CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria of Common Admission Test (CAT)

Before beginning CAT preparation in good spirit, a few things are important. Every Student must first review the CAT 2023 eligibility criteria. The reason seems to be that some students may be ineligible for the CAT exam, which means that CAT preparation will be a waste of time. Henceforth, before filling the CAT 2023 application form, students must satisfy the eligibility requirements of CAT 2023. Upon failing to meet any of the CAT 2023 eligibility criteria, students will not be eligible. The eligibility criteria of CAT  is very diverse. There are several certain points in every criterion to be eligible for the CAT 2023 exam. Students should know it before filling the CAT registration form.

"Due to COVID 19 Pandemic crisis, the examination authority has announced some exceptions in CAT 2021 Eligibility Criteria. In the last two years, most students have been rewarded a "Promotion/Pass" certificate instead of providing marks sheets."

CAT Eligibility Criteria based on different Parameters

Details

Age limit for the CAT exam

There is no age restriction in CAT 2023 exam

Work experience for admission

Work experience is not mandatory

Reservation for admission into college

Reservation will depend on the category

Academic qualification required

Any Bachelor's degree

Marks required in graduation

For general category students, 50% is a must

For SC/ST and PwD category students, 45% will suffice

CAT 2023 Academic Qualification Criteria

IIM will release the official notification for CAT 2023 exam. The official notification lists all the qualifications and grades. IIMs and other management colleges verify Student's eligibility at several stages throughout the selection process. Thus, Student's must be aware of the Eligibility Terms of CAT  before attempting CAT. Non-Fulfilment of  CAT 2023 eligibility terms will automatically lead to the cancellation of candidature.  That means, If the authority finds they are ineligible at any stage of the selection process, they might cancel the candidature.

The eligibility requirements to take part in the CAT 2023 exam are mentioned below:

  • To be eligible to apply for CAT 2023 Entrance Test, Candidates must hold any bachelor's degree from a recognized University (UGC/MHRD/AICTE)
  • Candidates must have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks at the UG level.
  • Candidates belonging to the reserved category will have 5% of relaxation. Henceforth, they can secure a minimum of 45% as minimum qualifying marks.
  • Final year degree students awaiting final sem results are allowed to attempt CAT 2023 Exam. However, candidates will be admitted to the course if they clear their graduation with 50% marks. Else, their candidature will be cancelled during the admission process.
  • Moreover, such candidates have to submit the original mark sheets of UG degree. Then only admission will be confirmed.
  • Candidates who hold a four-year bachelor of Engg degree are also eligible to apply for CAT. The minimum qualifying marks should be above 50%.
  • Candidates who have completed their professional courses such as CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible to attempt the entrance test.
  • There is no age limit for undertaking CAT 2023 Entrance Test.

CAT 2023 Reservation Criteria

After satisfying the CAT 2023 eligibility criteria, every Student's goal is to gain admission to the IIMs. IIMs are government-run institutions. So, they must adhere to government policies about reservations for underprivileged privileged groups. Consequently, the reservation criteria are also applicable for the CAT. At IIMs, there are 2 types of reservation seats: Differently abled individual seats and caste-based seats. Check out the distribution of seats:

Category

Reservation percentage

Scheduled Tribe (ST)

7.5%

Scheduled Caste (SC)

15%

A person with Disability (PwD)

5%

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

10%

Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC)

27%

According to the CAT reservation displayed above, a general category applicant has 54% of the available seats. There are approximately 4000 open seats in many different IIMs.

Students of the PwD category need to present a PwD certificate. A competent authority must issue it.

Students with various types of disabilities who come under the PwD reservation are:

  • Students with low vision or who are blind
  • Students with hearing problems
  • Students with a locomotive impairment or cerebral palsy

CAT 2023 Work Experience Criteria

  • There is no need for students to have prior work experience. Even if the CAT application form 2023 requests it, it is not a required condition.
  • But, IIM considers the work experience, and it might give preference during the seat allocation process.
  • If candidates have relevant work experience, it will be an advantage for students who wish to enrol in IIM.
  • Everyone should acknowledge it. Moreover, the weightage is not disclosed. It will differ from one IIM to another.

CAT 2023 Registration with Backlog Criteria

IIMs received many questions on the registration of students who have a supplementary. Students often ask this question. Giving exams while they have a backlog in their college is the main concern.

  • It is a common doubt among every aspirant. Students having supplementary can also appear.
  • No matter their graduation backlog, students can still attempt the exam.
  • Students with an academic backlog can also apply for CAT. If the Student is scoring 50% even after the backlog is eligible.
  • They must select yes for the question "Are you in your final year of your bachelor's degree?" in the CAT 2023 registration form. For SC or ST students, the total marks are 45%. So, students with backlogs can also apply for CAT 2023.

Ineligible for CAT 2023 Exam

Students will be ineligible of giving the CAT 2023 exam under these cases:

  • If the student is finishing their professional degree (CS/ CA/ ICWA) but has not yet taken their bachelor's degree.
  • If a student's degree percentage is less than 50 percent (less than 45 percent in the case of SC / ST / PWT candidates), they are unsuitable for applying for the CAT.
  • If the MHRD / AICTE / to UGC does not recognize the Student's degree, they will not sit for the CAT exam.
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