KollegeApply logo
KollegeApply logo

Common Admission Test Info

Admin's profile picture

Updated on Jan 21, 2025

Admin

CAT, also known as the Common Admission Test, is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to postgraduate management programs across India. It serves as a gateway to the IIMs and several other prestigious B-schools.

Recognized as one of the most popular and challenging management entrance exams in India, CAT is a computer-based test assessing candidates in three areas: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). In 2024, approximately 2.39 lakh candidates appeared for the exam out of 3.29 lakh registered candidates.

CAT 2025 Exam Highlights

Here are the highlights of CAT 2025, take a look at the table below:

CAT Exam Particulars CAT 2025 Details
CAT Full Form Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Exam Level National
CAT Entrance Exam Frequency Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2025 Last Week of November 2025
CAT Exam Timings Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Fees INR 2,500 (General Category) and INR 1,250 (Reserved Category)
Eligibility Criteria Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD Candidates)
Number of Applications 3.29 lakh (in 2024)
Number of Test Takers 2.93 lakh (in 2024)
Exam Purpose Admission to IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,200 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered MBA/PGDM
CAT Syllabus Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT Exam Mode Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
No. of Test Cities 170
CAT Exam Website https://iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2025 Exam Dates

While official dates are yet to be announced, here’s an expected timeline based on previous years:

CAT 2025 Events CAT 2025 Dates
Release of CAT 2025 notification July 30, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 registration start date August 2, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 registration last date September 21, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 application correction date September 25-28, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 admit card release date November 7, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 exam date November 30, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 answer key release date December 5, 2025 (Tentative)
CAT 2025 results date December 21, 2025 (Tentative)

CAT 2025 Eligibility Crieria

To appear for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • The candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories).
  • Candidates who have completed professional degrees like CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI with the required percentage are eligible to apply for CAT.
  • Those appearing for the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the CAT 2025 exam.
  • There is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam 2025.

CAT 2025 Reservation Criteria

Candidates appearing for CAT 2025 should review the latest reservation policy of IIMs before filling out the application form to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for their respective categories.

Category IIM Reservation
SC 15%
ST 7.5%
NC-OBC 27%
PwD 5%
EWS 10%

CAT 2025 Registration Process

The steps for CAT registration are as follows:

  • Visit the official website, iimcat.ac.in and click on New Candidate Registration.
  • Enter personal details, generate OTP and verify your email ID and mobile number.
  • Login using the CAT ID and password created and fill in personal, communication, and emergency contact details.
  • Upload documents as specified, provide academic details and enter relevant work experience (if applicable).
  • Select preferred exam cities (up to 5 choices).
  • Pay the CAT 2025 fees via credit/debit card or net banking.
  • Take a printout of the filled CAT 2025 application for future reference.

CAT Registration Fees 2025

While filling out the CAT application form, candidates will also need to pay the CAT registration fee as part of the process. Below is the detailed breakdown of the registration fees:

Category CAT registration fees
General Category Candidates Rs 2500
SC/ ST/PwD Rs 1250

Please note that a candidate needs to pay the registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of institutes he/she is applying for. SC, ST and PwD candidates must upload a copy of their SC/ST/PwD certificates at the time of registration. Fees once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

The duration of the test is 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD candidates). The time allotted for each section is 40 minutes (53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates). A quick overview of the CAT exam pattern is given below to get an idea of the CAT 2025 exam.

Particulars Details
Mode of CAT Exam Computer Based Mode
Medium of CAT Exam English
Type of Questions MCQs and Non-MCQ
CAT Marking Scheme For every right answer, +3 will be awarded For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted No negative marks for Non-MCQs

The following table represents a section-wise breakup of a number of questions:

Section No. of Questions Marks
Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 204
Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 22
Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) 22
Total 68

CAT 2025 Syllabus

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is one of the most competitive exams for MBA aspirants in India. Understanding the syllabus is essential for a well-structured preparation strategy. The CAT exam assesses candidates on various sections, including Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Each section focuses on different skill sets such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and language proficiency. The CAT 2025 syllabus is designed to evaluate the overall academic aptitude of candidates. Here is a table summarizing the CAT 2025 syllabus:

Section Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Reading Comprehension Vocabulary Para Jumbles Odd Sentence Out Sentence Completion Para Summary Critical Reasoning
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, etc.) Logical Reasoning (Puzzles, Arrangement, Blood Relations, Directions, etc.) Data Sufficiency
Quantitative Ability (QA) Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Averages, etc.) Algebra (Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Functions) Geometry and Mensuration (Lines, Angles, Circles, Volume) Number System (LCM, HCF, Divisibility) Modern Math (Permutations, Combinations, Probability, Set Theory) Time, Speed, and Distance Ratio and Proportion

CAT 2025 Admit Card

The CAT 2025 Admit Card is a crucial document required for candidates appearing in the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. It serves as proof of eligibility to take the exam and contains important information such as the candidate's name, exam center, date and time of the test, and important instructions. The admit card will be available for download on the official CAT website once released by the exam authorities. Candidates are advised to download and print their admit card well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.

How to Download CAT Admit Card 2025?

To download the CAT Admit Card 2025, follow these steps:

  • Go to the official website of the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 - iimcat.ac.in.
  • Use your registered login credentials, such as your user ID and password, to access your account.
  • Once logged in, find and click on the link for downloading the admit card under the Admit Card or Download section.
  • You may be asked to enter additional details such as your date of birth or application number.
  • After entering the necessary information, click on the Download button to view and save your admit card.
  • Verify that all details (name, exam center, date, and time) on the admit card are correct.
  • Take a printout of your admit card and keep it safe for the exam day.

CAT 2025 Answer Key

The CAT 2025 Answer Key will be released on the official CAT website after the exam. It provides correct answers to the questions asked in the exam and helps candidates assess their performance. Candidates can also challenge the answer key if they find discrepancies within a specified timeframe.

How to Download the CAT 2025 Answer Key?

The CAT 2025 Answer Key will be released online on the official CAT website. You can visit the Official Website and log in with Credentials to download the CAT Answer Key 2025. To download the answer key, you must navigate to the Answer Key Section and Click on the link titled CAT 2025 Answer Key available on the dashboard.

CAT Result 2025

The CAT 2025 Result is a crucial milestone for candidates who appeared for the Common Admission Test. It determines their eligibility for admission into top management institutes across India. The result will be made available on the official CAT website, where candidates can check their scores and percentile.

How to Check CAT Result 2025?

  • Go to the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
  • Enter your CAT login credentials, including your User ID and Password.
  • Find and click the link to view your CAT 2025 result.
  • Your result will appear on the screen with your overall score and percentile. Download and print the result for future reference.
  • Ensure that all the details such as your name, score, and percentile are accurate.

CAT Cutoff 2025 Score vs Percentile

Here is the Score vs Percentile for CAT 2025:

CAT Score Percentile
95-98 99.5
87-94 99
78-86 98
71-77 97
65-70 95
60-65 94
54-60 90
45-50 80
33-39 70

CAT 2025 Selection Process

After clearing the CAT 2025 and achieving the necessary cutoff, they will be called for the CAT selection process by the participating institutes, including the IIMs and non-IIMs. The admission procedures may differ across various colleges, relying on factors such as CAT 2025 scores, Written Ability Test (WAT), and Group Discussion/Personal Interview (GD/PI). Refer to the details of the selection process below:

  • Written Ability Test (WAT)
  • Group Discussion (GD)
  • Personal Interviews (PI)

Candidates must thoroughly research and understand the CAT 2025 selection criteria. They must go through the CAT selection process of institutes of their interest to prepare accordingly and increase their chances of securing admission.

CAT 2025 FAQs

What is CAT 2025?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to postgraduate management programs across India.

What is the exam date for CAT 2025?

CAT 2025 will be held in the last week of November 2025, with multiple sessions throughout the day.

How can I register for CAT 2025?

Registration for CAT 2025 can be done online through the official website - iimcat.ac.in. Candidates need to fill in personal details, upload documents, and pay the registration fee.

What is the eligibility for CAT 2025?

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) and meet other criteria outlined by the IIMs.

What is the exam pattern for CAT 2025?

The CAT 2025 exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). It will be a computer-based test with multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.

When will the CAT 2025 admit card be available?

The admit card for CAT 2025 will be released on November 7, 2025, and can be downloaded from the official CAT website.

How to check CAT 2025 results?

The CAT 2025 results will be available on the official website in December 2025. Candidates can log in to their accounts to view their score and percentile.

What is the cutoff for CAT 2025?

The CAT 2025 cutoff will vary by institute, with top IIMs typically requiring a higher percentile. For instance, a 99 percentile may require a score of around 95-98 marks.

Can I challenge the CAT 2025 answer key?

Yes, candidates can challenge the CAT 2025 answer key within the specified time frame if they find any discrepancies.

Exam Dates

DateEvent
Aug 01, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Registration (Tentative)
Nov 30, 2025Exam Date (Tentative)
Dec 28, 2025Results (Tentative)

How would you rate your experience with this page up to now?

😣

😕

😊

😎

😍

Upcoming Exams

Birla Institute of Technology and Science Adm... (BITSAT)

Exam Date

Dec 01, 2024

Last Date

Nov 15, 2024

Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE MAINS)

Exam Date

Dec 10, 2024

Last Date

Nov 20, 2024

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE-2025)

Exam Date

Feb 05, 2025

Last Date

Jan 15, 2025

View All Exams
Kollegeapply logo

Discover Excellence: Latest Updates on India's Leading Colleges,  Admissions, and Exam News

Built in India

india

© 2025 KollegeApply. All rights reserved.