2023 2024 MBA - CAT Exam History

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer based test held in India. It scores a candidate on the bases of Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC), Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR).

Before 2009, it was a paper based test conducted on a single day for all candidates. The pattern, number of questions and duration has seen significant deviation over the years.

On 1 May 2009, it was announced that it would be a Computer Based Test starting from 2009. The American firm Prometric was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the test.

The first computer based CAT was spoiled with technical problem. The issue was so serious that it prompted the Government of India to seek a report from the conveyor. The trouble was diagnosed as 'Conficker' and 'W32 Nimda', the two viruses that attacked the system display of the test, causing severe slow down.

CAT 2015 was conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). CAT 2015 was a 180-minute test consisting of 100 questions (34 from Quantitative Ability (QA), 34 from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and 32 from Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).

As per the official notification, CAT 2016 was conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Bangalore.

Eligibility

One must hold a Bachelor Degree, with minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PWD)/Differently Able (DA) category)

The degree should be awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

One appearing for the final year of bachelor degree/equivalent qualification exam and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. If selected, such candidates will be allowed to join the program provisionally.

Syllabus

The Quantitative Aptitude section comprises of fundamental mathematics, based on 10 + 2 difficulty level. Problems are found to appear from various topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Commercial Mathematics (Word Problems). The questions are largely based on application of mathematics to solve real-time problems.

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section comprises of questions which are asked based on the given data. The data given might be in the form of graphs, charts, tables and paragraphs. Data Interpretation problems test the candidate's understanding of the data and the ability to solve problems accurately. Logical Reasoning questions check the candidate's ability to ratiocinate and evaluate problems.

The Verbal Ability section comprises of questions on comprehension and usage of standard English grammar. Verbal Logic questions test the candidate's knowledge of arranging paragraphs in a logical order, determining the type of statements, completing the paragraphs in an appropriate way.