Overview: If you are preparing for the CAT exam, it's imperative that you also know about the CAT admission process. The CAT selection process tells you exactly what to expect once you have appeared for the CAT exam.

In this blog, you will learn about the entire CAT admission process, from the entrance exam to the final admission to IIMs and other top business schools.

It's important to note that the selection process in each B-school is unique. There's a possibility that one college's admission process for its postgraduate management program is completely different from another's. This underscores the need for individual research and preparation.

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Latest Update: The CAT exam date for 2024 is November 24, with IIM Calcutta likely to oversee its administration. Registration for the CAT entrance exam 2024 is expected to open in the first week of August.

CAT Admission Process 2024

Let’s start understanding the step-by-step process for CAT admission into IIMs and other top b-schools. 

Important CAT Admission Dates 2024

Check the CAT entrance exam tentative dates. 

CAT Exam Events	Tentative Dates
Registration Start Date	August to September 2024
Form Correction process	September 2024
Admit Card download Date	November 6, 2024
CAT 2024 Mock Test Release	First or Second Week of November 2024
CAT Exam Date 2024	November 24, 2024
Answer Key Challenge	To be Notified
Result announcement	December 2024

CAT admission date registration 2024 begins in August 2024, leading up to the exam scheduled for November 24, 2024.

Find Out | How Many Students Appear for CAT Every Year

CAT Admission 2024: Selection Process Steps

As mentioned in the overview, the selection process is also different for all the b-schools post the CAT entrance exam. Each b-school accepting scores releases its own CAT scores or percentile cut-off for admission into their MBA program.

However, following are the three most common CAT admission or selection process after appearing for the CAT entrance exam in IIMs:

1. Releasing CAT Results and shortlisting based on CAT cut offs
2. Personal Interview
3. Group Discussion & WAT(not that common in IIMs)
4. Final admission of candidates

Performance on the CAT exam is a crucial component of the admissions process. 

At various phases of the CAT exam admission process, IIMs may further select and rank applications using additional factors such as the applicant's prior academic performance, relevant work experience, gender and academic diversity, and other equivalent inputs. 

The methodologies, academic cutoffs, and weights assigned to the evaluation indicators may vary between IIMs. 

For further information, visit the admissions policies of each IIM on their individual websites.

Learn More | Is CAT Compulsory to Pursue MBA

Releasing CAT Results and shortlisting based on CAT cut offs

Once the CAT results are out, the IIMs and other B-schools release their cut-offs to offer provisional offers and admission to the candidates. All the shortlisted candidates are shortlisted for the further CAT admission process, which is a personal interview round.

Personal Interview

The interview dates are allocated to the shortlisted candidates, and then they are tested on their general knowledge, business world knowledge, communication skills, and overall personality.

Group Discussion & WAT

This stage is optional, depending upon the differences in the CAT admission or selection process. Many IIMs need to conduct this round. However, some top b-schools, like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, JBIMS Mumbai, and IMI Delhi, conduct the GD round.

Final Admission & Weightage

After the successful conduction of GD, PI and WAT, the candidates' final admission offer is given to them once they have cleared all the rounds. There are multiple criteria with their respective weightages which are essential for the final admission, viz.,

Parameters	Weightage
CAT Exam	25
WAT	10
PI	30
Class 10 & 12	15
Graduation	10
Work Experience	10

Documents Required for CAT Admission

The final selection process requires you to carry important documents with you like

1. CAT Scorecard
2. Call letter for IIM or other b-school interview
3. Marksheet of grades X and XII
4. Marksheet of Graduation
5. Category certificate (if any)
6. Work Experience certificate (if any)

CAT Admission Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024

Following is the basic CAT eligibility criteria to appear for the entrance exam:

• The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from a university or other accredited educational institution with at least 50% aggregate {CGPA; 45% for candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories}. 
• Both candidates taking the last year of the Bachelor's degree/ equivalent degree and awaiting results are also eligible to apply.

CAT Admission Exam Registration Process 2024

For this year, the application fees may be modified. The data used to produce the information below is from the prior year. 

CAT Application Fees

• Candidates who are from the categories - SC, ST, or PwD must pay an application fee of INR 1150. 
• GEN candidates must pay an application fee of INR 2300.

Please be advised that you only need to pay the registration fee once, regardless of how many institutes they apply to. 

When registering, if you identify as SC, ST, or PwD must upload a copy of the necessary documentation.

Note: Already paid payments are not refundable under any circumstances.

Check | CAT Exam Top Colleges 2024

CAT Admission Counselling Process 2024

• Registration for counselling is the initial step in the CAT admission Counselling procedure. Following the announcement of the CAT admission 2024 results, the registration process begins.
• After registering, the applicant takes the reins and must complete the application form. This is where you share your story, including all the required information, such as your name, address, and relevant educational background. Your application form is your voice in this process. After submitting the CAT application, the applicant selects the colleges or institutions they want to apply to.
• Payment of Counselling expenses: The candidate must pay the counselling costs according to the instructions.
• The candidate must provide all required documentation for verification. This step ensures the transparency and fairness of the admission process. Your transcripts and other proof of schooling are the key to unlocking your future. After the documents are verified, the candidate will be given a seat in one of the participating institutes based on merit.
• The candidate must arrive at their assigned institute and finish the admissions procedures.

Conclusion

Admission through CAT exam is a pivotal milestone for shaping your future. It serves as the gateway to top-tier institutions in India, offering a pathway to a prosperous career. Effective CAT exam preparation strategies can enhance your chances of success. Familiarizing yourself with the syllabus, engaging in mock tests, and dedicating ample time to practice are crucial steps in the journey towards achieving your goals. With a proactive approach and focused effort, attaining admission through CAT exam becomes a realistic ambition.