FAQ's
CAT ONLINE COACHING 2025
What’s the CAT exam pattern?
The CAT exam comprises around 66–68 questions distributed across VARC, DILR, and QA sections. In the upcoming CAT exam 2025, the number of questions in each section is expected to be as follows:
- VARC: 24 questions to be solved over 40 minutes
- DILR: 22 questions to be solved over 40 minutes
- QA: 22 questions to be solved over 40 minutes
How many attempts can I make for CAT?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for CAT every year as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Which B-School accepts CAT scores?
All 21 IIMs, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, and others, accept CAT scores for admission. Apart from this, over 1400 B-Schools in India accept CAT scores including some of the Top MBA colleges in India such as FMS, SPJIMR, IIFT, JBIMS, MDI, TISS and IITs.
How much percentile do I need to get into IIM?
CAT cut-offs for IIMs vary each year depending on category and academic profile. If you fall under the general category, you need a CAT percentile of 99 and above to get into a top IIM (such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta). For other IIMs, you will need a percentile within the range of 94 to 97. However, the required specific percentile can vary based on the B-colleges, the candidate's category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), and their academic and work experience background.
How can I prepare for the CAT exam?
Before starting CAT preparation, being aware of the CAT syllabus is essential. You will gain greater accuracy in less time with good conceptual clarity. Once you have mastered the basics, you can solve practice exercises and mock tests for each topic and chapter. Analyse the mock exams to understand your progress and further plan to prepare for the real exam.
For more assistance, you must sign up for a CAT online course such as the one provided by IMS India. The mentor-driven online CAT classes will help you solidify your concepts, gain confidence, improve accuracy, and devise a strategic approach for the upcoming CAT exam.
For more assistance, you must sign up for a CAT online course such as the one provided by IMS India. The mentor-driven online CAT classes will help you solidify your concepts, gain confidence, improve accuracy, and devise a strategic approach for the upcoming CAT exam.
What’s the ideal time to join the CAT online coaching?
There is no ideal time to join CAT classes. However, the earlier, the better. This is the perfect way to enter CAT coaching. Depending on your time preference, you can join it while you’re in college or after graduation.
Are CAT online coaching classes helpful?
Absolutely yes. CAT online coaching is highly effective. If you aim to rank in CAT and secure a seat in the top MBA colleges, CAT coaching is a must. CAT online coaching is an easy and reliable access to all the expert resources and mentors, which can help you save a lot of time and energy. You can join the IMS CAT course and also take the mock tests which are designed to help you ace the CAT exam.
How can I access my online resources?
All online content is accessible on myIMS portal. The new and improved myIMS 3.0 is your Ultimate Mastery-Based Learning Hub, where everything you need to master a topic is consolidated in one single platform. The myIMS 3.0 platform is accessible via desktop and mobile app.
How do I clear my doubts about the CAT online coaching?
You can resolve doubts during live classes, in batch-wise Telegram groups, and through video/text solutions provided for every practice, class exercise, and SimCATs.
How does the AI-Powered Adaptive Practice work?
The AI analyses your strengths and weaknesses and generates unique questions customized to your learning needs.
What is One-on-One Mentorship?
A CAT Mentor is assigned as your personal coach to guide you throughout your preparation journey by up to 5 one-on-one and 4 group mentoring sessions to address CAT, B-School, Study Plan, Test Analysis and B-School Application related queries.
What are the other tests I can take in addition to the CAT exam?
In addition to the CAT, the other tests that can be taken are:
- XAT: This test is conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, and occurs typically on the first or second Sunday of January every year. It consists of Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision-making, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation. The test is considered by institutes including XLRI, XIMB, GIM, KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes Institute of Management, IMI, IMT and Praxis Business School.
- NMAT: Conducted by NMIMS over a window of 45 days between November and December, the test consists of Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning and is an adaptive test with a maximum possible score of 360. The colleges that accept the NMAT include NMIMS, XIMB, SDA Bocconi, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and IBS.
- SNAP: The test is conducted for admission to the post-graduation programs offered by the Symbiosis University institutes and typically occurs thrice between December and January. The colleges that accept the SNAP score include SIBM, SCMHRD, SIIB, SIOM, SSBF, SIMS, and SCIT.
- MICAT: MICA conducts its test for admissions to its PGDM and PGDM (C) programs. The structure of the MICAT include Section A (Psychometric Test), Section B (Descriptive Test), and Section C (Aptitude Test), which is further divided into Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Awareness, and Divergent & Convergent Thinking. The test typically happens twice in December and February.
- PGDBA: The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) exam is jointly conducted by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur, and ISI Kolkata in India. It usually takes place in February and March.
- MAH MBA/MMS CET: The Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test (CET) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Government of Maharashtra, for admission to various MBA and MMS programs in institutes across the state of Maharashtra. The exam is usually held in March.
- CMAT: CMAT stands for Common Management Admission Test and is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in various management institutes across India. The exam is conducted in January every year, and the application process usually starts in November.
The CAT live online program offered by IMS covers the ground for all these exams. You will be given ADMAT mock tests, practice questions, and masterclasses to help you prepare for exams other than the CAT exam.
Does the CAT coaching program also cover exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and CMAT?
Yes. While the core focus is CAT exam, the IMS CAT Live Online program also equips you for other major MBA exams - ADMATs (Additional Management Aptitude Tests). 93 ADMAT mocks and 30+ Recorded ADMAT Masterclasses are included to help students prepare for XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT and more.
