The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level exam for admission to MBA and other management programmes at IIMs and top B-schools in India. It allows students to join prestigious institutions and build strong careers in the management field. The CAT 2025 notification has been released on July 27, 2025. This year the CAT exam will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. The exam will be held on November 30, 2025, and registration starts from August 1, 2025. Check important dates, exam pattern, syllabus, and other details of the CAT 2025 exam in this article.
-> CAT 2025 registration starting from August 1, 2025.
->The Official CAT 2025 Notification has been made live on July 27, 2025.
-> The Indian Institutes of Management will conduct a computer-based Common Admission Test 2025 (CAT 2025) on November 30, 2025 in three sessions.
-> All the aspiring candidates can start registering online from August 1, 2025 through the official website @iimcat.ac.in.
-> Candidates can check the CAT Syllabus 2025 for VARC, DILR, Quants.
-> Aspirants can go through the CAT Exam Previous Year Papers, and also practice through CAT Mock Test (Based on latest exam pattern).
The CAT 2025 notification has been issued on July 27, 2025, and the exam is scheduled for November 30, 2025. CAT 2025 is a national level entrance test for candidates aspiring to pursue MBA at 21 IIMs and several top business schools. The registration process commences from August 1, 2025 and will continue till September 13, 2025 on its official website, iimcat.ac.in. The exam will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode in computer based mode across multiple centres in India. All Applicants must first check the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam. The exam will have a total of 68 questions to be completed in 120 minutes. Lets scroll down to know more about the CAT exam, important dates, syllabus, exam pattern and more in this article below.
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📗 CAT Quantitative Aptitude Notes trusted by toppers 👉 Click to Download |
📕 CAT VARC Notes for Verbal and Reading Comprehension Mastery 👉 Click to Download |
CAT Exam 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Details |
|
Name of Examination |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
Exam Level |
National |
Organising Institute |
IIM Kozhikode |
Exam Frequency |
Once Every Year |
CAT Registration Start Date 2025 |
August 1, 2025 |
CAT Registration Last Date 2025 |
13 September 2025 |
CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date |
5 November 2025 |
CAT Exam Date 2025 |
30 November 2025 |
Purpose of CAT Exam |
Admission into IIMs, top Non‑IIMs, and 1300+ B‑Schools in India |
Total Number of Test Cities |
170 Exam Centres Across India |
Mode of Examination |
Computer‑Based Test (CBT) |
Helpdesk Number for CAT |
1800 210 0175 |
Official CAT Website |
iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2025 Important Dates
Candidates need to fulfil the CAT eligibility criteria to be able to apply for the top B-schools and other MBA Colleges in India. Some of the important Exam dates for CAT 2025 are listed in the table below:
CAT Events |
Dates |
CAT 2025 Notification release on |
July 27, 2025 |
CAT 2025 registration dates |
August 1, 2025 |
CAT form correction 2025 |
September 13, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Admit Card |
November 5, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Exam Date |
November 30, 2025 |
CAT Answer Key 2025 |
December 2025 |
Declaration of CAT 2025 Result |
1st week of January 2026 |
Steps to fill CAT Application Form 2025
Candidates who wish to fill the CAT form can go through the step-by-step process. The registration for CAT exam 2025 will begin from August 1, 2025. Let’s take a look at the detailed steps.
Step 1: Register on CAT Website
Visit the official CAT website and click on "New Candidate Registration." Enter your personal details, generate an OTP, and complete the registration process.
Step 2: Log in
After completing the registration, log in using the provided User ID and password. This will give you access to the CAT application form.
Step 3: Fill Application Form
Enter all necessary personal details in the application form. Upload the required documents, such as a photo, signature, and category certificate if applicable.
Step 4: Academic Qualifications
Provide educational qualifications, Bachelor's, Master's, and any other professional degrees to apply for CAT Exam.
Step 5: Program Selection
Select your desired MBA programs and specify the cities where you prefer to have your interviews. This allows you to tailor your application to your preferences.
Step 6: Test City and Payment
Choose your preferred test cities from the available options. Pay the application fee to submit your application.
CAT Application Fees 2025
The CAT 2025 Application fees must be paid during the application process to complete the submission. The payment can be made through various online modes, ensuring a secure and convenient transaction for all applicants. Check the below table for fee:
Category |
Application Fees |
General/EWS/OBC |
Rs. 2600 |
SC/ST/PWD |
Rs. 1300 |
CAT Exam Latest Quizzes
Confident about all the subjects and topics for CAT Exam? Take a short quiz and quickly get an idea about where you stand. Attempt now!
CAT IIM Selection Process 2025
The selection process for CAT 2025 involves multiple stages and varies across institutes. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) follows its own admission policy and shortlisting criteria, which are published on their respective official websites. The CAT score plays a vital role in the selection process for IIMs and other participating B-schools.
CAT 2025 exam pattern, set by the IIMs, includes three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam duration is 120 minutes, candidates have to clear & score well in order to get the preferred institute.
CAT Eligibility 2025
All the undergraduate candidates who want to pursue PG Management courses must fulfil all the eligibility criteria. In order to complete the registration process, candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria stated by the conducting authority for CAT exam 2025. Remember the application fees will not be refunded once paid. Have a look at the CAT 2025 Eligibility for the CAT exam 2025.
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree, with a minimum of 50% marks or CGPA by any university (45% for the candidates from the SC/ST/PWD category)
- Those candidates who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with a minimum of 50% or equivalent (45% for the Reserved category) are also eligible to apply.
- Applicants from the final year of their bachelor’s degree or waiting for results are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam.
If you are preparing for the exam then you can download CAT Exam Previous Year Papers here!
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT is a computer-based test conducted in three shifts with a total duration of 2 hours. Candidates are required to answer 68 questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) with 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) with 22 questions, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) with 22 questions.
Each correct answer is awarded 3 marks, while 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. The exam has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section (53.20 minutes for PwD candidates). Once the time for a section is over, the screen automatically moves to the next section. Candidates must follow the fixed order of sections – starting with VARC, followed by DILR, and then QA – and cannot return to previous sections.
Common Admission Test Exam Pattern 2025 |
|
No. of questions in CAT Exam |
68 |
CAT Marking Scheme |
|
Type of questions |
MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) |
Duration of the Exam |
120 minutes |
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CAT Syllabus 2025
CAT 2025 Syllabus outlines the key topics and sections that candidates need to focus on while preparing for the exam. A strong understanding of the syllabus helps aspirants plan their schedule effectively. The exam is divided into three main sections: i.e. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section equal weightage, so comprehensive preparation for all sections is crucial.
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CAT Study Material
CAT study material is a key resource for candidates preparing for the Common Admission Test. It includes books, mock tests, sample papers, previous year question papers, and online resources that help improve your skills in Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. With the right CAT preparation material candidates can understand the exam pattern, practice time management and boost their confidence. Make sure to choose the latest and most trusted CAT study material for the best results.
CAT 2025 Books
Books to prepare for CAT 2025 will be quite helpful for the aspirants. These books provide in-depth coverage of the exam syllabus. Plus, it is suggested to practice with sample papers provided in these books to allow candidates to improve their weak areas. Therefore the books help develop concept clarity. You will also get various tips and strategies to attempt the exam properly. Candidates can find more details about the CAT Exam 2025 Books here.
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CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Tips
Given below are some CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Tips which can help you prepare for the Examination.
- Start by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. Familiarize yourself with the sections, topics, and marking scheme. This will help you create a structured study plan.
- Solve CAT Previous Year Question Papers. This will not only familiarize you with the exam pattern but also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus more on areas where you face difficulty and work on improving them.
- Take regular CAT mock tests to assess your preparation level. Analyze your performance in these tests and identify areas that need improvement.
- Allocate dedicated time for revision in your study schedule. Make concise notes of important points, formulas, and concepts to aid in quick revision. CAT Exam 2025 Preparation tips will help you prepare better for the exam.
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CAT Exam 2025 Cut Off
IIM Kozhikode will announce the qualifying CAT cut-off marks before the exam and release the final cut-offs marks after the results are out. MBA admission to all B-schools, including IIMs and non-IIMs, is based on the CAT cut-off, which is the minimum score needed to get shortlisted. Candidates can find more details about the CAT Exam 2025 Cut Off by following the attached link.
CAT Exam Admit Card 2025
The CAT 2025 admit card will be issued on November 5, 2025. It contains essential information such as the candidate's name, registration number, exam date, reporting time, exam center address, and important instructions. It's advised to download and print the admit card well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles and to ensure a smooth and stress-free exam experience.
CAT Exam Answer Key 2025
CAT 2025 Answer Key will be issued in the form of a response sheet 3-4 days after the exam is conducted. It provides transparency in the evaluation process and allows candidates to compare their responses with the officially released key. CAT Answer key 2025 challenge window will allow you to raise objections against the provisional answer key for the written exam. If there are any valid objections then they will be revised and a final answer key will be published.
Learn more about the CAT Exam 2025 Answer Key here.
CAT Result 2025
The CAT 2025 result will be announced soon after the final answer key will be published. This will allow the candidates to move further with the selection process. This CAT Score will allow the candidates to decide which college to consider to pursue MBA programs across India's top business schools.
CAT 2025 Conducting IIMs
CAT 2025 will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode, the table given below shows the IIMs that have conducted the exam in past years.
Year |
CAT Conducting IIM |
2025 |
Kozhikode |
2024 |
Calcutta |
2023 |
Lucknow |
2022 |
Bangalore |
2021 |
Ahmedabad |
2020 |
Indore |
2019 |
Kozhikode |
2018 |
Calcutta |
2017 |
Lucknow |
2016 |
Bangalore |
2015 |
Ahmedabad |
We hope that candidates have got all the information regarding the CAT 2025 Exam. Aspirants who want to score a nice percentile in CAT exam and get into IIMs must prepare well for the examination. Apart from the books listed above candidates can download our Testbook App. Here you will get section-wise mock tests, various practice sets, the previous year's paper, and much more.
CAT Exam 2025 FAQ