The average number of aspirants selected for CAT is around 10,000. This figure is less than 10 per cent of all candidates, even though the total number of CAT exam candidates exceeds two lakhs (roughly) each year.
What is the average number of aspirants selected for CAT? According to the most recent data, the numbers fluctuate annually but normally range between 2.5 and 2.8 lakh candidates. The number of students that take the CAT entrance exam each year illustrates its popularity and importance. However, roughly 10,000 students are selected for the CAT exam.
Around 3 lakh candidates appeared for CAT 2024, which was held on Nov 24, 2024. Registration has ended, and hopeful students look forward to being admitted to some of the country's premier public and private colleges, including IIMs and IITs.
Students Appearing for CAT Exam
Around 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh candidates register for the CAT exam every year, of which 2 lakh to 3 lakh registered candidates appear. According to the previous year's trend around 3,00,000 candidates are expected to take the CAT exam 2024.
CAT Exam Year |
Total CAT Registrations |
Students Appeared |
2024 |
3.5 Lakh |
3 Lakh |
2023 |
3.5 Lakh |
2.88 Lakh |
2022 |
2.55 Lakh |
2.22 Lakh |
2021 |
2.30 Lakh |
1.90 Lakh |
2020 |
2.30 Lakh |
1.90 Lakh |
Number of Aspirants Selected for CAT Exam
Around 3 lakh people take the CAT exam yearly, but only 30,000 to 10,000 pass and gain admission to India's top IIMs and MBA programs. Consequently, less than 10% of candidates pass the exam.
Relevant Links Related to CAT Exam 2024:
- How to Select the Best College Based on Your CAT Score?
- Too many failed CAT attempts? What next? Alternatives to Take
- CAT 2024 Correct Attempts Vs Expected Percentile Score
College-Wise Marks Required to Clear CAT Exam
Candidates can check the college-wise marks required to clear the CAT exam.
College Name |
CAT Cutoff 2024 (Expected) |
99-100 |
|
99-100 |
|
99 |
|
97+ |
|
97+ |
|
IIM Kozhikode |
97-98 |
IIM Amritsar |
95+ |
IIM Nagpur |
95+ |
IIM Sambalpur |
95+ |
IIM Trichy |
94 |
IIM Raipur |
94 |
IIM Ranchi |
94 |
IIM Vizag |
94 |
92 |
|
92 |
|
92 |
|
IIM Sirmaur |
90 |
95 |
|
95 |
|
99 |
|
94 |
|
98+ |
|
Loyola Institute of Business Administration |
90+ |
SJMSOM, IIT Bombay |
99+ |
Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad |
90+ |
95+ |
|
95+ |
|
85+ |
|
90+ |
|
Department of Management Studies |
95+ |
TAPMI Manipal |
85+ |
Quick Links Related to CAT Exam 2024:
- 14 New IIMs in India 2025: Ranking, Admission, Placements
- NIRF Management Ranking 2025: Top Management Colleges List
Strategies to Stay Ahead in CAT Exam
Many candidates should be inspirational rather than stressful. You must strategise and plan well ahead of the exam.
- Revise topics: It is time to begin revising crucial CAT topics. You may have already completed the entire CAT syllabus. If any topics remain, determine how much time you can devote to them based on the time given for revisions. Every day, you should review at least one topic from each of the CAT's three areas.
- Tricks and Shortcuts: Hacks for CAT Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation are methods and shortcuts for calculating. Join study groups and discover mentors to learn shortcuts and methods for mathematical calculations. If you learn them now, you'll have plenty of time to experiment and evaluate the results. If you wait until later, you may not have enough time to discover another choice if the first one fails.
- Practice CAT Mock Tests: The easiest approach to prepare for the CAT is to take practice tests. As you are all aware, the CAT is a speed-based test; you must be able to read, select, and answer 66 questions in two hours. Now is the time to start practising CAT mock tests. Many of you have probably already begun practising the CAT mock tests series, but others who haven't should start immediately. Take roughly 30-40 CAT mock tests until the final week of the CAT 2024 exam. Gain speed and accuracy when selecting and answering the proper questions.
Also Read: 5 Common Mistakes That Give Lesser Scores to CAT Aspirants