The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024, organized by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, was held today, November 24, across examination centers in 175 cities in India. This year, the exam witnessed participation from approximately 3.29 lakh registered candidates, making it one of the most significant MBA entrance exams in the country.
Exam Format and Timing
- Duration: 120 minutes (Regular candidates), 160 minutes (PwD candidates)
- Sectional Timing:
- Regular candidates: 40 minutes per section
- PwD candidates: 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section
- Sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
What’s Next After CAT 2024?
Provisional Answer Key Release
IIM Calcutta will soon release the CAT 2024 provisional answer key on its official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Purpose: The provisional key will allow students to estimate their scores by matching their responses with the official answers.
- Objection Window: Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key by submitting objections.
Final Answer Key and Result Declaration
Once objections are reviewed and verified, the final answer key will be prepared. The CAT 2024 results are expected to be announced in the second week of January 2025, based on the finalized answer key.
Admission Process After CAT Results
CAT 2024 scores will serve as a gateway to admissions at IIMs and other top B-schools across India. However, the selection process doesn’t end with the test. Most institutes include additional rounds for evaluating candidates:
- Written Ability Test (WAT): Assessing writing skills and analytical thinking.
- Personal Interview (PI): Gauging interpersonal abilities and program suitability.
- Group Discussions (GD): Evaluating communication and teamwork skills.
Students are advised to begin preparing for these rounds while awaiting their results to stay ahead in the competitive admission process.
Key Dates and Expectations
- Provisional Answer Key Release: Soon after the exam
- Objection Submission Period: As announced on iimcat.ac.in
- Final Answer Key: Post-verification of objections
- Result Declaration: Second week of January 2025
With CAT 2024 now concluded, the next steps for MBA aspirants involve carefully analyzing their performance, preparing for selection rounds, and staying updated with official announcements from IIM Calcutta. The journey to securing a spot in India’s top management institutes is underway, and proactive planning will be key.
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