CAT 2025 Notification Likely This Week: What to Expect in the Official Brochure

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the entrance exam to India’s top management institutes, including the highly demanded IIMs. CAT 2025 Notification is expected to be released this week. Students across the country are eagerly waiting to see what updates the official brochure will bring. From important dates to exam format, the brochure sets the stage for the months ahead.

Each year, many first-time candidates find themselves asking, “CAT exam is for what purpose?” Simply put, it opens the door to over 1,200 B-schools, making it a critical step for anyone aiming for an MBA. As the countdown to the notification begins, this blog covers what to expect, key trends, and how to plan ahead for CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Overview: Key Details Expected in the Brochure

The official CAT 2025 brochure is expected to outline all the major details candidates need to know before starting their MBA journey. Over the years, students have relied on the CAT exam brochure for all essential information. Refer to the sections below to know what details are typically included in the brochure.

• CAT 2025 exam dates and the entire schedule
• Updated CAT exam fee for different categories
• Updated eligibility criteria to apply
• Reservation rules as per government guidelines
• Duration of the exam and number of sections
• List of MBA/PGP programmes offered through CAT at IIMs
• Step-by-step application process
• Complete list of test cities and centre allocation guidelines
• Any changes introduced for CAT 2025

While no major changes are expected in the exam structure this year, a slight hike in application fees seems likely. Last year saw an increase in the number of questions, so the format is expected to remain steady. The syllabus and marking scheme are also expected to follow the same pattern as in recent editions.

CAT Exam is For What Purpose

The CAT exam serves as a national-level entrance gateway for admission into prestigious MBA and PGDM programmes across India. Its main focus is to assess a student's aptitude areas, such as Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Skills, which are crucial for succeeding in business and management roles.

While the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are the most sought-after institutions accepting CAT scores, over 1,200 B-schools nationwide also use CAT results for admissions. In essence, the exam is designed to identify candidates with strong analytical thinking, decision-making capabilities, and communication proficiency—traits essential for future business leaders.

Who Conducts CAT Exam & How It Is Scheduled

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted on a yearly basis by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. While the official CAT 2025 notification is yet to be released, it is widely anticipated that IIM Kozhikode will take charge of the exam this year, continuing the rotation followed by the IIM Council. CAT serves as the gateway to MBA and PGDM programs offered by 21 IIMs and over 1,200 other top B-schools in India.

CAT Exam Conducting Body: Past Rotation Pattern

The official confirmation is still pending. The table below highlights the IIM that has conducted the exam in the previous year.

How the CAT Exam is Generally Scheduled

CAT follows a fixed process that consists of releasing the official notification, opening registrations, issuing admit cards, and conducting the exam usually in the last week of November. While the official schedule for CAT 2025 has not been announced yet, the timeline is expected to be similar to past years.

CAT 2025 Test Slots and Exam Day Format

Based on the last few years, CAT is conducted in three sessions on the same day. If the format remains unchanged, the slot-wise timing could be:

Read: CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Number of CAT Exam Centres

CAT is expected to be conducted in over 155 cities across India in various test centers, with students likely being able to choose up to six test city preferences during registration, as was the case last year.

Check: CAT Exam Centres 2025

CAT 2025 Eligibility and Admission Purpose

As per CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria, bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) from a recognised university can apply. Students in their final year of graduation are also generally allowed to register.

The CAT exam is not only for getting into the IIMs. While it is the entry point for 21 IIMs, more than 1,200 other business schools across India also accept CAT scores for admission to MBA, PGDM, and similar programs. Whether someone wants to study traditional areas like Finance and Marketing or newer ones like Business Analytics, a good CAT score can open up many career options in management.

Why CAT 2025 Is Important for MBA Aspirants

CAT 2025 is one of the most important exams for students who want to study MBA at top colleges in India. It’s more than just a test — it checks how well someone can think, solve problems quickly, and make smart decisions. These are the skills top business schools look for.

A high score in CAT can help students get into IIMs, which are well-known for their quality education, strong placements, and global reputation. Besides the IIMs, colleges like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IMT Ghaziabad also accept CAT scores. For many students, CAT is the best and most challenging path to start a successful career in management, both in India and abroad.

CAT 2025 Important Dates, Syllabus & Exam Pattern

The official CAT 2025 notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2025, with the exam tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2025. The registration period is expected to start on August 2 and run through September 21, 2025. On November 5, admit cards may be available. In reference to the syllabus, CAT 2025 candidates will still be assessed in three different areas. This year's application fee is anticipated to rise marginally, but Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) have largely remained unchanged.

It is anticipated that the exam format will be the same as it was the year before, consisting of roughly 66–70 questions divided among the three sections. There will be a set 40-minute time limit for each section, and the paper will contain both multiple-choice questions and TITA (Type in the Answer) questions. This year, a small increase in the application fee is expected, even though the format has stayed mostly unchanged.

After the CAT Exam: Result, Selection, and B-School Shortlisting

CAT 2025 Exam Results are likely to be released in the first week of January 2026. Candidates can download their CAT scorecards from the official website after entering their login information. Admit cards might be accessible starting on November 5. Regarding the syllabus, candidates will still be tested in three areas for CAT 2025:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

has remained largely stable. A slight hike in the application fee is anticipated this year.

Following the declaration of results, IIMs and other B-schools begin the shortlisting process based on CAT scores, academic performance, work experience (if applicable), and diversity factors. Each IIM follows its own admission policy, which includes the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

Apart from the IIMs, top private and public B-schools across India use CAT scores for admissions to MBA, PGDM, and related management programmes. These institutions release their own cut-offs, and candidates are shortlisted accordingly. All factors are considered before making the final admission offers, and the CAT score frequently has a big influence on the choice.