CAT or Common Admission Test is an All India Graduate level entrance test for MBA admissions in India. CAT 2018 organizing body is IIM Lucknow & over 2.3 Lac students have registered for the exam this year. CAT 2018 is scheduled for November 26.
CAT 2018 Exam Dates
The registration window for CAT exam is generally 1 month. The schedule for CAT 2018 is tabulated below- IIM Lucknow has published CAT Notification on July 29, 2018.
All the CAT candidates obligatory to check the cut off for IIMs & top B-Schools to plan the application procedure.
Counseling-No Common Counseling Procedure for CAT
Application Forms-For IIMs-Application is done while preliminary registration for CAT
For Non IIMs-Obligatory to make separate applications
Stages-Two Stages i.e. Individual Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT). Few Institutes also have Group Discussion (GD) session too.
*Few B-Schools ends their application procedure before the CAT result, so keep a tab on admission deadlines
Shortlisting of Aspirants for PI & WAT-Aspirants are shortlisted with a weight system,
Components
Weightage
CAT 2018 Score
28
Class X Marks
10
Class XII Marks
10
TOTAL
50 (48 + 2 Gender Diversity Factor)
Final Selection-For final selection weight of all the stages in selection procedure with work experience is calculated.
Component
Weight
CAT Score
15
Individual Interview
24
Written Ability Test
5
Academic Diversity Factor for Bachelor's Degree (ADFB)*
2
Work Experience
4
*Point honored for Academic Diversity at Bachelor’s degree level (Academic Diversity Factor for Bachelor’s degree (ADFB)): Aspirants with any of the following bachelor’s degree in the list below are applicable for ADFB: List X: BA, BA(H), B.Sc, B.Sc.(H), BS, B.Com, B.Com(H), BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, LL.B, MBBS, BDS or any other Non-Engineering subject areas at the Bachelor’s level not mentioned above.
The three hours CAT exam is clearly online and tests students in Verbal Aptitude & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The table below offers an overview of CAT Exam Format
Section
VRC
DI & LR
QA
Number of Questions
34
32
34
MCQs
24
24
27
Non-MCQs
10
8
7
CAT 2018 Syllabus
There is no set syllabus for the CAT 2018 but analyzing last five-year question paper can give a fair idea of topics to be prepared. The table below offers important topics of quant section, Click for Data Interpretation and Verbal Syllabus
CAT Syllabus for Quants
Sub-Topics
Arithmetic
Number System, HCF, LCM, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification, Percentage, Average, Age Calculation, Time & Work, Distances
Algebra
Theory of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation & Combination, Sequence & Series
Geometry
Angles, Lines, Triangles, Circles
Mensuration
Areas and Volumes – Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes and Cistern
Calculus
Maxima and Minima, Function
Trigonometry
Trigonometric Ratios, Heights, and Distances
CAT Exam Day Instructions
To have a better understanding of do’s and don’ts at CAT Exam Day, you may refer to the below video:
Cut Off for CAT 2017
IIM admission closes at a very high percentile. The following table elucidates the probable score and expected percentile of CAT exam-
Overall Attempt
VA & RC
DI & LR
QA
Probable Score
Expected Percentile
72+
26-28
16-22
24-28
170+
99.5+
67-72
22-26
14-18
22-26
155+
99+
60-67
18-24
12-16
18-22
136+
97+
52-60
16-20
10-14
16-20
125+
95+
44-52
14-18
9-12
13-16
100+
90+
38-44
12-16
6-10
12-15
80+
80+
The following table represents a list of institutes based on CAT Cut off where we have classified IIMs and B-schools on the basis of the level of cutoffs from earlier years’ trends-
Rating
Level (Approx. CAT cut-off Percentiles for General)
Don’t seek to fund your MBA with an education loan, Get MBA admission via CAT can also rescue you from ever rising MBA fees. Scholarships for MBA studies are categorized in Merit Based Scholarship and Obligatory Based Scholarship.
Merit-Based Scholarship Amity Business School Scholarship- a) 100% Fees Waiver for aspirants having 93% in 10th, Above 80% in 12th and Above 80% in Graduation. b) 5% Seat for 25% Aspirants Securing more than 85 Percentile in CAT c) BIMTECH, 85% Percentile in CAT Scorecard d) IIM Ahmedabad Scholarship worth One Lac on merit basis (selected after interview) Obligatory Based Scholarships a) IIM Ahmedabad Obligatory Based Scholarship for the aspirant having family income less than 200000 b) GOI Merit Cum Means Scholarship for First Year and Second year top 10% rankers
CAT 2018 FAQs
Ques. When is CAT 2018 scheduled to take place?
Ans. IIM Lucknow will organize CAT 2018 on November 26. The exam will take place in the online method. Almost 2 lac aspirants are expected to sit for the exam.
Ques. Is there an option to write CAT in the offline method?
Ans. No, as per the directives allotted by the authorities, CAT 2018 exam is organized in online method only. However, CAT was organized in offline method till 2009.
Ques. How many seats are expected to be filled via CAT 2018 in the top IIMs?
Ans. As per the new ordinance passed in 2016, there are 4300 seats that were filled in the academic year 2016-17.There is no increase in the number of seats this year, so it is expected to remain the same.
Ques. How many registrations are received for CAT 2018?
Ans. There are approximately 2.3 lac students who have registered for CAT 2018.
Ques. Is there any reservation of seats for female aspirants in IIMs like we have in GATE?
Ans. No, there is no reservation policy defined for female category aspirants. Although it was proposed in 2015, no further report on the same came out.
Ques. Can you give details of seat matrix for IIMs in the country for the year 2018?
Ans. The seat matrix for IIMs via CAT 2018 is given below:
IIM name
GN
OBC
SC
ST
Total seats
IIM Ahmedabad
194
104
58
29
385
IIM Bangalore
193
103
57
29
382
IIM Calcutta
233
125
69
35
462
IIM Lucknow
211
113
63
32
419
IIM Indore
226
122
68
34
450
IIM Kozhikode
189
102
56
28
375
IIM Shillong
60
32
18
10
120
IIM Ranchi
60
32
18
10
120
IIM Rohtak
60
32
18
10
120
IIM Raipur
60
32
18
10
120
IIM Trichy
52
28
15
7
102
IIM Udaipur
60
32
18
10
120
IIM Kashipur
46
25
14
5
90
IIM Nagpur
28
16
9
5
60
IIM Vishakhapatnam
60
IIM Sambalpur
60
IIM Sirmaur
60
IIM Jammu
-
Total
1644
882
490
249
3625
Ques. When is the form accurateion window for CAT 2018 application form?
Ans. You can edit the information offered in your CAT 2018 application form between September 27- September 30 only. This option can be practiced on CAT 2018 Official Website.
Ques. How many institutes in total are considering CAT Scores this year?
Ans. This year there are around 100 colleges and 20 IIMs are considering CAT score for their admission procedure.
Ques. Do I have to fill the application form separately for each CAT College?
Ans. YES, apart from 20 IIMs, you obligatory to fill the application form separately for each of the participating institutes. You obligatory to fill the application forms for all the institutes in which you wish to apply on the basis of the CAT 2018 result.
Ques. If I do not complete the at least CAT 2018 Cutoff, will I still be applicable for admission?
Ans. You obligatory to complete the at least cut off for further admission procedure. If you fail on this step, you cannot get admission in any of the IIMs. However, some private college might invite you depending upon their admission rules.
Ques. When will I receive my CAT 2018 hall ticket?
Ans. It can be last downloaded until November 26. Authorities are not sending CAT hall ticket 2018 manually, so best to download online via the official website in the time slot defined.
Ques. In case I misplace my hall ticket at the exam center, can I download the CAT hall ticket at the exam center?
Ans. Yes, you must contact the authorities at the exam center and report the incident to them. They will help you with downloading the duplicate hall ticket.
Ques. What stationery items can I carry on the day of CAT exam?
Ans. Aspirants DO NOT have to carry any stationery items. You will be given a pen and paper at the exam center itself, which have to be returned before you leave the exam hall.
Ques. Is there any traveling allowance allotted to the aspirants of reserved categories for CAT 2018 exam?
Ans. NO TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE is allotted to aspirants, whether from reserved or non- reserved categories.
Ques. What is the last time to enter CAT exam center on the exam day?
Ans. Students in the morning shift will not be allowed to enter the exam center premises after 8.45 am, and for evening shift the deadline time is 2:15 pm.
Ques. Can you give me a list of items that are banned to be carried at the CAT 2018 exam center?
Ans. Students are not allowed to carry the following items at the exam center:
Mobile Phones
Calculator
Watches
Pen, pencil
Electronic Gadgets
Stationary
Books/ chits/ sheets/ clips
Ques. Is it true that students are not allowed to take bio- breaks during CAT exam hours?
Ans. Yes, it is funny but an important point allotted by the authorities that no- bio breaks are allowed during the exam time.
Ques. What support are PwD aspirants getting while writing the CAT 2018 exam?
Ans. You will get the following privileges while writing CAT Exam:
Scribe/ reader- aspirants suffering from the visual impairment or cerebral palsy are allowed to bring a scribe as an assistant, who has filled or submitted affidavits which ensure scribe’s authenticity.
Other allowed devices- an abacus without a calculator is allowed to aspirants suffering from the visual impairment or hearing impairment.
Ques. What items are to be carried on the day of CAT 2018 exam?
Ans. An aspirant obligatory to carry CAT 2018 hall ticket, along with a valid photo ID proof.
Ques. Can you give a list of items that can work as valid photo Id proof?
Ans. The following documents are accepted as the photo Id proof:
College ID
Driving License
Employer ID
Identification Affidavit
Passport
Voter ID
PAN Card
Aadhaar Card
Ques. What fields can be accurately in CAT application form 2018?
Ans. CAT authorities are allowing only the following fields to be edited from this year onwards:
Programs selected
Work experience
Percentage of marks scored
Rest, cannot be edited within the form accurate window. So best to preview the application form before hitting the final submit button.
Ques. What steps to follow to edit details in my CAT application form 2018?
Ans. Following steps have been defined by the authorities to edit the application form:
Open the official CAT website 2018.
Click on the “existing user” tab.
Log in to the portal with the username and password.
Check the date supplied in the fields.
Edit the information that obligatory to be accurate.
Click on “save “and continue once the whole form has been edited.
Ques. Are transgender aspirants allowed to write the CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, since 2015, transgender aspirants are allowed to write CAT exam. All the rules ply on them as is.
Ques. What is the at least academic eligibility criteria for writing CAT 2018?
Ans. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute is mandatory and compulsory for writing the CAT 2018 exam, this must meet the at least percentage requirement of 55% in the qualifying examination.
Ques. What information do I obligatory to keep handy before filling the CAT application form?
Ans. The following information must be kept handy before CAT Registration:
Aspirant’s name
Aspirant’s DOB
A valid email address
Educational history
Mark sheet of the earlier qualifying examinations
Additional certificates to be uploaded
Scanned images of the passport size photo
List of IIMs in the order of application
Ques. What details are asked in CAT Application Form?
Ans. You will find the following fields in the form:
Individual details
Academic details
Work experience
Programmes
Payment of application fee
Ques. I have worked as a part time employee with a management firm. Will my experience be counted during CAT Registration?
Ans. No, your experience will not be counted, ONLY FULL TIME JOB EXPERIENCE AFTER COMPLETING GRADUATION is considered as WORK EXPERIENCE.
Ques. What are the dimensions of the photograph to be uploaded with the CAT application form?
Ans. Only a scanned copy of the photograph and signature is accepted if it meets the following criteria:
Document
Size
Pattern
Pass port size photograph
upto 80KB
30mmX 45mm .jpg or .jpeg. at least resolution of 150 px/ inch.
Signature
upto 80 Kb
80mmx 35mm, .jpg or .jpeg. at least resolution of 150 px/ inch.
Ques. Can CAT application fee be paid in the offline method by bank challan?
Ans. NO, application fee has to be paid in the online method only, by the help of credit/debit card or internet banking. No other method of payment even in the online method is accepted.
Ques. What documents do I have to upload with my CAT application form?
Ans. An aspirant has to upload compulsorily following the set of documents with their CAT 2018 application form:
A recent scanned photograph
Scanned image of the signature
SC/ST/OBC certificate must be signed by competent bodies and must be self-attested, and then scanned and uploaded.
PWD/DA certificate must be signed by authorities and self attested thereof, thus scanned and uploaded.
Ques. Do I have to send a hard copy of the clearly filled CAT application form to the authorities?
Ans. No, you do not have to send any copy of the application form, however you must keep one print out for yourself willing.
Ques. Can the details in the application form be edited after paying the CAT application fee?
Ans. No, only the information can be edited before the payment of application fee. Some fields can be edited after the payment of application fee but some will be frozen so cannot be altered. The system thus offers you the freedom to log in multiple times and fill the details before hitting the final submit button.
Ques. How to contact CAT helpdesk in case of some emergency?
Ans. You can contact the authorities in the following modes:
Toll free number: 1-800-266-3549
Email ID: cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in.
Ques. What is the at least age requirement for appearing for the CAT 2018 exam?
Ans. There is no at least age bar defined for writing CAT entrance exam.
Ques. Are students in the final year of examination applicable to apply for Common Admission Test?
Ans. Yes, students can apply but their admission on the basis of their CAT result will be provisional un till they produce their final year graduation marksheet.
Ques. Is graduation degree from an Open University or correspondence recognized and accepted for CAT eligibility criteria?
Ans. It will be accepted only if it falls in one of the following categories:
In case the equivalent qualification possessed by the aspirant is not covered in those mentioned above, then he/she will have to get an equivalence certificate from Association of Indian Universities New Delhi
Any Qualification recognized by Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree honored by UGC recognized University/Institutions will be regarded as “Equivalent Qualification”.
Ques. How many non- MCQ type questions can I expect in my CAT 2018 question paper?
Ans.The following table will help you with the details of the MCQ and non- MCQ questions distribution:
Section
QA
DI & LR
QA
Number of questions
34
32
34
MCQs
24
24
27
Non- MCQ
10
8
7
Ques. Can you give me the exam format of CAT 2018 in brief?
Ans. Read below the highlights:
Aspirants have to finish the exam in 3 hours or 180 minutes.
There are total 100 questions divided among the three sections.
TITA question must be attempted cautiously.
Aspirants cannot switch between sections.
Question paper is printed in English only.
CAT is a computer based test or exam.
Ques. Is there a marking scheme for non-MCQ questions in CAT 2018 exam?
Ans. There is no marking scheme defined for non-MCQ/ TITA questions, but the marks honored if you type the response accurately will add to your percentile.
Ques. What is the marking scheme defined for MCQ type questions in CAT?
Ans. As per the marking scheme, 3 marks are honored for every accurate response and 1 mark is deducted for every wrong response.
Ques. Can you list some important topics for preparing the QA section in CAT?
Ans. Yes, you must prepare the following important topics for QA:
Number system
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Permutation and combination
Set theory, trigonometry, and logarithms
Ques. Can you list the topics to prepare for the Verbal and Reading comprehension section?
Ans. On the basis of the earlier years analysis following topics must be prepared as part of CAT VRC syllabus:
Word Usage (Vocabulary)
Grammar
Fill in the blanks
Fact Inference Judgment
Para Jumble
Verbal Reasoning
Para Completion
Sentence Correction
Ques. How can I check my CAT result online?
Ans. A simple 4 step procedure to check the CAT result online is as follows:
Open the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
Look for the link that reads “CAT 2018 result”.
Click on the link and offer the details of the username and password.
Click on submit button and your CAT score card 2018 is displayed on the screen.
Ques. Can you give the details of interview cut off percentile for the year 2016?
Ans.The cutoff percentile for the year 2016 is as follows:
