CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria – Age Limit, Qualification, etc.

This article lists up CAT Exam Eligibility broadly. It also enlists the qualification required for CAT Exam. Focuses on qualification and age limit for the CAT exam. Note:-Eligibility Criteria for the CAT exam is incredibly simple and has remained the same for the past several years. And then, it’ll remain identical this year too. Before starting with the prep, students must know the whole CAT eligibility criteria. Grasp whether or not they are eligible for CAT this year or not. It also specifies the ordinance for the CAT exam. Focuses on details as well.

There are basic points concerning the EC for CAT that should be known properly. The points regarding the same are as follows:

• CAT eligibility with respect to the educational qualification
• Exam eligibility for final year grad students
• CAT eligibility criteria for students with backlogs
• Eligibility. And reservation details

Before going to the EC details. It is important to know the details about the CAT exam. And also what this exam is all about. Further, a brief intro to the CAT exam.

What is CAT exam?

CAT is a computer-based test. Conducted in India by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is scheduled annually by 1 in all the IIMs supported by a policy of rotation. Hence, this test score of a student helps them to require admission into the different MBA institutes of India. Most of the ques are from QA, DI, VA, and LR. One should check the pattern. And also the latest detailed syllabus topics for the exam and prep. Therefore, to check the syllabus, click here.

Individuals intending to take the CAT exam should check the newest CAT eligibility criteria before registering for the exam. And also qualifications. So, let’s elaborate on it further.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria: Academic Qualification

• The student should have completed the qualification of the CAT Exam.I.e. Bachelor’s curriculum in any stream from a recognized university. Or similar recognized by the MHRD, India.
• For GEN and also NC-OBC students, the min % required within the grad is 50%.
• Students from the reserved categories must attain 45% within the grad.
• For students who are awarded grades or CGPA. Convert CGPA is going to be in step with the method certified by the univ/ institute.
• Students within the final year or awaiting their results may apply.

This sections enlists the important qualification required of CAT exam.

Qualification	Required Affiliation Recognized by	Required Pass Percentage
Engg Degree – B.Tech/ B.E.	MHRD/AICTE	50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD)
Grad from any Univ	UGC	50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD)
Students in their final year of Grad also are eligible to take the CAT Exam	Cont. grad from Univ MHRD/AICTE or UGC	50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD)

Degrees Accepted in CAT 2020

There are certain degrees that are considered to correspond to a grad. Students who possess any of those degrees also are eligible to seem for CAT. The equal qualifications valid for appearing in the CAT exam are listed below:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engg or Tech of 4-yrs duration completed after 10+2. Or Post B.Sc.. Or Post Diploma.
2. A degree in Engg and Tech of Prof Societies recognized by MHRD/UPSC/AICTE. Such as AMIE by IE, India. Or AMICE by the ICE of India.
3. Qualification is equal to a grad recognized by the AIU, New Delhi.
4. Students with CA/CS/ICWA grad. (Gen: 50% and also SC/ST/ PWD: 45%) may also apply.
5. A student with different qualification ex-directory here also can apply. However, they’re going to need to produce an equal certificate Issued by the  AIU, New Delhi.

Important Notes regarding CAT Exam Eligibility

 The Univ must be declared incorporated by an Act of the Parliament. Or State legislature in India. Or declared as deemed to be an Univ under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.

Such students must submit a certificate from the Registrar / Principal of their respective institute or Univ. The certificate must state that they need to complete all the necessities for obtaining the equal qualification on the date of the difficulty of the certificate. Thus submission should be on time.

Important Note:- The person percentage who obtains within the grad is calculated on the premise of practice followed by the concerned institute (or Univ). If a % conversion scheme is unavailable for a specific university. Lastly, the student’s CGPA is divided by max possible CGPA multiply result by 100.

No of Attempts 

The CAT exam allows any student to look for infinite times. There’s no limit for the CAT exam students to no. of attempts of giving the exam. So, students can appear many times during his/her life. But the students should have some criteria for the student should hold a min 50% or equal CGPA or grade in Grad. Therefore, the degree must be completed from any Govt recognized university. So, don’t worry do your CAT prep well.

Who isn’t eligible for CAT?

• If the students have not scored 50 % in grad (45 % for SC/ST/PwD), then they are not eligible to apply for CAT.
• The students who don’t have either a grad or any prof degree such as CA/CS/ICWA, are not eligible to apply.
• Students who are not in the final year of their grad are not eligible to apply.
• Students who have not completed prof degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA are not eligible to apply.
• If the students’ grad (or equal) is not recognized by UGC/AICTE/MHRD-Govt, they are not eligible to apply.

CAT Exam Eligibility With Backlogs

Note:- The official IIM admission policy doesn’t state that students with backlogs cannot apply for the CAT exam. So, any student with a backlog within the final year of grad is also eligible for CAT.

Registration With Backlogs

Firstly, common ques of scholars with any academic backlog in their grad program. Is whether or not they’ll register for the CAT exam. Secondly, it should be clarified that CAT aspirants who have a tutorial backlog during their grad program. Lastly, they can still apply and also registration for CAT with none issue.

Essential Points Regarding CAT Registration With Backlogs:

Here, some of the imp points and also advice that the CAT aspirants with backlogs to go through. And also clear any confusion regarding the same.

• A student with a backlog in grad degree is eligible to apply for CAT.
• Students appearing for supple re-exams are also eligible to apply for CAT.
• Students scoring > 50% (45% for res. category) in grad (even in supple re-exam) can apply for CAT.
• Fill CAT reg form, select “yes” in response to“Are you in the final year of Bachelor Degree?”.
• Since grad is incomplete, it is an important requirement for students to submit a certificate. Issued by Univ’s respective registrar or principal. Mention students who appeared for supple re-exam and are awaiting results.
• Reserved category-students should check the eligibility properly before applying. And also should upload a copy of the caste certificate.
• Note:- IIMs do not provide provision to change the caste after completing the registration.

Avoid Mistakes while entering Individual and Scholastic Details while Enrolling

It is incredible for the CAT students to exp the detailed CAT EC before registration for the test. Through a correction window which will be available later. Limit to certain changes. I.e. the CW doesn’t permit changes in the full application. Thus, to maintain a strategic distance from any errors later, which may prompt the wiping out of candidature. The applicants ought to appropriately check the qualification before applying.

CAT Reservation Criteria Details

The IIMs have incorporated some reserved categories of students applying for any of the BA programs. Details as per IIM in an exceedingly comprehensive way are as follows:

Category	Reserved Percentage
SC	15%
ST	7.5%
NC-OBC (Non-creamy OBC)	27%
PWD	3%

Note- Students belonging to any of the reserved categories are required to upload a caste certificate. And also carry photocopy during registration during document verification.

PWD category students need to bring a component authority issued PWD Certificate. The diff categories of disabilities under PWD res. are the individuals with:

1. Blindness. And also low vision.
2. Deaf. And also hard hearing.
3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy. Leprosy cured. Dwarfism. Acid attack victims. And also muscular dystrophy
4. Autism. Intellectual disability. Specific learning disability. And also mental illness.
5. Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
6. Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016.

PWD students are suggested to read Section 39 of the PWD Act, 1995 to test the list of all disabilities under this category.

Note:- The students applying for the PWD category should have a min of 40% disability as certified by any medical authority. An individual with Benchmark Disability* refers to who isn’t but 40% of a specified disability. It will include the subsequent disabilities as laid out in the Sch of the RPwD Act 2016.

Note – An advice to students is to read the outline that IIMs provide during the choice process. No change of category is entertaining during the reg of CAT.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria – Additional Information for Reserved Categories

In case a student belongs to ST or SC category, then the CC which can be provided by GOI must clearly state the details of the sub:

(a) Name of the caste/tribe

(b) Whether the aspirant belongs to SC or ST

(c) District, State or Union Territory of the scholar’s ordinary residence

(d) The app. GOI schedule under which the candidate’s caste/tribe is approved by it as SC or ST.

• Students must not forget to upload the mandatory CC at the time of the CAT reg. Fail to which student’s candidature will stand canceled.
• Students must get the CC and its copy at the time of the interview process.

Importance of CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

It is vital for the CAT aspirants to be surely aware of the CAT EC details before applying for the exam. During CAT registration, students are going to be asked to fill in their details. And also submit respective documents on the portal. Just in case of any discrepancies later. The candidature of the students may be canceled without prior notice. 

Note:-Being eligible for CAT doesn’t guarantee admission into the IIMs or the other B-school. CAT scores are going to be added to shortlist students for further rounds of selection (WAT and PI).

This year CAT is tentatively planned in November. Every year almost 2-3 lac students appear for the exam. And only a few make it to their preferred institute. Having proper CAT prep is the key to ace it.

Age Limit for CAT Exam

There is no specific age limit for CAT Exam. But the education EC is grad. So, It only requires a good prep to perform good.

Difference b/w IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility

CAT EC hasn’t seen many changes over the yrs. However, some changes were introduced in 2014, which led to clashes btw the CAT exam EC & IIMs Admission EC. Students are allowed to appear in the CAT exam with 2 yrs of grad within the old system. But they don’t seem to be allowed to pursue the mgmt course at IIM. Unless they have completed grad with min 3 yrs duration. Apart from this, the eligibility for CAT & IIM admissions remains the same. Similarly, there is no age bar to seem for the CAT exam. Or even to pursue MBA from IIMs. And also for the batch of 2021-23, the EC is the same.

Wrapping Up

Common Admission Test or CAT is led for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. Which IIMs and over 1,200 other B-schools in India offers. Hence, to know more, click here.

Since the MBA is a post-grad program, the CAT EC is grad. So, there is no specific age limit for the CAT exam. So, focus on EC and start for- your dream right now. Because the prep needs time, discipline, and also dedication. So, remember to check the qualification details for the CAT exam.

Firstly, pace and prep yourself with the best study materials. So, click here to get the latest tips to prep and find the best CAT coaching. Secondly, focus on the specifications such as EC details. Study CAT pattern. Syllabus. Perform mock tests and also prep well for the MBA entrance exam. Thirdly, the student should be fully prep before the exam and should revise the concepts. However, there is no specific age limit. No attempt limit to apply for CAT. So, make a priority list. And also a perfect timetable for your prep.

ALL THE VERY BEST for your CAT prep!!!

FAQ regarding CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

Editor’s Note | CAT Exam Eligibility

Time has paused for many students who had worked hard to be able to realize their dream of attaining higher education this year.  Because COVID-19 hit India at the most imp time. And point in the academic 2020. Dividing the admission process into a before and after. For the process to continue under lockdown. Online interviews are being conducted. But certain parameters considered in the final selection such as the writing ability test (WAT) cannot be conducted now. Therefore, a few institutes have either rejected it or have not issued any notification with the respect to it. Until the situation is controlled, the process is at a slow pace keeping social distancing, and all precautions in mind. So, stay prepared and also keep in mind all essentials regarding CAT.