CAT Exam Age Limit 2024: Check Eligibility Criteria and Reservation Policy

Overview: What is the age limit for CAT exam in India? Is there any relaxation for age limit in CAT exam 2024? Who is eligible for CAT 2024? Read complete details to clear your doubt for CAT exam age limit!

• The CAT, or Common Admission Test, for 2024 will take place on 24 November 2024. The CAT exam registration process will begin at 10 AM on 1 August 2024 and will close at 5:00 PM on 20 September 2024.
• If you are an MBA aspirant and wish to take the exam, you must comprehensively understand the CAT eligibility criteria. 
• There is no age limit for the CAT exam; the only requirement is that you should have a bachelor's degree.

Stay tuned for full details regarding the CAT exam age limit policy!

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Also Read | CAT 2024 Registration Begins: Apply Before 20 September 2024

CAT Exam 2024: Important Dates

The Common Admission Test is an MBA entrance exam considered India's toughest management exam. It is conducted by one of the IIMs every year in November. Here are the key highlights of the CAT 2024 that you should be aware of:

Particulars	Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute	Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Entrance Exam Date 2024	Sunday, November 24, 2024
CAT 2024 Exam Timings	To be notified
Registration Fees	SC/ST/PwD - INR-1250/- General Category - INR 2500/-
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
Number of Applications in the CAT Entrance Exam	3.28 lakh (in 2023)
Exam Purpose	Admission in IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered Through CAT Exam	MBA/ PGDM
CAT Entrance Exam Sections	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
Mode	Online Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
No. of test cities for the CAT 2024 Exam	170 test Centre
Website	https://iimcat.ac.in/

Check: CAT Exam Reasoning Syllabus

Also Read | CAT Exam Admission Process 2024

CAT Exam Age Limit 2024

Is there any age limit for CAT exam? All MBA aspirants need to understand the including the age requirements. The CAT exam has no minimum age limit, allowing candidates of any age to apply as long as they hold a degree with the required marks. 

Additionally, the CAT exam has no maximum age limit, meaning anyone can apply at any career stage. Aspiring candidates must know these age criteria when preparing for the CAT exam.

Also check: CAT Exam Verbal Ability Questions

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Also Read |   All about CAT cut-offs

CAT Exam Age Limit: Considerations for Different Categories

Here is a detailed breakdown of age considerations for different reservation categories:

• General Category: No age limit
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Category: No age limit
• SC/ST Category: No age limit
• PwD Category: No age limit, but candidates may be eligible for age relaxation depending on the nature and extent of their disability.

Also Read |  Minimum Marks to Qualify CAT Exam 2024

CAT Exam Age Limit: Reservation Policy

There is no upper age limit for the CAT entrance exam, but every IIM follows a reservation policy for its selection process and reservation guidelines set by the government of India. 

Here are the following details to understand better:

Categories	Percentage of Seats Reserved in IIMs and other MBA colleges
SC	15%
ST	7.50%
NC-OBC	27%
PwD	5%

Also Read |  List of Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 Scores

CAT Exam Eligibility Age Limit 2024: Education Qualification 

Although there is no age limit for the CAT exam, and anyone can take this exam, the only requirement is that you should have a bachelor’s degree. Here are some key eligibility criteria for CAT exam 2024:

• You should have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognised university.
• You should have a minimum of 50% (for the open category) or 45% (for the SC/ST/PwD category). Final-year bachelor's degree students can also apply for CAT 2024, but they must submit a certificate of completion from their university or institution before the respective IIMs specify a date.

Download Free VARC Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Also Read | Is Class XII Marks Important for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Age Limit - Registration with Backlogs

Will students with academic backlogs in their graduation be eligible for CAT exam 2024? Well, it's okay, as the main eligibility criteria for the CAT exam is to have a 50% mark in their graduation (45% for the reserved category). So, if you have that much percentage in your graduation, you can apply for CAT 2024.

Also Read |  CAT Exam Previous Year Question Paper

CAT Exam Age Limit: Impact On Application And Selection Process

While the CAT exam eligibility age limit is not a formal criterion for selection, it can have an indirect impact on the application and selection process in several ways:

#1 Work Experience

Older candidates may have an advantage in work experience, which can benefit the application and selection process.

#2 Maturity and Focus

Older candidates may be more focused and mature, which can help them perform better in the exam and during the selection process.

#3 Career Goals

Older candidates may have clearer career goals and better understand their motivations for pursuing a management education, which can be beneficial during selection.

Also Read | CAT Exam Syllabus 2024

Conclusion

The absence of an upper age limit for the CAT exam is a blessing for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Fresh graduates, working professionals, candidates with career gaps, and older candidates seeking career changes can all benefit from this flexibility. With no CAT exam age limit, it allows them to prepare quickly, gain valuable experience, and pursue their management dreams without age-related constraints.

Enroll | Join CAT online coaching in 2024 with Super Grads