CAT 2024 Registration: Common mistakes to avoid while filling CAT form PDF Download

Several changes have been implemented in the past few years in the registration process, including the consolidation of certain test cities and an increase in the registration fees. 

It is important to be cautious when filling out the CAT 2023 Registration Form as the application process has undergone many changes. Keep in mind that some mistakes made on the form cannot be corrected after submission. 

To avoid any issues with your application, make sure to carefully enter your information to prevent any unnecessary expenses.

If you’re a B-school/IIM aspirant planning to get admission in top IIMs, you can prepare with EduRev Infinity for CAT to boost your preparation. 

Starting CAT Registration: Things You Need

Instructions contained in CAT 2023 Registration guide and video demonstrating the procedure to fill up the online application form must be followed while completing all the pages in CAT 2023 registration and application form.

1. Gather all the information, documents, certificates regarding your date of birth, exact style of writing name, academics from class 10 onwards, caste, online fee payment instrument that you will need for filling the form beforehand.
2. Check your eligibility for CAT 2023 by referring to the CAT Eligibility Criteria document on the CAT 2023 website.
3. Ensure you have a valid and unique email address and mobile number.
4. “*” (asterisk) in the CAT 2023 registration and application form indicates a mandatory field. The boxes marked with this symbol must be filled in, or you will not be allowed to submit your application for CAT 2023.
5. Keep your Mobile phone near you to verify OTP to get CAT ID & PW. With the ID & Password received from CAT Centre, you can login to CAT 2023 registration site as registered candidate to fill application form.

Things to take care of while filling the CAT Registration Form

1. Fill in Accurate Personal Information 

The first and most important aspect of the CAT Registration form is to accurately enter your personal details. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Class 10/SSC certificate. Make sure to correctly select your date of birth from the provided options.
• If you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC) or are a PWD candidate in the general category, carefully read through the list of serial numbers for different categories on the application form and select the correct one applicable to you. You can find more information on applicable caste/tribe names on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
• Download the NC-OBC, SC/ST certificates from the CAT website, fill in the required information, and get them attested by the appropriate authorities. Self-attest and scan them as PDF documents to upload to the CAT website.
• If you have a disability, select 'yes' and provide details under the PwD Category of disability, including whether you require wheelchair support or a scribe. Download the Person with Disability (PwD) certificate from the CAT website, enter the required information, and get it attested by the appropriate authorities. Self-attest and scan it as a PDF document to upload to the CAT website

2. Entering Academic Information 

Another important aspect to consider when filling out the CAT Registration form is how to accurately enter your academic details. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• You will need to enter your education details on the third page of the CAT 2023 online application form. Make sure to include your percentage obtained in all sections, including for class 10, 12, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and other professional degrees.
• If your board/institution/university only awards letter grades without providing an equivalent percentage of marks on the grade sheet, you should obtain a certificate from them specifying the equivalent marks or the conversion procedure. The conversion to a percentage of marks will be based on this procedure, as certified by the board/university/institution.
• If a board/university/institution confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence will be established by dividing your CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100. You will need to submit the original equivalence certificate at the time of the interview if you are shortlisted.
• Please note that for computing the percentage of marks obtained in your SSC/10th/equivalent examination and HSC/12th/equivalent/diploma examination, the aggregate marks of all subjects listed on the mark sheet/grade sheet will be considered, regardless of the board's regulations.

3. Entering the Correct Percentage of Marks 

Another important aspect to consider when filling out the CAT Registration form is accurately entering the percentage of marks you obtained in different exams. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• The CAT 2023 online application form provides a column with 'nnn.nn' space to enter your percentage of marks. The first three 'nnn' can be used only if you scored 100% marks, otherwise, you should use only two digits if your percentage of marks is between 45% and 99.99%.
• You must enter the percentage to two decimal digits as provided in the CAT 2023 online application form. There is no need to prefix '0' before writing your percentage of marks as it will not be accepted.
  Correct: 96.50; Wrong: 096.50
• If you try to insert a decimal after the first three digits and write two decimal digits, the last digit will not be inserted and you will receive a message to insert two decimal digits. To avoid this mistake, make sure to correctly enter the percentage of marks as shown.

4. Choosing IIM Programs Carefully 

Another common mistake made when filling out the CAT Registration form is failing to check program eligibility for admission. 

• Before selecting a program and interview city, make a list of programs for which you are eligible to apply. 
• For example, if you are a fresh graduate, you cannot apply for the executive MBA or one-year MBA programs. 
• Similarly, if you are not a science, agriculture, biotech, engineering, or a graduate in a related field, you may not be eligible for the ABM or FABM programs.

5. Choose Six Test Cities Carefully

• IIMs change number and type of CAT cities every year. Sometimes CAT cities are separated and sometimes many cities are clubbed into one choice. 
• There were fewer CAT exam cities for 2022 than CAT 2021 test Cities. 
• Instead of 156 test cities where CAT exam was conducted earlier, IIM Bangalore conducted  the CAT 2023 exam in 150 test cities including many cities clubbed as one city. 

Refer to  list of Exam Centres of CAT 2023 provided by EduRev.

CAT 2023 Registration Form Mistakes: Avoid These

• Use a computer instead of a mobile phone to apply.  Computers typically have larger screens, which can make it easier to read and complete the form. Additionally, computers often have more processing power than mobile phones, which means that the application process may be smoother and more efficient on a computer. 
• Use the recommended browser and version as indicated in the instructions.
• Be careful when filling out the form to create a login, as you won't be able to make changes later. Make sure to use a valid email address and mobile number that will remain active for at least a year.
• Do not include a leading '0' or '+' before the mobile number.
• If you select India as your country, only provide a unique 10-digit mobile number. Do not include any codes in the mobile number field.
• Make sure that any required documents are in JPEG format and are less than 80KB in size.
  Given below are the specifications recommended by IIMA for the photograph & signature.

• Use the name and date of birth as they appear on your 10th grade marksheet.
• Ensure that your signature is scanned within the dimensions of 80mm x 35mm.
• Do not include part-time or internship work experience, as it will not be counted.
• Double-check all of the details before submitting the form.
• Remember to check the "agree" box and enter the captcha.
• If you need to provide documents for your category, scan them as a PDF.

CAT 2023 Application Form Correction: Dates and Edit Process

After the last date for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2023 registration, a correction window will be made available for candidates to make any necessary changes to their application form. 

• This window will be open for a limited time, typically 2-3 days, during which candidates who have successfully registered for the exam can make corrections to their exam city preferences, as well as upload corrected images of their signature and photograph. 
• It is important to note that this facility is only provided for a limited time and only for registered candidates, so it is important to review your application form carefully before submitting it to avoid the need for corrections.

CAT Application Form Correction: What can you edit?

During CAT application correction window 2023, you will be given the opportunity to edit or modify only three details in CAT Application form. Mentioned below are the details that you can edit during CAT form correction facility provided by IIM:

Editable details in CAT Form 2023:

• Photographs, 
• Signatures, 
• Test city options.

Uneditable details in CAT Form 2023:

Candidates cannot edit the following details during the form correction window of CAT.

• Candidate Name,
• Date of Birth (DOB),
• Email Address,
• Mobile Number.

How to Edit CAT Form?

When correcting the CAT 2023 registration form, candidates can see the following steps.

Step 1: Visit the official website of CAT 2023, iimcat.ac.in

Step 2: Now, click on the “Existing User” tab

Step 3: Next, enter the login credentials (User ID and Password) and click on the “Login” tab

Step 4: Now, the candidates can modify/change their photograph and signature and make changes in the test city preference

Step 5: After making all the required changes click on the “Save” tab

Step 6: Finally, download and take a printout of the modified CAT 2023 registration form

Note: The other way of modifying entries in the CAT 2023 application form is by generating a query on the candidate query form.

Also Read: CAT 2023 Registration Process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Common Mistakes while Filling CAT Application Form

How do you correct a mistake in a CAT form?

To correct a mistake in CAT form during the application correction window, visit the official website, login with your user id and password, make the necessary corrections, and click on submit.

Can we edit our CAT application form after submission?

Yes, you can edit a few particulars in your CAT application form after submission only during the CAT form correction period. If you need to make adjustments to your CAT form during the application correction window, you can do so by visiting the official website and logging in with your user ID and password. Once you have accessed your information, make the necessary changes and click the ‘submit’ button to confirm your corrections.

Does CAT form get rejected?

Before issuing CAT Admit Card, IIM will screen your submitted application forms. If any errors are found in either the details, fee payment, or the uploaded documents, then your CAT application might be rejected.

How do I change my CAT form name?

Once you complete the registration for CAT, you can not change your name in CAT form. Even during CAT application form correction window, no changes are permitted in the applicant’s name, email address, mobile number, date of birth, and any other personal details.

Can I change my email ID during the time of CAT Form Correction 2023?

During the time of CAT Form Correction, no candidate will be allowed to change the Email Id. However, while filling application form, if you make some mistake in email id, name, DOB, etc., then you can create a new login id but if you have paid the fees and completed the online application process, that fee will not be refunded.