CAT 2021: Result, Score Card, IIM Call, Cut off, Colleges

Latest Update: 

• IIM Ahmedabad is expected to release CAT 2021 Result Released on January 3, 2022
• 1.92 lakh candidates appeared in CAT 2021 on Nov 28, out of 2.30 lakhs registered eligible candidates. The overall attendance in CAT 2021 was 83%.
• Out of total CAT Test Takers, 35% were Females, 65% Males and 2 candidates were Transgender
• Before CAT Result declaration, IIM Ahmedabad will confirm change of No Change in CAT final answer keys 
• CAT 2021 Exam was held on November 28, 2021 in three slots across 438 centers in 156 Cities in India: Check CAT Analysis, Likely cut offs for 99, 95, 90 Percentile

After conducting successfully CAT 2021 exam on November 28, 2021 in 156 test cities at 438 centers in 3 slots, IIM Ahmedabad is likely to release CAT exam result on January 5, 2022. Earlier IIM Ahmedabad released the CAT Question paper with answer keys on Dec 8 and offered the opportunity to CAT test takers to challenge the answer key, if they found it incorrect.

Although IIM Ahmedabad has announced to release CAT 2021exam Result in second week of January 2022, as per the past trends, the result is declared much ahead of the schedule every year. Accordingly, it is expected that CAT 2021 result will be released by January 5, 2021 and the score card will be available for download at iimcat.ac.in on the same date.

Complete slot wise data of the candidates who appeared in CAT exam 2021 was also released with Key highlights of CAT 2021 exam:

1.92 Lakh Appeared in CAT 2021

• Around 1.92 lakh candidates appeared for the exam out of 2.30 lakhs registered eligible candidates. The overall attendance was approximately 83%.
• Out of the 1.92 lakh candidates taken the exam, 35% were Females, 65% Males and 2 candidates represent Transgender.
• The duration of the test was of 120 minutes (160 minutes For PwD Candidates). The time allotted for each Section is 40 minutes (53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD Candidates).

IIM CAT 2021 Exam: Slot wise Candidates who took the Exam

According to IIM Ahmedabad, “CAT centre and its delivery partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Limited had taken measures to ensure implementation of Covid-19 advisory of the Government of India and State Governments on social distancing and other preventive/protective measures at the examination centres.”

IIM Ahmedabad released the CAT question paper answer keys on December 8, 2021 for the test takers who appeared in CAT 2021 in any of the three slots. CAT 2021 consisted fewer questions than last year and was considered as an easier exam. Experts expect 99 percentile in CAT 2021 at a score between 97 and 100 marks. Read the detailed CAT analysis and all about CAT exam below  

CAT 2021 Exam Analysis: Key Highlights

• CAT 2021 Exam was held on November 28, 2021 in 3 slots in Morning, Afternoon and Evening
• Exam duration was of 2 hours for each slot
• Total Questions in CAT 2021were 66 as compared to 76 last year      
• Quantitative and DILR sections were slightly easier than last year          
• Total MCQs with negative marking were 48
• Total Non MCQs without Negative Marking were 18
• VARC was the highest weightage Section with 24 Ques out of 66 total Questions  
• Overall CAT 2021 was slightly easier than last year’s Slot 1 paper
• 99 Percentile expected at 97-100 score

CAT 2021 Paper Pattern
Across the 3 slots CAT 2021 exam remained on following pattern

Source: MBAUniverse.com analysis   

CAT 2021 Percentile Cut offs
Below is shared the CAT percentile score predictions by experts

Also Read

• CAT 2021 Analysis: Check key changes, cut offs for top B-schools
• LIVE CAT Percentile Predictor Check your expected %ile in 5 mins
• CAT score Vs Percentile Calculation
• Top MBA colleges accepting CAT 2021

Out of 2.31 lakhs registered candidates, 1.95 lakh candidates are expected to have taken CAT exam on Nov 28. Read below in detail all about CAT 2021 Exam, next milestones after the exam, important dates, Revised exam pattern & syllabus, top colleges accepting CAT and more

Table of Contents
In this special article on CAT 2021 by MBAUniverse.com, we shall cover:

1. CAT Exam Highlights
2. CAT 2021 Answer Key Release: Key dates and Highlights
3. CAT 2021 Result & Score Card: Details to Check, How to Download
4. Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2021 with Cut off Percentile
5. IIMs Admission Process 2022
6. CAT 2021 Important Dates
7. CAT 2021 Exam Pattern: Key Changes
8. CAT 2021 Syllabus
9. More about CAT for the candidates Prepare for future CAT exam
10. CAT Registration Trends for Last 10 years
11. Important Changes in CAT Over the Years
12. CAT FAQs

CAT is the mandatory computer based Common Admission Test for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes in 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top MBA colleges in India. It is the largest national level MBA entrance test in India. One of the six older IIMs conducts CAT on the basis of rotation. This year, IIM Ahmedabad conducted CAT exam.

1. CAT 2021 Exam: Highlights & Key Features
Following are the salient features of IIM CAT 2021 exam with details like CAT Full Form, CAT Notification 2021, CAT exam date, CAT Eligibility, CAT Exam Structure among other key CAT exam details

2. CAT 2021 Answer Key Release: Important Dates and Highlights
After the CAT exam, IIM Ahmedabad will release the CAT exam 2021 answer keys for the benefit of candidates so that they could confirm the accuracy level of attempts in CAT 2021 exam. Key highlights of CAT answer keys are:

• CAT 2021 answer keys will be released by IIM Ahmedabad in December 2021 first week
• CAT answer keys 2021 will be available only for those candidates who have actually appeared in CAT 2021 exam. They can access the CAT answer key for the question paper which they have attempted.
• CAT answer key will enable the test takers to check & verify their CAT answers and thereby arrive at their expected CAT score to explore chances for MBA admission 2022 in IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs and other preferred colleges.
• CAT 2021 answer keys can be accessed by login to CAT official website with CAT 2021 login ID and password
• CAT answer keys Pdf is released with a Query-cum-objection form and the candidates who are not satisfied with the CAT 2021 answer keys can challenge any answer by submitting objection to CAT centre 2021 to get the same redressed after paying requisite fee of Rs.1200/-. If an objection raised by a candidate is found to be valid, the remedial measures taken by IIMs will be applicable to all the candidates.
• The objections received for CAT answer keys 2021 by the CAT centre will be reviewed. If there is no change perceived by experts in the CAT answer key, the objection will not be entertained
• CAT solutions Pdf 2021 will be released for all type of questions MCQs & Non-MCQs that appeared in CAT exam Read More

3. CAT 2021 Result & Score Card: Details to Check, How to Download?
CAT 2021exam Result date is second week of January 2022 as announced by IIM Ahmedabad. However, as per the past trends, the result is declared much ahead of the schedule every year. It is expected that CAT 2021 result will be released by January 5, 2021 and the score card will be available for download at iimcat.ac.in on the same date  

3.1 CAT 2021 Result & Score Card: Key Points to Note

• CAT 2021 Result Date & Time is announced on Official CAT website
• After CAT result declaration IIMs inform ‘CAT Score Card is live’
• You can download you CAT 2021 score card immediately after CAT result declaration
• IIMs send CAT score through SMS to all candidates who appear in CAT exam
• CAT 2021 Score Card will contain your scaled score and percentile.
• You can download your CAT score card from official CAT website 
• CAT 2021 score is valid only till December 31, 2022 and will accordingly be accessible on the website

4. Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2021 with Cut off Percentile
More than Top 100 MBA colleges in India are accepting CAT 2021 score for MBA admission 2022. Apart from 20 other top CAT MBA colleges in non-IIM category, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, SJMSoM IIT Mumbai, DoMS IIT Delhi among others are CAT score accepting colleges. Some of the top colleges accepting CAT 2021 with their expected cut offs are as below:

4.1 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

4.2 Top MBA Colleges in Non-IIM Category
Following are the CAT cut off for top MBA colleges in India

Read More

5. IIMs Admission Process 2022
IIMs have released their individual admission process for the MBA 2022-24 batch. The admission process in IIMs depends upon your performance in three major areas – Your CAT 2021 exam score; your academic record and performance in Personal Interview round.

All the IIMsrelease their individual key components and weightages for admission. There are three stages through which IIM Admission Process is completed, they are:

• Stage-1: Performance in CAT Exam
• Stage-2: Shortlisting by IIMs for PI round
• Stage-3: IIMs Final Selection Process 2022 comprising WAT & PI Round

Your final admission offer depends upon your performance in all the above three stages of IIMs selection process. While the older IIMs conduct their individual selection process, 9 new and baby IIMs conduct common admission process (CAP) for admission. Remaining IIMs conduct their individual selection process.

5.1 Top IIMs Conduct Individual Admission Process
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, Shillong individually shortlist the candidates and conduct their own admission process that award high weightage to academics, diversity, work experience apart from CAT exam score   

5.2 Common Admission Process (CAP) for 9-11 IIMs
The final selection process at 9 to 11 new IIMs is conducted as a common process. One of the six new IIMs co-ordinates this selection process which is referred to as Common Admission Process (CAP). The CAP 2022 will consist of common WAT and PI round for 9 to 11 new IIMs namely IIM Kashipur, Raipur, Ranchi,  Trichy,Udaipur and some of the newest IIMs like IIM Bodhgaya, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Jammu.

5.3 IIM Nagpur, IIM Rohtak, IIM Visakhapatnam to conduct individual admission process
IIM Nagpur, IIM Rohtak and IIM Visakhapatnam do not participate in CAP round and conduct their own final selection process to make admission offer to the students. The final admission offers will be generated as per the merit lists prepared on the basis of CAT scores, Academic profile, Work experience and gender diversity in accordance with the weightage awarded to each of these factors.  

5.4 Apart from CAT Score, Other Factors also Important for MBA Admission
Performance in the CAT 2021 examination is an important component in all the 20 IIMs’ selection process for MBA admission 2022. However, IIMs will use other factors also such as:

• CAT 2021 Score (Mandatory for all admission seekers in IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR etc.)
• Previous academic performance
• Relevant work experience
• Gender and Academic diversity
• Other similar inputs like extra curricular achievements, Social service etc.

All or some of these factors will be used in shortlisting and ranking of candidates at various stages of the admission process. The academic cut-offs and the weights allocated to the evaluation parameters may vary for each IIM.

5.5 MBA Programmes Offered by IIMs
Following are the various management programmes at IIMs in which admission 2022 is available through Common Admission Test 2021:

6. CAT 2021 Important Dates
Following are the CAT 2021 important dates like CAT Notification date, CAT exam date, and dates for other different activities related to the CAT exam 2021:

7. CAT 2021 Exam Pattern: Key Changes
CAT 2021 pattern was changed by IIM Ahmedabad. Key changes are

• 120 Minutes Exam: CAT 2021 is a computer delivered test of 2 hours duration but it is not an Online Exam
• 66 Questions: CAT exam 2021 had 66 questions compared to 76 questions last year.
• 3 Section Exam: CAT 2021 was divided in 3 sections of VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability. This pattern is followed since 2015
• Fewer No Penalty Questions: Out of total 66 questions in CAT 2021, there were 18 questions without negative marking. CAT 2021 was divided into MCQ and Non-MCQ type of questions and the Non-MCQs did not carry negative marking.
• Minimum CAT Score Requirement by IIMs: A Minimum qualifying score between 70 and 90 percentile in CAT 2021 is required by IIMs in each of the 3 sections to shortlist candidates for final admission round
• Other Criteria with CAT score: Apart from High score in each of the 3 sections in CAT 2021 exam, if you have good academic profile with diversity, work experience, you are a preferred candidate to get admission into IIMs.

7.1 CAT Eligibility Criteria Changed: On account of Covid pandemic, IIM Ahmedabad had changed CAT eligibility criteria. The candidates who did graduation in 2021 or are in final year could enter “promotion/pass” instead of “marks” in the application form. This is only applicable on the eligibility criteria for CAT 2021. Read More

7.2 CAT Registration Fee Increased: CAT 2021 Registration Fee was increased to Rs.2200/- from Rs.2000/- last year.

7.3 CAT Exam in More Cities than Last Year: CAT 2021 was conducted at more than 400 Test Centres, spread across 159 cities in India  

8. CAT 2021 Exam Syllabus
Although CAT exam Syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs, it overall tests the candidate on Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Quantitative Aptitude; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.During the last 5 years, CAT exam syllabus has substantially changed. Major changes in CAT Syllabus 2021 are:

• CAT Syllabus is changed and contains different type of questions with a combination of MCQs & Non-MCQs.
• 25-30% Questions in CAT syllabus are no penalty questions now
• Most of the changes in CAT syllabus have taken place in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Section as the topics and number of questions in VARC section have changed.
• A few changes in CAT syllabus have been introduced in Quantitative Ability section with more focus on Arithmetic questions

8.1 CAT Syllabus Section-Wise

Read More about CAT Syllabus

9. More about CAT exam: How to Prepare, Best Books, Toppers’ Tips
A few months of devoted preparation can enable you to crack CAT exam as it requires ‘Smart Preparation.’ You can self prepare for CAT exam with best books; can join an offline or online coaching or can have a mix of CAT self preparation and guidance from coaching. Key aspects of CAT preparation, as per the CAT exerts, are:

• You should have strong basics with clarity on concepts
• Improve your weak areas and strengthen your strong areas
• Consistent revision is required with Mocks, practice tests, Quizzes
• Prepare a list of topics as per the syllabus and improve on each of them
• Form a peer group on social media for CAT preparation
• Focus more on RC in VARC section; focus equally on DI & LR and practice more Arithmetic questions to clear the section wise cut offs
• Time Management with Accuracy & Speed is required. Consistently improve on them
• Consult best CAT preparation books and attempt their practice questions
• Read Interviews and tips from CAT Toppers studying at IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, on their CAT preparation strategy published on MBAUniverse.com and other channels

9.1 CAT Preparation for VARC, DILR, Quant
The section wise CAT preparation strategy is very important. Key tips to prepare for each section is as below:

9.1.1 CAT Preparation for VARC

• Go through the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus 
• Choose the Best books
• Read the strategy for CAT Verbal Ability Preparation of past CAT toppers How to Ace CAT Verbal Ability
• Questions on RC passages in CAT constitute 70% share and Verbal questions are 30%. So focus and practice more RC based questions to crack CAT

Composition of VARC Section

Read More 

9.1.2 CAT Preparation for DILR
DILR is the 2^nd section in CAT exam. It plays very important role to clear the cut off percentile. The section has equal number of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Questions. You need to practice more to score high in this section. Experts advise following tips to prepare for DILR:

• Data Interpretation questions for CAT test your analytical skills of interpreting the Data given to you in the form of Table, Chart, Graph or in other form
• Logical Reasoning for CAT constitutes 50% share in the newly created Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Comprehension (DILR) Section in CAT
• The goal of scoring high in CAT 2021 can be achieved with small but consistent efforts and time devoted to the DILR section.
• DILR preparation for CAT requires you to first get as many as DILR practice questions for CAT
• To move in direct DILR preparation direction, it will be better to refer to DILR questions for CAT with solutions

Composition of DILR Section

Read More

9.1.3 CAT Preparation for Quant
Quantitative Ability (QA) is the last section in CAT exam. It can improve or reduce your CAT score substantially. To score high in this section, experts advise following tips:

• A three dimensional approach is recommended on CAT Preparation for Quant section
• Strengthen your basics and formulae in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and allied topics
• Practise on variety of questions of different difficulty level
• Finally solve previous CAT papers and Mocks for each topic. The more you do it, the more expertise in Quant section for CAT, you will get.
• QA Sectional Composition

Read More

9.2 Best Books for CAT Preparation
IIMs’CAT has been changing its pattern and every year different types of questions appear in the exam. During the last few years, the CAT has been modified completely.  Most of the CAT preparation books in the market are based on the previous CAT exam pattern but the best CAT books shared here have updated changes with the anticipated question type in CAT exam. While choosing the best books for CAT, it should be kept in mind that the books are conversant with the changed exam pattern and difficulty level. Few things to check in the books are:

• Should Provide conceptual clarity on the relevant CAT topic
• Rich on the exercises, practice questions and Mocks given after each topic
• Caters your need to focus more on the weak areas with variety of practice questions  
• Latest edition of CAT preparation Book offers the updated exam pattern and syllabus also

9.2.1: 10 Best books on CAT Preparation

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT’- by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CATby Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri,Publisher Career Launcher
• How to prepare for Quantitative for the CAT by Arun Sharma, published by MGH Education
• Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by  Sarvesh K Verma

9.3 Toppers’ Tips for CAT Preparation
Previous CAT Toppers studying at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Udaipur, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI have shared with MBAUniverse.com their CAT preparation strategy and how they overcame their weak areas and scored high. The last minute CAT preparation tips from these CAT toppers are very helpful in improving your score in the exam. Check Below   

10. CAT 2021 Registration Trends
IIMs will offer admission 2022 on the basis of CAT 2021 only and will not accept any other test score. For a total intake of 6000+ seats for 2022-24 batch in IIMs, more than 2 lakhs candidates have applied.

Source: MBAUniverse.com Research & Analysis 

11.Important Changes in CAT over the Years
Journey of IIM-CAT has witnessed substantial changes. In recent years, number of sections and type of questions in CAT have changed substantially. Important changes in pattern and conduct of CAT are shared below: 

• CAT has changed from Paper Based to Computer based test
• CAT now has 3 sections instead of 2
• CAT has introduced 25 to 30 percent questions with No Negative marking

CAT Exam pattern over the past 10 years since it was computerized in 2009 has gone for perceptible changes. CAT paper pattern prior to 2009 was paper-pen based. CAT exam format was changed from paper based exam to CAT online computer based test in 2009. Even after that CAT paper pattern continued changing from 3 sections to 2 and then CAT pattern was changed to 3 sections in 2015. Since then CAT is following similar pattern. CAT 2021 pattern also remains the same as that of CAT exam 2021 pattern with 3 sections and 3 hours time although the number of MCQs and Non-MCQs may change.

12. FAQs on CAT: Answers by Experts

Q. How many Questions are expected in CAT 2021?
A. IIM Ahmedabad has announced to reduce the number of questions below 76 in CAT 2021

Q. How difficult is the CAT exam
A. While some of the questions are of moderate difficulty level, some are more difficult

Q. Do IIMs provide any document and guide how to attempt CAT 2021 Exam?
A. IIM Ahmedabad has released a CAT 2021 practice test with complete navigation guide on the  official website iimcat.ac.in. You can familiarize yourself with the functionality and navigation of the actual exam. You can also attempt CAT Mock Tests and CAT previous years question papers with answers at MBAUniverse.com

Q. Quant and DI questions in CAT require too much calculations. Can I take a calculator to the testing centre?
A. No, but the onscreen calculator is available throughout the exam. You can use that

Q.What is the Scoring Pattern in CAT 2021? Do the wrong answers carry any penalty of negative marking?
A.The CAT question paper is divided into MCQs and Non-MCQs. Each correct answer in CAT 2021 is awarded +3 marks for all the questions but the MCQs carry a penalty of -1 mark for each wrong answer. For the Non-MCQs (Known as TITA Questions), there is no penalty of negative marking. Besides there is no penalty for any unattempted questions whether MCQ or Non-MCQ.

Q. How a Non-MCQ is different from MCQ type question?
A. For a non-MCQ type question, you must type the answer in the given space while for the MCQ you only need to click on the most appropriate answer option

Q. What is the number of Non-MCQs overall and section wise in the CAT question paper?
A. Out of the total overall questions in CAT exam, there are about 25% to 28% Non-MCQs. The same principle applies to each section. Exact number of Non-MCQs in CAT 2021 depends upon the total questions in the Exam.

Q. Can I choose the order of sections while attempting the CAT question paper?
A. No, You should answer the sections in a pre-specified order. This order is same for all the candidates. Besides, each section has an individual time limit of 40 minutes, so after the individual section time is over, you will be taken to next section automatically.

Q. Can I submit the paper early and leave the test center before the exam time is over?
A. No, the CAT paper cannot be submitted before the test duration of 2 hours is over. You can neither leave your seat, nor can leave the test centre early . 

Also Read

• CAT 2021 Analysis: Check key changes, cut offs for top B-schools
• LIVE CAT Percentile Predictor Check your expected %ile in 5 mins
• CAT score Vs Percentile Calculation
• Top MBA colleges accepting CAT 2021