CAT exam eligibility criteria 2024 is graduation in any stream from a recognised university. Candidates with other professional qualifications can also appear for the CAT exam. Get all the information related to eligibility criteria of CAT 2024 exam below.
CAT eligibility criteria 2024- Common Admission Test or CAT is conducted for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes offered by IIMs and over 1,200 other B-schools in India. Since MBA is a post graduation programme, the basic CAT exam eligibility criteria is graduation, i.e. every CAT aspirant must have completed graduation or be in the final year of the degree course. The minimum marks criteria apply to both Reserved and Unreserved category students.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.The CAT 2024 exam eligibility criteria was announced with the official notification which released on July 28, 2024. CAT exam 2024 registrations began from August 1, 2024 and will go on until September 13, 2024. Candidates interested in appearing in CAT exam 2024 must know the eligibility criteria. We have shared in this article all about CAT eligibility criteria 2024, including:
Q: What is the CAT eligibility criteria?
Q: What is the IIM selection criteria through CAT?
IIM selection criteria for all the 21 campuses is same and includes selection of candidates through three stages. CAT score Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview (PI) Academic record, work experience Academic and gender diversity CAT exam score is the first parameter on which candidates are shortlisted for admission. In the first state of IIM admission, the institutes shortlist candidates for WAT, GD and PI on the basis of their CAT score and class 10, 12 and graduation marks. The cut offs for shortlisting of candidates is between 95-100 percentile (for SC/ST/PwD candidates the cut offs are lower). These shortlisted candidates have to then appear for What, GD and PI round. Those who clear this round are considered for final admission. For the final selection, every IIMs takes into consideration the following aspects: CAT score What, GD and PI performance Class 10 and 12 marks Graduation marks Work experience Academic diversity Gender diversity.
Q: What is the age limit to appear for CAT?
- Graduation Marks and Equivalent Degrees
- Difference between IIM and CAT Eligibility Criteria
- CAT Reservation Criteria
- FAQs Related to CAT Eligibility Criteria
Also read: CAT registration and application process 2024
CAT Exam Eligibility 2024 - Graduation Marks
The minimum qualification required to apply for CAT 2024 is graduation. Check below, the CAT exam eligibility criteria and minimum marks required for General and Reserved category students:
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| Academic Qualification for CAT | Affiliation Required | Pass Percentage Required |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Degree – BTech/ BE | Recognized by MHRD/AICTE * | 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC & 45% for SC, ST, PwD candidates |
| Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from any University | Recognized by UGC | 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC & 45% for SC, ST, PwD candidates |
| Students in their final year of Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are also eligible to take CAT exam | Continuing graduation from University Recognized by MHRD/AICTE or UGC | 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC & 45% for SC, ST, PwD candidates |
| (CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) |
Certification granting organisation | 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC & 45% for SC, ST, PwD candidates |
Those having post graduation degree have the option of mentioning or not mentioning their PG qualification in the CAT form 2024. However, mentioning PG qualification can be beneficial for students at the time of PI and admission shortlisting. Similarly, the option of mentioning professional degrees or additional degrees is also there in the CAT 2024 application form.
CAT Eligibility Criteria: General and NC-OBC Candidates
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a university or educational institution recognized by the Government of India
- Candidates must have scored minimum 50 per cent aggregate in graduation (or equivalent) in any stream
- Candidates must be in their final year of graduation or awaiting result
- Candidates must have professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA with minimum 50 per cent aggregate
CAT Eligibility Criteria for SC, ST and PwD Candidates
- Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories must have scored minimum 45 per cent aggregate in graduation (or equivalent) in any stream
- Candidates must be in their final year of graduation or awaiting result
- Candidates must have professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA with minimum 45 per cent aggregate are also eligible to apply
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024: Equivalent Degrees
- In case the marking scheme of any candidate’s bachelor’s degree is in grades or CGPA, percentage of marks would be calculated on the basis of practice as followed by the respective University/Institution.
- If any University/Institution confirms that they do not follow any scheme for converting CGPA into marks, the calculation will be done by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA, and multiplying the result with 100.
Who is Not Eligible to Apply for the CAT Exam 2024?
Given below are six situations under which a candidate is not eligible to apply for CAT exam 2024.
- If the candidate has not scored 50 per cent in graduation (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
- Candidates who don’t have either a bachelor’s degree or any equivalent degree like CA/CS/ICWA
- Candidates whose two years average in bachelor's degree does not make up 50 per cent (45 per cent or SC/ST/PwD candidates)
- Candidates who are not in the final year of their bachelor’s degree programme
- Candidates who are pursuing (not completed) professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA
- If the candidates' bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is not recognized by UGC/AICTE/MHRD-Govt
Difference between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria
The basic academic eligibility criteria of CAT and IIM are same. However, while to appear in CAT exam, one has to fulfill mainly academic criteria which is graduation, to be eligible for admission to the IIMs, one has to meet the CAT cut off percentile.
Q: I am in the final year of my Bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to take the CAT exam?
Q: What is the process to select CAT test city for exam centre allotment?
There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.
Q: Is CAT fee refundable?
CAT fee is non-refundable. Candidates must note that under no circumstances will the CAT fee be refunded to any candidate. The fee amount of INR 2400 (INR 1200 for Reserved category students) once paid cannot be claimed for refund.
However, if the money has been deducted from your account but the payment process is interrupted, the bank will refund the amount and credit it to your account.
Since, the CAT fee is non-refundable, candidates must make no mistakes in filling the form. There is no option to edit the CAT application form apart from a few fields like – photo, signature and test city. If you have entered a personal or academic information that is incorrect or invalid and submitted the form, you cannot edit it. You will have to fill a fresh form and pay the fees again.
Q: How much CAT score is required for IIM Amritsar?
Candidates seeking admission to the MBA programme must meet the minimum CAT percentile specified in the cutoff list released by IIM Amritsar. As per the IIM Amritsar cutoff list for admission to the MBA programme, the minimum percentile for overall and section-wise categories in CAT was 95 in the year 2023. So, if trends are to be trusted then the minimum percentile for overall as well as section-wise category in the CAT exam should be near 95. Hence, students are advised to prepare well for the CAT exam.
Also read: IIM Shortlist, Selection and Admission Criteria
CAT Reservation Criteria 2024
There is no reservation criteria for CAT exam apart from 5 per cent relaxation of marks in graduation for SC/ST/PwD candidates. However, the IIMs follows reservation criteria fixed by the Government of India. Take a look at the table below for percentage of seats reserved for SC, ST and NC-OBC candidates:
| Categories |
Percentage of Seats Reserved in IIMs and other MBA colleges |
|---|---|
| SC |
15% |
| ST |
7.5% |
| NC-OBC |
27% |
| PwD |
5% |
What is the meaning of Person with Benchmark Disability (PwD) in CAT?
Persons with benchmark disability means a person with not less than forty per cent of a specified disability as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. Given below are disabilities that fall under CAT’s PwD category:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.
- Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
- Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
- Other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016
FAQs on CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024
Q: Is there an age limit to appear in CAT exam?
A: There is no upper age limit to appear in CAT exam. Any individual can apply for CAT at any phase of their career. Candidates need to have only bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD) candidates. It means the the CAT aspirant must be of at least 20 years of age at the time of appearing for the exam.
Q: I have completed my bachelor’s degree, but have a backlog. Can I apply for CAT 2024?
A: Yes, you are eligible to apply for CAT provided your aggregate is 50 per cent in the first and second year of bachelor's degree programme. The aggregate marks are to be filled in the CAT 2024 application form and only those forms will be accepted that meet the minimum academic requirement fixed by the examination authorities.
Q: I have not completed graduation but I am pursuing CA. Am I eligible to apply for CAT 2024?
A: No, you are not eligible to apply for CAT exam until you complete your CA course and clear ICAI CA exams. In case of absence of graduation degree, candidates are required to complete the professional degree before applying. The minimum score for applying for CAT on the basis of professional degree course in 50 per cent ( 45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
Q: What is the CAT eligibility criteria for the scribe for PwD candidates?
A: There is no specific eligibility criteria for the scribe to be used in CAT exam. However, they need to be less qualified than the candidate in terms of academics. The candidate needs to submit a scribe affidavit confirming the appearance of a scribe for a particular candidate. The scribe too has to sign an affidavit that needs to be submitted before the CAT exam.
Q: I am a student belonging to Reserved category? What are the documents required to be submitted with CAT form?
A: You must upload the Caste Certificate issued by the Government of India at the time of filling CAT 2024 application form. The certificate must clearly mention the following:
- Name of the caste/tribe
- Whether the candidate belongs to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe
- District and the State or Union Territory of candidate’s ordinary residence
- The appropriate category under which candidate’s caste/tribe is approved by it as Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
Q: I am in my final year of graduation and my aggregate of first and second year is less than 50 per cent. Can I apply for CAT 2024?
A: Yes, you can apply for CAT 2024, but you will have to ensure you score as much in the final year so that the overall aggregate in graduation is at least 50 per cent. So, your performance in the final year of graduation will be crucial and play a decisive role in your selection to an MBA college.
Q: When will CAT registration 2024 begin?
A: CAT 2024 registration cum application process started from August 1, 2024. The process will go on September 13, 2024. The official CAT 2024 notification wase released on July 28, 2024 announcing the exam and registration dates. The CAT application form 2024 is available on the official website and will has to be filled in online mode only. The CAT application fee is INR 2500 (INR 1250 for Reserved category students).
Q: Is CAT eligibility criteria and MBA eligibility criteria different?
A: No, CAT eligibility criteria and MBA eligibility criteria are same i.e. graduation. However, the minimum marks criteria may vary from institute to institute. Also, in case of stream specific MBA courses such as MBA in Pharma or MBA in Agri-Management etc., the requirement is graduation in specific subject.
Q: What is the CAT application fee?
A: CAT application fee is INR 2,400 for General/OBC category candidates and INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. The fees is to be paid in online mode via debit/credit card, netbanking or mobile wallet. The fee is to be paid during application form submission. The process will be completed only after the submission of fees.
Q: I have a Bachelor's degree in Arts degree. Am I eligible for CAT exam?
A: Yes, you are eligible. Candidates with bachelor's degree in any subject is eligible for CAT exam. However, the degree must be from a UGU recognised university and the candidate must mee the minimum aggregate score criteria for CAT, which is 50 per cent for General category and 45 per cent for SC/ST category students.
Q: Can I appear for CAT exam multiple times?
A: CAT is an annual exam, thus one can appear for it only once in the same academic year. However, one can appear for it any number of times over several years. There is no cap on number of appearance. There is no age limit either. Many candidates appear for the CAT two-three times to achieve their desired percentile.
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