CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2023

The CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a popular national examination in India that allows students to gain admission to top management institutes for an MBA course or related management programs. The Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) take turns administering the CAT examination yearly. 

The CAT 2023 examination is expected to take place on the final Sunday of November 2023. It will be conducted in a computer-based mode at more than 400 test centres throughout India. The test will allow entry into popular graduate programs such as the MBA program. However, students must meet certain eligibility for the CAT exam in order to qualify for the same.  

CAT Exam Qualification: Latest Updates

• The official announcement for CAT 2023 is expected to be released in July or August of 2023. 
• The test will be divided into three sections, as in the past, with one of the older IIMs responsible for administering the exam. 
• The registration period for CAT 2023 will open in the first week of August and close in mid-September 2023. 
• The organisers of the CAT exam have announced that there will be no minimum percentage requirement for the upcoming test. 
• According to the official CAT exam eligibility, candidates with unfinished undergraduate studies courses can apply for the CAT 2023 without any issues. 
• Having prior work experience is not a requirement to be eligible for the CAT, but students with work experience will have an advantage during the evaluation process for selection into the IIMs. 

Note: It is important for students to check the updated CAT eligibility criteria for 2023 in the upcoming months to ensure they have accurate information.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2023

• CAT Exam Age Limit 

Similar to the other MBA entrance exams, there is currently no age restriction for any candidates to apply for the CAT exam 2023, regardless of their category. Therefore, individuals of any age can apply for the CAT exam as long as they meet the required educational qualifications for eligibility. 

Note: It is important to note that this information is subject to change, and students should check the CAT Age Limit 2023 before applying.

• CAT Exam Educational Qualification

Students must familiarise themselves with the educational qualifications for the CAT 2023. The educational requirements for the CAT exam vary depending on the student’s category. The table below outlines the expected educational qualifications for SC/ ST/ PWD and General category students.

Category	Educational Requirements
General and OBC	A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA is required for General category students. Those who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with a minimum of 50% marks are also eligible.
SC/ST/PwD	For students in the SC/ST/PWD category, a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 45% marks is the requirement. Students who are in the final year of completing their graduation are also eligible for the CAT Exam 2023. Students who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with a minimum of 45% marks are also eligible for the CAT Exam 2023.

Who is Ineligible for the CAT 2023?

Certain factors can disqualify a student from being eligible for the CAT exam and subsequently being considered for admission to the MBA course at business schools. These factors include:

• Individuals who still need to complete or are not currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or any other professional course, such as CA, CS, or ICWA, are not eligible to take the CAT 2023 exam. 
• Similarly, those in the last year of a professional course but still need to complete a graduation course are also not eligible for the CAT 2023 exam. 
• Candidates who have scored below the minimum percentage requirement of 50% for the General category and 45% for the SC/ST/PwD category in their graduation are also not eligible to apply for CAT 2023. 
• Additionally, candidates whose graduation is not recognised by the UGC/AICTE/MHRD and the Government of India are not eligible to take the CAT 2023 exam.

CAT Exam Eligibility for PwD candidates

PWD candidates who have 40% of hearing impairment (HI), low vision (LV), or locomotive disability (LD) will receive certain benefits when taking the CAT exam 2023.

• PWD candidates are expected to be given an additional 20 minutes per section for the CAT exam. 
• Additionally, candidates with a locomotive disability will be provided with a wheelchair and candidates with low vision will be provided with a scribe at the examination centre.

CAT Reservation Criteria

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have set aside certain quotas for candidates belonging to different categories when applying for business administration programs. The table below shows the expected reservation criteria details for the IIMs for the CAT exam.

Category	Reservation Percentage
NC-OBC (Non-creamy Other Backward Classes)	27%
SC (Scheduled Caste)	15%
ST (Scheduled Tribe)	7.5%
PWD (Person With Disability)	3%

Conclusion

It is essential for students interested in taking the CAT exam to ensure they meet all the eligibility requirements before submitting their application. 

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FAQ - CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

When should I start preparing for CAT 2023?

The CAT 2023 exam is scheduled to take place in the final week of November, so preparing for the exam as early as March is recommended. It is important to focus on the test sections that align with your strengths and weaknesses.

Who can apply for CAT 2023?

Individuals with bachelor's degrees from an accredited institution in any field are eligible to take the CAT exam. Candidates in their final year of completing their undergraduate degree are also eligible to apply. 

Read also: MBA in India without CAT

What are the eligibility criteria for the CAT exam?

There are no age restrictions for the CAT 2023 exam. However, the applicant must have completed a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent as the educational qualification.