The CAT exam (Common Admission Test) is the most sought after management exam in India. The exam is conducted on the last Sunday in the month of November every year. The CAT exam for this year is expected to be held on 27th November 2022 (tentative). The CAT exam is only held once a year, unlike other MBA exams, such as the MAT and CMAT, which are held multiple times a year. The scores are used as a prerequisite for admission to the IIMs and prestigious B-Schools. The CAT exam comprise of three sections, namely Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.

There are a total of 66 questions asked in these sections. These questions are based on diverse topics, and candidates need to have a comprehensive understanding of the CAT Syllabus before they start their CAT preparation. The CAT registration reached 2.30 lakh last year. The growing number of applicants each year reflects the intense competition and indicates that the CAT is one of India’s most challenging competitive exams. The registration process for the CAT exam begins on the first week of August after the IIMs releases the official notification of CAT 2022. Read through the entire article to know more about the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria for CAT Exam

Candidates must have received a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50%, 45% in the case of reserved categories. Candidates with backlogs during their graduate programme are also eligible to apply and register for CAT 2022. They must present a certificate from their Principal/Registrar declaring that they have appeared for the supplementary examination. The CAT exam is open to candidates who are finishing their bachelor’s degree or in their final year of a bachelor’s programme. Before you begin your CAT preparation, it is essential to review the eligibility criteria released by the CAT authorities.

Can the CAT Exam be cleared on the first attempt?

With focused preparation and consistent practice, the exam can be cleared in the first attempt. Scoring a percentile above 90 is very much essential to get into the IIMs and top B-Schools. Proper coaching and guidance from mentors are also major factors that affect your CAT preparation in a good way. 

As your preparation gradually intensifies, it is also essential to select the B-School of your choice and set a goal to get into it. There are a number of management institutions in and around Bangalore. If you’re looking for the best mba colleges in bangalore consider factors like rankings, programmes offered by the institute etc. Create a proper preparation strategy for your CAT journey, from the CBT exam to the GD/WAP and individual interview. The following expert tips will help you in your CAT exam preparation. 

• As a first step, decide on the most convenient mode of preparation for yourself. This could be self-study or enrolling in a reputed coaching institute. Both kinds of preparation have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. It is preferable to weigh the many possibilities and then select the best method.
• Plan out a weekly study plan as well as a detailed study strategy for the entire preparation process. You can prepare for the test in a calm manner without fear when the test is approaching.
• After a careful evaluation, select the best books for preparation. If you choose self-study, the books you choose are extremely important. Some of the best books for CAT preparation are:
  • How to Prepare for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for the CAT – by Arun Sharma.
  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT- by Arun Sharma
  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT- by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay.
  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT – by Nishit K Sinha
• Solve as many Mock Tests as you get your fundamentals strong. Attempt sectional tests and topic-wise tests as you finish each topic. Practice is the key to acing the CAT exam.
• Answering Previous years’ question papers will help you get acquainted with the exam pattern, and it will also give you an idea of the exam structure and changes in the question papers pattern over the years.