Associate Content Manager | Updated On - Oct 3, 2024
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 highlights the basic eligibility required for CAT 2024 exam. Educational qualification is an important requirement that candidates should fulfill to appear in CAT 2024. At least 50% in Bachelor’s degree is necessary for general-category students and 45% for reserved-category students. CAT 2024 exam date is Nov 24 and the Correction form has been released on the official website (now Closed).
As far as age is concerned, there is no upper or lower age limit to apply for CAT 2024 Exam. Students in their final year of graduation can apply for the CAT exam, but they must submit all the relevant documents at the time of admission at their respective IIM institute. CAT eligibility criteria for candidates with a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) is 50% or above for general category students and a minimum of 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
A reservation policy has been made for reserved category students who are willing to appear for the CAT exam. Candidates can check out the list of IIMs accepting CAT exam scores.
| Table of Contents |
CAT Exam Eligibility Highlights
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIM |
| Age Limit | No age bar |
| Educational Qualification | 50% in Bachelor’s Degree |
| Work Experience | Work experience not mandatory |
| Reservation Policy | As per specified |
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024: Age Limit
As per the conducting authority, there is no age bar to apply for the CAT 2024 exam. Students appearing for CAT 2024 should therefore meet the other minimum requirements as there is no CAT eligibility age limit for taking the exam.
CAT Eligibility 12th Marks
CAT eligibility 12th marks: Class 12th marks are not required for CAT exam, however, IIMs consider the 12th percentage as a selection criteria for MBA admissions. To appear for CAT exam, candidates only require graduation marks of 50%. This is the minimum eligibility requirement for general-category students. For students belonging to the reserved category, 45% in graduation is mandatory.
Here is the list of the top 10 IIMs with a 12th percentage requirement:
| IIM | 12th Marks Weightage | Admission Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 10 (minimum rating score with 55%) | Check Here |
| IIM Bangalore | 15 | Check Here |
| IIM Calcutta | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Lucknow | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Indore | 40 | Check Here |
| IIM Kozhikode | 15 | Check Here |
| IIM Udaipur | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Trichy | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Raipur | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Rohtak | 10 | Check Here |
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024: Educational Qualification
The authority has prescribed a certain educational qualification applicable for CAT 2024 exam. The details of the educational qualification have been mentioned below:
- Candidates must complete their graduation in any discipline from a recognized university/institute.
- For general category students, at least 50% is required in Bachelor’s degree to become eligible for the exam. But the minimum percentage requirement for students who come under the reserved category is 45%.
- Final-year students can also apply on the condition that if they qualify the exam, they will be selected provisionally. They must submit the required documents to their respective IIM on or before the prescribed date.
- Candidates with a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) can appear in CAT exam.
| Qualification | University | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Degree – B. Tech/ B.E. | Recognized by MHRD/ UPSC/AICTE | 50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD candidates) |
| Bachelor’s Degree from any University | Recognized by UGC | |
| Students who are in their final year of Bachelor’s/ graduation degree can sit for the examination. | Continuing graduation from any University that is recognized by either MHRD/ UPSC/AICTE or UGC | |
| CA, CS, ICWA, or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) | Recognized by MHRD/ UPSC/AICTE |
CAT Eligibility 2024 for Final Year Students
Students who are in the final year of their bachelor's degree course have been given an opportunity to apply for CAT exam. If any final-year candidate qualify the CAT exam, their selection will be considered provisional, they must submit the required documents once they clear all the stages of the selection process.
CAT 2024 Reservation Policy
According to CAT details, a reservation policy has been made for students who come under the reserved category as mentioned by the Government of India. SC/STEWS/PwD/OBC come under the reserved category and seats have been reserved for the same.
| Category | Reservation (%) |
|---|---|
| Schedule Caste | 15% |
| Schedule Tribe | 7.5% |
| Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes | 27% |
| Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | Up to 10% |
Categories of disabilities include:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- A Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, and acid attack victims.
- Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) f) Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016
CAT Eligibility vs IIMs Eligibility
CAT eligibility is the same as IIMs eligibility criteria, but some IIMs might consider class 10 and 12 marks for admission to MBA courses. Along with this, IIMs also include a selection process to screen the students for entry into the institutes. IIMs Admission Criteria
Here are the basic eligibility criteria common to CAT and IIMs.
- 50% in graduation for the general category and 45% for the reserved category.
- Final-year students can apply, but they will be provisionally selected if they qualify the exam.
- Work experience is not mandatory to appear in CAT exam but some IIMs might give weightage to work experience during the selection process. Candidates without work experience need not worry about their selection in MBA courses for IIMs do take freshers as well. Candidates just need to qualify the CAT cut off and selection process like GD and PI.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 FAQs
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for CAT 2024?
Ans. 50% in graduation is the minimum requirement for CAT 2024. Candidates with a professional degree in (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) can appear in CAT exam.
Ques. Can I give CAT in 3rd year?
Ans. Students in their final year of graduation can apply for the CAT exam. They must submit relevant documents on time if they are selected.
Ques. Is CAT compulsory for IIM?
Ans. CAT exam is compulsory for admission to an MBA course in any IIM institute in India. CAT 2024 exam is going to be conducted on Nov 24. The offcial notification will be released by IIM in July.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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Comments
2 Comments
No, there is no Upper Age Limit or Lower Age Limit requirement to register for the CAT exam. To be eligible for the exam you must have passed your Bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university.
For more information, refer to this link: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2022
Yes, students who are in their final year can apply for the CAT exam. In this case, you are required to provide your certificate of the completion of the course issued by the Principal/Registrar of the College/Institution latest by the specified date.
For more information, refer to this link: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2022