CAT Exam Purpose: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive exam for admission in prestigious business schools like IIMs, IITs and other renowned management institutes. The major CAT exam purpose is to check the students problem solving ability in various fields such as Quantitative ability, Data interpretation, Verbal ability & Logical reasoning and the results totally depend on the individual’s practice and dedication towards the exam. The exam of CAT happens once a year and is conducted on a rotational basis by different IIMs (Indian Institute of Management).
CAT exam is the first step for many aspirants who are willing to study in top IIMs or B-school. The exam itself is the superset of other management entrance exams and majorly accepted by top IIMs or B-schools. So, preparing for the single exam i.e, Common Admission Test (CAT) opens multiple opportunities for the candidates later with high ROI (Return of Investment). This exam majorly divides whole knowledge across three main sections like VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude). In this blog, we will mainly talking about CAT exam is for what purpose, it’s eligibility criteria, main reason or purpose of taking CAT exam (Common Aptitude Test), why should you take CAT exam, advantages behind this, how the CAT exam completely transforms your career, top B-Schools accepting CAT exam scores and more. Let’s deep dive in understanding about CAT exam purpose and transforming career opportunities after CAT exam.
Join this free WhatsApp group to get the latest information about CAT exam along with the strategies by CAT experts
What is CAT Exam?
CAT stands for the Common Aptitude Test. It is one of the major exams in India for the entrance in top IIMs or B-schools. This exam conducted every year by one of the Prestigious IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management). In the upcoming CAT 2025 exam, the exam conducting body is IIM Kozhikode. Talking about the major sections in the exam which cover VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) as well as QA (Quantitative Aptitude). The total time duration of the exam is 2 hours where each section divides 40 minutes. The complete information about the CAT exam (Common Admission Test) is mentioned in the table below.
| CAT exam (Common Aptitude Test) | Details |
| Full Form | Common Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Body (CAT 2025) | IIM Kozhikode |
| CAT Exam Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Sections | VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) QA (Quantitative Aptitude) |
| Timings Across Sections | VARC – 40 minutes DILR – 40 minutes QA – 40 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | + 3 for every correct answer -1 for every incorrect MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) |
CAT Exam is For What Purpose?
Before knowing the CAT exam purpose, candidates should be familiar with the pattern and syllabus and also check the eligibility to know whether they meet the criteria or not.
CAT Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate should hold bachelor’s degree from UGC recognized university with minimum 50% (45% for SC, ST, PWD, & DA classification).
- Those in final year of their undergraduate degree are also eligible to apply.
- Working professionals who wish to pursue management degree and looking for career enhancement are eligible to apply for CAT
What is the Purpose of Taking CAT Exam?
The main purpose of the CAT exam is to select the candidate for different top B-schools and many other remarkable colleges on the basis of their percentile scored in CAT exam. IIMs are prestigious, renowned management institutes in the country and offer a wide range of management programs like PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma Management), PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management), EPGP (Executive Post Graduate Program) , FPM (Fellow Program in Management). These programmers are highly valued by students as well as professionals who seek to build their career in management.
There are several other leading management institutes like FMS (Faculty of Management Studies) in Delhi, MDI (Management Development Institute) Gurgaon, & SPJIMR Mumbai that accept CAT scores in their admission. These institutes are highly appreciated in industry for providing a good number of management programs.
CAT Exam Purpose : The Brighter Side
As you know that CAT is among one of the toughest exams conducted in country, if you manage to score good in CAT exam, then many prestigious B-schools opens their door for admission, which will give ample of career opportunities in future with higher packages in IIM placements. This will also let you learn and connect with industry experts. The major CAT exam purpose is to get you into Top management programs where they nurture and master students in problem solving, decision-making and leadership skills which will not only help you from an academic aspect, but also in your professional and personal life.
CAT Exam is For What Purpose : Advantages & Benefits
CAT exam for what purpose? Well, it definitely is one of the best exams to test your skills and prove yourself among all the applicants and check where you stand in a competition.
- Admission opportunities in other good management colleges: One of the perks of CAT exam is that if you are preparing for it then you are also preparing for other managements also like XAT, MAT, SNAP. Almost 70-80-% of syllabus is similar for all these exams. Non-CAT exams also opens the door to other Top B-schools in India like XLRI JAMSHEDPUR, SYMBIOSIS PUNE, NMIMS MUMBAI and other B-schools.
- Better Networking Opportunities: Once you clear the CAT exam and get into IIMs or other top B-schools you will be surrounded in between brilliant and talented faculty members. They can be CEOs of a company, alumni or industry experts. Also your experience on campus will enhance your abilities in various sectors.
- Alumni Interaction: You will be part of a great alumni network and get an opportunity to learn from them and their experiences. This is one of the major purpose of CAT exam once you get into IIMs.
- Internship and career growth: You will be able to grab several opportunities in industry based or rural internships. These will enhance your leadership quality as also one of the CAT exam purposes is, to make you a leader with all the possible knowledge of corporate world. Meanwhile in IIMs, you will be trained and you’ll acquire several industry level skills. These learnings will later on also help you with starting your entrepreneurial journey if you wish to start your own business.
Why Should You Take CAT 2025?
Here are some reasons why you should consider taking the CAT 2025 exam:
- Increases your chances of a successful career : CAT exam purpose is to open gates to some of top prestigious business management school including IIMs. Getting a seat in these prestigious B-schools can provide you better job opportunities and higher salary packages.
- Flexibility in area of expertise : MBA Colleges provide a variety of specializations that you can opt for. CAT scores are accepted by almost every B-school which provide diverse programs and allow students to tailor their ideas in specific area of interest such as marketing, human resource, operations, and finance.
- Industry Acknowledgment : CAT is not just an exam. The CAT exam purpose is to give you an identity in industry. Employers see MBA as a good credential CAT is very competitive and checks your analytical skills. Your resume gains credibility when you include a good CAT score.
- Building Your Capabilities in Analysis and Problem-Solving : You can develop your critical thinking and decision-making skills by practising with CAT level questions. As Analytical and problem-solving abilities are also assessed in the CAT exam, it goes beyond only rating theoretical knowledge. These are essential skills for any management professional.
- Opportunities for Networking : After clearing the exam like CAT you get an opportunity to access a large network of professors, alumni, and business renowned names in the industry. Being a part of a prestigious institution enables for you mentorship, internships, and job placements, improving your entire career trajectory. Networking is a critical component of career growth.
- Worldwide Acknowledgement : CAT mostly serves India’s top most business schools and these schools have global partnership and exchange initiatives with foreign B-schools. By doing well in CAT, you not only put yourself in a position to succeed in the Indian market but also allows international exposure and develop a skill set that is both globally competitive and well-rounded.
- Being Flexible in the Face of Shifting Business Trends : CAT is recognized for being dynamic and ever-changing. The structure of the exam is modified on a regular basis to reflect the changing needs of the corporate world. In addition to getting ready for the current business environment, CAT preparation helps you develop an adaptable mindset, which is important in the dynamic corporate environment of today.
- Self-improvement and a confidence booster : Being ready for and doing well in the CAT exam is a demanding but beneficial experience. The journey teaches qualities of adaptability, managing time, as well as stress and teaches us to be patient, all of which are necessary for success in any line of work. Gaining confidence and the feeling of achievement from clearing CAT opens the way for more achievements.
- Get Financial Assistance and Scholarships: You can apply for financial help and scholarships from a variety of institutions if you take the CAT 2025 exam. Students with excellent grades and CAT scores are eligible for merit-based scholarships from many MBA schools. Depending on the college and the scholarship program, these awards could cover all or some of your fees. MBA programs offer many kinds of scholarships.
How CAT Exam Can Transform Your Career?
CAT is more than just an entrance exam. It’s a chance to completely change your career path. Whether you’re a recent graduate figuring out your future, a working professional aiming for better opportunities, or someone planning to switch to a new field, CAT can help you get there. It opens the way to top B-schools in India, which offer access to high-paying jobs, leadership positions, and exciting career options. Along the way, you’ll build valuable skills, grow your professional network, and get the support you need to reach your bigger goals. Let’s explore how CAT can shape your career journey.
1. Shift to Better Job Roles
A lot of people take the CAT exam to move ahead in their careers or shift to better roles. For instance, someone working in a technical job as an engineer may want to explore business roles like marketing, consulting, or product management. Doing an MBA from a top B-school makes this possible. Even if you come from a non-business background such as arts, science, or teaching, CAT can help you enter the corporate world where there are more opportunities for growth and better salaries.
2. High Salary & Career Growth
Top B-schools like IIMs, FMS, and MDI offer placement opportunities in some of the best companies. You’ll find yourself sitting for interviews with companies like McKinsey, Amazon, BCG, Deloitte, and Google. These companies offer a good salary package with leadership roles and Global job opportunities.
3. Build a Powerful Network
Your classmates, professors, and alumni will become your career circle. Many of them go on to become CEOs, founders, investors, and senior managers. This network is helpful for Getting job referrals, Finding mentorship for your goals, Startup collaborations.
4. Learn Real Business & Leadership Skills
B-schools don’t just teach theory. You’ll work on real projects, case studies, group discussions, internships, and presentations. This helps you build Confidence, Decision making ability, Time and team management skills.
Top B-Schools Accepting CAT Scores (Beyond IIMs)
When we talk about the CAT exam, the first thing most people think of is the IIMs. And yes, they are among the top and most preferred business schools in the country. But there are also many other well-known institutes that accept CAT scores and offer equally great opportunities.
These colleges are consistently ranked among the best in India. They offer strong placement records, excellent faculty, and good industry exposure. So even if you don’t get into an IIM, your CAT score can still help you get admission into some of the finest B-schools in the country.
Here is a list of some top non-IIM colleges that accept CAT scores.
| TOP B-SCHOOLS | LOCATION |
| FMS (Faculty of management studies) | Delhi |
| MDI (Management development institute) | Gurgaon |
| SPJIMR (S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research) | Mumbai |
| IIT Delhi (Department of management studies) | Delhi |
| IIT Bombay (Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management) | Mumbai |
| IIT Kharagpur (Vinod Gupta School of Management) | Kharagpur |
| IIT Madras (Department of Management Studies) | Chennai |
| DFS (Department of financial studies) | Delhi |
| IMT (Institute of Management Technology) | Ghaziabad |
| FORE school of management | Delhi |
CAT (Common Aptitude Test) and Other Management Entrance Exams
This section covers the basic difference between the Common Aptitude Test (CAT) and other management entrance exams like XAT (Xavier’s Aptitude Test), NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test), SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) and more. The factors consider are full form, conduction body, sections in the exam, time duration and marking scheme. The detailed information is mentioned in the table below.
| Factor | CAT (Common Admission Test) | XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test) | SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) |
| Conducting Body | IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) | XLRI Jamshedpur | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | Symbiosis International (Deemed University) |
| Number of Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) | 3 + GK Section (VARC, DILR, QA + GK) | 3 (Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning) | 3 (General English, QA & DI, Analytical & Logical Reasoning) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes | 190 minutes | 120 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct -1 for incorrect | +1 for correct -0.25 for incorrect | +3 for correct No Negative Marking | +1 for correct -0.25 for incorrect |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based (Online) | Computer-Based (Online) | Computer-Based (Online) | Computer-Based (Online) |
CAT Exam Purpose – Career Opportunities after CAT Exam
CAT exam is one of the important and toughest management entrance exams in India which allow candidates to enter in a top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) or B-schools. The CAT exam stands for Common Aptitude Test which is majorly accepted by the top business schools across country which covers top IIMs that are having high ROI (Return of Investment) like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and more. Post completing PGDM/MBA/other courses from these IIMs or top B-schools, candidates have ample of opportunities with high ROI in their professional career especially in top firms. The table mentioned below covers the top management roles offered at top IIMs or B-schools after the CAT exam.
| Top Management Roles after CAT Exam |
| Consultant / Management Consultant |
| Product Manager |
| Investment Banker |
| Marketing Manager / Brand Manager |
| Operations Manager |
| Supply Chain Manager |
| Business Analyst |
| Strategy Analyst |
| General Management / Leadership Roles |
| Project Manager |
| Financial Analyst |
| HR Manager |
| Sales & Business Development Manager |
| Entrepreneur / Startup Founder |
| Data & Analytics Manager |
Conclusion: CAT Exam Purpose
CAT Exam for What: The primary CAT exam purpose is to get into top B-schools. You can enhance your knowledge and abilities, get admission to the top MBA programs, qualify for financial aid and scholarships, find jobs that pay well, and improve your career by taking the CAT exam (Common Aptitude Test). The CAT exam is a complete platform that enhances confidence to check where you are currently standing among lakhs of aspirants. And getting into top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) or B-schools will provide candidates high ROI and ample of career opportunities to enter in top firms post completing their masters program or MBA.
Join the Largest CAT Preparation Community in India
If you are targeting a 99+%ile in CAT 2025, iQuanta has got you covered. Get highly relevant content along with and prepare right from the very basics with iQuanta’s CAT Course. iQuanta has made a record with 500+ 99 percentilers in CAT 2024.
FAQs: CAT Exam Is For What Purpose?
There are some reasons that are considering CAT exam purpose.
Helps in shifting to better job roles, increases the chances of a successful career, helps in taking admission to the top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) or B-schools. This exam provides better networking opportunities.
The top management roles after CAT exam includes Consultant / Management Consultant, Product Manager, Investment Banker, Marketing Manager / Brand Manager, Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Business Analyst, Strategy Analyst, General Management / Leadership Roles, Project Manager, Financial Analyst, HR Manager, Sales & Business Development Manager, Entrepreneur / Startup Founder, Data & Analytics Manager and more.
The primary CAT exam purpose is to get into top B-schools. You can enhance your knowledge and abilities, get admission to the top MBA programs, qualify for financial aid and scholarships, find jobs that pay well, and improve your career by taking the CAT exam (Common Aptitude Test). The CAT exam is a complete platform that enhances confidence to check where you are currently standing among lakhs of aspirants. And getting into top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) or B-schools will provide candidates high ROI and ample of career opportunities to enter in top firms post completing their masters program or MBA. There are several advantages include admission opportunities in other good colleges, internships and career growth, better networking opportunities and alumni interaction.
There are some top colleges which are accepting CAT scores apart from IIMs are FMS (Faculty of management studies), MDI (Management development institute), SPJIMR (S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research), IIT Delhi (Department of management studies), IIT Bombay (Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management), IIT Kharagpur (Vinod Gupta School of Management), IIT Madras (Department of Management Studies), DFS (Department of financial studies), IMT (Institute of Management Technology), FORE school of management and more in the list.
