What is the selection procedure for the CAT?

Who can appear for the CAT?

Before setting your eyes on a renowned college, it is necessary to be aware of the eligibility criteria to appear for the entrance exam that takes you to that college. When it comes to the CAT, all you need is a Bachelor’s degree in any stream with an aggregate of 50% (45% for the reserved category) to be able to sit for the exam. But your college or university must be recognized by MHRD/AICTE (in case of engineering) or UGC (in case of any other degree). Now you can be a 23 years old, just out of your graduate college or a 45 years old wishing to explore, learn and open yourself to a brand new world of opportunities, the CAT does not discriminate because people of any age can appear for the exam. Also, the students in their final year of graduation can also sit for the exam.

The exam pattern

The pattern of the CAT is not constant but the sections are. You are judged on the basis of your knowledge of 3 sections- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability  The number of questions included in every section and the time allotted for each, are not fixed and therefore, vary every year. Like most entrance tests these days, it is also a computer based exam.

What happens after the CAT? And the selection process of an IIM

If you think that getting an impressive score in the CAT is sufficient to get you into an IIM, you are mistaken because clearing the CAT marks the beginning of the journey that follows. After the CAT, the qualified students appear for the Written Ability Test (WAP) which is followed by the Group Discussion (GD) and finally the Personal Interview.

As mentioned in the beginning, the selection procedure is not a child’s play and involves the rounds that test your knowledge, writing skills, your presentation skills, your communication skills, your awareness of what happens around you, the way you voice your opinions and your overall personality.

It is crucial that while preparing to get into an IIM, you work on the aspects that are given importance by these institutes, the parameters that you are judged on the basis of and the areas that are beyond academics but of great significance.

How to start the preparation?

Like any other exam, one must have a definite plan before beginning the preparation. You must include the three sections of the CAT, analyze your weaknesses, work on them and make efforts to improve your communication skills, vocabulary, grammar and overall personality along with the core subjects. Mock tests undeniably play an important role in analyzing one’s performance and growth.

The Common Admission Test being one of the most renowned entrance tests taking place in India, there is no dearth of coaching options to choose from, But one must choose the study material that brings them closer to their ambition and provides the mock tests that resemble the actual exam pattern. PrepLadder happens to be a reliable e-learning platform for enhancing one’s knowledge and preparing for the CAT. Also, the mock tests, performance analytics and the expert guidance help you bring out the best in you.

With lakhs of aspirants, multiple levels of selection and a moderate difficulty level of the exam, the road to getting into an IIM may seem full of challenges but once you reach there, your future becomes brighter and your career is shaped in an amazing way.

So aim high and work hard to turn your goals into a reality with the help of right guidance and dependable study material.