CAT Selection Process 2024
CAT Selection Process 2024 – The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based exam that students take to get into a graduate business program. This test has three parts: one for reading and understanding written material, one for working with data and logical thinking, and one for math skills. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) created this test, and they use it to choose students for their MBA and PGDM programs. Each year, one of the IIMs organizes the test on a rotating basis.
CAT Selection Process 2024 – Overview
The CAT 2024 notification will be released on 30-July-2024, by IIM on their official website, iimcat.ac.in. Registration began from August. The exam is for graduates and final-year students. CAT 2024 Admit cards will be available on 25-Oct-2024. IIM Calcutta is hosting the exam this year. For eligibility, fees, and more details, visit the official website.
| CAT Exam Particulars | CAT 2024 Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute for 2024 | IIM Calcutta (to be confirmed) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT 2024 Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
| CAT Exam Timings | Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AMSession 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PMSession 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| CAT Exam Fees | INR 2,400 (General category) and INR 1,200 (Reserved category) |
| Number of Test Takers | 3.30 lakh (in 2023) |
| CAT exam mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs |
| No. of test cities | 155 |
| CAT exam website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free) |
CAT Selection Process 2024
Each IIM’s website has its own way of explaining how they select candidates. They will consider your CAT score to decide who moves forward. The selection process includes Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI).
The CAT Selection Process at IIMs has three parts:
- Round 1: IIM Shortlist and CAT Results
- Round 2: Personal Interview (PI) – Candidates have to participate in a one-on-one interview.
- Round 3: Selection and Verification of Candidates
You should read the detailed information about these rounds before taking part in the CAT selection process for the upcoming exam.
Round 1: IIM Shortlist and CAT Results
First, the IIM CAT organization will announce the exam results. After that, each IIM will gradually reveal the dates for shortlisting and the process they will follow to do so. The IIMs will also announce their specific CAT cutoff scores for different categories.
The list of candidates who have made it to the next selection round will be posted on the respective IIMs’ websites. All the shortlisted candidates will receive interview invitations directly from the IIM they have applied to.
The invitation letter for the initial round of the CAT selection process will contain the following information:
- A link for registration.
- Note: The deadline for CAP registration (for nine IIMs) has already passed.
- Details about the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI), including dates, times, and locations.
Round 2: Personal Interview (PI)
Candidates have to participate in a one-on-one interview.
In the CAT Selection Process 2024, Round 2 involves Personal Interviews (PI), where candidates engage in one-on-one interviews. This crucial stage evaluates applicants beyond test scores, assessing their communication skills, personality, and suitability for management programs.
- Written Ability Test (WAT): After meeting the cutoff, the next step is the Written Ability Test (WAT). In this stage, candidates are asked to write essays or responses to given topics. Evaluators consider factors like general knowledge, writing skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly.
- Personal Interviews (PI): Following the WAT, candidates face Personal Interviews (PI). This is a one-on-one conversation between the candidate and an interviewer. During the PI, the panel assesses communication skills, general knowledge, past achievements, and the candidate’s overall personality.
- Group Discussions (GD): In some cases, Group Discussions (GD) are included as part of the selection process. Here, a group of candidates discusses a given topic or scenario, and their ability to engage in meaningful discussion, teamwork, and communication skills are evaluated.
- Evaluation Criteria: Throughout these stages, evaluators consider various aspects, including the candidate’s general knowledge, how well they communicate, their past performance in the selection rounds, and their mental alertness. All of these factors contribute to the final assessment of the candidate’s suitability for the IIM program.
These steps help IIMs select candidates who not only meet academic criteria but also possess the necessary skills and qualities to excel in their management programs.
Round 3: Selection and Verification of Candidates
Every candidate selected for a personal interview at an IIM must meet certain eligibility and verification requirements. During this stage, candidates are evaluated based on their academic achievements. The criteria used to assess candidates include factors like their educational performance.
| Parameters | Weightage |
| CAT Exam | 25 |
| WAT | 10 |
| PI | 30 |
| Class 10 & 12 | 15 |
| Graduation | 10 |
| Work Experience | 10 |
CAT Selection Process 2024 – Required Documents
In the selection process, which includes a personal interview, candidates need to provide both their original and verified copies of their educational documents. If they are selected, they will need to submit the original mark sheets for every semester along with the verified copies when they join the program.
Required Documents During PI
Certainly, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the documents needed for the IIM interview:
- Call Letter for IIM Interview: You should have the official invitation or call letter for the IIM interview. This document specifies the date, time, and location of your interview.
- CAT Scorecard: You need to provide your CAT scorecard, which shows your performance in the Common Admission Test.
- Class 10 and 12 Mark Sheets and Certificate: Include your mark sheets and certificates for your 10th and 12th-grade board exams. These documents establish your educational background.
- Graduation Mark Sheet and Certificate: Include your mark sheet and degree certificate from your undergraduate program. These confirm your completion of your bachelor’s degree.
- Reservation Category and PwD Certificate (If Applicable): If you belong to a reserved category (e.g., SC/ST/OBC) or have a disability, you must provide the relevant category certificate or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) certificate if applicable. This helps IIMs consider your eligibility for category-specific seats.
- Work Experience (If Applicable): If you have work experience, you may need to provide documents related to your employment, such as experience certificates or letters from your employers.
Having all these documents in order and ready to present during the IIM interview process is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient evaluation of your application.
CAT Selection Process 2024 – New IIMS CAP Round
The newer IIMs, like the ones in Raipur, Ranchi, Trichy, Udaipur, and Kashipur, will follow a common admissions process (CAP) for their counseling. They will create a list of selected candidates who will then participate in rounds of a common written ability test and personal interviews. Each of these IIMs will evaluate candidates based on their performance and compile a special merit list.
CAT Selection Process 2024 – Key Points
Certainly, here’s a detailed step-by-step explanation:
- Invitation to IIM CAP Round: Candidates who make it through the initial selection process will receive an invitation to participate in the IIM CAP round.
- WAT-PI Rounds by Respective IIMs: Each IIM participating in the CAP process will conduct its own rounds of Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
- Assessment of Candidate Performance: After the CAP process, these participating IIMs will evaluate each candidate’s performance. They consider factors like WAT and PI performance, CAT score, and the candidate’s overall profile.
- Compilation of Merit Lists: Based on their evaluations, each participating IIM will create its own merit list for admission purposes.
- Publication of Final List: The final list of selected candidates will be made available on the relevant IIM’s website. Only candidates with a CAT ID or institute login will be able to access this list.
This process ensures that each participating IIM maintains its own admission standards and selects candidates based on their individual criteria and performance.
CAT Selection Process 2024 – Non IIMS
Around 100 non-IIM institutes participate in the CAT exam for admissions. While they use the same Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion/Personal Interview (GD/PI), and CAT score for selection, they might not require all of these steps for final admission. Some schools, like IMT Ghaziabad and FMS Delhi, replace Group Discussions with activities or training sessions as part of their admission process.
CAT Selection Process 2024 – Frequently Asked Question
Q1: What happens after the CAT exam?
After the CAT results are out, the organizing IIM conducts a selection process consisting of three rounds. You can learn more about this process by reading the article.
Q2: When will the IIMs announce the list of shortlisted candidates?
All the IIMs will publish the list of shortlisted candidates on their official websites once the results are declared.
Q3: Is the selection process the same for all IIMs?
Yes, the selection process after CAT is consistent across all participating IIMs. However, the newer IIMs conduct a common CAP round after the results are announced.
