CAT, India FAQs- 1

As this is the CAT month, AIM MBA has brought to you FAQs of CAT answered by TIME . This is special FAQs Post, Divided in 2 parts

1.What is the duration of the CAT?
The actual time for answering the question paper is two and half hours.

2.Is there a minimum cut-off in each section of the CAT paper?
You should remember that CAT is used as an admission test by more than 100 institutes including the IIMs. And the CAT score is just one of the components of the admission process for most of the institutes. Some of these institutes (including the IIMs) expect you to cross a cut-off mark in each section. But the cut-off marks themselves will differ from institute to institute. Further, a lot of institutes DO NOT have section-wise cut-offs for admission.

3.Can we get the question paper back with us after we write the CAT?

Yes, you can retain the test booklet after you complete the test.

4. Is there negative marking for wrong answers?

Every year, CAT has been awarding negative marks for incorrect answers.

5.What is the level of negative marks given for wrong answers?

On the basis of the analysis that we at TIME have done over the last 16 years (when the level of negative marks were not specified) as well as the information that has been released by the IIMs over the last couple of years, it is observed that when questions have four choices, one-third of the marks allotted to the question are deducted for wrong answers and when questions have five choices, one-fourth of the marks allotted to that questions are deducted.