CAT Exam 2025 date was 30 November 2025, the application procedure has been closed and the form correction procedure also finished. The CAT 2025 Application form started on 01 August 2025, and the deadline to submit the form was 20 September 2025. Around 3 lakhs of aspirants expected to have applied for the Common Admission Test. CAT Exam 2025 will be conducted in three shifts which will be 2 hours each. IIM Kozhikode is conducting entrance examination this year.
Students who are willing to fill out the application form can apply by registering and submitting the required details. Applicants have to pay a registration fee that ranges between INR 1200 and INR 2400. To fill out the examination form or to keep themselves updated, students must visit the official website @iimcat.ac.in.
CAT Exam 2025 Latest Update
- CAT 2025 Admit Card is going to be released on 05 November 2025 on the official web portal of CAT 2025. Registered candidates can download it once it’s released.
- CAT 2025 Exam will be conducted on 30 November 2025, and interested aspirants need to apply online before the deadline to appear in the examination.
- CAT Exam 2025 registration has started from 01 August 2025 for the current academic session, and the last date to submit the form was 20 September 2025.
CAT Exam 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Expected Date |
| CAT 2025 Notification Release | 25 July 2025 |
| CAT Exam 2025 Registration Starts | 01 August 2025 |
| CAT Exam 2025 Registration End | 20 September 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 21 September 2025 |
| CAT Exam 2025 Admit Card Release | 5 November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | 8 December 2025 |
| CAT Exam 2025 Result Declaration | 17 December 2025 |
CAT Exam Timings 2025
| CAT Exam Slot | CAT Exam Timings |
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
CAT Exam 2025 Registration
The CAT Exam 2025 registration began on 1 August and closed on 20 September 2025. Conducted by IIM Kozhikode, the exam is scheduled for 30 November 2025. Candidates aspiring for MBA programs had to apply online via iimcat.ac.in. The application fee was INR 2400 for General and INR 1200 for SC/ST/PwD categories, payable through UPI, Net Banking, or cards.
The process involved creating login credentials, entering personal and academic information, choosing preferred IIMs and test cities, uploading required documents, and submitting the application form. The exam is computer-based, lasts 2 hours, and includes 66 questions across three sections VARC, DILR, and QA. Each correct MCQ carries +3 marks, while incorrect MCQs attract a −1 penalty; non-MCQs have no negative marking. After the exam, leading IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Kozhikode conduct GD, WAT, and PI rounds for final selection.
Candidates must make sure they meet all eligibility requirements before applying for CAT 2025, as not meeting them can lead to disqualification at any stage of the admission process. Students should carefully read all instructions before filling out the CAT application form. Below are some common eligibility criteria that candidates need to fulfill:
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized university or institute with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories).
- Applicants with a B.Tech or B.E. degree from an AICTE or MHRD-recognized institution must also secure at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD).
- Those in the final year of their graduation can apply, provided they achieve the required aggregate marks.
- There is no minimum or maximum age limit to appear for CAT 2025.
- Candidates can attempt the CAT exam any number of times, as there is no restriction.
CAT Exam 2025 Application Form
CAT 2025 application form was released online at iimcat.ac.in. Students who wish to appear for the exam must complete the application process before the last date was 20 September 2025. The process begins with online registration, where candidates enter their basic details like name, email ID, and mobile number to create login credentials.
After that, applicants need to log in and fill the form with personal details, education, work experience, choice of IIM programs, and test cities. They must also upload scanned copies of their photo, signature, and category/disability certificates (if required). The application fee is INR 2400 for General and INR 1200 for SC, ST, PwD candidates, payable online. Students should check all details carefully before submitting and download the confirmation page for future reference.
How to Apply for the CAT Exam 2025?
Step 1: Visit the official CAT website to begin the online registration.
Step 2: Click on the “New Candidate Registration” link to start the application process for CAT 2025.
Step 3: Carefully read the official notification and instructions provided on the website before filling out the form.
Step 4: Register by entering your personal details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and captcha code.
Step 5: After successful registration, you will receive your User ID and password on your registered email and mobile number.
Step 6: Log in to the portal using these credentials to access your application dashboard.
Step 7: Fill in all required sections, including personal information, academic qualifications, work experience (if applicable), and program preferences.
Step 8: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category or PwD certificates (if applicable) as per the specified format.
Step 9: Pay the application fee online using debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Step 10: Review all the entered information using the “Preview” option before final submission.
Step 11: Click on “Final Submit” to complete the application process.
Step 12: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference, such as admit card download or counselling.
Required Documents
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Valid photo ID proof
- Category certificate
- PwD certificate
- Final-year certificate (for students currently in the final year of graduation, if applicable)
- Class 10 certificate
- Class 12 certificate
- Graduation degree certificate
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
CAT 2025 exam pattern contains three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam will be computer-based and is expected to last 2 hours. There is no negative marking for non-MCQs. The exam tests candidates’ problem-solving, reasoning, and time management skills. Given below is the breakdown of the examination pattern of CAT 2025:
| Section | Time Limit | Number of Questions | Marks | Type of Questions |
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 40 minutes | 24 | 72 | MCQs & Non-MCQs |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 40 minutes | 22 | 66 | MCQs & Non-MCQs |
| QA (Quantitative Ability) | 40 minutes | 22 | 66 | MCQs & Non-MCQs |
| Total | 120 minutes | 66 | 204 | MCQs & Non-MCQs (TITA) |
Preparation Tips for CAT Exam 2025
Preparing for CAT 2025 requires a clear plan and consistent practice. Students should focus on understanding the exam structure and syllabus thoroughly before starting preparation. Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Start by getting familiar with the exam pattern and the sections included.
- Strengthen your fundamentals in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation.
- Create a daily study schedule and follow it consistently.
- Solve practice questions every day to improve speed and accuracy.
- Take mock tests regularly and analyze performance after each test.
- Attempt sectional tests to focus on individual topics that need improvement.
- Keep revising important formulas, shortcuts, and vocabulary regularly.
What to carry on CAT Exam 2025 Day (30 November 2025)
- Printed CAT Admit Card
- Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
- Passport-size Photograph (same as uploaded)
Don’t carry: Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, bags, or study material.
Tip: Reach early, wear simple clothes, and follow all instructions on the admit card.
Syllabus for CAT Exam 2025
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Quant |
| Reading Comprehension Passage-Based Questions | Averages |
| Para Completion | Ratio |
| Vocabulary-based (Synonyms/Antonyms) | Percentages |
| English Usage or Grammar | Linear Equation |
| Fill in the blanks | Quadratic Equation |
| Cloze Passage | Polynomial |
| Para Jumbles | Binomial Theorem |
| Odd Sentences | 2D |
| Verbal Reasoning | 3D |
| Summary-Questions | Coordinate Geometry |
| Meaning-usage match | LCM/HCF |
| Sentence Correction | Divisibility |
| Para summary | Remainders |
| Jumbled Paragraph | Factorials |
| Facts-Inferences-Judgements | Base System |
| Reading Comprehension | Probability |
| Analogies or Reverse Analogies | Set theory |
| Data Interpretation | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
| Bar Graphs | Routes and Networks |
| Tables | Scheduling and allocation |
| Line Graphs | Grids |
| Venn Diagrams | Arrangements |
| Pie Charts | Word Puzzles |
| Scatter Plots | Math Puzzles |
| Gantt Charts | Games and tournaments |
| Radar Charts | Coding-Decoding |
Major IIMs Accepting CAT Scores
| IIMs | CAT 2025 Expected Cutoff |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99-100 %ile |
| IIM Bangalore | 99-100 %ile |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 %ile |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-99 %ile |
| IIM Indore | 97-99 %ile |
| IIM Amritsar | 95-99 %ile |
| IIM Nagpur | 95-99 %ile |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95-99 %ile |
| IIM Trichy | 93-94 %ile |
| IIM Raipur | 92-94 %ile |
These institutes use CAT scores for admission to their MBA and PGDM programs.
Post-Exam Selection Rounds
After the CAT exam, shortlisted candidates go through multiple evaluation stages:
- Group Discussion (GD) – Tests communication and teamwork
- Written Ability Test (WAT) – Assesses written expression and clarity
- Personal Interview (PI) – Evaluates personality, motivation, and academic background
Final selection is based on a composite score that includes:
- CAT percentile
- GD/WAT/PI performance
- Academic records
- Work experience (if applicable)
Other Colleges Who Accept CAT Score
| CAT College | Expected Cutoff |
| Management Development Institute (MDI) | 99.99 |
| Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | 95–97 |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) | 90–95 |
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University | 97.5–98 |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi | 95–98 |
| Goa Institute of Management (GIM) | 85–90 |
CAT Exam 2025 Answer Key
CAT Answer Key 2025 is going to be released after a few days of the Examination, which is around 03 December 2025, by the conducting body IIMs. The answer key provides the correct answers to all the questions asked in the exam, allowing candidates to estimate their scores before the official results are declared.
Candidates can also use it to identify any discrepancies and challenge the answers within the stipulated time frame, if they find any mistakes. Checking the answer key helps aspirants analyze their performance, calculate probable scores, and plan their next steps for MBA admissions effectively.
CAT Exam 2025 Results
The CAT 2025 Result will be declared on 22 December 2025 (Tentatively) by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on the official CAT website. Candidates can check their results by logging in with their registered ID and password. The result contains the overall score, sectional scores, and percentile obtained in each section of the exam. It is an important milestone for MBA aspirants, as the percentile determines eligibility for shortlisting by various IIMs and other top management institutes in India.
After the results are announced, candidates can download their scorecards, which are required during the admission and counseling process. Checking the result promptly helps candidates plan their next steps in applying to desired management programs.
CAT 2025 Counseling Process
The CAT 2025 counseling process starts after the declaration of results. Candidates who meet the cutoff percentile set by the IIMs and other participating institutes are shortlisted for the next stage of selection. This stage usually includes a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI), which help institutes assess a candidate’s communication skills, analytical ability, and overall personality.
fEach institute follows its own weightage system, combining CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and performance in WAT/GD/PI rounds to prepare the final merit list. Candidates who perform well in these rounds are offered admission to their preferred management programs. It is important for aspirants to carefully follow all instructions, keep track of schedules, and prepare thoroughly to increase their chances of securing a seat in top MBA colleges.
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