The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance exam for admission to various management programs in top Indian business schools, including the prestigious IIMs. It is a highly competitive exam that evaluates candidates on areas like Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning.

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university. Final-year students are also eligible, provided they meet the criteria by the time of admission.

The CAT exam application process is completely online. Visit the official CAT website, create an account, fill out the application form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee.

The CAT exam consists of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) The exam duration is 2 hours and includes a mix of multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.

The syllabus includes topics from Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. The exam tests problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning abilities.

The CAT exam is scored on a scale, with negative marking for wrong answers (usually -1 for MCQs). Correct answersare awarded +3 points for multiple-choice questions, and +3 or +5 points for non-multiple-choice questions, depending on the difficulty level.

The registration fee for the CAT exam is generally around ₹2,000 for general candidates and ₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. The fee can be paid online during the registration process.

The CAT exam is usually held once a year, typically in November. The specific dates are announced by the IIMs on their official website. The application process starts in August.

Some of the best books for CAT preparation include:

• "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT" by Arun Sharma
• "Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension" by Nishit K. Sinha
• "Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha
• Previous Years' CAT Papers

To improve your CAT score, focus on:

• Time management during mock tests
• Regular practice to improve speed and accuracy
• Clear understanding of the fundamentals in each section
• Regular revision of concepts and formulas
• Mock tests and sectional tests to track your progress