CAT Eligibility 2023

Summary: This article will provide an overview of the eligibility criteria for the CAT, including age limits, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements. Learn who is eligible for CAT exam?

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is an entrance exam for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). 

Are you interested in taking the Common Admission Test (CAT)? 

If yes, you should know the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the requirements before applying. 

CAT is expected to start its admission process by mid of this year. Let’s understand the eligibility and reservation policies you can avail of. 

The article also provides information on reservations and other important factors to consider before applying.

CAT Eligibility 2023

Eligibility for the CAT exam is as follows: 

Education qualifications

1 - The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories], awarded by any University or educational institution as incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature in India or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India

Marks to be obtained

CAT eligibility percentage is as follows:

*SC/ST/PwD candidates should have a minimum of 45%.

For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%. 

Check: CAT Syllabus 2023

Can students in the last year of their bachelor's degree apply? 

2 - Candidates appearing for the final year of the Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply.

However, it may be noted that such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally only if they submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that they have completed all the requirements for obtaining the Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of issue of the certificate.

CAT exam eligibility criteria with percentage calculation

3 - The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate would be calculated based on the practice followed by the respective University/Institution.

Regarding grades/CGPA, the conversion to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the respective University/Institution.

If any University/Institution confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.

Check: CAT Exam Pattern 2023

Selection criteria

4 - IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website www.iimcat.ac.in.

Applicants should note that the mere fulfilment of the minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs. 

Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email account and mobile phone number throughout the selection.

CAT exam age limit

CAT does not impose any age limit for the test takers.

Ensure you check CAT exam syllabus and eligibility criteria before you start your preparations. 

CAT Exam 2023 Reservation Policies

According to regulatory regulations, 15% of the seats are set aside for applicants from Scheduled Castes (SC), 7.5% for applicants from Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 27% for applicants from Other Backward Classes who are "Non-Creamy." layer (NC-OBC), up to 10% for applicants from economically disadvantaged groups (EWS) and 5% for those with benchmark disabilities (PwD).

According to The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act 2016), "Person with Benchmark Disability" refers to a person who, as certified by the certifying authority, has at least forty per cent (40%) of a specified disability when that disability has not been defined in measurable terms. 

This definition also includes people with disabilities where the specified disability has been defined in measurable terms.

"Specified disability" refers to the conditions listed in the RPwD Act 2016's Schedule. The types of disabilities include:

a) blindness and low vision,

b) deaf and hard of hearing,

c) locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy,

d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness

e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d),

f) other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016.

The article covers CAT eligibility criteria for IIM only.

Check: CAT Books 2023

Conclusion

CAT eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that the candidates who take the test possess the skills and aptitude necessary to succeed in a competitive business environment. 

The eligibility criteria ensure that the CAT is taken only by those who have the potential to excel in the field and are likely to benefit from the course. Apart from IIMs, thousand of other b-schools offer MBA based on CAT scores. Therefore, it is important to note that the eligibility criteria may vary for other management colleges, so it is important to check with the institute before applying for the CAT.