Number of questions in CAT has changed from last few years. In CAT 2022 there were three sections:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each correct answer is awarded 3 marks, and each wrong answer carries a penalty of -1 mark. Some questions are Type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions. The marking scheme for TITA questions is +3 marks for the correct answer and NO negative marks for the wrong answer. Also, there is no negative marking for Unattempted questions. Each section has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes, and candidates are not allowed to switch between the sections. Candidates are expected to perform well in all the sections, and most of the institutes accepting CAT scores for admission have sectional cut-offs in addition to overall cut-offs.

The below table shows the exam pattern for CAT 2022:

CAT Paper Pattern 2022
Sections	VARC (24 question) DILR (20 questions) Quantitative Aptitude (22 questions)
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes  40 minutes per section
Number of questions	66
CAT total marks	198
Marking scheme	+3 for every correct attempt -1 for every incorrect attempt 0 for unanswered question
Language of question paper	English
Number of answer choices	4
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

In order to appear for the CAT Exam, the candidates have to meet the requirements of the CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria. Given here is a brief outline of the CAT eligibility criteria based on academics:

• The candidate has to pass their Bachelor's degree with at least 50% (for General Category and NC-OBC). For SC/ST and Differently Abled (DA) candidates, the percentage required is 45%.
• For the Degree to be counted, the University that has awarded the degree has to be recognized by the MHRD.
• If the University awards grades or CGPA instead of marks, the conversion factor given by the University has to be used. If there is no conversion factor specified by the University, the CGPA has to be converted into a percentage by direct conversion i.e, divide the CGPA received by the highest CGPA possible and multiply the result by 100.
• Candidates who have completed their professional degrees with over 50 % (45% for SC/ST/PwD) are also eligible for CAT.

Marks Calculation

The calculation of marks for the CAT exam eligibility is as follows-

• Universities/ institutes follow their own criteria for assigning marks on graduation. The CAT marks calculation will be based on this process.
• If the university awards grades or CGPA instead of marks, the conversion method provided by the university has to be used to convert the marks to percentages.
• In case the university has no methodology for converting marks/ CGPA to percentage, it is to be done through direct conversion. It means that the candidate should divide the achieved CGPA by the highest CGPA possible and multiply the result by 100.

Final Year Students

Final year students are often confused about their eligibility for the CAT entrance exam. Here are the points these students need to keep in mind when checking their eligibility-

• Final-year students of all bachelor's degrees are eligible to apply for the CAT exam.
• However, if selected for further stages, these students are required to clear their bachelor's with the required percentage and provide proof for the same at the time of selection.
• If the candidate is unable to meet this requirement, their results in the further admission processes will be rendered null and void.

Documents Required for Final Year Students

The breakup between freshers and candidates with work experience in CAT generally oscillates between 40 % and 60 %. Thus, the number of final year students appearing for CAT each year is quite significant. The first step is to clear the CAT Eligibility. To comply with the CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria, the candidates need to furnish some additional documents such as:

• An additional document, since the candidate does not possess their final degree certificate with the total grade obtained. The document must have the sign by the Principal/ Head of Department/ Registrar/a Director of the Institute verifying that the candidate has over 50 % marks in the course on the date the certificate is issued.
• Post their admission to any of the B-Schools, the candidates will be required to furnish their final certificate from their graduation to continue in the institute.

Work Experience

As the application form for CAT asks about work experience, candidates are often doubtful of its effect on the overall application and exam process. Here is a better understanding of the role of work experience in the CAT exam-

• Candidates appearing for the CAT entrance exam are not required to have prior work experience.
• Though the CAT application form has a section for work experience, this condition is not a prerequisite.
• Work experience has some weightage in the later stages of the admission process in IIMs. However, within the CAT exam, having any experience will not affect the scores or eligibility.

Key Points about CAT Eligibility

• There is no age limit for the CAT entrance exam as per the Eligibility Criteria.
• The current eligibility criteria state that the candidate should have a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years. However, the previous bachelor's degree of 2 years will also be accepted if the university is recognised by UGC.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation or awaiting results are also eligible for the exam.
• The percentage of marks obtained is calculated according to the practice of the university.
• For further admission processes in IIMs, the candidate should maintain a unique and valid email ID as well as a phone number for official communications.