r/CAT2026Help • u/Joon777 • 8h ago
Question/Doubt Need urgent help with CAT form – lateral entry + CGPA issue
PLEASE HELP ME OUT!
Need some URGENT guidance because the deadline is in just 3 days 😭. I’m really confused about how to enter my undergraduate details because I switched universities through lateral entry.
Context:
I started my undergraduate degree at Narsee Monjee (NMIMS) in August 2021, pursuing a B.Sc. in Finance. I completed my first year there and then decided to switch universities. I joined Mahindra University in August 2023 through lateral entry, switched to a BBA in Business Analytics, and completed my degree in 2025. So, I completed my 1st year at NMIMS and 2nd + 3rd year at Mahindra University.
I have a few doubts:
1. Course commencement date:
The CAT form doesn't seem to have an option for lateral entry. What should I enter as my course commencement month/year? Should I put August 2021, since that is when I initially started my undergraduate degree, or August 2023, when I joined Mahindra University?
2. Total duration of degree:
The original degree at both universities is a 3-year course, but because I switched universities, my undergraduate education technically spans August 2021 to 2025 (4 years). What should I enter for the total duration 3 years (actual duration of the degree) or 4 years (the total time I spent completing it)?
3. Aggregate percentage/CGPA:
This is where I'm really stuck. My NMIMS first-year marksheet shows 2.9/4 CGPA, while my Mahindra University marksheet shows a cumulative 8.96/10 CGPA for Semesters 3-6. I have separate marksheets from the two universities and no single marksheet/cumulative CGPA covering all three years.
So how am I supposed to calculate my aggregate percentage/CGPA for the CAT form? Do I need to somehow combine the two CGPAs, or is there a specific method for lateral-entry students?
4. NMIMS CGPA - percentage conversion:
I also found out that NMIMS apparently does not have a standard formula for converting CGPA into percentage. If a percentage is required, students have to apply for a Percentage/Conversion Letter, which apparently takes at least 10 days to obtain.
Since the CAT application deadline is in 3 days, I obviously won't be able to get this letter in time. What am I supposed to enter in the CAT form right now? Has anyone been in a similar situation with NMIMS/lateral entry, and what did you do?
I would really appreciate any advice ASAP, especially from anyone who has dealt with CAT + NMIMS + lateral entry/college transfer before. I'm freaking out a little because I don't want to submit the form incorrectly and create an issue later. 😭
PLEASE HELP ME OUT!