CAT 2013 - The Common Admission Test
Introduction to CAT
The Common Admission test is a pre-requisite for admission to various programmes of IIMs, IITs, FMS and IISc. One of the IIMs conducts the test every year during the months of October and November in a 20 days test window. Many of the Non-IIM institutes also use the CAT score as a basis of selecting the candidates.
A candidate can appear for the test only once in a period of 20 days test window and the score is valid only for that particular academic year.
CAT is a computer based test dealing with Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning.
CAT 2013 eligibility
- Candidate possessing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
- For SC, ST and Differently abled candidates this score should be at least 45% or equivalent CGPA.
- Final year candidates can appear for the test and get a provisional admission to the institutes. They are however required to produce a certificate from the Principal/ Registrar of their college stating that they meet all the requirements.
How’s the test conducted?
- CAT is a computer based online test conducted at designated test venues.
- Scratch paper is provided at the desk for the rough work.
- A 15 minutes tutorial is provided before the beginning of the test to help the candidates take the test more effectively.
- As the test nears, CAT also provides an online practice test for the candidates so that they can get accustomed to the screens, layout and navigation.
- The test provides an on screen timer. Each section of 30 questions is to be dealt with in 70 minutes. The candidate can review the answers during these 70 minutes. Once the time for first section is over, the candidate can’t go back to it & the new section begins.
Test Pattern
- No. of questions : 60 (30 questions in each section)
- Time : 140 minutes ( 70 minutes for each section)
- Number of sections – 2
a.) Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
b.) Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning
Marking
- The candidates are awarded +3 marks for every correct answer and -1 for every wrong answer.
- No marks are awarded for the questions not attempted.
Selection at various IIMs and non-IIMS
- The candidates who are selected through the computer based test are required to go through further
rounds of selection like Written Ability Test (WAT), GD, PI. These rounds are held by each IIM independently and may differ from institute to institute.
- Some institutes may use previous academic background, relevant work experience etc. also for short
listing and ranking of students. The candidates need to visit the website of respective IIM to get this information.
- A lot of non-IIM institutes also use CAT scores for selection of students to their campuses. The list of these institutes can be found here: http://www.cat2013.iimidr.ac.in/non_iim_institute.htm
How to contact CAT authorities for help?
- Phone: 1-800-419-0080
- Webmail: http://www.prometric.com/IIM-CAT/contactus
CAT 2013 schedule
- CAT-2013 Information on Website: 03 -08-2013(5PM Onwards)
- Opening of Registration Process: 05 -08-2013 to 26-09-2013
- Online Test Dates: 16-10-2013 to 11-11-2013
- Result Date: 14-01-2014
- CAT Score Card Validity: 14-01-2014 to 31-12-2014
