Common Admission Test (CAT) is the computer based entrance exam for the candidates who wish to make a career in management and business administration i.e. MBA. This exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year. The CAT score is considered for admission by most of the top B-schools across India apart from IIMs. It is very important to get a good percentile for getting admission in reputed MBA Institutions. This test consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Table of Contents
Why CAT ?
- To grow beyond a certain level in your job, you need an additional degree. Choosing a career in MBA is one of the best options for higher education in India
- The students passing out of IIMs are selected by reputed companies and good packages.
- The diversity in jobs, the extent of responsibility and ownership that you get in MBA in your job make it worth it. You get to choose from a range of specializations such as Marketing, Advertising, Finance, Strategy, Consulting etc.
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria
Before taking any examination one should know the eligibility criteria or prerequisites of that exam. The table below represents the educational qualification required to appear for the CAT Exam.
| Qualification | Affiliation | Pass Percentage |
| Engineering Degree – B.E./ B.Tech | Recognized by MHRD/AICTE | 50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD candidates) |
| Bachelor’s Degree from any University | Recognized by UGC | 50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD candidates) |
| Students who are in final year of Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are also eligible to take CAT Exam** | pursuing graduation from University Recognized by MHRD/AICTE or UGC | 50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD candidates) |
CAT Application Fees
The application fees for CAT Entrance Exam for general is Rs. 2000/ and Rs. 1000/- for SC/ ST/ PWD category.
CAT Exam Highlights
Due to Covid there were some changes in the exam pattern of 2020.
- The CAT question paper is divided into three sections and each section has a time limit for 40 minutes
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- The total number of questions were 76 including both MCQs and Non MCQ questions.
- Time allotted was 120 minutes (2 hours) to answer these questions
- Time limit of 40 minutes for each section.
This pattern was followed for the year 2020. It can be expected that if Covid is controlled then exam pattern can be changed again as it was earlier pre covid. If this happens then the paper will contain 100 questions and the timing will be 3 hours.
CAT Marking Scheme
- There will be either 100 or 78 questions depending on the pattern followed by IIM.
- If paper contains 100 questions then total marks will be 300 and if it contains 78 questions then marks will be 234.
- Each question will carry 3 marks
- There will be negative marking of -1 each for a wrong answer
- There will be no deduction of marks in case a candidate chooses not to attempt a given question
- Some questions in each section may not be of multiple choice type, thus the answers will have to be typed on the screen
CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT question paper is divided into three sections; each having sectional time limit.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Aspirants must remember that they will have to complete each section within one hour and the moment one hour is complete, the screen will automatically move to the next section. No changes or corrections will be allowed at a later stage.
The number of questions asked in each section of the CAT exam and time allotted to each is summarized in the table below.
| CAT 2021 Section | Questions | Allotted Time |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 26 | 40 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 26 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 76 | 120 minutes |
Check It:- Top CAT Coaching Institutes in Lucknow
CAT Syllabus
| CAT - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension syllabus | ||
| Fill in the blanks | Para Completion and inference | Verbal Logic |
| Verbal Reasoning | Subject-verb agreement | Parajumbles |
| Sentence completion | Foreign language words used in English | Different usage of same word |
| Grammar | Reading Comprehension | Idioms |
| Syllogisms | Analogies | Antonyms |
| Jumbled paragraphs | Sentence correction | One word substitution |
| Parts of speech | Preposition | Types of Clauses |
| Phrases Modifiers | Errors in tenses | Articles usage |
| CAT- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning syllabus | ||
| Blood Relations | Clocks and Calendars | Syllogism |
| Series | Statements | Venn Diagram |
| Proposition | Data Arrangement | Data Structures |
| Direction Sense | Family Tree | Tables |
| Coding-Decoding | Binary Logic | Pie Charts |
| Assumptions | Seating Arrangement | Data Sufficiency |
| Puzzles | Sets & Caselets | Bars & Line Graphs |
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus | ||
| Geometry | Ratios and Proportion | Inequalities |
| Trigonometry | In-equations Quadratic and linear equations | Work and Time |
| Algebra | Surds and Indices | Percentages |
| Mensuration | Time-Speed-Distance | Logarithms |
| Partnership (Accounts) | Number System | Square Root and Cube Root |
| Profit & Loss | Geometric Progression | Probability |
| Mean, mode, median | Binomial theorem | Simple interest and compound interest |
Career options after MBA
One after getting a good percentile in CAT gets admission in the best institutions and after completing post graduation from the reputed college ultimately gets priority in companies and is directly offered a job which is of a higher level. So why go for a low level job when you can even become senior manager and can even get a profile of your choice.
- Your ability to get seed capital for starting a new business (entrepreneur) improves tremendously if you have done an MBA from one of the top B-schools in the country.
- An MBA definitely provides better recognition and opportunities.
What are the Top CAT Coaching Institutes in Lucknow ?
| Institute | Fees |
|---|---|
| PRATHAM EDUCATION | Rs 15000 |
| FUNDAMAKERS COACHING | Rs 45000 |
List of Top CAT Coaching Institutes in Lucknow
PRATHAM EDUCATION
Pratham Test Prep is a coaching institute for competitive entrance examinations like CLAT, DU JAT, SAT, etc.. based in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Lucknow. It has 3 branches in east Delhi, 5 branches in west Delhi, 5 branches in north Delhi, 7 branches in south Delhi,3 branches in central Delhi, 6 in Delhi NCR, one each in Chandigarh and Lucknow. Various classroom programs, non-classroom programs, and other modules are provided. Pratham has played a major role in helping around 80,000 students to build their career.
Institute Details
| Institute Type | Coaching |
| Official Website | https://www.prathamonline.com/ |
| Application Mode | Offline, Online |
| info@prathamonline.com | |
| Fees | Rs 15000 |
| Address | PRATHAM Study Centre, Shagun Palace, 3rd Floor, 3 Sapru Marg, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India |
| Contact | 99999975392 |
Highlights
- High-Density Of Top Rankers
- Comprehensive Preparation
- E-Learning System
- Lifetime Mentorship Program
- Use Of Mnemonics
- Regular Mock Tests
FUNDAMAKERS COACHING
Fundamaker Institute was founded by Surya Pratap Singh in 2017 for students who are preparing for CAT and other management exams. Being only 3 years in the fray the Institute has helped over hundreds of students to clear CAT owing to its exceptional faculty, conducive environment and assessment based methodology. It has 4 branches in Lucknow and has shown exponential growth over the years. The Faculty keeps itself updated by taking the CAT exam repeatedly in order to know what changes have happened in the exam pattern. The Vision and Mission of Fundamakers is to tune up students and make them Corporate Ready in a way so they can contribute to the growth of India.
Institute Details
| Institute Type | Coaching |
| Official Website | www.fundamakers.com |
| Application Mode | Offline, Online |
| admin@fundamakers.com | |
| Fees | Rs 45000 |
| Address | FundaMakers, Adjacent Central Academy, Sector 9, Indira Nager, Lucknow,UP 226005,India |
| Contact | 9598333344 |
Highlights
- Daily Question Practice Sheet
- Subject MatterTeaching methodology
- Provision of Mock Interviews
- Provision of Test Series
- Updated Social Media Presence
- Best Faculty
- Upgraded Study material
Check It:- Top CAT Coaching Institutes in Lucknow
CAT Exam FAQs
Q1: How many times is the CAT exam conducted in a year?
A: CAT exam is conducted only once in a year
Q2: How many sections are there in the CAT exam?
A: There are three sections in the CAT Exam:
Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Section 3: Quantitative Ability (QA)
Q3: Does the CAT exam have negative marking?
A: Yes, There is negative marking of -1 for wrong answer but there is no negative marking for Non MCQ questions.
Q4: What is the time limit for each section in the CAT exam?
A: Last year due to Covid each section had a time limit of 40 minutes as questions were reduced. This year it can be expected that the timit limit will again be 60 minutes.
Q5: Can I carry a calculator for the exam?
A: No, the candidates are not allowed to carry a calculator.
Q6: What is the date of the CAT 2021 exam?
A: CAT 2021 exam is expected to be held on November 28. However, the exam date will be officially announced by IIM in the last week of July.
Q7: What is the exam fee for the CAT Exam?
A: For general category fees is 2000 rs and for reserved category exam it is 1000rs.
Q8: What is the average fee for joining CAT Coaching ?
The average course fee for some of the top-notch coaching institutes ranges between INR 2000 - INR 45000.







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