CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024- Check Qualification, Age Limit, Reservation, Marks Details

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

CAT 2024 eligibility criteria have been released by IIM Calcutta on the official website at iimcat.ac.in. As per the eligibility criteria, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD category). The IIM CAT eligibility 2024 for final-year students is also the same, and provisional admission can be granted if they meet the minimum percentage requirement. Here's the direct link to check the official CAT eligibility 2024 PDF:

IIM Calcutta will conduct the CAT exam 2024 in three slots on November 24, 2024. The CAT 2024 notification was released on July 28,2024, and registration started on August 1, 2024. Candidates wishing to appear for the CAT 2024 exam must review the detailed eligibility requirements before applying. They must meet the eligibility rules specified by the exam conducting authority; otherwise, they will not be allowed to register or appear for the exam. If the candidates apply for the CAT exam 2024 without satisfying the mandatory eligibility norms, their candidature will be cancelled. Get the complete information related to the CAT eligibility criteria 2024 below.

CAT Eligibility 2024 Highlights

Candidates must also note that the CAT eligibility 2024 of different MBA colleges in India may differ. It is also essential to go through the eligibility criteria specified by a college before applying. Here are the key highlights of the CAT exam eligibility:

CAT Eligibility 2024 for General & NC-OBC Category

Exam takers can find the CAT eligibility 2024 for the General and NC-OBC categories below.

• Minimum Qualification for CAT 2024: A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or educational institution is the minimum CAT eligibility 2024 required for registration. Candidates can also have professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA.

• Minimum Percentage Required for CAT 2024: Candidates must score 50% in graduation or its equivalent in any stream.

• CAT 2024 Eligibility for Final Year Students: Candidates who are in their final year of graduation degree or awaiting results can also do the CAT registration. However, the final admission will be subjected to the aggregate score in the graduation.

CAT Eligibility 2024 for Reserved (SC/ ST/ PwD) Category

Candidates interested in applying for the CAT exam 2024 under the SC, ST, and PwD categories must note the following CAT Eligibility 2024.

• Minimum Qualification for CAT: The required CAT exam qualification is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University or educational institution. Candidates can also have professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA.

• Minimum Percentage Required for CAT: Candidates must score 45% in graduation or equivalent in any stream.

• CAT 2024 Eligibility for Final Year Students: Candidates who are in their final year of graduation or awaiting results can also apply. However, the final admission will be subject to the aggregate score in graduation.

CAT 2024 Age Limit

There is no age limit set by the exam conducting authorities of CAT for any category of candidates who are applying for the exam. Candidates of all groups who meet the minimum qualification and percentage required for the CAT exam are eligible to apply for it.

Since the CAT eligibility 2024 requires candidates to have completed a Bachelor's degree, it is expected that CAT candidates will be over a certain age automatically. Also, it is important to note that even though candidates need not meet a certain age limit to appear for CAT, when applying for MBA admissions candidates may be required to meet an age criteria depending on the course and institute they pick.

CAT Eligibility 2024 for Equivalent Degrees

Candidates having professional degrees such as Chartered Accountancy/ Company Secretary/ ICWA (Cost Management Accountant) with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) also satisfy IIM CAT eligibility. The CAT exam percentage is calculated based on the procedure followed by the respective university or institution. If there is no provision at the university or institution for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100. 

Note: The authorities may verify a candidate's eligibility at various stages during the CAT selection process at IIMs. Another thing that candidates must keep in mind is that meeting the minimum CAT Eligibility 2024 will not guarantee admission to the IIMs. In addition, throughout the selection process, candidates must maintain a valid and unique email account and phone number.

CAT Eligibility 2024 for Final Year Students

Candidates in their final year usually feel uncertain of their eligibility for the CAT entrance exam. Check the following points to know CAT exam eligibility for final-year students.

• All bachelor's degree candidates in their final year are eligible to apply for the CAT exam.
• However, if chosen for further consideration, these students must complete their bachelor's degree with the requisite grade and present documentation of this at the time of selection.
• The candidate's results in the subsequent admissions stages will be invalid if they are unable to satisfy this requirement.

Documents Required for Final Year Students

Freshers and individuals with previous work experience typically make up between 40% and 60% of CAT applicants. Thus, the number of students taking the CAT in their last year is relatively considerable. Clearing the CAT exam eligibility is the first step. The following additional documentation must be provided by applicants in order to meet the CAT eligibility 2024:

• An additional document, given that the individual does not already have their final degree certificate indicating the overall grade they received.
• The signatures of the Principal, Head of Department, Registrar, and Director of the Institute are required on the certificate, confirming the candidate's passing grade of at least 50% on the day the certificate is issued.

CAT 2024 Work Experience

Candidates frequently question whether their job experience will have an impact on the whole application and exam procedure because it is a requirement for the CAT application form. The significance of job experience in the CAT exam is clarified in the following points:

• Work experience is not a mandatory eligibility requirement for candidates taking the CAT entrance exam.
• Although there is a section on the CAT application for prior work experience, it is not a mandatory requirement for completion of the registration process.
• In the final phases of the IIMs admissions process, work experience is given some consideration. The CAT exam, however, will not take experience into account when determining scores or eligibility.

IIM CAT Reservation Criteria 2024

A certain percentage of seats are reserved for the unreserved category in the IIMs required by law. Reserved category aspirants must go through the CAT eligibility 2024 before applying. Check the table below to learn about the CAT reservation criteria for different categories:

Note: Being eligible for reservation under various categories does not guarantee admission at IIMs. Candidates are shortlisted if they fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria, score the minimum required percentile in the CAT exam, and perform well in subsequent rounds of the admission process.

Also Read: CAT 2024 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs

CAT Eligibility 2024 for PwD Category

Candidates who have a benchmark disability are categorized as PwD candidates when it comes to the CAT exam. Candidates who fall under this category are allowed certain concessions and benefits in order to compensate for their disabilities. Candidates who fall under this category must not be less than 40% of a specific disability as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. The disabilities that fall under the CAT PwD category are as follows:

• Blindness and/or low vision
• Deaf and/or hard of hearing
• Autism, any specific learning disability, intellectual disability, and/or mental illness
• Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, cured leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and/or muscular dystrophy.
• Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
• Other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016

Who is Not Eligible for CAT 2024?

Candidates who are not eligible for the CAT exam according to the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024 are those who:

• Have not completed their Bachelor’s degree or any professional degree such as CS/CA/ICWA 
• Candidates have not completed their graduation but are pursuing a professional course and are in the final year of the same.
• Belong to the general category and have secured less than 50% aggregate in graduation to meet the CAT eligibility 2024.
• Belong to SC/ST/PwD category and have secured less than 45% aggregate in graduation
• Have completed their graduation from a college or institution for satisfying the CAT eligibility 2024 that is not recognized by either of AICTE/UGC/MHRD-Government of India.

Additional CAT Eligibility 2024 Facts

Here are some additional CAT Eligibility 2024 facts that the candidates should know:

• Candidates who have completed their graduation in the old system are eligible to appear for the CAT exam. The degree obtained by the candidates under such a system must be approved and recognized by UGC to meet the CAT eligibility 2024 requirements.
• Keeping in view the CAT 2024 eligibility, shortlisting candidates in the IIMs is based on various factors and does not depend only on the candidates fulfilling the CAT 2024 eligibility.
• The candidates must furnish their valid and working email addresses and cellular number throughout the selection process.
• There is no maximum age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

Important Information for Reserved Category CAT 2024 Applicants

SC or ST category candidates must submit the caste certificate in a format approved by the Government under the CAT eligibility 2024. Also, the caste/tribe that a candidate belongs to must be listed in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate should clearly state:

(a) Name of the candidate's caste/tribe;

(b) Whether the candidate belongs to SC or ST category;

(c) District and the State or Union Territory of the aspirant's ordinary residence; and

(d) the appropriate Government of India schedule under which the caste/tribe is approved by it as SC or ST.

Candidates must upload a copy of the SC/ ST/ NC-OBC/ PwD certificate(s) during CAT registration 2024. Failure to do so will lead to the rejection of their CAT registration.

At the time of interviews, candidates must show the SC/ ST/ NC-OBC/ PwD certificate(s) and submit a photocopy to clear the CAT exam eligibility criteria. If a candidate fails to do so during the selection process at IIMs, they will not be considered under the reserved category.

Also Read: How to Apply for Category Certificates for CAT 2024

IIM vs CAT Eligibility Criteria 2024

Many times, candidates ponder over the question if there is any difference between IIM and CAT exam eligibility. To ensure all the speculations over this question are put to rest, CollegeDekho provides the candidates with the only difference in the CAT exam and IIM eligibility criteria. Candidates who have graduated from the old two-year graduation system satisfy the CAT exam 2024 eligibility criteria, but such candidates cannot pursue their desired management course from IIM. Candidates who want to pursue management at any of the IIMs after qualifying for the CAT exam must have completed their graduation from the contemporary three-year graduation system. Except for this, there is no difference in IIM and CAT exam eligibility criteria.

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