CAT Exam 2025

Introduction to CAT Exam 2025

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious management entrance exams in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), it serves as the gateway to more than 20 IIMs and several top business schools. Each year, over 2.5 lakh aspirants compete for coveted MBA/PGP seats, making CAT one of the toughest and most competitive exams in the country.

If you’re planning to appear for CAT Exam 2025, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need—important dates, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, preparation tips, cut-offs, and selection process.

CAT 2025 Highlights at a Glance

The following table summarizes the major highlights of CAT 2025:

Feature	Details
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body	IIM Kozhikode (Expected)
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Date	30 November 2025 (Tentative)
Registration Start Date	August 2025
Registration Last Date	September 2025
Admit Card Release	October 2025
Result Declaration	January 2026
Duration	120 Minutes (2 Hours)
Number of Questions	66–68
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Official Website	iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
Degrees should be recognized by UGC/AICTE or equivalent authorities.

Minimum Percentage / CGPA Criteria

General/EWS/OBC: 50% or equivalent CGPA.
SC/ST/PwD: 45% or equivalent CGPA.

Final Year & Provisional Candidates

Students in the final year of their Bachelor’s program can apply, but admission will be conditional upon clearing the degree before the deadline.

Age Limit & Number of Attempts

No age limit.
Unlimited attempts—candidates can appear as many times as they wish.

Work Experience & Backlog Rules

Work experience is not mandatory but can strengthen admission chances.
Candidates with backlogs are allowed to apply but must clear them before final admission.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Duration & Section-wise Time Limit

The exam lasts 120 minutes, with 40 minutes per section. Candidates cannot switch sections during the exam.

Number of Questions & Distribution

VARC: 24–26 questions
DILR: 20–22 questions
QA: 22–24 questions
Total: 66–68 questions

Types of Questions (MCQ vs. TITA)

MCQs: Multiple-choice questions with options.
TITA: Type-in-the-answer questions (no options, answer typed directly).

Marking Scheme & Negative Marking

+3 for each correct answer.
−1 for incorrect MCQs.
0 for wrong TITA questions or unattempted questions.

CAT 2025 Syllabus Overview

Though CAT does not release an official syllabus, trends from previous years help us outline the important topics.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section tests your language comprehension and analytical skills.
Key topics include:

Reading comprehension (long and short passages)
Para-jumbles & odd sentence out
Para-summary questions
Sentence correction & grammar
Vocabulary-based questions

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This is often considered the trickiest section due to the logical complexity of sets.
Major topics are:

Tables, graphs (bar, line, pie, mixed)
Venn diagrams and set theory
Seating arrangement & puzzles
Logical reasoning games
Caselets and reasoning with data sets

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

This section evaluates mathematical ability and problem-solving skills.
Important topics:

Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed-Distance
Algebra: Equations, Inequalities, Functions
Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons
Number System & Modern Math: Probability, Permutation & Combination
Logarithms, Progressions, and Coordinate Geometry

Most Important Topics to Focus On

Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation sets (DILR)
Arithmetic and Algebra (QA)

These areas often carry more weightage, so focusing here can significantly improve percentile.

CAT 2025 Registration & Application Process

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in
Create a CAT ID with personal details.
Fill in academic qualifications and work experience (if any).
Select test cities (usually up to 6 preferences).
Upload photo, signature, and required documents.
Pay the application fee online.
Submit and download the application confirmation.

Documents Required

Passport-size photograph
Scanned signature
Identity proof (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
Category certificate (if applicable)
Academic transcripts

CAT 2025 Application Fee

General/EWS/OBC: ₹2,600
SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,300

Application Correction Window

Candidates will get a short correction window (usually 2–3 days) to modify details such as photograph, signature, or test city preferences.

Admit Card & Exam Day Guidelines

How to Download Admit Card

Login to iimcat.ac.in using your CAT ID.
Go to “Download Admit Card” section.
Save and print multiple copies for exam day.

ID Proof & Exam-Day Instructions

Carry a valid photo ID (Aadhar, Passport, PAN card, etc.) along with admit card.
Reach the center at least 90 minutes before reporting time.
No electronic gadgets, calculators, or stationery allowed.
Rough sheets and pens will be provided at the center.

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy

Study Plan & Time Management

Start 8–10 months before the exam for consistent preparation.
Daily practice: 2–3 hours initially, then scale up to 5–6 hours closer to the exam.
Maintain a balance between all three sections.

Section-Wise Preparation Tips

VARC: Read editorials, novels, and practice comprehension sets daily.
DILR: Solve puzzles, sudoku, and past CAT sets to improve logical thinking.
QA: Revise formulas, practice speed calculations, and strengthen weak topics.

Importance of Mock Tests & Previous Papers

Take at least 20–25 full-length mocks before the exam.
After each test, analyze errors and track improvement.
Solve past year CAT papers to understand question style.

Coaching vs. Self-Study: What Works Best?

Coaching: Structured guidance, peer competition, doubt clearing.
Self-study: Flexibility, low cost, personalized strategy.
Hybrid approaches (coaching + online resources) often work best.

Expected CAT 2025 Cut-offs

Overall Percentile Trends

IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta: 98–100 percentile
IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore: 95–97 percentile
New IIMs and Tier-2 Colleges: 85–90 percentile

Sectional Cut-offs for Top IIMs

VARC: 80–85 percentile
DILR: 80–85 percentile
QA: 80–85 percentile

Note: Meeting sectional cut-offs is as important as the overall percentile.

What Happens After CAT 2025?

Shortlisting by IIMs & Other Institutes

Each IIM releases its own shortlisting criteria based on CAT score, academic background, and work experience.

WAT, GD, and PI Rounds

Written Ability Test (WAT): Essay on current affairs/business topics.
Group Discussion (GD): Collaborative case study or topic discussion.
Personal Interview (PI): Tests communication, analytical ability, and motivation for MBA.

Final Selection Process

The final merit list is prepared based on:

CAT Score (30–40%)
WAT/GD/PI Performance (30–40%)
Academic Record (10–15%)
Work Experience & Diversity (5–10%)

Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Scores

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Bangalore
IIM Calcutta
IIM Kozhikode
IIM Lucknow
IIM Indore
IIM Shillong
New IIMs (Udaipur, Trichy, Ranchi, Kashipur, etc.)

Other Premier B-Schools

FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IMT Ghaziabad
NITIE Mumbai
IITs offering MBA programs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When will CAT 2025 exam be conducted?
CAT 2025 is expected on 30 November 2025.

Q2. Who will conduct CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode is expected to conduct CAT 2025.

Q3. Can I appear for CAT 2025 without work experience?
Yes, work experience is not mandatory.

Q4. How many attempts are allowed for CAT?
Unlimited—there is no restriction on the number of attempts.

Q5. What is the application fee for CAT 2025?
₹2,600 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD.

Q6. When will the CAT 2025 results be declared?
CAT results are usually declared in January 2026.

Conclusion

The CAT Exam 2025 is a critical milestone for MBA aspirants in India. With its high competition and dynamic pattern, success requires not just intelligence but also smart preparation, discipline, and consistency.

Whether you choose self-study or coaching, the key lies in regular practice, mock analysis, and time management. With dedication, clearing CAT 2025 with a top percentile and securing admission into a premier B-school is absolutely achievable.