CAT 2024
The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted on November 24, 2024. This exam is an important step in facilitating admission to 21 IIMs and other MBA colleges in India. One of the top IIMs, like IIM Calcutta, will administer and conduct the exam providing the entrance for post graduates programmes (PGPs) for the academic session 2025-26. Know the factors involved in IIM Calcutta selection criteria. IIM Calcutta has revamped its MBA admission policy for 2025-27, making the Personal Interview the most critical component, carrying a 48% weightage in the final selection.
Calculate Your Expected CAT Exam Percentile:
Minimum Academic Eligibility for Admission to MBA Programme
A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, 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) categories], awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions.
Who can apply?
Check below the list of all the candidates who are eligible to apply for the CAT 2024 exam.
- Integrated Masters/Dual Degree Holders: UG equivalent marks or PG marks considered.
- Final Year Bachelor's Students: Provisional admission allowed with completion certification by June 30, 2025.
- Graduates (2020-2023): Eligible if exams weren't held and pass certification provided.
- Ongoing Integrated Programs: Marks until August 3, 2024, considered.
- Pending Results: Must submit original certificates by December 31, 2025.
- Verification: Fulfilling criteria doesn't guarantee selection; eligibility is verified at all stages.
Quick Reads:
Criteria for short listing and final selection in IIM Calcutta
Candidates are advised to check the shortlisting criteria and final selection stages for IIM described and explained below.
Also See: CAT Pass Percentage: Minimum Marks Required
Stage I: Minimum CAT percentile cut-offs to be considered for PI and WAT
Candidates with minimum section-wise and overall CAT 2024 percentiles (as per the table) and non-negative raw scores in all sections will advance to Stage II.
CATEGORY | SECTION - I Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension(VARC) | SECTION - II Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | SECTION - III Quantitative Ability (QA) | Overall Percentile |
OPEN | >=80 | >=80 | >=75 | >=85 |
EWS | >=70 | >=65 | >=65 | >=75 |
NC-OBC | >=70 | >=65 | >=65 | >=75 |
SC | >=65 | >=60 | >=60 | >=70 |
ST | >=55 | >=55 | >=55 | >=65 |
PwD | >=45 | >=45 | >=45 | >=55 |
Stage II: Shortlisting for PI and WAT
Shortlisted Stage-I candidates will be invited for Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT) based on composite scores calculated using parameters and weights outlined below:
Read More on CAT preparation tips for WAT, GD-PI
Parameters | Weight | Method of calculation |
CAT 2024 Score | 56 | (A/B)x56 |
Class 10 marks | 10 | As per Table 3 below |
Class 12 marks | 15 | As per Table 3 below |
Gender Diversity Factor | 4 | 4 points will be awarded for female and transgender candidates only. |
Total | 85 | |
A = Candidate’s CAT 2024 total overall scaled score & B = Maximum possible CAT 2024 total overall scaled score | ||
Points for the marks secured in Class 10 and Class 12, respectively, will be allotted as per the table below:
Class 10 Marks (in %) | Points | Class 12 Marks (in %) | Points |
>=80 | 10 | >=80 | 15 |
>=75 and <80 | 8 | >=75 and <80 | 12 |
>=70 and <75 | 6 | >=70 and <75 | 9 |
>=65 and <70 | 4 | >=65 and <70 | 6 |
>=60 and <65 | 2 | >=60 and <65 | 3 |
<60 | 0 | <60 | 0 |
Stage III: Criteria for Final Selection for the MBA Programme
Candidates appearing for PI and WAT will have a composite score calculated (as per the table) for final selection and category-wise merit list preparation.
Parameters | Weights |
CAT 2024 score | 30 |
Personal Interview (PI) | 48 |
Writing Ability Test (WAT) | 08 |
Points awarded for Academic Diversity at Bachelor’s and Master’s level for non-engineering degrees and professional qualifications. | 06 |
Work Experience (as per the formula provided in the section on Work Experience) | 08 |
Total | 100 |
As specified in Table III | |