CAT 2021: Know Test Format, Exam Schedule and 12 Key Points to Remember

CAT 2021: With only two days left for the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam, there is an air of anxiousness among candidates on how to go about the exam. The authorities have also released the important instructions for the exam day that the candidates will have to follow. As per the released schedule, CAT 2021 will be held on 28th November. The exam will be held in three sessions and IIM Ahmedabad has stated that the rules related to reporting timings, social distancing and others must be followed in all the shifts. Those appearing for the MBA entrance exam are advised to go through the test format, exam schedule and other important details provided below. This will help candidates in familiarizing themselves with the exam situation. 

CAT 2021 Test Format 

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, will conduct CAT 2021 in three sessions this time. The MBA entrance exam will be conducted as a computer-based test at allocated test centres across the country. Before starting the online CAT exam, Candidates must read the instructions shown on the computer screen. Here, they can check the test format and related instructions for CAT 2021. 

• The entrance exam will have three sections - Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Section 2: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Section 3: Quantitative Ability (QA).
• Each section has been allotted 40 minutes, with a total time for the CAT 2021 exam being 120 minutes.
• As stated in the notification related by IIM, some questions will be of Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) whereas some will be non-MCQ type.
• For all the MCQ type questions, one mark will be deducted. However, there will be NO negative marking for a non-MCQ type question.
• Also, no marks will be given for unattempted questions. 

As CAT 2021 will be conducted in computer-based mode, a virtual keyboard will be displayed on the screen which is to be used for a non-MCQ question. Use the mouse to operate the virtual keyboard. Also, usage of external/physical calculators will not be allowed however, a virtual calculator will be available. 

CAT 2021 Instructions for PwD Candidates 

The authorities have provided PwD candidates with extra 13 minutes and 20 seconds for each section. Also, PwD candidates will be allowed to submit their answers to a section at any point of time between 40 minutes and 53 minutes and 20 seconds. They will be allowed to leave the exam lab between 120 minutes and 160 minutes depending on the time taken to complete the Exam. 

CAT 2021 Exam Schedule 

Common Admission Test (CAT) 2021 is scheduled to be conducted on 28th November, Sunday. The duration of the MBA entrance exam will be 120 minutes (2 hours) whereas for PwD candidates will be given 160 minutes. The two-hour CAT 2021 exam will be held in three sessions - the first from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm and the third and the evening session from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Candidates are advised to reach the test centre at least 30 minutes prior to gate closure time.

CAT 12 Key Points to Remember 

• Candidates must remember to take a print of the self-declaration form and carry it to the CAT exam hall.
• Before leaving for the exam, candidates are requested to verify and carry their original ID proof and the printed CAT hall ticket.
• Candidates must report at the CAT test centre based on the reporting time they have received by SMS and email the previous day. Reach exam centre 30 minutes before the sessions.
• Social distancing has to be maintained at all times. No one will be allowed to crowd the area or share any items under any circumstances.
• Do not carry any prohibited items such as electronic gadgets etc. inside the exam hall.
• Candidates shall not be allowed to appear in more than one Shift. It will be deemed as a fraudulent activity.
• A pen and a scribble pad will be provided for each candidate at their terminal. Only one pen and one scribble pad will be provided for the duration of the test.
• Do not request for a bio-break while inside the exam hall unless it is a medical emergency.
• Do not wear any jewellery (or any item(s) containing metal), Shoes/footwear with thick soles, and garments with large buttons.
• Do not provoke any other candidate to commit or participate in any form of malpractice.
• The assigned invigilator will read out the instructions before the exam begins.
• As soon as the candidate starts answering a section, the clock (displayed on the top right corner of the screen) will start ticking and would display the remaining time available to complete the current section.

Use CAT Percentile Predictor 2021 to know your estimated CAT cut-offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT scores for admission.

Also Read: CAT 2021 Exam-Day Guidelines: Know List of Documents to be Carried to Exam Centre Here