CAT FAQs

Question 1) Is CAT is computer based test(CBT)? Answer: CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) and not an Internet-based test (IBT) i.e. a candidate does not take the test on an Internet site. Instead of reading the Questions in a paper booklet and darkening the ovals on the Answer:-sheet, a candidate will read the Questions on a computer terminal and choose an Answer: by clicking on the correct option. Question 2) Can I take the CAT from my home or cyber cafe computer? Answer: No. A candidate will have to test on a pre-assigned workstation and will not have a choice to choose his workstation, in the testing venue chosen by him/her during the time of registration. Question 3) Can I take CAT for practice purpose, though I am aware that I am not eligible? Answer: No.It is not acceptable. Question 4) How does Computer based test (CBT) take place? Answer: A Practice Test is available here to familiarise candidates with the navigation and functionality of the CAT. Note that the sample Questions are not representative of the content or difficulty level of the actual test.

REGISTRATION Question 1) Eligibility of CAT? Answer: The candidate must hold a Bachelors Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Differently Abled (DA) categories], awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in the bachelors degree would be calculated based on the practice followed by the university/ institution from where the candidate has obtained the degree. In case the candidates are awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of grades/CGPA to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the university/ institution from where they have obtained the bachelors degree. In case the university/ institution does not have any scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidates CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result with 100. Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelors degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website under CAT Eligibilitylink. Prospective candidates must have the following throughout the selection process. * CAT 2010 Voucher * Pay-in Slip * Valid Email ID * CAT Registration Number / Testing ID (provided to you after completion of your online registration) Question 2) What should be maximum/minimum age of candidate for CAT?

Answer: No, there is no age restriction for appearing in CAT. Question 3) What is the fee for the CAT? Answer: The fee is Rs.1400. If you belong to the SC/ST category then you can pay a discounted fee of Rs.700 Question 4) How i can pay my CAT fee? Answer: One can pay his fee by buying CAT vouchers Question 5) When does the sale of voucher start and end? Answer: The Sale for cat voucher starts Question 6) How can I purchase a voucher? Answer: IIMs publish notification for CAT voucher sell in news papers and on its website. Question 7) When and how do I register for CAT after buying the voucher? Answer: After buying CAT voucher you have to register and go for CBT(computer based test.) Question 8) Where can I find the voucher number required for registration? Answer: You can find the voucher number under the scratch-off area of the voucher you purchase at an Axis Bank branch. Please ensure that you scratch off gently so the voucher number does not become illegible. Vouchers will not be refunded under any circumstances. Question 9) When will CAT be held and can I choose a test date? Answer: CAT usually held during the period October November each year. Yes, you can choose a test date, test time, and venue across 33 cities all over India, subject to availability. Question 10) From where can I get the list of test centres? Answer: A list of test centres will be available on the website under CAT Test Site link. Question 11) When will one get his Admit Card for CAT? Answer: Soon after you fill-in, review, and submit your personal information during the online application, an automated confirmation email, which will contain your Application Summary, will be sent to the email address provided by you. Question 12) What details will be mentioned in the Admit Card? Answer: The admit card will contain the name of the candidate, test date, time, venue, confirmation number, CAT Registration Number / Testing ID and instructions for the candidate Question 13) Will the Admit Card be sent to me as a hard copy by mail? Answer: No. The admit card will be sent to the email address provided by you, only after you have filled in your online application and scheduled your test. It is therefore, mandatory for you to have a valid email account throughout the selection process.

Note: Admit Card is a mandatory requirement in order to test. You must bring a print out of your Admit Card to the test centre. Question 14) Are there any special provisions for Differently Abled candidates? Answer: Yes. Please refer to the website under DA Candidates FAQ link for more details. Question 15) What are the different time slots for scheduling the CAT on a testing day? Answer: On testing day for CAT will have 2 exam sessions. Candidates are allowed to schedule for any one of the sessions, subject to availability. Session timings are as follows: Session 1: Testing will begin at 10 AM and end at 12:30 PM. Candidate check-in will commence from 8 AM. Candidates are required to arrive at the test centre no later than 8:30 AM Session 2: Testing will begin at 3:30 PM and end at 6 PM. Candidate check-in will commence from 1:30 PM. Candidates are required to arrive at the test centre no later than 2:00 PM. Question 16) Can I appear for CAT more than once during the 20-day testing window in a year? Answer: No. You can appear for CAT only once for a year. It will be considered a fraudulent activity if one attempts to appear for CAT more than once in a year. Admit Cards and picture IDs of the candidates will be checked, and candidate pictures and biometric information will also be captured at the test centre. Question 17) If I have made any mistake(s) while registering for CAT , can I make changes later to rectify? Answer: It is possible in a given time frame.

RESCHEDULING or CANCELLATION Question 1) Can i reschedule my CAT test? Answer: Yes If given rescheduling window is open. Question 2) Is there any rescheduling fee? Answer: No. Question 3) Can I cancel the test? Answer: No. Under no circumstances will a cancelation/refund be allowed. Question 4) If I do not take my test, will I be eligible for a refund? Answer: No. Your fees will not be refunded in case you do not appear for your test as per your scheduled location, date and time.

ON TESTING DAY Question 1) What is the reporting time for the test?

Answer: Two (2) hours prior to the test time. If the test begins at 10 AM, you are advised to reach the test centre by 8 AM and no later than 8:30 AM. If the test begins at 3:30 PM, you are advised to reach the test centre by 1:30 PM and no later than 2:00 PM. Question 2) What is the duration and pattern of the test? Answer: 2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute tutorial. CAT is multiple choice test, delivered in 3 sections. The actual test will contain 60 Questions. Question 3) What are the identification documents required to be carried to the test centre? Answer: Candidates will need to bring the following identification documents on the test day: 1. CAT Admit Card 2. CAT voucher 3. A valid document as proof of SC/ST eligibility (if applicable) 4. At least one original (not photocopied / scanned copy) and valid (not expired) photo identification. The name on your photo identification must match your name as entered in the CAT application. Acceptable forms of photo identification are limited to Driver's license, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, College ID, Employee identification card, or a notarized Affidavit with Photo, Signature, Date of Birth and Residential Address. Photocopies of the original are not acceptable. Candidates will not be permitted to take the test if photo identification is not presented. Important: Admit Card and one photo identification, mentioned above, are mandatory in order to test. In case you are a Differently Abled candidate and have requested for support during the test, please carry the copy of the authorisation of the support mailed to you by Prometric. Note: You will have to store all other personal items at the test centre at your own risk. Please do not bring any other items to the test centre, as they are not permitted into the testing centre. Question 4)Does the name need to match with the names appearing on the identification documents? Answer: Your name needs to be exactly identical to the name on your school-leaving certificate. Note: - If the name has been changed due to events such as marriage, you must show the relevant document mentioned below and submit a photocopy at the time of the test, interview and at the time of joining a programme. * Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Legal Name Change Document Question 5) What are the permitted materials I can bring with me to the test centre? Answer: None. You will not be permitted to bring any personal items to the test centre, including but not limited to wrist-watch, pen, cellphones, calculators, etc. Question 6) What are the different sections of CAT? Answer: CAT consists of Questions that evaluate a candidates quantitative, verbal, logical & data interpretation abilities. Therefore, there are a total of 3 sections. Question 7) Do I have any test breaks? Answer: No, you will not be given any breaks during the test. Question 8) Will I be provided with any scratch paper for rough work and calculations during the test?

Answer: At the test centre, each candidate will be seated at a desk with a computer terminal and he/she will be provided with a pencil, eraser and scratch paper for calculations. Rough work cannot be done on any other paper/sheet, as nothing will be allowed inside the testing room. On completion of the test, candidates will have to hand back all the scratch paper and stationery to the Administrator.

SCORING Question 1) How will initial scores be calculated? Answer: Your raw scores will be calculated for each section based on the number ofQuestions you Answer:ed correctly, incorrectly, or omitted. You will be given +3 points for each correct Answer: and -1 point for each incorrect Answer:. There will be no points for Questions that are not Answer:ed. This scoring methodology ensures that candidates are only awarded points for what they know. Candidates are not awarded inappropriate points for random guessing. Question 2) What happens after my initial scores are calculated? Answer: The CAT, like virtually all large-scale exams, will utilise multiple forms, or versions, of the test. While all forms are carefully assembled to ensure that the content is comparable, the difficulty of each form may vary slightly. Such minor differences in the overall difficulty level cannot be accurately measured until after all of the forms have been administered and the results analysed. To facilitate this comparison, each form will contain a small number of items that will be shared with one or more other forms. By comparing candidate responses to these Equator Block items across multiple forms the ability level of the individuals can be evaluated and the precise difficulty of the forms calculated. The raw scores are then adjusted, as necessary, through a process called equating. Equating assures fairness for all candidates by allowing accurate comparisons to be made of performance across all of the test forms. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called scaling. Question 3) What scores will be presented to candidate on results day? Answer: Four scaled scores will be presented for each candidate: an overall scaled score and three separate scaled scores for each section. As the three sections evaluate three distinct sets of knowledge and skills, scores do not correlate across sections. A high score in one section does not guarantee a high score in another section. Percentile rankings are provided for each individual section as well as for the overall exam score.

RESULTS Question 1) Will I get to see my scores on the test day? Answer: No. Question 2) When results will be declared? Answer: CAT results declare on January each year. Question 3) How i can know i have been shortlisted by IIMs for interviews? Answer: More information will be shared by the IIMs after the CAT results are declare.

OTHER INFORMATION Question 1) In case I purchased a voucher and missed registering in the registration window, can I still register myself? Answer: No further changes are allowed now that the registration window is closed. Question 2) In case I purchased a voucher and have not registered myself, will I be refunded? Answer: No. Vouchers once sold cannot be refunded. Question 3) If I do not get my Admit Card, whom should I contact? Answer: You need to login on the website www.catiim.in or www.iim.prometric.comusing your user name & password and select Resend Admit Card The Admit Card will be emailed on . the email address provided during registration. There is also an option for you to print you Admit Card directly from the website. Question 4) In case the website does not work and I am unable to schedule myself, how should I register? Answer: The application and registration process for CAT is an Internet based online process. You can submit your application and registration form at an Internet Caf or a similar Internet service provider. Please keep your personal information confidential. During the application and registration process, do remember to provide a valid email ID so you receive a copy of the Admit Card. Question 5) If the voucher does not work, who is the contact person? Answer: Please contact the CAT Candidate Care on 1-800-103-9293. Question 6) Can the voucher be refunded? Answer: Voucher once sold cannot be refunded under any circumstances including but not limited to loss of voucher, inability to read voucher number due to mishandling of the voucher by candidate, candidate being ineligible for taking CAT, CAT not being a prerequisite for a programme, and rejection of candidate registration due to incomplete and/or incorrect information. Question 7) Can I make any changes to my postal address after I have submitted my application form? Answer: You can change but only in registration window'