Indian Institute of Management (IIM)

Courses Offered
The Indian Institutes of Management will conduct Common Admission Test 2011 (CAT 2011) during a 20-day testing window between October 22, 2011 and November 18, 2011. CAT 2011 will be conducted by IIMs as a pre-requisite for admission to various management programmes of IIMs. These programmes are:

A. Post Graduate Programmes in Management:

IIM Ahmedabad: PGP and PGP-ABM
llM Bangalore: PGP PGSEM and PGPPM
IIM Calcutta: PGP-PGDM and PGP-PGDCM
IIM lndore: PGP and EPGP
IIM Kashipur: PGP
llM Kozhikode: PGP
IIM Lucknow: PGP and PGP-ABM
IIM Raipur: PGP
IIM Ranchi: PGDM and PGDHRM
IIM Rohtak: PGP
RGIIM Shillong: PGP
IIM Tiruchlrappalli: PGP
IIM Udaipur: PGP

B. Fellow Programme in Management equivalent to Ph.D. Degree

Eligibility
The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Differently Abled (DA) (It may also referred to as Persons with Disability (PWD) category) ] , awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in the bachelor’s degree would be calculated based on the practice followed by the university/institution from where the candidate has obtained the degree. In case the candidates are awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of grades/CGPA to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the university/ institution from where they have obtained the bachelor’s degree.

In case the university/ institution does not have any scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result with 100.

Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. If selected, such candidates will be allowed to join the programme provisionally, only if he/she submits a certificate latest by June 30, 2012 from the Principal/Registrar of his/her College/ Institute (issued on or before June 30, 2012) stating that the candidate has completed all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of the issue of the certificate.

IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website www.catiim.in .

Applicants should note that the mere fulfillment of minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs.

Prospective candidates must maintain a valid and unique email account and a phone number throughout the selection process.

How To Apply
Before registering and scheduling for your test, you will need to purchase a CAT 2011 voucher from any of the selected Axis Bank branches between Wednesday, 17 August and Monday, 26 September 2011.

For a list of participating bank branches Click Here

The CAT 2011 Vouchers can be obtained from branches of Axis Bank and their associated outlets during the period from Wednesday, 17 August 2011 to Monday, 26 September 2011 for Rs. 1600/- (Rs. 800/- for SC/ST candidates.

Please note that a candidate needs to buy only one CAT 2011 Voucher irrespective of the number of institutes he/she is applying to. Note that the Voucher must be bought only in the name of the candidate as it appears in the school leaving certificate. If the name has been changed due to events such as marriage, the candidate must show the relevant document such as a marriage certificate and submit a photocopy at the time of the test, interview and at the time of joining a programme. SC/ST candidates must show a copy of their SC/ST Certificates at the time of obtaining the CAT 2011 Voucher from the Axis Bank branches.

Voucher once sold cannot be refunded under any circumstance including but not limited to loss of voucher, inability to read voucher number due to mishandling of the voucher by candidate, candidate being ineligible for taking CAT, CAT not being a pre-requisite for a programme, and rejection of candidate registration due to incomplete and/or wrong information.

REGISTRATION FOR CAT 2011
On purchasing the CAT 2011 Voucher, prospective candidates must log on to the website www.catiim.in to register for CAT 2011. The registration window starts on August 17, 2011 and will close on September 2 , 2011. Details of the registration process are provided at the website www.catiim.in .

Candidates should view the CAT 2011 video which will be available on
www.catiim.in from August 15, 2011 onwards. A short audio recording with key highlights from the video will be available on +91 124 451 7178 during the registration & scheduling period.
Contact Details
Website: www.catiim.in
IVRS Number: 1 800 103 7383

Test Centers
Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhilai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Durgapur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Shillong, Siliguri, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam

NOTE
IMPORTANT DATES

CAT 2011 Registration: from Wednesday 17 Aug to Wednesday 28 Sep, 2011

CAT 2011 Examination: October 22, 2011 and November 18, 2011

ADMISSION PROCESS:

Please note that each IIM shortlists candidates for second stage of selection which may be independent of each other. The process may include Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). Performance in CAT2011 examination is an important component in the admission process. IIMs may use previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short listing and ranking of candidates at various stages of the admission process. The processes, academic cut-offs and the weights allocated to the evaluation parameters may vary across IIMs. For more information you may refer the admissions policies of IIMs from their respective websites.

The CAT exam is one of the most coveted MBA exams in India. Every year, over two hundred thousand students sweat it out for entry into the Indian Institutes of Management aka the IIMs. The selection ratio for an IIM is much higher than the Ivy League colleges, thus making the CAT exam one of the toughest management examinations in the world.

The CAT exam mutated to an online avatar in the year 2009. CAT is a computer based test rather than being a computer adaptive test (unlike GMAT). The paper consists of 60 standard questions, sub divided into three sections. These sections are Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Students should note that these sections are not specifically demarcated in the actual paper itself.

Each of these sections comprises of twenty different questions with no particular time limit across different sections. A student is expected to show his competency across all the sections equally. Some of the qualities being assessed of students are stress management, quick thinking and concentration. Other facets of the exam include a two hour wait before the actual exam starts. However, this is set to change in the times ahead as CAT becomes a more accomplished exam.

However, since the inception of the new online format, there have been a lot of controversies surrounding the CAT exam. Students have criticized the paper due to many loopholes in the assessment system. Notwithstanding all this, the CAT exam continues to be a pioneer of management education in India.

CAT- the common admission test is one of the most fearsome entrance tests, that the management students need to take and are worried about. The students clearing CAT are determined to become a part of few of the most renowned management institutions of the country. The students have to work very hard to achieve their target of taking admission in one of the Indian Institute of Management. It is the dream of every student, but it’s not that easy to accomplish. The test is very difficult and tests the students on various parameters, to check their eligibility for admission to such a prestigious institution. The test is scientifically designed and ensures accuracy and fairness in the exam. The students start preparing for the common entrance test, from years before they take the actual exam. In fact, students also take classes, to train themselves in various subjects. There are many coaching centres, which trains the students in their respective fields and help them to get admission in good MBA colleges.

Following are few of the steps, which can help a student score well in his CAT entrance test:

The students need to prepare hard and keep on taking mock tests. Doing practise makes it possible for the students to be able to get off with the fear of exam. The students should be aware of all the concepts and the methods, which are supposed to be used in the exams and which makes it easier for the student to solve the questions.

The commencement of online tests, has made it bit difficult for the students to take the exams easily and complete the test on time. The students are advised to practise tests online, so that they form a habit of reading faster over the net and can make correct and apt sense of what is written. It’s quite difficult to interpret images and graphs formed on the screen, therefore the students need to make themselves comfortable using the mouse and the keyboard, for solving the questions.

The students should not at all feel nervous and should always make it a habit to be cool and calm while taking exam. They should try and concentrate in their exam, while taking the exam, rather than looking here and there and should give the maximum amount of productivity at the time of exam.

The students should form a strategy, as in how they will proceed step by step. The question paper should be solved according to the set plan and is sure to help the student to maintain a free and a positive flow while answering the questions. The test patterns followed in the question papers of the last few years, should be followed by the students and they should keep an eye on the changing patterns or on any changes made in regard to the CAT.

The practise of the exams should also be done online, to develop smoothness with the keyboard and mouse. This ways, it would be easier for the student to answer the questions at the time of exam.

Apart from all the above mentioned steps, which largely apply on the new format of the CAT exam, the students should be confident and should always have full preparation for the exam. The parents of the students should not put any pressure on them and should always give them the space to take tests in their own comfortable zone. The students appearing for CAT, are also required to have great communication skills. They should be able to analyse and interpret things successfully and come up with fruitful results by scoring high in CAT and securing a safe position in one of the IIM’s.

A Joint Admission Test is conducted by the Director of Technical Education, Assam for selection of candidates for admission to the first year of the B.E. course to the two State Government Colleges and REC (for Assam quota only).

Candidates seeking admission in any Regional Engineering College (against Assam quota) have to apply separately to Principal, Regional Engineering College, Silchar, in addition to appearing in Joint Admission Test.

JAT Entrance Exam: The Test is held usually in the month of June.

Eligibility for Assam JAT: Hr. Sec. Examination (12 years) from Assam Hr. Sec. Education Council or an equivalent examination with PCM, and English securing at least 50% marks in aggregate in PCM in one sitting are eligible.

Test Pattern:

In the admission test the candidate must appear in the following papers:-

Mathematics – 100 Marks 3 hours
Physics – 100 Marks 3 hours
Chemistry – 100 Marks 3 hours
Biology – 100 Marks 3 hours

1. Test Dates: Check the dates regularly so that you can prepare accordingly and give adequate time to each subject.

2.Self Belief: You should believe in yourself and your abilities. You should believe that you belong to the competitive arena and you can clear these exams if you can perform to best of your abilities. Belief is everything and everything can be achieved through belief. There is a famous quote: “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen”.

3. Knowledge: Knowledge is a necessary element to clear these exams. You should have proper knowledge about your concepts. We don’t have to acquire extra knowledge, as conceptual knowledge is needed for competitive tests. We can prefect our conceptual knowledge by practicing questions based on these concepts.

4. Time Management and Data: We have to study minimum of 4 hours a day for competitive exams. We can manage this time by preparing timetable for each day. We also have to record weekly data, which ultimately helps in representing our performance graphically. We can take inputs such as time for each subject, part of syllabus completed, time for revision, questions attempted and so on to record data.

5. Sharpness: Sharpness of mind is mandatory for competitive tests. A sharp mind has many advantages such as concept understanding, quick response to a tricky question and speed. Main purpose of these exams is to differentiate sharp-minded students from others. A normal mind can be converted into a sharp mind by regular brain exercises such as puzzles, crosswords. You can also play games such as Chess, which helps in sharpening the mind.

6. Sample Papers: Here comes my last and most important trick. The best way to perform in any test would be to do so many similar types of Sample Papers. With the help of these sample papers, our mind is able to build so many strategies and tricks about particular type of questions, which ultimately helps us during Entrance exams. They have huge advantage as you can feel the mental atmosphere similar to that in competitive exams through these sample papers. Attempting so many sample papers helps in mental coherence during main exams. Sample Papers also helps in achieving a hard, stable concentration during these exams. Hope these methods can help you some way. You can comment if you have any doubts.

Common Admission Test (CAT) is for students who want to pursue Post Gradute level Management Degree from world renowned IIM’s. With Growing Reputation of IIM’s in the world for management education and emergence of powerful alumni for IIM’s in the Global Corporate sector made IIM’s a destination to dream for all students aspiring for managerial studies in India. It is an entrance exam for students who want to pursue Post Graduate level Management Degree from world renowned IIM’s. Performance in Common Admission Test or CAT, followed by Group Discussions and Personal Interviews, serves as the basis for admission. Apart from the IIM’s, a candidate can take admission in many other business schools with a CAT score.
Courses

PGP (Post Graduate Program in Management) – IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow, RGIIM Shillong
PGP-ABM (Post Graduate Program in Agri-Business Management) – IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow
PGSEM (PGP in Software Enterprise Management) – IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta
PGP-PGDCM (Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Aided Management) – IIM Calcutta
PGPPM (Post Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management) – IIM Bangalore
Ex-PGP (Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives) – IIM Indore
FPM (Fellow Program in Management i.e. equivalent to Ph.D) – IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow.

Eligibility

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. In case of the SC and ST, a minimum of 45% mark is sufficient.

Eligibility for Special Courses
PGP (Post Graduate Program in Management) – The candidate must have a Bachelors Degree, with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. In case of SC and ST, 45% marks, is the minimum.

PGP-ABM (Post Graduate Program in Agri-Business Management in IIM Ahmadabad) – The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Agriculture Sciences or in Agriculture-related disciplines, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. The minimum mark is 45% in case of the candidates belonging to SC/ ST or Persons with Disability (PWD) category.

Or

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.

PGSEM (PGP in Software Enterprise Management) – The candidate must have a Bachelors degree from a recognized university along with a minimum of two years of work in the software industry.

PGPPM (Post Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management) -  Apart from eligible Government Officials, PGPPM is also open to Civil society functionaries, mid career executives belonging to PSUs and Corporate Undertakings and other individuals with minimum 7 years of professional experience.

PGDCM (Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Aided Management) – The candidate must have a Bachelors Degree, with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. In case of SC and ST, 45% marks, is the minimum.

Ex-PGP (Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives) – The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. The minimum mark required is 45% in case of the candidates belonging to SC/ ST or Persons with Disability (PWD) category. The candidate should also have a minimum of 5 years of managerial/ entrepreneurial/ professional experience. Work experience obtained only after graduation will be considered.

PGP-ABM (PGP in Agri-Business Management in IIM Lucknow) – A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science / Agricultural Engineering or allied subjects with at least 50% marks (45% in case of SC/ST/PWD category) or equivalent CGPA from any of the recognized Universities.

Or

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate with a minimum of 50% marks (45% in case of SC/ST/PWD category). He/she must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing Higher Secondary schooling or equivalent with at least two years experience or strong interest in the field of Agriculture or allied sector.
Examination Pattern

Common Admission Test (CAT) is multiple-choice based entrance exam, with negative marking for wrong answers. It comprises of three sections, which span the domains of arithmetical problem solving, geometry, statistics, data interpretation, logical reasoning, puzzles, and English language skills. Ever year, changes are also made in the total number of questions and the time duration of CAT.