Get the detailed CAT 2016 exam syllabus before you start your preparation for MBA entrance exam. CAT is one of the most widely accepted and taken exams.
4. Index
CAT Exam Information 5
Courses Presented Under CAT 2016 6
Eligibility 7
Registration Process 8
CAT 2016 Application fee 8
CAT 2016 Admission Process 8
CAT 2016 Exam Pattern 9
Allocation Of Marks 10
Cut-offs for each section 10
Selection for GD/PI 10
CAT Syllabus 11
CAT Sample Papers 12
CAT preparation Tips 13
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5. Exam Name : CAT/ IIM CAT (Common Admission Test )
Exam Level : National Exam
Exam Stream : MBA Exam
Conducting Authority : Indian Institute of Management
(IIMs)
CAT 2016 Schedule
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6. CAT (Common Admission Test) is an all India competitive exam
conducted by Indian Institute of Management and serves as an
entrance exam for securing admission in the IIMs, a premier institute
for MBA or other cream institutes and top class business schools. This
is a computer based test on the bases of Quantitative Ability (QA),
Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC), Data
Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR). The CAT exam will be
held in the month of November for the year 2016.
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7. Eligibility
o The candidate must fulfill the below mentioned criteria’s:
o Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline.
o Candidates should have managed a minimum of 50% marks or
equivalent CGPA (45% for reserved categories and differently
abled).
o The candidates studying in the final year of graduation are also
eligible for CAT 2016 but they have to qualify the same with given
eligibility criteria.
Reservation
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8. Registration Process
The registration process will commence for the CAT 2016 6th
August 2016 and the candidate can apply through only the online
mode on the official website i.e. www.iimcat.ac for notifications
2016. The registration will continue till 25th September 2016. The
candidates must fill the required details in the CAT application
form and select the three test cities. The candidates will be given
any one of their preferred centers after the last date of registration.
The admit card will be released through the official site and
candidates may get their admit card from October 2016 till the
date of examination.
CAT 2016 Application fee
o The registration fee is Rs.1600/ for general and NC/OBC category
candidates.
o The application fee is Rs.800/ for the SC/ST/Person with disability.
CAT 2016 Admission Process
o The admission is only based on the score in CAT 2016 the
individual obtains and the group discussion, written ability test,
and personal interview. In short listing and ranking candidates, the
institution may check the academic background, working
background, academic performance, and other related inputs of
the candidates.
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9. CAT 2016 Exam Pattern
The CAT examination is divided into three sections
CAT Exam
Paper
Quantitative
Aptitude
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Commercial
Mathematics
Miscellaneous
Data Interpretation
and Logical
Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation
Sufficiency
Verbal Ability
Reading
Comprehension
Verbal Logic
Vocabulary
Grammar Correction
Sections
No Of
Questions
Sectional
Duration
Verbal Reasoning and Reading
Comprehension
34 60 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude 34 60 Minutes
Data Interpretation and Logical
Reasoning
32 60 Minutes
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10. Allocation of marks
It has been observed that every correct answer gains 4
marks whereas every wrong answer results in one negative
mark.
Cut-offs for each section
Candidates must secure a minimum mark in each section to
qualify for that section and eventually for the CAT. Sectional
cut-offs mostly depends on the performance of the other
candidates who appear for the exam in that year. A candidate
must also secure a minimum total cut off for the entire paper
to earn GD/PI calls from IIMs.
Selection for Group Discussion and Personal
Interview
Candidates who secure the sectional cut-offs as well as the
overall cut-offs in the written test are called for GD/PI by IIMs.
This is the ultimate step of the selection-process.
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11. CAT Syllabus
CAT exam syllabus is not predefined; however in general CAT test
includes questions on Quantitative Ability (Mathematics), Verbal
Ability (English), Data Interpretation (DI), and Logical Reasoning (LR)
skills.
The Quantitative Aptitude section comprises of fundamental
mathematics, based on 10 + 2 difficulty level. Problems are found to
appear from various topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and
Commercial Mathematics (Word Problems). The questions are largely
based on application of mathematics to solve real-time problems like
Number systems, trigonometry, probability, geometry, algebra,
percentages, profit and loss, time and work, permutation and
combination, quadratic and linear equations, averages etc.
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section comprises
of questions which are asked based on the given data. Interpretation
and analysis of data based on text, graphs (line, area), Venn diagram,
tables, charts (column, bar, pie), etc. Data Interpretation problems test
the candidate's understanding of the data and the ability to solve
problems accurately. Logical Reasoning questions check the
candidate's ability to ratiocinate and evaluate problems.
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12. The Verbal Ability section comprises of questions on
comprehension and usage of Standard English grammar like
Reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, analogies, syllogisms, fill
in the blanks, antonyms and synonyms, idioms, sentence correction,
etc. Verbal Logic questions test the candidate's knowledge of
arranging paragraphs in a logical order, determining the type of
statements, completing the paragraphs in an appropriate way. In
general, it is found that all the sections share an equal weight.
Logical Reasoning section comprises of questions which are asked
based on Clocks, calendars, binary logic, logical sequence, seating
arrangement, premise, linear and matrix arrangement, assumption,
conclusion, etc.
CAT Sample Papers
Year 2010 : http://goo.gl/dgqkOM
Year 2009 : http://goo.gl/GpZ7UJ
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13. CAT Preparation Tips
Quick Tips
Plan and prepare - Plan your study strategy for every day. Decide
the topics to prepare.
Mock tests - The pattern of the exam keep on fluctuating so to be
well-set solves different types of previous question papers.
Management of time - Practice to efficiently manage time. This will
come only with practice.
Know your weakness and strengths - It is important to know your
weakness and strengths as it will help you plan you study routine.
Revise - Keep doing a regular revision so as not to completely forget
what you have learnt.
Stay fit and relaxed - It is important to pay attention to your health.
Give yourself a good break after studying for long hours.
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14. Tip #1
Rather than focusing on all the topics, students need to try and select
those topics with which they are more comfortable. Even on the exam
day, with the question sheet in hand, students shouldn't try to solve
each and every question and waste their energy; they should rather
spend 5 minutes in scanning a section and selecting questions from
their area of expertise and skill. Also pick out the easier questions
first, those that take less time to solve, and attempt them first.
Tip #2
In order to ace CAT, students should look at questions from previous
years' CATs and understand its syllabus. They should assess whether
they are proficient, average or need improvement in each of the
areas. The areas that fall in the third category should be focused on
first followed by second and first.
Tip #3
CAT aspirants should always start early in preparing for the exams as
an early start would benefit them in gaining knowledge about the kind
of questions to be asked.
Tip #4
Take lots and lots of mock tests regularly to evaluate your progress,
learn from mistakes made previously and try to overcome weak
areas.
Tip #5
One thing that is must while preparing for CAT is to practice on
calculations rigorously on an everyday basis.
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15. Tip #6
While preparing for the CAT question paper, one must keep in mind
that management schools seek to test understanding of basic
concepts that the student possesses.
Tip #7
Some things which CAT aspirants must do on an everyday basis are-
Minimum 8-10 hours study everyday, especially before the 6 months
of CAT exams. Preparation of minimum 10,000 words to enhance
Vocabulary, study of newspapers and editorials for 2 hour's everyday
and reading at least two magazines and one novel each week.
Tip #8
Time management is an essential ingredient to crack the CAT exam
and make it to your favorite college. Managing one's time includes
balancing speed with accuracy, handling the pressure and uncertainty
and the apt decision making.
Tip #9
Negative marking is a part of CAT. CAT aspirants are advised to not
take wild guesses in the Exam paper.
Tip #10
Last but not the least, students are advised to keep their calm, relax,
and believe in them on the day of the paper. They should be ready
with all their stuff like admit card, pencils, pen etc well in advance to
avoid last minute hassle and give their best shot.
Although CAT is a tough exam but thorough and focused preparation
can help you crack it with ease.
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17. Dear Aspirants,
Hope you found this guide helpful.
Do share with your friends too
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All the Best for your Studies !
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