CAT 2023: Exam Date, Registrations, Syllabus, Pattern

CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is a national-level entrance examination for admission into MBA courses from IIMs and other top B-Schools in India. CAT exam 2023 has set its standards so high that about 1,200 MBA colleges accept the scores for admission to their PG management programs. Now that you know about the CAT exam, we will discuss the CAT exam 2023 and will let you know about the CAT important dates.

To give the readers an idea, here are the top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores include - IIMs, SPJIMR, MDI, FMS, IMT, IITs, IM, GIM, GLIM, NITIE, LIBA, MICA, IRMA, BIMTech, KIIT SOM, AMU, BHU, JMI, and many others.

CAT 2023 Exam Dates

We are including a table with all the important dates related to the CAT exam 2023. You can also visit the official website and stay updated about the CAT notification 2023:

CAT Exam Events	CAT 2023 Exam Date (tentative)
Notification announcement	31-July-2023
CAT 2023 Registration Date - Starts	2-August-2023
CAT 2023 Registration Date - Ends	13-September-2023
Correction of forms and information	The last week of September 2023
CAT 2023 admit card release	The last week of October 2023
Activation of CAT mock test link	The fourth week of October  2023
CAT 2023 exam date	26-November-2023
Answer key release	The first week of December 2023
Commencement of Answer key challenge	The first week of December 2023
CAT 2023 result declaration	The first week of January 2024

CAT Application Process 2023

Now that the CAT exam date 2023 is released, you may also want to know how to apply for CAT 2023. So, here is a step-by-step guide on CAT 2023 registration and application process.

• The first step would be to fill up the CAT application form 2023 online at iimcat.ac.in.
• Only eligible candidates will be allowed to apply.
• Candidates need a functional email ID and password for CAT 2023 registration.
• While filling out the CAT application form 2023, make sure you have your academic scores of Class 10th, 12th, and the bachelor’s degree, by your side.
• Candidates will also require their Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport number etc., for personal identification. 
• Candidates must have their net banking details to make the payment.
• Candidates must furnish their scanned photograph and signature, so keep them ready. 
• While filling out the application form, candidates must select IIMs and courses in the CAT they want to apply for; there is no need to fill out separate forms of IIMs for MBA admission.
• Pay the application fee using net banking

Keep in mind that the CAT application fee is non-refundable. Also, the form correction facility will be provided only for selected fields of the form.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
• Candidates must have scored a minimum 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45% aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category).
• Candidates awaiting the result of their graduation or appearing for the final year of their bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification are also eligible to appear in CAT.
• Candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS/ICWA) can also appear for CAT, but they must have the required percentage. 

CAT 2023 Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Recommended Books

The CAT 2023 syllabus includes five main sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The following table has the CAT 2023 syllabus information, which may help candidates in their CAT 2023 preparation. 

CAT Syllabus 2023 Sections	CAT Syllabus 2023 topics
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	Number System, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Set Theory (Variables), Puzzles with Additional Data, Set Theory + Puzzles, Coding-Decoding and Series
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading Comprehension, Para Summary, Para Jumbles and Odd Sentence Out

CAT 2023 Question Pattern:

CAT 2023 Pattern
CAT exam sections	VARC, DILR and QA
Language of question paper	English
Total number of questions	66
Duration of CAT exam	40 minutes per section (Total 120 minutes)
Section-wise number of questions	VARC - 24 DILR - 20 QA - 22
Total marks	198
Type of questions	MCQs and Non-MCQs
Number of Choices for MCQ Type Question	Four
Marking scheme	3 marks for every correct response with Negative marking of 1/3 (-1) for every wrong MCQ response Non-MCQ questions do not have negative marking

Recommended Books for CAT 2023 Preparation:

The CAT 2023 preparations can be done from the following books mentioned below.

• NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal

While these books will prepare you for the exam, many aspirants also look for some extra tips to crack CAT exam. For this, you can find many study groups, and we also suggest you discuss with your peers to gain more knowledge and mostly stay updated with the news and announcements.

To Conclude

CAT is considered one of India's most challenging entrance exams. Qualifying for this examination allows you to study in India’s top B-Schools. However, it should be mentioned that, apart from the IIMs, many other colleges offer quality education. 

If you want to browse more colleges for your MBA degree, opt for a campus which offers Sunstone’s edge.

Sunstone is a leading higher education services provider that works with academic institutions in upskilling students for employability. Sunstone offers career-oriented training interventions for undergraduate and postgraduate students at 50+ institutions across 35+ cities.

Sunstone’s training programs are industry endorsed to enhance employability. These programs are designed for hybrid delivery with an unparalleled focus on soft skills and personality development. Sunstone’s focus is to provide students with a holistic educational experience. 

FAQs - CAT Exam Date 2023

When is the CAT exam 2023?

CAT is the abbreviation for Common Admission Test. It is an entrance exam for admission into MBA courses offered by the Indian Institute of Management. Apart from the IIMs, other elite B-Schools in India also consider the CAT score for admission to their MBA courses.

Should I appear in the CAT 2023 exam?

Yes, you should appear in CAT 2023 exam if you want to pursue an MBA degree course from IIMs.

Can I do CAT 2023 preparations in 3 months?

Well, it is suggested to start your CAT 2023 preparations at least 6 months before.