After breaking all previous records for number of candidates registered to take the exam, CAT 2023 has broken a few more records. A record 2.88 lakh students actually took CAT 2023 exam on Sunday November 26. This number is 66,000 more than the number of candidates who took CAT 2022 – a new record.
CAT 2023 exam was successfully conducted by IIM Lucknow on November 26, 2023 in 167 test cities at 375 centers in 3 Slots. As highlighted by MBAUniverse.com, CAT 2023 was a much tougher exam than last year. According to Arun Sharma, Author of five Best-Selling Books for CAT Preparation, “The questions in the Quantitative section in CAT 2023 exam paper were the toughest in last 5 Years.”
CAT Convenor Confirms 88% Attendance
Confirming the number of actual CAT 2023 test takers, IIM Lucknow faculty and convener of CAT 2023 exam, Prof Sanjeet Singh has shared, “Around 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the exam out of 3.28 lakh registered eligible candidates.” He further added, “The overall attendance was approximately 88%.”
Doubts Put to Rest
This announcement has put to rest doubts raised by some leading CAT Exam Experts. In a webinar held late evening on Sunday after the CAT Exam, a few leading CAT coaches had expressed doubts that while the number of candidates who have registered for CAT 2023 exam is high, the actual number of candidates will drop as a percentage since many candidates may not be ‘serious’. “We are not sure if the surge in CAT numbers is for real. I think many additional candidates may not be serious ones, and may not have taken the exam today,” said a well known CAT guru.
The numbers released by CAT Convener have put such doubts to rest.
CAT 2023 in Numbers: Key Highlights
- Total Number of Candidates Registered: 3.28 lakhs
- Total Number of Candidates who Took the Exam: 2.88 lakhs
- Percentage of Candidates Taking the Exam: 88%
- Additional Number of Candidates (2023 Vs 2022): 66000 More Took the Exam
- Implications: Competition per seat at IIMs goes tougher than earlier
CAT Test takers Over the Years: Comparative Analysis
Total number of CAT 2023 applicants and actual candidates in CAT 2023 appeared for exam have gone up substantially along with the percentage of test takers in CAT 2023. Comparative trend of last 6 years is given below:
| CAT 2023 | CAT 2022 | CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 | CAT 2018 | CAT 2017 | |
| Total Registered Candidates | 3,28,000 | 2,55,501 | 2,29,969 | 2,27,835 | 2,44,169 | 2,41,000 | 2,31,067 |
| Actual Test Takers | 2,88,000 | 2,22,184 | 1,91,660 | 1,90,144 | 2,09,926 | 2,09,405 | 1,99,632 |
| Percentage Attendance | 88.00% | 87.00% | 83.40% | 83.40% | 86% | 87% | 86.40% |
Source: MBAUniverse.com Analysis of CAT data released by respective IIMs
CAT Registration Trends in last 12 Years
During Covid pandemic CAT registrations remained between 2.28 to 2.30 lakhs which has now gone up substantially in 2023. Check below the CAT registration trends during previous 12 years:
|
CAT Year
|
Candidate Registrations
|
% Increase/Decrease
|
|
2023
|
3.28
|
29%
|
|
2022
|
2.55
|
11%
|
|
2021
|
2.3
|
0.9%
|
|
2020
|
2.28
|
-6.6%
|
|
2019
|
2.44
|
1.2%
|
|
2018
|
2.41
|
4.3%
|
|
2017
|
2.31
|
-0.4%
|
|
2016
|
2.32
|
5.9%
|
|
2015
|
2.19
|
11.2%
|
|
2014
|
1.97
|
1.0%
|
|
2013
|
1.95
|
-8.9%
|
|
2012
|
2.14
|
4.4%
|
|
2011
|
2.05
|
--
|
Source: MBAUniverse.com Analysis of CAT data released by respective IIMs
Common Admission Test (CAT) is the largest MBA entrance exam, leading to admission opportunity in 1000+ MBA colleges including 20 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs among others. CAT 2023 has been rated tougher than earlier and poses higher competition with 66000 more candidates taking the exam whereas fewer than 1000 seats are added for MBA admission 2024 in IIMs.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2023
