CAT : Official Notification, Registration, and Results Process
To appear for CAT, there are multiple stages and processes are involved, starting from the official notification to the result declaration. Even after the results are declared, there awaits a whole new journey of the interview and placement process. Below, a couple of important steps are explained in detail.
Official Notification
- The process begins with the release of the official notification by the conducting IIM, usually in July or August. This notification contains important details such as eligibility criteria, reservation details, CAT registration fee, important dates pertaining to CAT exam, and exam pattern.
- The official notification for CAT 2024 will be released in the last week of July 2024. This year the responsibility of administering CAT 2024 lies in the hands of one of the old Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). IIM Calcutta will (potentially) assume this responsibility for the year 2024.
- The registrations for CAT 2024 will begin in the first week of August and be closed by the first week of September. Its total number of questions is expected to be 66, as per the latest pattern and the previous year’s examination. While there have been frequent changes in the CAT exam pattern in recent years, it is expected to remain consistent this time around.
CAT 2024 : Important Highlights
| Important Events (CAT) | Info \ Dates (Tentative) |
| Official Notification | Last week of July [30 July 2024] |
| Application Begins | First Week of August 2024 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Registration Fees | Rs 2400 (General category) Rs 1200 (Reserved category) |
| Application Closes | Third Week of September 2024 |
| Application Correction | Last Week of September 2024 |
| Admit card | First Week of November 2024 |
| CAT Exam | 24th November 2024 |
| Answer Key Release | 1st Week of December 2024 |
| Result Declaration | Third Week of December 2024 |
| Conducting IIM | IIM Calcutta |
Registration
- Candidates need to register for CAT within the specified period mentioned in the notification. The registration process is done online through the official CAT website. During registration, candidates need to provide personal details, academic information, and upload necessary documents.
- Basic Requirements for CAT Registration –
- Academic details from class 10 onwards, including marks, percentage, year of passing, and scanned marksheet.
- A clear photograph taken within the last 6 months with a white background.
- Scanned signature.
- Academic certificates.
- PwD certificate (if applicable).
- EWS/Category Certificate (if applicable).
- Identification document.
- Steps to fill the Application Form –
- STEP 1 – Visit the official website https://iimcat.ac.in/ .
- STEP 2 –To begin, click on the ‘New registration’ link. Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID to register for the CAT entrance exam. This will generate your CAT User ID and Password. After completing the registration process, proceed to log in.
- STEP 3 – Fill in your personal details, educational qualifications, and other necessary information as in the online application form.
- STEP 4 – Select your preferred IIMs and management programs that you wish to apply for. You may have the option to choose multiple IIMs and programs.
- STEP 5 – Choose your preferred CAT exam cities from the available options. Typically, IIMs offer a preference selection of up to 5 cities where you can take the CAT exam.
- STEP 6 – Upload scanned copies of your photo, signature, identity proof, and any other required documents. Ensure that they adhere to the specified format and size mentioned in the instructions.
- STEP 7 – Double-check all the details you’ve entered in the application form to ensure accuracy and completeness before proceeding.
- STEP 8 – Proceed to pay the application fee using the available payment options on the website. Ensure that you complete the payment process successfully. The CAT exam fee is as follows:
- SC, ST, and PwD category candidates: Rs 1200
- All other candidates: Rs 2400
- STEP 9 – After making the payment and verifying all the details, submit the application form. Once submitted successfully, make sure to note down or save the registration number or roll number. This number will be useful for future reference and communication with the CAT authorities.
- Note – Please refer to the official CAT website for the most current application process and dates, as they may vary from year to year. Make sure to carefully read and follow all instructions provided on the website to avoid any mistakes during the application process.
- Correction Window –
- After the application window closes, CAT typically allows for corrections a week later. However, only certain details can be changed, as specified in the official notification. It’s crucial to review the guidelines carefully. Generally, details such as Name, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, Email ID, and State cannot be corrected in the CAT exam form.
Results Process
- The CAT 2024 result is expected to be declared in the third week of December. To download the scorecard, you’ll need to log in with your CAT user ID and password on https://iimcat.ac.in/.
- Important Points to Remember –
- Your CAT scores are valid for only 1 year, so the CAT 2024 result will be applicable for admission in the current academic session only.
- The result notification on the official website will also provide details of candidates who achieved 100 percentile, 99.99 percentile, and 99.98 percentile in the CAT exam.
- CAT releases the answer keys about a week after the exam date. These answer keys include candidate responses, the provisional answer key, and the question paper, accessible through the CAT login window.
- Candidates can use multiple percentile calculators available online to estimate their possible scores and percentiles, aiding them in preparing for further steps. However, it’s essential to note that these predictions may not always be reliable.
- CAT also provides an objection window, allowing candidates to raise objections against the provided answers by paying an objection fee of Rs.1500 per objection.. This fee is refunded if the objection is found to be valid.