CAT Eligibility
CAT Eligibility criteria 2021 states that the students should have completed their graduations with a minimum of 50% to apply for the CAT 2021 examination. The examination notification also states that there will be a 5% relaxation to the reserved category candidates. The CAT eligibility criteria also state that the candidates can get admission into the course only after graduating with at least 50% marks.
Here we have mentioned the CAT exam eligibility criteria 2021 for different categories in detail.
Table of Contents
- CAT eligibility 2021 highlights
- Changes in CAT 2021 eligibility criteria
- CAT Eligibility: Education qualification
- CAT eligibility for final year students
- CAT reservation 2021
- Caste-based reservation policy
- FAQs for CAT eligibility 2021
CAT eligibility 2021 highlights
| Start date for CAT 2021 registration | 4th August 2021 |
|---|---|
| Last date for CAT 2021 registration | 15 September 2021 (5 PM) |
| CAT application form correction window | The third week of September 2021 |
| CAT tutorial | The third week of October 2021 |
| CAT admit card 2021 | 27th October 2021 |
| CAT 2021 examination | 28th November 2021 |
Changes in CAT 2021 eligibility criteria
The CAT examination authorities have announced a few changes and exemptions in the CAT eligibility criteria 2021, which are only applicable for CAT 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 in the last two years, many candidates have been awarded “promotion/pass” certificates instead of the mark sheets. So the CAT examination conducting body has announced that the candidates can complete and submit the CAT 2021 application form despite the minimum eligibility criteria.
Candidates in the final year
- Candidates with a “pass or promotion” certificate instead of a “marks” certificate in the last two years of the UG program can enter the “pass or promotion” option in the application form instead of entering the marks.
- The final-year candidates who have graduated in 2021 and will graduate in 2022 can benefit from the exception in CAT eligibility.
- The “award of marks” new criteria is also applicable for final year students.
Candidates who graduated in 2020 and 2021
- The minimum percentage of marks is 45%, and 50% or equal CGPA for appearing for the exam has been removed.
- The exception ensures parity to students who have completed their graduation in 2020 and 2021.
CAT Eligibility: Education qualification
Here is the CAT minimum educational qualification for CAT 2021 exam:
- The candidates applying for the CAT 2021 examination should have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a well-known university or have an equivalent qualification from the Ministry of HRD.
- Candidates belonging to the general and NC-OBC category should have a minimum of 50% in their bachelor’s degree.
- Candidates who belong to the reserved category should achieve a minimum of 45% in their bachelor’s degree to apply for the CAT examination.
- Candidates in the final year or waiting for their results can also apply for the CAT exam. However, the candidate needs to submit a certificate attested by the principal of the college/university by the specified data. The certificate should state that the student has fulfilled all the requirements of the course.
- For the candidates who are rewarded based on grades or CGPA, the conversion of grades or CGPA will be according to the process by the university/institute.
| Qualification | Pass percentage |
|---|---|
| Engineering degree - B. Tech/B.E. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD students) |
| Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD students) |
| Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree can also appear for the CAT examination. | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD students) |
| CA/CS/ICWA | 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD students) |
CAT eligibility for final year students
CAT exam eligibility for final year students of various bachelor’s degrees can also appear for the CAT exam. However, the candidate will get admission for the MBA program only if they get at least 50% marks. IIMs and other management schools will verify their eligibility at different stages of the selection process. After completing the CAT 2021 exam, the shortlisted candidates should follow the instructions as given below:
- The candidates need to show their original certificate from the principal/head of the department that they have obtained 50% or equivalent based on the latest grades/marks.
- The candidate should also provide a photocopy of the original certificates at the time of the interview.
CAT reservation 2021
- IIMs follow the CAT reservation guidelines provided by the central government for admission to their MBA programs.
- There are two different types of reservations: Caste-based reservations and Reservation for differently-abled candidates.
- According to the 124th Amendment Bill in the COI, IIMs have also introduced the EWS quota.
- Candidates who are not registered under the CAT reservation schemes for ST, SC, and OBCs and whose family has a gross annual income below Rs. 8 lakhs are identified as EWS for the benefit of reservation.
Caste-based reservation policy
The candidates from ST, SC, and NC-OBC fall user the aegis of caste-based reservation policy. Here are the criteria for these categories:
- Candidates from SC or ST should have a score of 45% in their bachelor’s degree.
- Candidates from the NC-OBC should have a score of 50% in their bachelor’s degree.
FAQs for CAT eligibility 2021
1. What are the application fees for CAT 2021 exam?
The CAT application fees 2021 are different for different categories. The application fees for candidates belonging to the general category are Rs. 2200, and for students who belong to the special category, Rs. 1100
2. When will CAT announce the CAT 2021 results?
According to the official announcement, the CAT 2021 results will be announced in January 2022.
3. Is the extra one hour for PwD candidates distributed among the three different sections of the CAT question paper?
Yes, the extra time is given to the PwD candidates is divided equally among the three sections.
4. Is there any negative marking for CAT 2021 examination?
Yes, there is a negative marking for every wrong answer in the CAT 2021 examination.
5. What are the special provisions for PwD candidates?
The candidates to belong to the PwD category are eligible for Scribe assistance and extra exam hours.
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