM |
| IIM Nagpur | PGP, PhD |
| IIM Raipur | PGP, FPM/ PhD, EFPM |
| IIM Ranchi | PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD |
| IIM Rohtak | PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM, PhD, Part-Time FPM |
| IIM Sambalpur | MBA, PhD, E PhD |
| IIM Shillong | PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE, PhD, PhDWP |
| IIM Sirmaur | MBA, MBA (T&HM), PhD |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM, FPM, E-FPM |
| IIM Udaipur | MBA, PhD |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM, PhD |
| IIM Mumbai | MBA, MBA in Sustainability ManagementMBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management |
CAT 2024 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2024 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 19 Dec ’24 | CAT 2024 result announcement |
| 03 Dec ’24 – 05 Dec ’24 | CAT 2024 answer key challenge |
| 24 Nov ’24 | CAT 2024 exam |
| 05 Nov ’24 – 24 Nov ’24 | CAT 2024 admit card download |
| 27 Sep ’24 – 30 Sep ’24 | CAT 2024 form correction process |
| 01 Aug ’24 – 20 Sep ’24 | CAT 2024 registration |
CAT 2024 Exam Highlights
The number of test cities have been increased this year. Here are the highlights of CAT 2024, take a look at the table below:
| CAT Exam Particulars | CAT 2024 Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute for 2024 | IIM Calcutta |
| Exam Level | National |
| CAT Entrance Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT Exam Date 2024 | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT Exam Timings | Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AMSession 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PMSession 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| CAT Exam Fees | INR 2,500 (General category) and INR 1,250 (Reserved category) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students) |
| Number of Applications | 3.29 lakh (in 2024) |
| Number of Test Takers | 2.93 lakh (in 2024) |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India |
| Courses Offered | MBA/PGDM |
| CAT syllabus | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| CAT exam mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs |
| No. of test cities | 170 |
| CAT exam website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
Every year, CAT sees the largest number of registrations among all MBA entrance exams in India. About 2 lakh candidates apply for CAT every year. In 2023, CAT recorded the highest ever registration of over 3.30 lakhs out of which about 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The number of students registered for CAT 2024 was also 3 lakh plus. IIM Calcutta received a total of 3.29 lakh applications. Check below how many students registered for CAT 2024 and previous years.
CAT 2024 Result and Scorecard PDF
CAT 2024 scorecard PDF is available through login only. Candidates can download their result by using their login ID and password. Here’s the process to download CAT 2024 result:
- Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘login’ tab
- Enter CAT application number and password
- Click on the scorecard section
- Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2024 scorecard
The CAT 2024 result cum scorecard contains the candidate’s scores and percentiles (sectional and overall). The link to download the CAT scorecard will remain active for one year. Candidates must note that no hard copies of the CAT result 2024 will be issued so they must download the scorecard as soon as it is released.
There is no option to challenge the result. Scores printed on the CAT 2024 scorecard will be final. If a candidate wishes to improve their score, they will have to appear for CAT exam again in the next session.
MBA Admission Through CAT Exam Score
IIM selection process and admission includes shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score and Written Ability Test (WAT) /Group Discussion (GD) /Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:
IIM Admission Process
The IIMs release admission criteria and selection process for PGP/MBA prior to the CAT result declaration. The documents contain cutoffs, parameters, process, etc. for MBA admission. Selection procedure through CAT for all the IIMs includes the following:
- Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
- Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
- Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection
IIM CAT Cut Offs 2024
CAT cut off for IIM admission is fixed by each institute category wise. While the qualifying cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 90-97 percentile. PI shortlisting is based on final CAT cut offs. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of 21 IIMs:
| IIM | CAT cut offs (qualifying) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 80 |
| IIM Trichy | 92 |
| IIM Udaipur | 92 |
| IIM Ranchi | 92 |
| IIM Amritsar | 85 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Kashipur | 92 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 92 |
| IIM Jammu | 92 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 92 |
| IIM Nag7pur | 85 |
| IIM Raipur | 92 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 92 |
| IIM Mumbai | 94 |
*The CAT cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category. For the SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories, the cut CAT cut offs are lower.
IIM Fees for MBA – Campus Wise
Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The amount mentioned here is course fee of PGP/MBA (two years) that is paid semester wise in instalments.
| IIM campus | PGP/MBA seats (approx.) | *MBA/PGP fees |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 385 | INR 24.61 lakh |
| IIM Bangalore | 430 | INR 24.50 lakh |
| IIM Calcutta | 210 | INR 27.00 Lakh |
| IIM Lucknow | 436 | INR 20.70 lakh |
| IIM Kozhikode | 375 | INR 20.50 lakh |
| IIM Raipur | 210 | INR 16.10 lakh (excluding boarding fees) |
| IIM Udaipur | 260 | INR 19.00 lakh |
| IIM Rohtak | 240 | INR 17.60 lakh |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 60 | INR 17.58 lakh |
| IIM Trichy | 180 | INR 21.00 lakh |
| IIM Sambalpur | 120 | INR 13.08 lakh |
| IIM Ranchi | 240 | INR 17.50 lakh |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 120 | INR 15.50 lakh |
| IIM Sirmaur | 60 | INR 15.75 lakh (including fees for international immersion programme) |
| IIM Jammu | 120 | INR 17.15 lakh |
| IIM Amritsar | 60 | INR 16.00 lakh |
| IIM Shillong | 120 | INR 17. 50 lakh |
| IIM Kashipur | 210 | INR 17.30 lakh |
| IIM Nagpur | 130 | INR 18.00 lakh |
| IIM Indore | 451 | INR 21.14 lakh |
| IIM Mumbai | 660 | INR 14.00 lakh |
*The fee amount For every IIM mentioned in the table above has been rounded off to the nearest lakh. IIM fees may increase in the new academic session.
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Exam Score
As mentioned earlier, CAT is accepted by not only IIMs but also abotu 1,200 MBA colleges in India. Given below is the list of top MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list also includes IITs offering MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies.
| Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score | |
|---|---|
| IIFT Delhi | SPJIMR, Mumbai |
| FMS, Delhi University | IMT, Ghaziabad |
| MDI, Gurgaon | IMI, Delhi |
| IIT Kanpur-IME | IIT Bombay-SJMSOM |
| IIT Delhi – DoMs | IIT Roorkee-DoMs |
| IIT Madras-DoMs | IIT Dhanbad-ISM |
| IIT Kharagpur-VGoSM | IMT-Nagpur |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | IPE-Hyderabad |
| IMI-Kolkata | Institute of Management, Nirma University |
| ITM-University | Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa |
| IIITM-Gwalior | New Delhi Institute of Management |
| Woxsen University, Hyderabad | KIIT KSOM |
| SOIL Institute of Management | JK Business School Gurgaon |
CAT 2024 Exam Analysis
CAT 2024 exam analysis- CAT 2024 slot 1, slot 2 and slot 3 were overall moderate. There were 68 questions in total this time. The DILR section saw 22 questions instead of 20. However, the questions were moderate and doable. The in-depth CAT exam analysis 2024 discusses slot wise difficulty level, topic wise weightage and expected cut offs.
CAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level
Check the table below for difficulty level of CAT 2024:
| CAT Sections | Number of Questions | Number of good attempts | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 14-16 | Moderate to Tough |
| DILR | 22 | 10-11 | Moderate |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 10 | Moderate to Tough |
CAT Answer Key 2024
CAT answer key 2024 is available through login for a limited time period. Check the steps to download CAT 2024 answer key and response sheet from the official website:
- Visit the official website of CAT 2024 (iimcat.ac.in)
- Click on the ‘login’ tab
- Enter CAT login ID and password
- Click on ‘CAT 2024 answer key’ will appear on the screen
- Click on ‘download’ icon to save it as PDF
The CAT answer key objection window will open for 3-4 days for raising objections. Candidates will have to fill an online form, upload a supporting document to prove the objection is valid and pay the requisite fee. The objections will then be analysed by a team of subject matter experts and if any objection is found to be valid, the preliminary CAT 2024 answer key will be revised. CAT result 2024 will be prepared on the basis of the revised answer key. No objection can be raised against the final CAT answer key 2024.
CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2024
CAT question paper 2024 had three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. The duration of exam was 120 minutes with sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. The pattern has been slightly changed with increase in number of questions by 2. Check the highlights of CAT 2024 exam pattern below:
| CAT Paper Pattern 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Mode of CAT exam | Computer Based Test |
| Duration of exam | 120 minutes 40 minutes per section |
| CAT exam slots | Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AMAfternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PMEvening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| Number of questions | |
| CAT total marks | |
| Language of question paper | English |
| Number of answer choices | 4 |
| Question Type | MCQ and non-MCQ |
Also read: CAT exam on screen calculator
CAT Previous Year Papers
CAT syllabus can be best understood by going through CAT question papers. CAT previous year papers, provide an insight into sectional weightage, difficulty level of questions and types of questions. Candidates can solve previous year CAT question papers to know the difficulty level of the exam. Given below are previous years’ CAT papers PDFs (links) for free download.
Evolution of CAT Exam
CAT exam has evolved a lot in the decade. However, the difficulty level has remained the same. Over the years, the examination authority has taken steps to make it more student friendly and academic diversity promoting exam but still it remains the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. Earlier, CAT used to have 100 questions, now it has 66 questions. Check the table below for changes in the CAT exam pattern over the years.
| CAT Exam Year | Sections | No. of Questions | CAT Exam Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | QA, DILR, VARC | 66 | 120 minutes |
| 2023 | QA, DILR, VARC | 66 | 120 minutes |
| 2022 | QA, DILR, VARC | 66 | 120 minutes |
| 2021 | QA, DILR, VARC | 66 | 120 minutes |
| 2020 | QA, DILR, VARC | 76 | 120 minutes |
| 2019 | QA, DILR, VARC | 100 | 180 minutes |
| 2018 | QA, DILR, VARC | 100 | 180 minutes |
| 2017 | QA, DILR, VARC | 100 | 180 minutes |
| 2016 | QA, DILR, VARC | 100 | 180 minutes |
| 2015 | QA, DILR, VARC | 100 | 180 minutes |
| 2014 | QA & DI, LR & VARC | 100 | 170 minutes |
| 2013 | QA & DI, LR & VARC | 60 | 140 minutes |
| 2012 | QA & DI, LR & VARC | 60 | 140 minutes |
| 2011 | QA & DI, LR & VARC | 60 | 140 minutes |
| 2010 | QA, DILR, VARC | 60 | 150 minutes |
CAT 2024 Syllabus
CAT exam syllabus encompasses topics that are useful in developing all the skills and abilities essential for a being a successful business leader. It is broadly divided into three sections – VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Check below the main topics of CAT syllabus 2024 for exam preparation. Maximum questions are asked from the following topics. Candidates are advised to pay special attention on these topics during exam preparation:
| CAT Syllabus sections | CAT Syllabus topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd Sentence Out |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Set Theory (Variables), Set Theory + Puzzles, Puzzles with Additional Data, Coding-Decoding and Series |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration |
