Indian Institute of Management was set up first in Ahmedabad in 1961 by Government of India. In order to cater to the ever increasing demand subsequently more IIMs were created at Calcutta, Banglore, Lucknow and in recent past at Indore and Khozikode. Now, there are six campuses. Every year to select students for 2 years Post graduate programme and 2 years Fellow programme for these six institutes IIMs conduct Common Admission Test (CAT). There are more than 50 Institutes offering admission on the basis of CAT score. (List is given below). CAT is held annually once in the second half of November every year.

Eligibility: Irrespective of the percentage marks obtained in the Graduation, all graduate students are eligible for CAT. The students who are in the final year of graduation are also eligible for the test.

Notification:  Notification of CAT normally appears in national dailies in the month of July/August. Availability of forms & other details appear in the same.

CAT compromises of two stages viz.

1. Aptitude Test (Written Test).
2. Group Discussion & Personal Interview (GD/PI)

Aptitude Test: Broadly speaking It’s a test of Maths, English and Reasoning. Test is of 2 hrs. divided in 3 sections with almost equal no. Of questions in each.

1. Quantitative Aptitude: This section compromises questions on Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Advance Maths.
   
   
2. Analytical & Logical Reasoning: This section compromises questions on Data Interpretation, Mathematical and Logical Reasoning.
   
   
3. Verbal Reasoning & English usage: In this section questions are asked on Reading Comprehension, English Usage and verbal Reasoning. The Students who qualify in Aptitude test are only eligible to appear for GD/PI. To qualify in Aptitude test you have to perform well in each section. There is sectional cut-off as well as combined cut-off. All the students are informed about their score through written communication.

Group Discussion and Personal Interview: GD/PI is essential part of final selection. In GD/PI, candidate’s communication skill, presentation power, perception, general awareness, confidence, interpersonal skill, group behaviour etc. are checked. Normally 10-12 students are placed in a group and asked to discuss a topic. Topic could be any issue related to social, economical, political matter or may be on philosophy or fiction.

Result: Taking in to account combined performance of both the stages final merit list is prepared. The students who qualify, they are informed through written communication.