CAT Admission 2024: Check Eligibility, Age limit and Key Dates

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.

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In this blog, you will learn about the Common Admission Test CAT criteria 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.

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 either the last week of July or the first week of August.

CAT Admission Dates 2024

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

Check the CAT entrance exam tentative dates. 

CAT Exam Events	Tentative Dates
CAT Exam Registration Start Date	1 August 2024 (10:00 AM)
CAT Exam Registration Last Date	20 September 2024 (5:00 PM)
CAT Exam  Admit Card Download Date	5 November 2024
CAT 2024 Mock Test Release	First or Second Week of November 2024
CAT Exam Date 2024	November 24, 2024
CAT Exam Answer Key Challenge	To be Notified
CAT Exam Result announcement	December 2024

CAT admission date registration 2024 will start on 1 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, the following are the three most common CAT admission or selection processes after appearing for the CAT entrance exam in IIMs:

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

Performance on the Common Admission Test CAT is a crucial component of the admissions process. 

At various phases of the CAT 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 CAT 2024 admissions policies of each IIM on their individual websites.

Check: CAT Exam Centre List

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Learn More | Is CAT Compulsory to Pursue MBA

1. 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.

2. Personal Interview

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

3. Group Discussion & WAT

This stage is optional, depending upon the differences in the CAT admission 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.

4. 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 CAT 2024 admission, viz.,

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

Read more: What to Carry on CAT Exam Day

Documents Required for CAT Admission Process 2024

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

• CAT Scorecard
• Call letter for IIM or other b-school interview
• Marksheet of grades X and XII
• Marksheet of Graduation
• Category certificate (if any)
• Work Experience certificate (if any)

Check: CAT Exam Slot Timings

CAT Admission Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024

The following are 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}. 
• Candidates taking the last year of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree and awaiting results are also eligible to apply.

Check | CAT Exam Top Colleges 2024

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CAT Admission- Counselling Process 2024

Here are the steps for CAT exam admission counselling process 2024: 

CAT Counselling Stages 2024	Description
Registration for CAT Counselling 2024 date	Registration is the initial step after the CAT admission 2024 results are announced.
Application Form Completion	Applicants must complete the application form, providing all required information such as name, address, and educational background.
College Selection	After submitting the CAT application, applicants select the colleges or institutions they want to apply to.
Payment of CAT Counselling 2024 Expenses	Candidates must pay the counselling costs according to the instructions.
Document Verification	Candidates must provide all required documentation for verification to ensure transparency and fairness in the CAT 2024 admission process.
Seat Allotment	After document verification, candidates will be allotted a seat in one of the participating institutes based on merit.
Admission Procedures at Assigned Institute	Candidates must arrive at their assigned institute and complete the admission procedures.

Check: CAT Exam Previous Year Question Papers

Conclusion

CAT 2024 admission is a pivotal milestone for shaping your future. It is 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 achieving your goals. With a proactive approach and focused effort, attaining admission through the CAT exam 2024 dates becomes a realistic ambition.

Check: CAT Exam Analysis Section wise here