CAT 2023: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has released the results for CAT 2023 on December 21, 2023. Candidates can access the CAT 2023 results on the official CAT website - iimcat.ac.in. Admission to top B-schools for MBA programs will be determined based on the CAT 2023 cut-offs. For more information on CAT Exam 2023, including cut-offs, result date, etc., refer to this article

This story covers various aspects of CAT Exam 2023, including its purpose, overview, answer key, score vs percentile, results, cut-off, selection process, admit card, exam date, mock test, exam pattern, analysis, syllabus, question paper, preparation, toppers’ tips and strategies, eligibility criteria, application form, and registration process.

CAT Exam Is For What Purpose?

Out of 3.28 lakh candidates, approximately 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT exam 2023.

Registered eligible candidates. The overall attendance was approximately 88%. Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for admission to 21 IIMs and over 1000 top MBA colleges across India. The CAT exam is conducted for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. Around 2.55 lakh MBA aspirants take the test every year in online mode.

CAT Exam 2023 - Overview

According to CAT analysis, candidates found the paper moderately difficult. The CAT Quant section was manageable, and candidates were able to solve 14-15 questions from it. The LRDI section was moderately difficult, and the VARC section was quite lengthy. CAT 2023 exam is a business aptitude test and the CAT syllabus comprises three subjects: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Based on past year trends, the difficulty level of the CAT exam is moderate to high.

This year, the CAT score will also be accepted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) for admission into MBA International Business and MBA Business Analytics courses. CAT exam scorecard is also accepted by about 1200 top B-schools in India for admission to management programs. Top non-IIM MBA colleges accepting CAT 2023 are MDI Gurugram, SPJIMR, IMT, FMS, IM, IITs, GIM, GLIM, LIBA, NITIE, MICA, IRMA, etc.

CAT 2023 Answer Key

IIM released the CAT 2023 answer key on December 8, 2023. To download the CAT exam 2023 answer key, candidates need to visit the CAT official website of CAT - iimcat.ac.in and log in with their CAT 2023 ID and password. Candidates who appeared in CAT 2023 can check their answers and calculate the CAT exam percentile with the help of the CAT exam answer key.

CAT Score vs Percentile

Candidates who have appeared in the CAT 2023 entrance exam can use the CAT score vs percentile tool to estimate their percentile. This will help them determine their chances of getting admission to an MBA program. If a candidate scores 95+ percentile in CAT, there is a high chance of receiving a call from IIMs.

Here is the expected score vs percentile for CAT 2023:

CAT result 2023 has been released and candidates can now download their CAT scorecard from the official IIM CAT website. To download the scorecard, candidates need to click on the link provided for IIM CAT result 2023 and enter their login credentials (CAT ID and password). The CAT 2023 scorecard will be valid until 2024.

CAT Exam 2023 Cutoff

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will release the CAT 2023 cutoff separately for the academic year 2024-26. The CAT accepting colleges will announce the CAT 2023 cutoff in January 2024 after the declaration of the CAT result 2023. The CAT cutoff for IIMs is generally between 95-100 percentile for all categories. Below is the qualifying table of CAT cutoff percentiles for 20 IIMs:

CAT 2023 selection process

Candidates who clear the CAT and meet the cutoff will be invited for the CAT exam selection process. Each IIM and MBA college may have different admission processes, which may include shortlisting candidates based on CAT 2023 score, WAT, GD/PI. Please refer to the detailed selection process below.

• Written Ability Test (WAT)
• Group Discussion (GD)
• Personal Interviews (PI)

CAT scores are accepted by all CAT participating institutes, including both IIMs and non-IIMs. Some of the non-IIM institutes accepting CAT scores include 6 IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, JNU, IMT Ghaziabad, IPU, MDI Gurgaon, and SPJIMR Mumbai.

CAT 2023 Admit Card

The CAT 2023 admit card is a crucial document that candidates need to bring on the MBA CAT exam 2023 date. Those who have applied can download the CAT admit card online through the CAT login on the official CAT website. The CAT admit card 2023 was released on November 7 at 4 PM.

Here are some important points for candidates to know about the admit card:

• Only registered candidates can download the CAT 2023 admit card.
• Candidates can access and download their CAT 2023 admit card on the official IIM CAT 2023 website, iimcat.ac.in, by logging in with their CAT ID and password.
• The admit card contains details such as the test center, date, and other important information about the CAT 2023 exam.
• It is mandatory for candidates to carry the CAT 2023 admit card on the day of the examination.

CAT 2023 Exam Date

Candidates who wish to appear for the CAT exam 2023 are advised to check the important dates, including the CAT 23 exam date, registration date, admit card release date, and result date. IIM Lucknow has released the CAT official notification. Here are the CAT exam dates:

CAT 2023 Exam Overview

Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2023 should be aware of the following important information about the entrance exam:

• The CAT exam duration is 2 hours.
• The exam consists of three sections: DILR, VARC, and QA.
• Each section has a limited sectional time.
• There is negative marking for wrong answers. * The CAT exam for the year 2023 was conducted in three sessions across 167 cities.
• The duration of the CAT exam is 2 hours.
• Professor Sanjeet Singh from IIM Lucknow served as the convener for the CAT 2023 exam.
• The admit cards for CAT 2023 were released on November 7, 2023, which was a Tuesday.
• The CAT 2023 exam took place on November 26, 2023, which was a Sunday.
• The official answer key for CAT 2023 was released on December 5, 2023.
• Approximately 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT exam this year.

CAT Exam Details

• CAT Full Form: Common Admission Test (CAT)
• Conducting Body for CAT 2023 Exam: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow
• Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2023 Exam: Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
• Mode of Filling CAT 2023 Application Form: Online
• CAT 2023 Exam Marking Scheme: Negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer
• Application Form Fees for CAT Exam 2023:
  • INR 2,400 for the General category
  • INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD

CAT 2023 Exam Pattern

The CAT exam pattern 2023 is the same as last year and will consist of three sections - VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section will have 40 minutes. The paper will have both MCQ and SAQ (also called TITA). Most of the questions are MCQ-based. However, there are some short answer questions called TITA.

CAT Exam Time 2023:

The CAT exam is divided into sections, and each section has a specific time limit. Once the time for a section is up, the screen automatically moves to the next section, and no changes can be made to the previously attempted sections. It is important for candidates to manage their time effectively and practice accordingly.

CAT 2023 Exam Sessions: Morning session (Slot 1): 8:30 am - 10:30 am Afternoon session (Slot 2): 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Evening session (Slot 3): 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CAT Exam Analysis

According to the CAT slot 1 and slot 2 aspirants, both slots of the CAT 2023 question paper were of moderate difficulty. The overall CAT 2023 analysis will be available on the exam day after the conclusion of all slots. On this page, we will provide slot-wise CAT 2023 exam analysis, which includes a detailed discussion of the difficulty level of all the CAT exam sections, test pattern, weightage of the topics, any changes in CAT, number of good attempts, and section-wise CAT cutoff.

CAT Exam 2023 Syllabus

Candidates should note that there is no officially released syllabus for CAT 2023. However, candidates can refer to the CAT syllabus 2023 based on previous CAT questions. Here are some of the important topics for CAT 2023 and the number of questions for each section - VARC, DILR, and QA.

CAT 2023 Exam Preparation

Common Admission Test, CAT, is a highly competitive MBA entrance test. With a large number of students appearing for the test, the competition for admission into top B-schools is intense. To prepare for CAT 2023, candidates should have a well-defined study strategy, assess their strengths and weaknesses, choose the mode of preparation, and focus on mock exams.

• Draw your own study strategy: Divide the CAT syllabus into sections and allocate time for each section.
• Assess your ability: Identify your strengths and weaknesses to prioritize your preparation.
• Choose the Mode of Preparation: Decide whether to self-prepare or join coaching classes, and use appropriate preparation materials.
• Focus on Mock Exams: Take mock tests to evaluate your preparation and identify areas for improvement.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home

The CAT exam is an entrance exam for admission to postgraduate management programs in India. It is possible to prepare for the CAT exam at home without joining a coaching institute. Here are five tips for preparing for the CAT exam at home:

• Tip 1: Effective time management is crucial for CAT exam preparation at home.

• Tip 2: It is important to use online resources, such as study materials and mock tests, to fully prepare for the CAT exam.

• Tip 3: Creating a study plan and sticking to a disciplined schedule can greatly assist in preparing for the CAT exam at home.

• Tip 4: Regularly practicing aptitude, logical reasoning, and data interpretation is crucial for success in the CAT exam.

• Tip 5: Self-assessment through analyzing performance in CAT 2023 mock tests and identifying strengths and weaknesses is essential for continuous improvement.

To effectively prepare for the CAT exam at home, it is important to manage time, utilize online resources, follow a study plan, practice key subjects, and self-assess through mock tests.

CAT Toppers Tips and Preparation Strategy

Most CAT toppers begin their exam preparation in April-May. However, even if you start preparing in July, you can still achieve a 99+ percentile score by following a focused plan. Check out the tips from CAT toppers below to learn how previous year’s toppers prepared for the exam.

CAT 2023 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for CAT 2023, candidates must have completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree from any stream from a UGC-recognized university.

The detailed eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PWD/DA category).
• Candidates who have completed CA/CS/ICWA and have achieved the required percentage are also eligible.
• Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree can apply for CAT 2023.

CAT Exam 2023 Application Form

The CAT 2023 application form was released online on August 2. Interested and eligible candidates can fill out the form until September 21, 2023. The application form can be filled out on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. The registration fee for CAT 2023 is INR 2,400 for the general category and INR 1,200 for the reserved category.

CAT 2023 Registration Process | How to Register for the CAT Exam

The CAT registration process for 2023 consists of three steps. Candidates must complete all steps to successfully apply. The registration window was open from August 2 to September 21. The stages of CAT 2023 registration are:

1. Creating CAT login credentials
2. Filling up academic details in the application for CAT 2023
3. Paying the CAT 2023 registration fee.