In order to be considered for admission to elite educational institutions, prospective students who are interested in attending college are frequently required to take a variety of entrance examinations. One of these examinations is the Common Admission Test (CAT), which is well-known for its ability to facilitate the admission of candidates to most prestigious management schools like IIMs across the entirety of India. Candidates who are interested in taking the CAT exam must first ensure that they are able to fulfill the prerequisites that have been established for the examination before they can begin their journey.
CAT Eligibility Criteria for General and NC-OBC Candidates –
Academic Qualifications –
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university or educational institution approved by the Government of India.
A minimum aggregate score of 50% in graduation (or equivalent) across any stream is required.
Final Year Candidates –
Aspiring candidates must either be in their final year of graduation or awaiting their final results.
Professional Degrees –
Those holding professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA are eligible; provided they attain a minimum aggregate score of 50%.
CAT Eligibility Criteria for SC; ST; and PwD Candidates –
Academic Requirements –
SC/ST/PwD candidates must have secured a minimum aggregate score of 45% in their graduation or equivalent.
Final Year Candidates –
Professional Degrees -Similar to General and NC-OBC candidates; SC/ST/PwD candidates should be in their final year of graduation or awaiting results.
SC/ST/PwD candidates possessing professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are eligible if they meet the minimum aggregate score requirement of 45%.
Equivalent Degrees and Calculation Methods –
For candidates with grades or CGPA in their bachelor’s degree; the percentage of marks will be calculated according to the respective university’s practice.
In cases where universities do not provide a specific conversion scheme; the candidate’s CGPA will be divided by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplied by 100.
Who Cannot Apply for CAT 2024 –
Candidates failing to meet the minimum aggregate score requirement (50% for General/NC-OBC; 45% for SC/ST/PwD).
Individuals without a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualifications.
Candidates whose two-year average in their bachelor’s degree does not fulfill the minimum aggregate score criterion.
Those not in the final year of their bachelor’s degree program.
Individuals currently pursuing (but not yet completed) professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA.
Candidates whose bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is not recognized by UGC/AICTE/MHRD-Govt.
Distinguishing CAT Eligibility from IIM Admission Criteria –
While CAT eligibility primarily focuses on academic qualifications; admission to IIMs requires meeting CAT’s cutoff percentile in addition to other selection criteria set by individual IIMs.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2024 –
CAT does not have reservation criteria apart from providing a 5% relaxation in graduation marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates. However; individual IIMs adhere to the reservation criteria mandated by the Government of India.
Understanding Person with Benchmark Disability (PwD) in CAT –
Persons with benchmark disability refer to individuals with at least forty percent of specified disabilities as outlined in the Schedule of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016. These disabilities include but are not limited to blindness; low vision; deafness; locomotor disabilities; intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses.
In conclusion a clear understanding of CAT eligibility criteria is essential for aspirants aiming to pursue management education in prestigious institutions. By adhering to these criteria candidates can ensure their eligibility and take a significant step towards their academic and professional goals.