Overview: The CAT exam eligibility criteria are the minimum requirements for any candidate to appear for the CAT exam. The CAT eligibility criteria thus include minimum education qualification, age, and past academic records of school and graduation. 

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a gateway for students who wish to pursue a career in business and management at top IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) and other top business schools in the country. You pursue an MBA, PGDM, and MMS degrees through the CAT exam.

You need to meet the CAT exam eligibility criteria as it is considered one of the toughest exams because it assesses your overall aptitude and preparedness for admission to a top-tier management program.

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Learn: How Can You Crack CAT Exam 2024 in 6 Months

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024

So, what is the CAT eligibility criteria?

Candidates applying for CAT entrance exam 2024 should fulfil any one of the connditions: 

General, EWS and eligibility criteria for CAT exam for OBC categories - Graduate with a minimum of 50% in bachelor's degree. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories - Graduate with a minimum of 45% of bachelor’s degree. Candidates who have completed professional degrees CA/CS/ICWA/ Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India with the required percentage.  Final year Bachelor’s degree students can also apply.

Candidates applying for CAT 2024 should fulfill any one of the following CAT eligibility criteria:

• a) Completed bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks.
• b) Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with required percentage.
• c) Should be in the final year of bachelor’s degree with required percentage. (SC/ST/PwD candidates should have a minimum 45%. For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%.

Check: Detailed CAT Exam Syllabus 2024

Read More: Minimum Marks to Qualify CAT Exam 2024

CAT Exam Eligibility Age Limit? 

As per the CAT exam eligibility age, there is no age limit defined as of yet.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria for Graduates

• It should be noted that if you are appearing for the final year of the Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination or if you have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results, the also you can apply.
• However, it may be noted that, if selected, you will be allowed to join the program provisionally only if you submit a certificate from the registrar of the University (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that you have completed all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor’s degree qualification on the date of issue of the certificate.

Note: Colleges accepting CAT scores may check CAT eligibility criteria at any selection stage, detailed on www.iimcat.ac.in. Meeting minimum criteria doesn't guarantee shortlisting. Candidates must keep a valid, unique email and mobile number throughout the process.

Know More: Number of Students Appearing for CAT Exam

As per the legal requirements the CAT eligibility criteria for different categories have the following seats reserved respectively for all the categories:

• Scheduled Caste (SC)- 15%
• Scheduled Tribe (ST)-7.5%
• Other Backward Classes- 27% 
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)- Up to 10% 

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024: Person with Benchmark Disabilities

• Under The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 5% of seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD), defined as individuals with at least 40% of a specified disability, as certified by an authority.
• The Act lists specific disabilities, including blindness, deafness, locomotor disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and more, ensuring inclusive education opportunities.

Note: Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD) should review eligibility for CAT exam carefully before applying. Although IIMs aim to adhere to legal reservation proportions, these candidates must meet minimum eligibility and performance standards for admission consideration.

It is important for the reserved category candidate to:

• Note that you must read CAT eligibility criteria carefully before applying.
• Meet the minimum eligibility for CAT exam and a certain minimum level of performance to be considered for the admission process for CAT exam.
• Understand that no change in the category is entertained after CAT registration.

Check: List of Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 Scores

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

CAT exam eligibility for IIM

Yes! 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 if selected, you will be allowed to join the program provisionally and only if you submit a certificate from the Registrar of your University (issued on or before the date as stipulated by the respective IIM) stating that you have completed all the requirements for obtaining the Bachelor’s degree on the date of issue of the certificate.

Learn More: How to download CAT Admit card 2024

CAT Exam Criteria: CAT Percentage Calculation

• The CAT exam eligibility 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 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.

A candidate needs to understand that:

• IIMs may verify CAT eligibility criteria for 2024 in India at various stages of the selection process. 
• Mere fulfilment of the CAT exam eligibility will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs. 
• A valid and unique email account and a mobile phone number throughout the selection process are a must.

Check: Is Class XII Marks Important for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024: Selection Criteria

IIMs may verify eligibility criteria for CAT 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 for CAT exam 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.

Check: CAT Exam Previous Year Question Paper

CAT Exam Eligibility Category Reservations 2024

The IIMs fulfil all the legal requirements as stated by the Government of India regarding reservation of seats, stated as under: 

• 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) 
• 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST)
• 27% of the seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) belonging to the “non-creamy” layer (NC-OBC) 
• Up to 10% of the seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
• 5% seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) [as per the provisions of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016]

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Conclusion: CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024 are designed to ensure that the candidates who take the test possess the skills and aptitude necessary to succeed in a competitive business environment. Apart from IIMs, thousands of other B-schools offer MBAs based on CAT scores. Therefore, it is important to note that the CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024 may vary for other management colleges, so it is important to check with the institute before applying for the CAT.

Check: CAT Exam Preparation 2024