CAT Exam 2023: Answer Key (Out), Result (Out), Percentile, Score, Cut off

CAT result 2023 announced by IIM Lucknow at iimcat.ac.in. A total of 14 candidates secured 100 percentile score. Out of 14, 4 candidates from the state of Maharashtra achieved 100 percentile score in CAT 2023 exam.

CAT 2023 answer key has been released by IIM Lucknow on the official website. Students who appeared for the exam can challenge the answer key till December 08, 2023. Read More: CAT Answer Key 2023

CAT 2023 registration started on the official website, iimcat.ac.in on August 1, 2023. Candidates who fulfilled the CAT eligibility criteria 2023 are only able to fill out the application form on the official website. The last date to apply for the CAT 2023 exam is September 20, 2023.

As per the notification released by IIM Lucknow for the CAT exam 2023, the registration fees to apply for the exam has increased. Now, general candidates are required to pay INR 2400 as CAT application fee. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the registration fee is INR 1200.

CAT Exam 2023

IIM Lucknow is set to conduct the CAT Exam 2023 on November 26, 2023, for selecting candidates for MBA programs in top management institutes. Known for its competitiveness, CAT Exam is a highly sought-after management entrance test that evaluates verbal ability, quantitative ability, data interpretation, and logical reasoning skills of applicants.

CAT 2023 exam is scheduled for the last Sunday of November 2023, with the results expected to be declared in January 2024, approximately one month after the exam. To participate, eligible students must fill out the CAT Form, tentatively available on the official website till September 20, 2023. CAT admit card will be released by IIM Lucknow on November 07, 2023.

The CAT form was out on August 02, 2023. Aspirants who fulfil the CAT 2023 eligibility criteria will be able to fill out the application form. Aspiring students preparing for the exam should be aware of the CAT exam pattern along with the syllabus. 

The CAT 2023 exam pattern is anticipated to closely mirror the structure of the preceding two years. It comprises three distinct sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each of these sections comes with a strict time constraint of 40 minutes, resulting in a total examination duration of 120 minutes.

In terms of question types, the CAT 2023 exam pattern will encompass a blend of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) as well as Non-MCQs, which require candidates to provide their answers directly (Type In The Answer, TITA).

The CAT marking scheme adheres to a straightforward formula: +3 marks are awarded for each correct response, while a penalty of -1 mark is levied for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry no marks. 

CAT 2023 syllabus is characterized by its broad and comprehensive nature. Unlike some other entrance exams, the IIMs do not prescribe a syllabus for CAT 2023. Instead, the test primarily draws its questions from fundamental Math and English topics typically covered during middle school. This open-ended approach to the CAT syllabus emphasizes a candidate's overall aptitude and problem-solving abilities.

Read More: CAT Syllabus 2023

CAT Exam 2023: Highlights

Candidates aspiring to appear for the CAT 2023 exam can check the table below, to know the key highlights of CAT 2023.

Selection Process for IIMs

CAT exam 2023 is conducted for admission to the MBA program at top IIMs and other management colleges. The selection process for admission to IIMs is different which candidates must be aware of. Students can check the IIM selection process in the section below:

• The CAT 2023 results are anticipated to be available from the second week of January 2024.
• The list of candidates selected for the next level of the selection process will be published on the respective IIMs' websites. Shortlisted candidates will receive interview letters directly from the IIMs.
• Each IIM follows its own independent criteria for shortlisting candidates, which may involve assessments like Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interviews (PI).
• CAT 2023 exam performance holds significant importance in the admission process, while IIMs may also consider additional factors such as previous academic records, work experience, gender, academic diversity, and other similar inputs in shortlisting and ranking candidates at various stages of the admission process.
• If a candidate is shortlisted for an interview, they must present an original certificate from the Principal/Registrar/Director of the University/Institution, confirming that they have obtained at least 50% marks or equivalent (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) based on the latest available grades/marks for their final bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification examination.
• An attested copy of the original certificate must be submitted at the time of the interview. The deadline for submitting the qualifying degree/equivalent mark sheet and certificate is December 31, 2024. Failure to meet this condition will lead to the automatic cancellation of provisional admission. Additionally, if it is later discovered that the submitted certificate is incorrect, the provisional admission will also be cancelled.

CAT Exam 2023: Percentile Score Calculation

The procedure outlined below is utilized to determine a candidate's CAT percentile scores for both the overall and individual sections of the CAT exam 2023. To exemplify the percentile score calculation process, let's take the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section as an example. This identical process is applied to calculate percentile scores for the remaining two sections, namely, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) in CAT 2023.

CAT Exam 2023: Application Process

Candidates appearing for CAT 2023 Exam must register on the official website for  CAT, @iimcat.ac.in 2023. The application process will continue for a period of one month from the date of the release of the Application form. 

As per the CAT application guide, candidates can register themselves for the exam by following the simple steps mentioned below: 

• Individuals must register to generate a unique User ID and Password.
• Log in with the generated User ID and Password to fill in the CAT form.
• Submit the Application form after entering details and making online payments to complete the registration and application process. 

CAT Exam 2023 Application Fees

The CAT application fee is INR 2300 for general category candidates. The CAT exam fee is INR 1150 for SC, ST, and Pwd Candidates. Candidates must pay the application fee while filling out the CAT application form 2023. The application fee can be paid through debit card, UPI, and NET Banking. Interested candidates can check the category-wise application fee for the CAT exam 2023 in the table below:

CAT Exam 2023: Eligibility Criteria

CAT eligibility criteria are prescribed in the official notification. The CAT eligibility criteria pertaining to educational qualification, reservation category requirements and other parameters are established by the conducting body. There is no age limit to apply for the CAT exam 2023.

CAT Educational Qualification:

CAT Exam Pattern 2023

The CAT exam pattern for 2023 has not been officially prescribed, but we can make assumptions based on the previous year's trends. It is likely that the CAT 2023 exam will consist of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.

Analysis of past question papers indicates that the CAT 2023 exam will likely have around 70 questions. Aspirants will have a total of 2 hours or 120 minutes to attempt all three sections. Interested candidates can check the CAT exam pattern 2023 in the table below:

CAT Syllabus 2023

The CAT notification 2023 clarifies that there is no prescribed syllabus for the exam. However, candidates aiming to take this test should be aware that the CAT syllabus for MBA primarily encompasses concepts from secondary-level education, typically ranging from 10 to 12th-grade topics. Despite being based on secondary-level content, the CAT question paper's difficulty level is remarkably high, reflecting the intense competition among test-takers.

To prepare for CAT 2023, aspiring candidates must acquaint themselves with the fundamental concepts of the topics covered in the secondary-level curriculum. The table below provides an overview of the essential topics for all the sections:

CAT Admit Card 2023

CAT admit card will be released by IIM Lucknow on its official website. It is expected that the CAT admit card will be released a few weeks prior to the exam. Only candidates who successfully fill out the application form will receive the admit card. Interested aspirants can check the steps below to download their admit card:

• Visit the official CAT 2023 website @ iimcat.ac.in 2023
• Click on 'Login' 
• Enter registration ID and password
• After successfully Login in the CAT Admit Card 2023 Download portal, Click on 'admit card' link.
• Click on download and save the admit card on the desktop.
• Take a print out of the CAT 2023 admit card

CAT Cutoff and IIM Seat  Intake 

CAT cut-off is the minimum score required to be considered for admission to a particular management program or institution. The cutoff varies each year and is determined by the number of applicants, the difficulty of the exam, and the number of seats available. It is important for candidates to aim for a score higher than the cutoff to increase their chances of getting admitted to their preferred program or institution. In the table below, candidates can check the expected CAT cutoff for IIMs in 2023.

IIM Seat Matrix 2023

In the table below, candidates aspiring to appear must know the seat available in all IIMs of India:

CAT 2023 Cutoff for B-Schools:

Apart from the 20 IIMs, there are 8 IITs and over 200 B-schools that accept CAT scores for admission into various management programs. The table below contains a  list of Top B-school in India along with the expected CAT 2023 score for securing admissions:

CAT 2023 Result and Scorecard.

CAT results are released in the form of percentile scores. Observing previous year's results release pattern, it can be expected that the results for the CAT 2023 will be released in January 2024. Candidates who will appear for the exam will be able to check the CAT 2023 results using their login credentials. 

CAT Result 2023: Previous Year Toppers List and Statistics

The table below contains the list of CAT Toppers along with their percentage

CAT 2023: Preparation Strategy

Being one of the most competitive examinations in the country, the CAT exam requires thorough preparation. Students must have a preparation strategy aligned with their strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimate Step to Begin Preparation for CAT Exam:

• Understand the nature of the syllabus and the exam pattern thoroughly. Read the in-depth analysis article for CAT Syllabus and CAT Exam Pattern here.
• Being familiar with the CAT syllabus and exam pattern will help you in knowing which subject needs more focus. Thus, formulate a “Time Management” strategy 
• Follow the Time Management routine, and acquaint yourself with the CAT Mock test on a regular basis