The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) every year to select eligible candidates for admission into their various postgraduate programs. It is one of the most popular and competitive exams in India and is seen as a gateway to the prestigious IIMs. To help aspiring CAT aspirants prepare better for the exam, many mock tests are available online. These mock tests are a simulation of the actual exam and provide a good idea of what to expect on the actual day. Mock tests are a great way to get familiar with the question pattern and structure of the CAT exam.
They also help in assessing a candidate’s performance, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and understanding the topics that need more attention. Most mock tests include questions from all the sections of the CAT exam, including Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning. These tests are designed in such a way that they can be attempted within the stipulated time limit of the actual exam.
The mock tests also provide feedback on the answers to individual questions, which can help candidates understand their mistakes and make corrections accordingly. Additionally, many mock tests also provide detailed analytics such as time taken to solve each question, accuracy, comparison with other candidates, and more.
This helps candidates identify their areas of improvement, so they can focus on those topics and improve their performance. Overall, taking a mock test is an important part of the CAT preparation process. It helps the candidate assess their preparation, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and familiarize themselves with the question pattern and structure of the exam.
How to Prepare Common Admission Test (CAT) Online Exam
1. Familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the CAT: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an online multiple-choice exam administered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. Familiarizing yourself with the exam structure will help you better prepare for the test.
2. Start studying early: The CAT is a competitive exam and preparation should start well in advance. Begin studying as early as possible to give yourself enough time to cover all the topics and practice various question types.
3. Create a study plan: Once you know the exam format and have a good understanding of the topics, create a study plan. This should include when and how to study, practice tests to take, and any other resources you may need.
4. Use the right resources: There are many resources available to help you prepare for the CAT exam. Online study materials, books, and practice tests are all great resources that can help you prepare for the exam.
5. Take practice tests: Taking practice tests is an important part of preparing for the CAT. They will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and practice question types. There are many online resources that offer practice tests.
6. Manage your time: Time management is an important skill to have when taking the CAT exam. Make sure to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to answer each question. Use a timer to track your progress and make sure you have enough time to review your answers before submitting the exam.
Common Admission Test (CAT) Online Exam Pattern
The CAT Online Exam Pattern consists of three sections:
1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section consists of multiple-choice questions and contains 34 questions.
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of 32 questions and also consists of multiple-choice questions.
3. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section consists of 34 questions which are also multiple-choice questions.
The total number of questions in the exam is 100 questions and the time limit is 180 minutes. The exam is divided into two sections: the first section contains 60 questions and the second section contains the remaining 40 questions. All the questions carry equal marks. There is negative marking in the exam, for every incorrect answer 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question is deducted.
Common Admission Test (CAT) Selection Process
1. Registration: The first step in the CAT selection process is to register online. Candidates can register themselves through the official website of CAT, iimcat.ac.in.
2. Application Submission: After the registration, candidates need to fill in the online application form and submit it with all the required documents.
3. Admit Card: After the application submission, candidates need to download the admit card from the official website of CAT. The admit card will be issued around one week before the exam.
4. Exam: Candidates need to appear for the exam at the designated centre. The exam will be a computer-based test, conducted in multiple-choice questions format.
5. Result: After the exam, candidates will be able to check their results from the official website of CAT.
6. Selection Procedure: After the release of the result, the institutes will conduct their own selection process for admission. The selection process includes several rounds such as Group Discussions, Written Ability Test, and Personal Interview.
7. Final Selection: After all the rounds, the final selection will be done on the basis of the candidates’ overall performance.
Common Admission Test (CAT) Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for appearing in the Common Admission Test (CAT) is as follows:
• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PWD)/Differently Abled (DA) category).
• Final year students of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent are also eligible to apply, provided they should complete their degree requirements before the date of commencement of admission process.
• Candidates with a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) are also eligible to apply.