Common Admission Test
Encyclopedia
The Common Admission Test (CAT
) is a Computer Based Test in Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
use the test as an important component in selecting students for the business administration programs. The test is conducted every year by one of the IIM's based on a policy of rotation. In August 2011 it was announced that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
would use CAT
, instead of JMET
, as part of the student selection process of their MBA and Masters in Management programmes from the academic year 2012-14.
) is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
as a pre-requisite for admission to various management programmes of IIMs, IITs
, FMS and IISc
. For details on programmes offered by each of the IIMs, please refer to their respective websites .
There are non-IIM institutions that have registered to avail the CAT
scores to be used in their admission process. CAT score use is restricted only for admission to IIMs and non-IIM member institutions.
CAT is normally conducted every year during a 20 day testing window in the months of October and November. A candidate can appear for CAT 2011 only once during the 20-day testing window. The test score is valid for admission to the forthcoming academic year only.
The pattern and duration of the test has seen considerable variations over the years.
The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or omitted. Candidates are given +3 points for each correct answer and -1 point for each incorrect answer. There are no points for questions that are not answered. The raw scores are then adjusted, as necessary, through a process called equating. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called scaling.
Three scaled scores will be presented for each candidate: an overall scaled score and two separate scaled scores for each section. As the two sections evaluate distinct sets of knowledge and skills, scores do not correlate across sections. A high score in one section does not guarantee a high score in another section. Percentile rankings are provided for each individual section as well as for the overall exam score.
On 1 May 2009, it was announced that from CAT would be a Computer Based Test starting from CAT 2009. The American firm Prometric
has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the computer based test. The first computer based CAT was marred by technical snags. The issue was so serious that it prompted the Government of India to seek a report from the convenor. The trouble was diagnosed as 'Conflicer' and 'W32 Nimda', the two viruses that attacked the system display of the test, causing severe slow down.
For the complete list of institutes using CAT scores please see
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
) is a Computer Based Test in Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Indian Institutes of Management
The Indian Institutes of Management , are graduate business schools in India. They were set up with the objective of providing management education and to assist the industry through research and consulting services. The IIMs award diplomas and not degrees.- Institutes :Indian Institute of...
use the test as an important component in selecting students for the business administration programs. The test is conducted every year by one of the IIM's based on a policy of rotation. In August 2011 it was announced that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
Indian Institutes of Technology
The Indian Institutes of Technology are a group of autonomous engineering and technology-oriented institutes of higher education. The IITs are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 which has declared them as “institutions of national importance”, and lays down their powers, duties,...
and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
would use CAT
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
, instead of JMET
Joint Management Entrance Test
Joint Management Entrance Test was an admission exam used by some institutes in India as the first step in the admission to postgraduate programs in management. Institutes which used the exams included Indian Institute of Science and the IIT Schools of Management. The results of JMET were used to...
, as part of the student selection process of their MBA and Masters in Management programmes from the academic year 2012-14.
Scope
The Common Admission Test (CATCat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
) is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Indian Institutes of Management
The Indian Institutes of Management , are graduate business schools in India. They were set up with the objective of providing management education and to assist the industry through research and consulting services. The IIMs award diplomas and not degrees.- Institutes :Indian Institute of...
as a pre-requisite for admission to various management programmes of IIMs, IITs
Indian Institutes of Technology
The Indian Institutes of Technology are a group of autonomous engineering and technology-oriented institutes of higher education. The IITs are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 which has declared them as “institutions of national importance”, and lays down their powers, duties,...
, FMS and IISc
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
. For details on programmes offered by each of the IIMs, please refer to their respective websites .
There are non-IIM institutions that have registered to avail the CAT
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
scores to be used in their admission process. CAT score use is restricted only for admission to IIMs and non-IIM member institutions.
CAT is normally conducted every year during a 20 day testing window in the months of October and November. A candidate can appear for CAT 2011 only once during the 20-day testing window. The test score is valid for admission to the forthcoming academic year only.
Test Duration and Pattern
There will be two separately timed sections in the test. Once a section ends, candidates can no longer go back to it. The sections are (a) Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (b) Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. Each of the sections will have 30 questions with a duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Including a 15-minute tutorial before the start of the test which candidates are advised to go through, the total duration of the test will be 2 hours and 35 minutes.The pattern and duration of the test has seen considerable variations over the years.
Scoring
The CAT, like virtually all large-scale exams, utilises multiple forms, or versions, of the test. Hence there are two types of scores involved viz. raw score and scaled score.The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or omitted. Candidates are given +3 points for each correct answer and -1 point for each incorrect answer. There are no points for questions that are not answered. The raw scores are then adjusted, as necessary, through a process called equating. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called scaling.
Three scaled scores will be presented for each candidate: an overall scaled score and two separate scaled scores for each section. As the two sections evaluate distinct sets of knowledge and skills, scores do not correlate across sections. A high score in one section does not guarantee a high score in another section. Percentile rankings are provided for each individual section as well as for the overall exam score.
History
Before 2009, CAT was a paper based test conducted on a single day for all candidates. The pattern, number of questions and duration have seen considerable variations over the years.On 1 May 2009, it was announced that from CAT would be a Computer Based Test starting from CAT 2009. The American firm Prometric
Prometric
Prometric is a U.S. company in the test administration industry. Prometric operates a test center network composed of over 10,000 sites in 160 countries...
has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the computer based test. The first computer based CAT was marred by technical snags. The issue was so serious that it prompted the Government of India to seek a report from the convenor. The trouble was diagnosed as 'Conflicer' and 'W32 Nimda', the two viruses that attacked the system display of the test, causing severe slow down.
Other colleges
Many business schools in India, other than the IIMs, also use the CAT scores as a criterion for admission. As of 2011, CAT scores are used by approximately 145 institutes in India.. The list includes eminent institutes like:- Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi
- Vanguard Business School, Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad Indian Institute of Information Technology, AllahabadThe Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad is an Indian Institute of Information Technology established in 1999 by the government of India. The institute was conferred deemed university status in 2000, empowering it to award degrees following the setting of its own examinations...
- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapally
- National Institute of Technology, Calicut
- S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development InstituteManagement Development InstituteManagement Development Institute is a prestigious business school in India. It was established in 1973 and is located in Gurgaon, a commercial hub near the Indian capital of New Delhi. The institute is internationally known and is consistently ranked in the top 10 b-schools in India, often in the...
(MDI), Gurgaon - Faculty of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University
- Bharathidasan Institute of ManagementBharathidasan Institute of ManagementBharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli or BIM-Trichy is a business school, established in 1984 in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India...
(BIM), Trichy - Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi
For the complete list of institutes using CAT scores please see