Updated On : March 20, 2023
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are some of the country's most sought-after centres for post-graduate education in management. Their singular and highly competitive entry point is the CAT Exam!
To be able to appear in the exam, the primary step is filling out the CAT Application Form.
We’re going to be exploring:
Read the CAT Exam Notification’s significant entries right away to know what you’re getting yourself into!
The exam timeline is tentative until the official notification for the CAT Exam process is initiated for 2023.
Detail | Information |
Registration Begins | August 3, 2023 (tentative) |
Time for Opening of the Process | 10:00 am |
CAT Exam 2023 Application Form Last Date | September 14, 2023 (tentative) |
Time for Closing of the Process | 5:00 pm |
CAT Exam Form Correction Window | September 23 to September 26, 2023 (tentative) |
CAT Exam Admit Card 2023 becomes available | October 27, 2023 (tentative) |
NOTE: It is prudent to avoid waiting for the CAT exam 2023 application form's last date before registering for the exam. To avoid last-minute mistakes while filling in your details, make sure you’re prepared in advance with all the requirements. Familiarize yourself with the process now to make this go much more smoothly!
Keeping this timeline in mind, you need to get an overview of the CAT Exam syllabus for 2023 to begin studying at the earliest!
The basic requirements needed to be able to appear for the CAT exam are as follows:
Every single IIM can set their own eligibility criteria (including academic cut-offs & weightage for various considerations beyond the CAT exam) to follow different selection processes. Before starting the CAT application online form process, check where your preferred IIM stands on these requirements.
Ultimately, performance in the CAT exam is important, but IIMs can use previous academic performance, relevant work experience, etc., to short-list candidates during selection.
Interested in getting all the details regarding eligibility? Explore the CAT eligibility criteria for various IIMs in detail here.
Overall, about 2.22 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. In total, 2.55 lakh candidates had registered and were eligible.
From an overall attendance of approximately 87%, 35% were Female, were 65% Male and 4 identified as Transgender.
Of all the candidates who appeared for the CAT exam 2022, the following state-wise and gender-wise division was observed:
The CAT application form filling will be carried out on the official website. Bright and early at 10 am on August 3, 2023 (tentatively), you can launch into the first step of registering in this manner:
Share your primary details like name, date of birth, email address and phone number to generate a unique ID and corresponding password on the website.
NOTE: For the first registration step, you will need an email address and phone number to be successfully verified through an OTP. After being successfully vetted through this mechanism, you can start filling out your form.
Subsequently, all official communication about the CAT exam 2023 will be carried out on this number and by email only.
Once logged in, you can complete the CAT application form details in the next step.
Check: CAT Exam Pattern 2023
Log in using the credentials you receive on your registered email address and via SMS on your phone.
The application form is divided into 6 sections, namely,
Each of them contains mandatory sections which cannot be left unfilled. In addition, you must check the information you provide here since inaccurate information can disqualify your candidature in the CAT exam.
Once your basic CAT application form details have been entered, you can upload your signature, photograph and category certificates.
Check: CAT Books 2023
Instructions for CAT Application Form Photo Size & Signature
The CAT application form photo size must be within 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels. Additionally, the scanned image of your signature must lie within 80mm X 35mm.
These documents must not exceed 80KB and must be in .jpg or .jpeg format. The image should be clear and not less than 150px/inch.
In the Academic details, you’ll be required to share a document which certifies each level of qualification:
All the CGPAs and marks obtained at all these levels will need to be converted into percentages based on the formulas adopted by these institutions.
Ensure you know it and make the accurate equivalence not to be disqualified even after clearing the exam.
NOTE: The original mark sheets will be required during the interview. Obtain them in advance to avoid anxiety at the next exam stage.
Next up, enter your work experience.
Only full-time work experience is counted. Enter it in the form of days calculated up to 31 July 2023. In case of breaks in work, make sure to mention it under “Break in Experience (In days)”.
Now, make your program selection from all the options mentioned.
You can click ‘Select All’ to include all the various programs across IIMs here. Make your ‘Interview City’ selections for each of your choices before clicking on ‘Save & Next’.
Now you’re close to completion. The application form will demand your picks for the city you want to attempt the test in.
You can make up to 6 selections without repeating any of the cities.
Finally, you’re close to the end. You can pay by using a Debit Card, Credit Card, NetBanking or UPI.
CAT Exam Application Form Fees
The fees for the CAT exam application form as they apply to various categories of students are different. You will be required to pay one of the two -
Preview the information entered by you and confirm your CAT exam application form 2023 by making the payment.
Check: CAT Exam Subjects 2023
All your CAT exam details have been filled in at this stage, and the form is complete.
You will receive a confirmation mail of completing the successful CAT exam 2023 application form.
As soon as the process begins, sign up by filling in the CAT Exam Application Form. (Interlink to CAT Exam Registration Page)
Need more assistance or facing any difficulties?
Get in touch with the Candidate Help Desk for issues related to registration, application and payment processing and document uploading by e-mail (cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in) or call 1800 210 8720 (Toll-Free) from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (excluding National holidays).
If you need help regarding eligibility, category and PwD certificate, don't hesitate to contact the CAT Centre office by e-mail (cat2022@iimb.ac.in) or call +91-080-26993388 / 3017 / 3013.
Making a mistake while filling in the form is a major setback in an annual exam! Not only do you not get to test yourself after working so hard, but you will also have to wait for another 365 days before trying again.
Here’s what you should be watching out for:
Check: CAT Exam Question Paper 2023
A small window is given to students to fix a limited number of errors made while filling in the form. The areas where corrections can be made are as follows:
The 3-day period allotted for this task cannot be used to edit anything else. This is why filling out the form carefully and with utmost attention is essential!
The most important aspect of tough exams like CAT 2023 is preparation, strategy and hard work.
The level of competition is worth nothing; therefore, if you meet the requirements to join the MBA programs offered through the CAT Exam, there’s no better time than now to begin preparing!
Get into the thick of CAT exam preparation for 2023 with the assistance of strategies outlined by faculty from SuperGrads.
Frequently Asked Questions
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