CAT Exam 2023 – Exam Dates, Syllabus & Preparation Tips

CAT Exam 2023 is an All-India Level examination that is held for candidates who desire to pursue a promising career in field of management in 20 IIMs and other MBA colleges across India.

CAT Exam 2023

2023 CAT exam date has been announced and it is to be held on November 26, 2023. The CAT exam is conducted by any of the top six IIMs and the CAT Exam 2023 is likely to be conducted by IIM Lucknow.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2023

The CAT exam syllabus is divided in three sections:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

1. Reading comprehension
2. Para jumbles
3. Para summary
4. Odd sentence out

Data interpretation and Logical Reasoning

1. Set theory (variables)
2. Set theory and puzzles
3. Puzzles with additional data and coding decoding and series

Quantitative Aptitude

1. Number System
2. Algebra
3. Arithmetic
4. Geometry
5. Mensuration
   

CAT Exam Preparation Tips

CAT exam preparation can be done in following ways

Preparation through Self Study

1. There are many online study groups on Facebook, YouTube, Telegram where you will get valuable tips
2. Range of CAT exam preparation apps can also be considered
3. Online study material including CAT Mock tests can be taken

The level of questions in CAT exam varies from moderate to difficult. Hence, the candidates need to practise at least 45-50 mock tests.

Preparation for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section

This section has three parts:

1. Vocabulary
2. Grammar
3. Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary: For clearing questions from this section vocabulary, reading skills and reasoning questions need to be mastered. Try to understand the usage of words in given context and you shall be able to clear this portion.

Grammar: For solving these questions, you should have knowledge on various parts of speech and its usage. However, in short time it can also be mastered by practise as you will get an idea on kind of questions that are asked in this section.

Reading Comprehension: This needs habit development and you should read a variety of text including fiction, newspaper etc. Always try to read and interpret content that is beyond your comfort zone.

5 Best Books for CAT Exam

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Nishit K Sinha
2. Word Power made easy by Norman Lewis
3. CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
4. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit K Sinha
5. How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma

 Preparation for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DLR) Section:

1. The key point that the candidate needs to remember is that data interpretation is not core mathematics and there are no formulas involved.
2. Strengthen your logical reasoning as questions in this section will require calculation and counting.

Preparation for Quantitative Aptitude Section:

1. Remember that this section accounts for 1/3^rd of the CAT exam. You will have to memorize fundamentals and theories.
2. The best way is to solve a lot of practise questions as this section includes Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Mathematics.

Key Preparation Tips to remember

1. Develop strong basics with conceptual clarity
2. Do consistent revision through mock tests
3. Be part of any peer group of friends who are preparing
4. Practise time management along with accuracy and skill
5. Check tips shared by past toppers and follow their preparation strategy
   

CAT Exam Eligibility

CAT exam eligibility for candidates who wish to study in Himachal or any other state in IIMs and other management colleges after qualifying the examination is as follows:

1. The said candidates must have successfully completed the bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate.
2. For candidates from reserved category including those from SC, ST or any other reserved section should have 45 percent aggregate marks in graduation.
3. Those who are in the final year of their graduation and are awaiting result can also appear for the CAT exam 2023.
4. In addition, any candidate with a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI having the required percentage can also appear in this entrance examination.

CAT Exam Registration

The CAT exam registration began from first week of August 2023 and culminated by third week of September 2023.

If you aspire to study in Himachal after qualifying the CAT examination, there are numerous options in the state with the best being Shoolini University which has been ranked as No. 1 Private University in India in The World University rankings 2024.

CAT Exam Fee

This examination is to be held across 155 cities in India. The CAT exam fee for general category candidates is Rs 2,400/- The fee for reserved category students is Rs 1200/-

CAT Admit Card

The admit card for CAT exam is also issued online. The candidate has to login to the official website and go to the ‘admit card’ section. Go to the download section and take the admit card.

CAT Exam Details

It would be useful if the candidate knows beforehand the key details of theentrance exams 2023 which they are to take for securing admission to study in Himachal or any other state.

The key details are as follows:

The CAT exam 2023 would be a computer-based examination in English medium.

 The three exam slots will comprise of 66 questions.

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section consists of 24 questions
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section consists of 20 questions
3. Quantitative Aptitude section consists of 22 questions
4. In total, the candidate will get 120 minutes to complete the CAT exam 2023 with 40 minutes per section
5. The questions will be MCQs and TITA (type in the answers)
6. The candidates will be given +3 for each correct answer while -1 is allotted for every wrong answer. However, there is no negative marking for TITA (type in the answers)
   

Tentative Exam Slot Timings

In all its likelihood, the CAT exam 2023 is held in three sessions

1. Morning session from 8:30 am to 10:30 am
2. Afternoon session from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
3. Evening session from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

The results are likely to be announced by December and this would be followed by interview rounds with the candidates being allocated different colleges as per their performance in the examination.

CAT Answer Key

The answer key for CAT Exam 2023 shall be released three or four days after the examination. The candidate should visit the official website for CAT examination. After logging in to the website, the candidate can click on the ‘CAT 2023 answer key’ section and they can download it in PDF form for reference.

CAT 2023 Results

The results will be declared within a month of completion of the examination. The candidate can check their score section wise, over-all marks and the percentiles too. For doing the same, the candidate needs to click on the ‘CAT 2023 results/scorecard tab. The result would be available on the scorecard section and a copy of the same can be downloaded and saved as a PDF copy.

Wish everyone all the best!
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