CAT (Common Admission Test): Meaning & Full Form

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CAT (Common Admission Test) – Definition & Meaning

By Suraj Kumar

CAT (Common Admission Test) – Definition & Meaning

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based management entrance examination conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is primarily used for admission to postgraduate management programmes at IIMs and many other leading business schools across India.

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  • CAT stands for Common Admission Test.
  • It is one of India's major management entrance examinations.
  • CAT is conducted by the IIMs on a rotational basis.
  • The examination evaluates quantitative, verbal, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning/data interpretation skills.
  • CAT scores are accepted by IIMs and numerous other management institutes.
  • Candidates commonly take CAT for admission to MBA and related postgraduate management programmes.

CAT (Common Admission Test) is designed to assess skills important for postgraduate management education. The examination typically covers Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates receive a CAT score and percentile, which participating institutes can use during their admission processes.

While CAT is strongly associated with the IIMs, many non-IIM business schools also consider CAT scores. Admission requirements and selection processes vary by institution and may include academic performance, work experience, interviews, written assessments, and other criteria in addition to the CAT result.

A graduate planning to pursue an MBA may appear for the CAT admission test and use the resulting score to apply to participating management institutes. For example, a candidate can prepare for CAT's quantitative aptitude, reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and data interpretation sections before applying to eligible postgraduate management programmes.

CAT should not be confused with other entrance examinations such as CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), which is associated with law admissions. Similarly, candidates should verify the exact purpose and eligibility requirements of any common universities entrance test or specialised entrance examination before applying.

  • CAT Full Form
  • MBA Entrance Exam
  • CAT Percentile
  • IIM Admission
  • Common Admission Test in Hindi
  • Understanding the Common Admission Test helps MBA aspirants identify an important route to management education in India.
  • Knowing the CAT exam structure, purpose, and scoring system can help candidates plan their preparation and management-school applications effectively.
  • Differentiating CAT from exams such as CLAT helps students choose the entrance examination relevant to their career goals.

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FAQ s

01. What is CAT (Common Admission Test)?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a management entrance examination conducted by the IIMs. Its scores are used by IIMs and various other management institutes as part of their admission processes for postgraduate management programmes.

02. What is the full form of CAT (Common Admission Test)?

The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test. CAT (Common Admission Test) is widely taken by candidates seeking admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by participating business schools in India.

03. Who conducts CAT (Common Admission Test)?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management on a rotational basis. The designated IIM manages the examination process for that year, while participating institutes determine their own admission and selection criteria.

04. What subjects are included in CAT (Common Admission Test)?

CAT (Common Admission Test) typically assesses candidates through Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. The exact examination pattern and other details should be checked in the official notification for the relevant year.

05. Is CAT (Common Admission Test) only for IIM admission?

No. Although CAT (Common Admission Test) is closely associated with IIM admissions, CAT scores are also accepted by many non-IIM management institutes. Candidates should check each institution’s current eligibility requirements, accepted scores, and selection process before applying.

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