The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer based test held in India. This test scores a person on the bases of quantitative ability, data interpretation, verbal ability and logical reasoning. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) started this exam and use the test for selecting students for their business administration programs. The test is conducted every year by one of the IIM's based on a policy of rotation. In August 2011, it was announced that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) would also use the CAT scores, instead of the Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET),to select students for their management programmes from 2012-14 year.[3] Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 will be conducted by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad). IIM-Ahmedabad will conduct CAT 2015 on November 29, 2015. IIM Indore was holding Common Admission Test from last two years.

The Common Admission Test (CAT),like virtually all large-scale exams, utilises multiple forms, or versions, of the test. Hence there are two types of scores involved: a raw score and a scaled score.

The raw score is calculated for each section based on the number of questions one answered correctly, incorrectly, or omitted. Candidates are given +3 points for each correct answer and -1 point for each incorrect answer. No points are given for questions that are not answered. The raw scores are then adjusted through a process called equating. Equated raw scores are then placed on a common scale or metric to ensure appropriate interpretation of the scores. This process is called scaling.

Test Duration and Pattern

The CAT 2014 had only two sections. The first section is Quantitativ170 minutes with no sectional time limits.

Three scaled scores will be presented for each candidate: an overall scaled score and two separate scaled scores for each section. As the two sections evaluate distinct sets of knowledge and skills, scores do not correlate across sections. A high score in one section does not guarantee a high score in another section. Percentile rankings are provided for each individual section as well as for the overall exam score.

CAT New Pattern: The CAT 2015 will be divided into three sections:

Quantitative Aptitude (QA) having 34 questions

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) with 32 questions

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) with 34 questions

The total duration for the exam is 180 minutes and will be having 100 questions. Candidates will not be allowed to switch between sections, unlike previous year. First time in the history of CAT, applicants will be allowed to use basic on screen calculator for calculation. The tutorial for changed pattern of CAT 2015 Exam will be declared on 15th October, 2015.