CAT Exam 2025: Date (Nov 30), Registration (Ongoing), Form Fees, Syllabus, Pattern

CAT 2025 exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025. This year, IIM Kozhikode will conduct the CAT exam. We can expect the CAT 2025 notification to be released on Sunday, July 27, 2025, on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates will be able to fill the CAT application form after the registration process begins. While filling the CAT 2025 application form, candidates must also pay the CAT registration fee. CAT registration 2025 will begin from August 1, 2025. CAT syllabus will consist of 3 main sections namely Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). There will not be any modification in the CAT syllabus or the pattern of the examination. CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts across 150 cities in India.

CAT 2025 Highlights 

What is CAT Exam?

CAT stands for Common Admission Test, and the exam is held every year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. It is the most  sought after MBA entrance exam for admission to 21 IIMs and several other top B-schools. Qualified candidates will be able to get admission to their desired program in all 21 IIMs, along with FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and several other elite B-schools in India. As many as 3.29 lakh candidates had registered for the CAT 2024 exam, whereas only 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for it.

CAT 2025 Exam Dates

CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025. The other important dates of the MBA exam will be released through the official notification on the website. Meanwhile, candidates can check below the tentative dates related to CAT exam: 

CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates willing to appear in CAT 2025 must fulfil the minimum education requirement. They must read the CAT eligibility criteria to understand if they are eligible to take the exam. Since the exam is conducted for admission to postgraduate programs, the applicants need to possess a bachelor's degree as the minimum requirement. The following is a comprehensive explanation of minimum eligibility requirements for the CAT exam:

• Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45% aggregate for SC, ST, and PWD/DA category candidates) to be eligible for CAT 2025.
• Final-year students or those waiting for their final results can also apply for the CAT 2025 exam.
• There is no age limit to apply for the exam. As long as the minimum eligibility requirements are met, candidates can apply for the exam.
• Candidates with a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with the required percentage can also appear for the CAT.

Note* Final year students or results awaiting students will have to send their passing certificate or marksheet to the MBA college by a given date to finalize their admission. Their admission will be provisional until the submission of the above documents.

CAT 2025 Registration

CAT 2025 notification will soon be out on the official website - iimcat.ac.in. Soon after that, CAT registration process will begin. The registration is expected to begin from August 2, 2025.

The last date for registration of CAT 2025 is expected to be September 21, 2025. Applicants can register and apply exclusively online at the official website iimcat.ac.in. The fee for registration is INR 2500 for General/EWS/OBC candidates and INR 1250 for candidates from SC/ST/PWD categories. The registration link for CAT 2025 will be accessible on the CAT official website once the notification is published. Refer to the step-by-step guide for CAT registration.

CAT 2025 Application Process

Candidates must follow the steps mentioned below to apply for the MBA entrance exam:

• Visit the official website of CAT - iimcat.ac.in
• Navigate to and click on ‘New Registration’.
• Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register
• Log in using the ID received on the registered email and fill the CAT 2025 application form. 
• Enter your personal as well as academic details.
• Upload your recent passport sized photograph and scanned signature. 
• Select the preferred courses and the institutes (mainly IIMs).
• Select the preferred city from the drop down. You can select up to 5 cities.
• Process the payment of CAT registration fee using credit/debit card or net banking. 

Note* Candidates must make sure that they fill the application form with all the correct information as any incorrect detail may lead to rejection of the application form. 

CAT 2025 Important Documents

The application process for CAT exam 2025 aspirants is a fully automated, online process and the official website for CAT registrations is iimcat.ac.in.

Aspirants must properly fill in the relevant and appropriate details for the CAT 2025 exam registration. With it, an application fee of INR 2,500 (INR 1,250 for SC/ST/PwD), must also be deposited.

While applying, make sure you have the documents specified in this article close - by for uploading. Make sure the following is followed to avoid rejection of the application.

• The photograph ought not to be over a half-year-old. The photograph ought to be inside the components of 30mm X 45mm and in .jpg or .jpeg design. The photograph ought not to be under 150 px/inch in goal.

• Filtered Signature: The mark should be inside the elements of 30mm X 35mm and in .jpg or .jpeg. It ought to be clear and on a white background.

• NC-OBC/SC/ST Certificate: If you have a place with NC-OBC, SC, or ST class, you should download the position testament from the CAT Website, enter the necessary data, self-confirm it, and transfer its examined duplicate as a PDF archive.

• PwD Certificate: If you have a place with the PwD class, you need to download the PwD authentication from the CAT site, fill it, self-validate it, and transfer its filtered duplicate as a PDF record.

CAT Admit Card 2025

CAT admit card will be released a few days before the CAT exam date 2025. Candidates must note that the admit card is a mandatory document that students must carry to the exam centre. Candidates with successful registration will be able to access their respective admit cards. They can download it from the exam official website and take a print out of the same to carry on the exam day. Below are the steps to download CAT admit card:

How to Download CAT 2025 Admit Card?

• Visit the official CAT website - iimcat.ac.in

• Navigate to and click on 'Login' tab

• Enter your CAT 2025 application number and password

• Click on the 'Admit Card Download' section

• Download the CAT admit card and take a printout of it for future reference.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines

CAT 2025 exam will be conducted at designated test centers all over India. The test center location will be indicated on every candidate's admit card, and they have to report at the allotted reporting time. The test will be supervised with the help of CCTV and carried out under certain regulations in order to avoid any form of cheating and revelation of the question paper. Guidelines for exam day will be provided on the CAT admit card 2025. Below are important instructions regarding CAT exam day, the documents required, and items that are prohibited at the exam center.

Documents to Bring on CAT exam day 2025

Candidates must bring the following documents to the CAT exam center for entry:

• CAT admit card 2025: Two photocopies of their admit card with their photograph pasted (preferably the same photo uploaded at the time of application form). CAT admit card and a photo ID are compulsory for entry.
• Photo identity evidence: Along with the admit card, candidates must also bring a photo ID in the form of a College ID, employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID, or Aadhaar card.
• Name change document: Candidates who have changed their name and whose photo ID carries an older name must bring a name change certificate/document.
• PwD/Scribe Certificate: PwD candidates will be required to produce a certificate establishing their status and an attested scribe certificate in case they need scribe services.
• Ball Point Pen: Candidates should have a blue or black ball pen with them at the center for signing the attendance sheet.

Items not allowed on CAT exam day:

 

The following items are not permitted in the CAT 2025 exam center. Candidates should make sure that none of them carry these items when they enter the CAT test center:

• Calculator, watch, mobile phone, iPad, bluetooth device, earphones, etc.

• Bags and purses

• Eatables and beverages (Diabetic candidates will be allowed to carry fruits)

• Jewellery and accessories that contain metal

• Jackets and clothes with pockets

• Caps, headgear and goggles

• Closed footwear and boots

• Books, note books, loose paper

Note: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to carry a medical certificate of the same to the CAT exam centre.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT exam pattern is divided into three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each of these sections can be subdivided into various sub-sections. As the CAT exam is conducted in three different slots, there are slight variations in the exam pattern for each slot. Additionally, the CAT exam pattern experiences minor changes from year to year, yet the overall framework has largely remained consistent.

In general, the exam pattern has become increasingly oriented towards conceptual understanding, time management, and reasoning skills. Over the past five years, there have been several significant modifications to the CAT pattern, including changes in the number of questions and the level of difficulty. Refer to the key changes in the exam pattern listed below. 

CAT Syllabus 2025

CAT exam syllabus is divided into three sections namely VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam assesses candidates’ English communication, reasoning skills and quantitative skills. A common factor linking these sections, in terms of the syllabus for the CAT exam 2025, is that they require a clear understanding of topics included within a school curriculum till Class 12. These topics include lessons from English and Maths along with logical reasoning.

The main topics to study in the CAT 2025 syllabus include some main topics, from which the majority of the questions for QA are asked like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Percentage, Graphs, Coding-Decoding, Series Completion, etc. In terms of the VARC section the examiner tests the student's reading ability hence reading comprehension is where the majority of the questions are asked.

CAT 2025 Preparation Tips

The date of the exam for CAT 2025 is November 30, 2025. It is certainly possible to prepare for the CAT in less than five months. However, a proper preparation strategy and targeted plan are required. Check below the useful tips to perform well and secure good marks in the examination:

• Understanding CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus - CAT exam consists of three sections namely Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). All three sections have a sectional time limit of 40 minutes, and so it is essential to work under a time constraint. The course curriculum consists of principal subjects such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern mathematics, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension. There is no official syllabus published by the IIMs, but past trends indicate topics that need attention.
• Section-wise Preparation Strategy - For VARC, strong reading habits must be developed, comprehension must be given importance, and para jumble solving must be practiced. DILR requires regular practice with logical puzzles, graphs, seating plans, and data caselets. QA requires primary focus on arithmetic and algebra, while test-takers must focus on conceptual understanding, speed, and accuracy through mock tests and subject-wise practice.
• Importance of Mock Tests and Assessment - Mock tests are great CAT preparation resources, allowing aspirants to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern, improve time management, and assess their weak and strong areas. Leading test series companies like IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, and Cracku provide mock tests at various difficulty levels. Post-every mock analysis is important for identifying mistakes and improving accuracy.
• Suggested CAT Preparation Books and Study Material - Arun Sharma's Quantitative Aptitude, Nishit K. Sinha's Logical Reasoning, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis are some of the highly acclaimed books for VARC. Coaching institutes such as Elites Grid, Rodha, and 2IIM also provide systematic study material for effective preparation.
• Month-wise CAT Preparation Schedule - Candidates must start with building fundamentals in the first two months (January-April), shift to concentrated practice (May-June), and focus on mock tests and time management (July-September). The last couple of months must be utilized for final revisions and exam strategy. During the last few weeks, aspirants should not start new topics but focus on light revision and mental preparation.

CAT Cutoff 2025

The CAT exam cut-off for IIM is typically up to 99 to 100 percentile for general category candidates. For the reserved category students (SC/ ST/ PwD), the CAT cutoff marks are slightly lower at the 97 to 98 percentile. For the CAT Exam Cutoff  2025, you need to wait for the exam to conclude.

CAT Exam 2025 Result

CAT exam results will be announced on the official website of CAT - iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can log in using their User ID and Password. The result will only be available online, and you can download and save a digital copy or print it out. During admission into colleges, a copy of the result is usually required.

Along with the result announcement, the conducting IIM will also release the CAT 2025 scorecard PDF at iimcat.ac.in. It will probably be released after 2-3 weeks of the result declaration. There is never a specific date as to when the CAT result announcement will take place but considering the trend of previous years, the scorecards are released by December 20 every year. Candidates can download their CAT scorecards from the official website by logging into their accounts using the login ID and password. 

Below are the steps to download CAT 2025 result cum scorecard:

• Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in

• Click on 'login' tab

• Enter CAT application number and password

• Click on the scorecard section

• Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2025 scorecard

Candidates must note that their CAT score remains valid for 1 year only. They can apply to their desired IIMs or any B-School using this scorecard. 

The CAT score is valid for admission for only 1 year in IIMs and most of the top B Schools. IIMs and top MBA colleges provide candidates who have cleared the selection round to defer their admission by a year. Those who wish to drop a year have to appear for CAT again. 

CAT Exam Selection Process

There are 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) that are considered the most prestigious set of institutions across India. The various IIMs are -Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya, Calcutta, Indore, Kashipur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Nagpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Sambalpur, Shillong, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Jammu and Visakhapatnam.

The overall selection procedure for the CAT entrance exam 2025 is more or less the same across all IIMs, however, the weightage of each component varies. The admission criteria for IIMs is an elaborate process.

Note: Each B-school follows its individual admission and student screening process. Make sure to check the admission process on the individual websites of the college you are interested in.

Step 1: CAT 2025 Exam

1. Students will write the CAT 2025 on November 30, 2025, after which the IIMs will announce the cutoffs – sectional and overall

2. Based on their performance, candidates will be selected for further rounds

3. Each IIM will take out their individual CAT exam 2025 cutoff and call students.

Step 2: GD and/or WAT

Candidates who clear the individual cutoff for respective IIMs will be called for a Writing Ability Test and a Group Discussion

Step 3: Personal Interview (PI)

The final round is the personal interview where candidates are judged on - knowledge, communication skills, overall academic performance, performance in previous rounds, and common sense.

Step 4: Individual Final Merit List

• Each IIM releases its admission criteria on its website.

• Based on the below factors the IIMs release their final merit list

• CAT exam score

• Overall performance in WAT, GD, and PI rounds

• Class 10th and 12th Marks

• Gender Diversity Factor

• Work Experience

• Reservations