Which IIM will Conduct CAT 2024: Each year the esteemed CAT exam (Common Admission Test) is conducted by one of the IIMs. This exam provides a crucial gateway to India’s top MBA colleges like IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, etc. Moreover, this highly competitive exam is held only once a year, with a different IIM taking charge each time. This year, IIM Calcutta will be administering the exam. Last year, IIM Lucknow had conducted the exam.
Understanding how the difficulty level of the CAT exam has evolved under different IIMs is essential for strategic preparation. Thus, before diving into your MBA coaching routine, take some time to review these patterns. It could make all the difference in achieving a high percentile.
So, let’s have a glance at the difficulty levels of the CAT exam.
Year | IIM | VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) | DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) | QA (Quantitative Aptitude) |
2017 | IIM Lucknow | Easy/moderate | Moderate/difficult | Easy |
2018 | IIM Calcutta | Easy/moderate | Difficult | Difficult |
2019 | IIM Kozhikode | Moderate | Moderate/difficult | Moderate |
2020 | IIM Indore | Moderate | Difficult/moderate | Moderate |
2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | Difficult/moderate | Moderate/difficult | Difficult/moderate |
2022 | IIM Bangalore | Moderate/difficult | Difficult | Moderate/difficult |
2023 | IIM Lucknow | Difficult/moderate | Difficult | Difficult |
2024 | IIM Calcutta | Moderate (expected) | Difficult (expected) | Moderate/difficult (expected) |
This year, the exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. While the exam is yet to take place, we cannot clearly judge but can predict the potential difficulty levels based on previous trends. So, the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section is expected to remain moderate, providing some relief to test-takers. However, the DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) section is predicted to be challenging. Similarly, the Quantitative Ability (QA) section is likely to range from moderate to difficult. These comparisons are based on past year CAT exam analysis of the 2018 paper when CAT exam was prepared by IIM Calcutta.
The CAT exam 2023 was set up by the prestigious IIM Lucknow. The exam had a very difficult Quant and DILR section. However, the VARC section was fairly between moderate to difficult. Therefore, the percentile to marks conversion definitely showed a significant difference. In fact, the quants section appeared to be very difficult as compared to the previous years.
Percentile | Scaled Score |
100 | 138.59 |
99.95 | 106.95 |
99.9 | 101.43 |
99.5 | 84.29 |
99 | 76.02 |
98.5 | 71.15 |
98 | 66.68 |
97.5 | 63.64 |
97 | 61.56 |
96.6 | 59.99 |
96 | 58.1 |
95.5 | 56.41 |
95 | 54.86 |
94 | 53.32 |
93 | 52.35 |
92 | 51.95 |
91 | 46.13 |
90 | 45.16 |
In 2022, IIM Bangalore successfully conducted the CAT exam. So, the exam featured a moderate to difficult level in the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude) sections. Whereas, the DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) section proved to be more challenging for candidates.
Percentile | Scaled Score |
100 | 145.83 |
99.9 | 109.9 |
99.5 | 92.87 |
99 | 83.64 |
98 | 73.88 |
95 | 59.75 |
90 | 48.44 |
85 | 41.32 |
80 | 36.02 |
In 2021, the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting that year's CAT. So, all three sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) were considered moderately difficult by test-takers.
Percentile | Scaled score |
100 | 160 |
99.5 | 107 |
99 | 97 |
97 | 81 |
95 | 72 |
90 | 60 |
85 | 51 |
80 | 45 |
In 2020, the esteemed IIM Indore was tasked with conducting the CAT exam. So, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) sections were considered moderate. However, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section was notably more challenging.
Percentile | Scaled Score |
100 | 160 |
99.5 | 107 |
99 | 97 |
97 | 81 |
95 | 72 |
90 | 60 |
85 | 51 |
80 | 45 |
In 2019, the prestigious IIM Kozhikode took on the responsibility of conducting the CAT exam. So, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) sections were considered moderate. However, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section stood out as challenging among all three sections.
Percentile | Scaled score |
99 | 161-164 |
98 | 148 |
95 | 126 |
90 | 110 |
85 | 95-98 |
80 | 85 |
In 2018, IIM Calcutta was responsible for conducting the CAT exam. So, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section was much easier as compared to the other sections. However, both the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) sections were significantly more challenging.
Percentile | Scaled Score |
100 | 230 |
99.8 | 185 |
99.5 | 167 |
99.3 | 160 |
99.2 | 158 |
99.10 | 157 |
99 | 154 |
In 2017, IIM Lucknow conducted the CAT exam. So, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) sections were generally regarded as relatively easy, with the VARC section offering moderate difficulty. However, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section emerged as the most difficult.
Percentile | Scaled Score |
100 | 230 |
99.9 | 209 |
99.7 | 202 |
99.5 | 185 |
99 | 174 |
98 | 160 |
95 | 139 |
90 | 118 |
85 | 105 |
80 | 93 |
The prestigious CAT exam conducted annually by various IIM colleges is a crucial step for aspiring management students. So if you’re planning to take CAT, it’s essential to analyze previous years' CAT question papers so as to do well. Hence, combining this insight with consistent practice is key to achieving a high percentile. Thus, work hard and give your best shot! Good luck!
IIM Calcutta is conducting CAT exam 2024.
Yes, it is possible to clear the CAT exam with 3 months of dedicated preparation. However, success largely depends on your consistency, determination, and effective study plan. So, a well-structured approach, regular practice and time management will help you achieve the goal.
There is no limit to the number of attempts for the CAT exam. As the exam is conducted annually, candidates are free to take the test each year, allowing them multiple opportunities to improve their scores and achieve their desired results.
The following are the best colleges for MBA in India are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Calcutta, IIT Delhi
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