How To Fill CAT Form 2023? Key Points You Shouldn't Ignore!

The much-awaited CAT registration form is out on iimcat.ac.in! Every year, lakhs of candidates slog it out to get a seat in any of the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) or other prestigious institutes. Are you one of the dreamers who wants to get into a top B School? Take the first crucial step by filling up the CAT exam application form.

How to fill CAT form 2023: Key highlights

Registration for the CAT exam 2023 opens from August 2, 2023
The registration window will close on September 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm
The management entrance test CAT 2023 will be conducted on November 26, 2023 by IIM Lucknow
CAT 2023 admit card can be downloaded from October 25, 2023
CAT 2022 application fee for the General category is INR 2400. There is fee relaxation for category candidates. The fee is INR 1200 for SC/ST/OBC/ PwD candidates
Keep these documents handy before applying for the CAT exam -

Mandatory docs	Only if applicable
Class 10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheet and professional degrees	Caste certificate
Date of birth certificate	PwD certificate
Address proof	Scribe certificate
	Work experience proof

How to fill CAT form: Registration Process 2023

The CAT exam application process can be divided into 3 major parts:

CAT registration (online)
Filling out the online form
Payment of application form fee

If you are confused about how to fill CAT form, here is an overview of the CAT registration process:

To register for the CAT exam 2023, visit the official website of CAT exam and click on the new candidate registration link. Fill in all the details.
This will lead to generating your ID and its password.
Next, re-login with your ID and password through the 'registered candidate' registration link.
Fill out the CAT application form carefully.
Upload all the scanned documents mentioned above.
Make the payment for CAT registration fee. Payment can be made through online mode via Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, or Net Banking payment modes.
Submit the form and take a printout of the CAT application form.

Note: Once you have paid the fees successfully, you will receive a confirmation email regarding the successful submission of your CAT Application 2023 on the email address shared during registration. The email may also contain communication on additional details such as Admit Card download window.

How to fill CAT form: Points that need extra attention

Personal Information: Provide correct personal details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, academic qualifications, degree details, address, or contact information
No Blanks: Fill out all mandatory fields and upload all the necessary documents, such as academic records, category certificates, etc., properly.
Entering Correct Marks: For graduates and postgraduates, the aggregate percentage of marks awarded by the Board/Institute/University will be treated as final. Hence, enter the same in your form. If the Institute/University does not award the aggregate percentage of marks, it will be calculated based on the marks obtained in all subjects listed in the mark sheet.
Signatures: Ensure that the signature on the application form matches the one on your official documents, such as ID cards. Signatures must be done on white background.
Photograph Format: Use correct photograph size and format as specified in the guidelines.
Payment of Fees: Ensure that you pay the application fee amount correctly. Check for the confirmation email after the online payment of the CAT exam fee. If you have not received the mail, check it out in the spam folder.
Official Notification: Read all the points well before filling out the registration form.

During the CAT form filling process, it is a diligent practice to double-check the information provided and adhere to the guidelines given by the exam conducting authority.

Common mistakes that can disqualify you from CAT 2023

As you begin your MBA path, make sure your CAT form submission is error-free. Because we often make blunders and regret them for eons!

Here are some CAT mistakes that can affect the IIM shortlist:

One of the grave mistakes is filling out the wrong personal details, including their name. Make sure to enter the name that is mentioned in your 10th mark sheet and Aadhar card.
Many CAT aspirants get confused about how to fill in academic details in the CAT form. So, if you have taken an additional subject in the 10th or 12th standard, then all the subjects mentioned in the mark sheet will be considered in the form. Do NOT miss out on any subject.
A major chunk of CAT applicants is not aware of how to fill CGPA in CAT form. For this, convert your CGPA into a percentage. The first priority should be given to the grade conversion formula mentioned by your university/college, otherwise, multiply your grade (CGPA) by 10.
Information about the exam centre is another such CAT form mistake that students make in haste. Consider where you will be residing around the date of the exam and select the preferred test cities accordingly. Note that once the test center is allotted, it cannot be changed.
Don’t be critically selective with college preferences. It is BEST to ‘select all’ when selecting the colleges in the online CAT application form (no extra charge for this). No one would ‘question” - Why did you select other colleges or the other program? And if questioned, let the panelist know that you wanted to keep your options open!
Do not mention any form of internship in the experience details section. The work experience section only counts full-time jobs after graduation.
Do not hesitate to mention that you were self-employed or worked for your family business. But make sure to support it with relevant details (e.g., cheque number or bank statement). The absence of proof might lead to disqualification.
If you are not sure of any of the parameters - whether eligibility, center, or work experience clear your doubts through the CAT registration guide. This will guide you regarding how to fill academic details in CAT form, how to fill CGPA in CAT form, how to fill aggregate marks in CAT form and more.

Now that you know all the steps on how to fill CAT form 2023, go ahead and complete your CAT registration form carefully. Remember, with effective exam preparation and self-confidence, you will surely make it to your dream B school. Stay tuned to Unstop for key topics on CAT exam preparation. Good Luck!

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Shivangi Vatsal

Sr. Associate Content Strategist @Unstop

I am a storyteller by nature. At Unstop, I tell stories ripe with promise and inspiration, and in life, I voice out the stories of our four-legged furry friends. Providing a prospect of a good life filled with equal opportunities to students and our pawsome buddies helps me sleep better at night. And for those rainy evenings, I turn to my colors.

Updated On: 7 Aug'23, 01:19 AM IST