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CAT 2024 answer key challenge window is now open till December 5, 2024 (11.50 PM). The window was opened on December 3 at 6 PM. Earlier, IIM Calcutta released the CAT 2024 provisional answer key on December 3, 2024. The admit card was released on the official website on November 5, 2024 and the examination was conducted on November 24, 2024, in three shifts across 170 cities in India.
The CAT 2024 exam paper included 66 objective-type questions. Students got 120 minutes to complete the paper. It is one of the toughest examinations in India with a success rate of around 2%, specifically conducted for MBA admission. Students from general and NC-OBC categories can expect a cutoff between 98 and 100 percentiles to get admission to the top IIMs. For non-IIM top colleges like FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, JBIMS Mumbai etc., the cutoff may range between 95 and 99 percentiles.
Check the table below to know the highlights of the CAT Exam 2024:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| CAT 2024 Conducting Institute | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration Fee | INR 2500 (General Category) INR 1250 (Reserved Category) |
| CAT 2024 Exam Mode | Computer Based Mode (MCQs & non-MCQs) |
| CAT 2024 Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Help Desk Number | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
The table below shows the ongoing and upcoming events of the CAT 2024 Exam:
| Events | Dates |
| CAT 2024 Registration Started | August 1, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration Last Date | September 20, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Form Correction | September 27, 2024 (10 AM) to September 20, 2024 (5 PM) |
| CAT 2024 Admit Card Release | From November 5, 2024, Onwards |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Reposnse Sheet Out | November 29, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Provisional Answer Key Out | December 3, 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Provisional Answer Key Challenge | December 3 to December 5, 2024 |
The official website has not yet disclosed the dates for the CAT 2024 answer key release, answer key challenge, and result declaration.
CAT 2024 admit cards were available for download from November 5, 2024, until the examination date, November 24, 2024. Do not forget to carry your admit card, as it is the most important document for getting access to the examination hall.
Here is a list of top MBA institutions that accept the CAT score:
| NIRF 2024 Ranking | CAT Accepting Top Colleges |
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2 | IIM Bangalore |
| 3 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 6 | IIM Mumbai |
| 7 | IIM Lucknow |
| 8 | IIM Indore |
| 11 | MDI Gurgaon |
| 12 | IIM Rohtak |
| 14 | IIM Raipur |
| 15 | IIFT Delhi |
| 18 | DOMS IIT Roorkee |
| 19 | IIT Kharagpur |
| 20 | SPJIMR |
| 22 | IIM Udaipur |
| 23 | IIM Kashipur |
| 24 | IIM Shillong |
| 26 | IIM Visakhapatnam |
| 27 | IIM Trichy |
| 29 | Amity University Noida |
| 31 | IIM Nagpur |
| 32 | MICA Ahmedabad |
| 33 | IIM Bodhgaya |
| 34 | Great Lakes Chennai |
| 35 | IMT Ghaziabad |
| 37 | GIM Goa |
| 38 | LPU |
| 40 | IMI New Delhi |
| 42 | IIM Jammu |
| 45 | Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida |
The CAT examination cutoffs vary based on different categories and different institutes. However, the general category candidates must score between 98 and 100 percentiles to be in the safe zone for IIM admission 2024. The cutoffs for the reserved category candidates go a little lower than those for the general category. For non-IIM admission, you can expect the cutoff to be 94 to 100 percentiles. Check the table below to know the expected CAT 2024 cutoff for the top 10 management institutes in India:
| Top 10 IIMs Based on NIRF 2024 Ranking | CAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99-100 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 |
| IIM Mumbai | 90 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
| IIM Indore | 97-98 |
| IIM Rohtak | 92-94 |
| IIM Raipur | 94-95 |
| IIM Ranchi | 94-95 |
The table below shows the top 10 non-IIM institutes for MBA based on the expected higher to lower CAT 2024 cutoffs:
| Top 10 Non-IIM MBA Institutes Based on Descending CAT Cutoff Marks | CAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected) |
| FMS Delhi | 98-99 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 97-99 |
| IIFT Delhi | 95-99 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 95-99 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 95-97 |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 96 |
| XIMB | 91 |
| IMI New Delhi | 90 |
| KJ Somaiya | 86 |
| GIM Goa | 85 |
The exact date for the CAT 2024 answer key release has not yet been disclosed. However, it is expected to be released in the first week of December 2024. After the answer key is released, candidates can also challenge it by providing a proper supporting source.
The CAT 2024 result is expected to be out in the last week of December 2024. The exam authority has yet to announce the exact date.
The CAT 2024 syllabus is divided into three parts, such as - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VAARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The table shows the details covered in these three sections:
| Sections | Details Covered | Weightage |
| VAARC | Reading Comprehension Para Jumbles Sentence Correction Critical Reasoning Para Summary Para Completion Odd One Out | 34 to 36% |
| DILR | Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning (puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, etc.) | 30 to 32% |
| QA | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Number Systems Mensuration Modern Mathematics | 32 to 34% |
The CAT 2024 exam paper will have a total of 66 questions. Students will get 120 minutes to complete the examination. Check the table below for a detailed break-down of the CAT 2024 Exam pattern:
| Sections | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
| VAARC | 24 | 40 Minutes |
| DILR | 20 | 40 Minutes |
| QA | 22 | 40 Minutes |
CAT marks and ranks are two separate parameters used to assess the appearing candidates. Each represents a different aspect of the candidate’s performance. Check the table below to know how both differ from each other:
| Particulars | CAT Marks | CAT Ranks |
| Absolute Measure | Yes | No |
| Relative Measure | No | Yes |
| Example | If you get 180 out of 198 on the CAT, your CAT marks are 180. | If your 180 marks put you in the 95th percentile, it means you did better than 95% of the people who took the test. |
Here is the marking scheme for CAT 2024:
The table below shows the section-wise number of questions for each type in CAT 2023:
| Sections | No. of Questions from VAARC | No. of Questions from DILR | No. of Questions from QA |
| MCQs | 20 | 12 | 14-15 |
| TITA | 4 | 8 | 7-8 |
The CAT percentile is considered for MBA admission in India, which is the rank candidates obtain in the examination. To calculate the CAT percentile, the candidate’s CAT marks are converted through a formula to ensure fairness in the examination. Check the table below to understand percentile-wise marks in each section:
| Percentile | VAARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
| 99.5 Percentile | 44 | 36 | 39 | 101 |
| 99 Percentile | 41 | 31 | 36 | 91 |
| 98 Percentile | 35 | 28 | 31 | 80 |
| 95 Percentile | 29 | 22 | 24 | 66 |
| 90 Percentile | 24 | 18 | 17 | 53 |
| 85 Percentile | 20 | 15 | 14 | 45 |
| 80 Percentile | 17 | 13 | 11 | 40 |
The CAT examination includes a number of stages, from the notification release to college admission. Check the total series of events here:
Before CAT 2024 registration, candidates must meet the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
Education Qualification:
Work Experience: Not mandatory (While pursuing, work experience may hold advantage for the MBA programs)
Age: No age limit
Here is the detailed registration process for CAT 2024 examination:
Step 1: Visit the official website @iimcat.ac.in.
Step 2: Navigate to the CAT 2024 online registration link and click on it.
Step 3: Once the registration portal appears on the screen, create a log in ID and password.
Step 4: Fill out the CAT 2024 application form. Ensure to re-check all the details before final submission.
Step 5: Upload all the required documents.
Step 6: Pay the online application fee.
Step 7: Print out the application form for future reference.
CAT is one of the most challenging examinations in India. You must follow a strategic approach for the examination throughout the whole journey. Here are some tips for your upcoming CAT 2024:
Ans: No, once the registration process is done, you cannot change your exam city for CAT.
Ans: No, you cannot re-attempt the same test if you do not meet the satisfied cutoff for the CAT exam. In this case, you must prepare for next year’s examination.
Ans: Both CAT and XAT are MBA admission tests conducted in India. Both differ based on pattern, syllabus, acceptance of colleges, fees, and many more.
Ans: No, you cannot use a calculator to solve problems during the CAT examination.
Ans: To be admitted to your preferred MBA college, you must clear the CAT cutoff. MBA admission through the CAT exam requires specific cutoffs for specific colleges.
Ans: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university can apply. Final-year students can also apply.
Ans: The CAT 2024 exam will be held on November 24, 2024, in three sessions. The CAT admit card was issued on November 5, 2024.
Ans: The examination has three sections namely Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Ans: Yes, there is a negative marking for multiple-choice questions, but no negative marking for non-MCQs. One mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Ans: The CAT exam is 2 hours long, with 40 minutes allotted for each of the three sections. Each section is timed for 40 minutes, making for a total exam duration of 2 hours.
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