CAT FAQ's
What is CAT?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level management aptitude test for aspirants to make a career in management and business administration. This computer-based exam assesses the aptitude of graduates who intend to pursue management education. The exam can be taken in English and the minimum eligibility requirement is a bachelor’s degree with at least 50%. CAT is held once a year, usually on the last Sunday of November.
What is the Test Structure for CAT?
In the present form, CAT consists of 3 sections namely Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). In CAT 2025 the number of questions in each section were 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
What is the Eligibility Criteria for taking the CAT?
Candidates applying for CAT should fulfill any one of the following conditions:
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Final-Year Students: Candidates in the final year of graduation are eligible, subject to meeting the minimum marks at admission.
- Age & Attempts: No age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.
How should I prepare for the CAT?
To prepare for the CAT, start by understanding the exam pattern and building strong fundamentals across Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. Practice regularly through topic-wise questions, sectional tests, and full-length mocks to improve speed and accuracy. Analyze every mock in detail to identify gaps and fine-tune your strategy. Maintain a consistent study schedule with regular revision while balancing preparation with work or college commitments.
How will I get the Unfair Advantage with IMS?
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- One-on-One Mentorship: A CAT Mentor is assigned as your Personal coach to guide you throughout your preparation journey. Regular One-on-one & group mentoring sessions to address all your CAT, B-School & career-related queries.
- 650+ hours of recorded video content : Get 650+ hours of recorded video content, which you can access anywhere for 24/7 learning. This includes 325+ hours of learning videos, 110+ hours of Masterclasses, and 215+ hours of video solutions for questions.
- AI-Powered Adaptive Practice: IMS’s AI will assist in achieving your target score! The AI analyzes your strengths & weaknesses & accordingly generates unique questions customized to your learning needs.
We believe that the 3 unique features – Structured Mentorship, Video-first approach & AI-powered Adaptive Practice will give you ‘ the IMS Unfair Advantage’
What are the Career Opportunities after the CAT?
CAT percentile determines eligibility for MBA/PGDBM programs at top B-schools in India. Providing a solid foundation in advanced business concepts and practical experience through assignments and internships, the two-year MBA program is a well-regarded masters degree program worldwide. MBA students can also develop entrepreneurial skills that could lead to starting their own business. Candidates with excellent managerial and administrative skills and experience in all sectors will be in high demand. Career opportunities are also available in marketing, finance, human resources, and operations. As a management trainee, you will be offered management roles within the organization, and once the training is completed, you can move into management.
Does CAT have Sectional Cut-Offs?
Yes. Most IIMs and top institutes have sectional and overall cut-offs.
Is CAT Preparation Enough for Other MBA Exams?
Yes, CAT preparation forms the base for most MBA entrance exams including CET and CMAT.
Which exams are covered under the IMS CAT Programs?
The IMS CAT Program is a comprehensive program covering 10 additional management aptitude tests (ADMATs) other than CAT such as NMAT by GMAC, SNAP, XAT, MBA CET, CMAT, MICAT, MAT, ATMA, IBSAT, PGDBA.
What is the validity of the IMS CAT Program
The online content will be valid until 31st March following the exam year that you have enrolled for.
(For example, for CAT 2026, the online content will be accessible until 31st March 2027).