It’s that time of the year again, when examinations are being held and students are reading up in earnest about all the procedures they have to undergo to secure that seat in their university of choice. We bring you all the information you need to know about the revised Common Admission Test (CAT) for the year 2015
CAT 2015 – CAT or the Common Admission Test is the most competitive MBA entrance exam of India taken by around 2 lakh candidates each year. Conducted this time by Indian Institutes of Management, Ahmedabad, it is the most popular entrance exam to secure a seat in several B-schools across India. As per CAT 2015 Convenor Prof. Tathagata Bandyopadhyay, the CAT 2015 registration and number of test takers are expected to increase owing to the increase in number of IIMs 19.
CAT 2014 had witnessed a marginal increase in numbers. This was, however, in contrast to the trend where CAT registrations were dipping consistently barring a few occasions. The number of CAT 2013 registration had already dipped to a record low with only 1.95 lakh candidates filling application for the exam in 2013 as compared to 2.14 lakh applicants in 2012.
Despite the registration number growing in 2014, the number of applicants appearing in the exam touched a new low with over 28,000 applicants skipping the prestigious exam. The exam will be conducted in one day two sessions (forenoon and afternoon) on Sunday, November 29. The candidates will be able to download the admit card from October 15, 2015 from 1 pm till exam day, and the results will be announced in the second week of January, 2016.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates requires minimum 50% aggregate mark in graduation in any course from a recognized institute. The candidates from special categories such as SC, ST, OBC and DA need an average of 45% marks. Graduation students in their final year can also apply if they can submit the graduation final marks to the institutes within the requisite schedule.
Application Procedure
The application process for CAT, with effect from last year, has become online. Candidates have to register at the official CAT 2015 website and login through the given details. The CAT 2015 application fee to be paid is Rs.1600 (General and NC-OBC candidates) and Rs. 800 (SC/ST/PWD/ DA) candidates.
At the time of registration, the candidates have to select any four Test Cities as per their preference from the drop down menu. Candidates will be allotted one among the 4 preferred Cities in any 1 of the 2 sessions after the last date of registration.
Exam Pattern
The total duration of the exam will be 180 minutes with exact 60 minutes to answer each section. The total number of questions will be 100, which will be divided into three sections. The three sections will be, Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC), respectively. Candidates will not be allowed to switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section.
One of the major changes that was incorporated in CAT this year is that candidates will be allowed to use basic on-screen calculator for calculation. The tutorial, explaining the CAT 2015 Exam Pattern will be launched on October 15, 2015, for the candidates to have a better understanding of the changed pattern, and the procedures to be followed at the time of CAT 2015 exam.
The Selection Process
The candidates are first shortlisted by IIMs and other participating B-schools on the basis of CAT cut off scores, followed by Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT)/GD. The B-schools conduct separate selection process, apart from the 6 new IIMs. Since last 3 years, the 6 new IIMs- Kashipur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Trichy and Udaipur are conducting Common Admission Process (CAP) for the final admission through WAT and PI. However, the final admission offers are made on the basis of the institute specific admission criteria.
Here’s wishing all the candidates preparing for the CAT 2015 all the very best, hoping you succeed and come out with flying colours. May the odds be ever in your favour!
The registration fee is Rs.1600/- for the general and NCOBC candidates and Rs.800/- for the SC/SC/Person with Disability. The official website is www.iimcat.ac.in
As per the government rule of India, 15% seats will be reserved for the SC, 7.5% for the ST candidates, 27% seats will be reserved for the OBC under Non-Creamy Layer candidates and 3% seats will be reserved for the persons with disabilities.
The duration of the single paper CAT 2016 exam will be of 2 hours and 50 minutes. The paper will comprise in 100 question basis on the quantitative ability & data interpretation and verbal ability and logical reasoning. The examination will be held online only. Each correct answer will be rewarded with 3 marks, each incorrect answer will be punished with 1 mark deduction and no mark will be provided to questions that are not answered.
Volume 5 Issue 4
