Introduction to CAT 2025
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a national-level exam taken by lakhs of aspirants for admission into MBA and other postgraduate management programs offered by 21 IIMs and over 1200+ B-schools.
The CAT 2025 notification was officially released on July 27, 2025, and the exam will be held on November 30, 2025. This year, IIM Kozhikode is expected to conduct the exam.
CAT 2025 Important Dates
Here are the key dates every aspirant should know:
| CAT 2025 Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 27, 2025 |
| Registration Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Registration Ends | September 13, 2025 |
| Form Correction Window | September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 5 – 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 2025 (Expected) |
Mark these dates and set reminders so you don’t miss any deadlines.
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
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General and NC-OBC candidates must have at least 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree.
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SC/ST/PwD candidates must have a minimum of 45% marks.
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Final year students can apply, but they must meet the marks criteria upon graduation.
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Professional degree holders like CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI are also eligible.
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There is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
How to Register for CAT 2025
Here’s a step-by-step guide for CAT registration 2025:
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Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
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Click on “New Candidate Registration”.
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Enter details like name, phone number, and email ID.
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You’ll receive OTP and login credentials on your email/mobile.
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Log in with your CAT ID and password.
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Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
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Choose up to 6 exam centers in order of preference.
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Pay the registration fee online.
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Double-check the form and submit it.
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Download and print the application form for reference.
💡 Tip: Keep a soft and hard copy of the registration confirmation.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern helps you plan your preparation smartly. Here’s what you need to know:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Sections | 3 – VARC, DILR, QA |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| Time Duration | 120 minutes (40 min per section) |
| Type of Questions | MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQs) |
| TITA Marking | No negative marking |
| Exam Language | English |
| Mode | Online – Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Sections:
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VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
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DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
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QA: Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2025 Syllabus Overview
Although CAT doesn’t officially release a syllabus, past papers give a good idea. Below is a section-wise breakdown:
1. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
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Reading Comprehension
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Para jumbles
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Para Summary
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Verbal logic
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One-word substitution
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Syllogism
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Odd sentence out
2. LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation)
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Seating arrangement
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Blood relations
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Clocks & calendars
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Tables & graphs
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Binary logic
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Puzzles
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Syllogism
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Number and letter series
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Caselets
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
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Arithmetic
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Geometry
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Percentages
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Algebra
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Trigonometry
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Profit & Loss
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Mensuration
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Number Systems
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Simple & Compound Interest
CAT Syllabus 2025, CAT Topics, CAT Subject-Wise Syllabus
CAT 2025 Preparation Tips
Here’s how you can prepare effectively for the CAT 2025 exam:
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Understand the syllabus and create a topic-wise study plan.
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Divide topics by sections and allocate specific time blocks for each.
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Use quality study material or consider joining a CAT online course.
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Practice previous year question papers (PYPs) and mock tests regularly.
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Analyze mistakes from mocks and work on weak areas.
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Make flashcards and short notes for revision.
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Improve reading speed with newspapers and magazines.
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Use a timer during practice to improve speed.
CAT Admit Card 2025: How to Download
Your CAT admit card is mandatory to enter the exam hall. Here’s how to download it:
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Visit iimcat.ac.in.
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Log in using your CAT ID and password.
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Click on “Download Admit Card”.
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Save the PDF copy and print it for exam day.
📝 Check details like name, photo, signature, exam center, and timings on the admit card.
CAT Result 2025 and Scorecard
The CAT 2025 results are expected by the third week of December 2025. Here’s what to do:
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Visit the official CAT portal.
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Login with CAT ID and password.
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Click on the “Scorecard” link to download your result.
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The CAT score is valid for one year only.
💼 Use this score to apply for MBA admissions 2026.
CAT Answer Key & Objections
About a week after the exam, IIM Kozhikode will release the CAT response sheet and answer key. Candidates can:
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Check their recorded answers.
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Download the official answer key.
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Raise objections with valid proof (if any).
Expected CAT 2025 Cut-Offs for Top IIMs
Based on previous trends, here are the anticipated CAT cut-offs:
| IIM Campus | Expected Cut Off (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99 – 100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99 – 100 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97+ |
| IIM Indore | 97+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97 – 98 |
| IIM Mumbai | 97 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Amritsar | 95+ |
| IIM Udaipur | 92 |
| IIM Shillong | 90 |
CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile (Expected)
Use this table to estimate your CAT percentile based on your raw score:
| DILR | VARC | QA | Total Score | Approx. Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 42 | 30 | 86 | 99.5 |
| 25 | 36 | 25 | 74 | 99 |
| 20 | 30 | 22 | 52 | 95 |
| 14 | 24 | 13 | 42 | 90 |
| 11 | 20 | 9 | 35 | 80 |
| 9 | 18 | 7 | 30 | 70 |
CAT 2025 Exam Analysis (Post-Exam)
After the CAT exam, leading coaching institutes like PW MBA Coaching will release a detailed exam analysis based on:
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Sectional difficulty level
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Type of questions
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Student feedback
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Cut-off predictions
Expect the difficulty to be moderate to difficult, just like previous years.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CAT 2025
Q1. Who will conduct CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode is expected to conduct CAT 2025.
Q2. When does CAT 2025 registration begin?
Registrations will begin on August 1, 2025 and end on September 13, 2025.
Q3. What is the CAT 2025 exam date?
The exam will be held on November 30, 2025.
Q4. What is the registration fee for CAT 2025?
The exact fee will be mentioned in the application portal. Last year, it was around ₹2400 for General and ₹1200 for SC/ST/PwD.
Q5. Can final year students apply for CAT 2025?
Yes, they can. But they must meet the eligibility marks at graduation.
Q6. Is there negative marking in CAT?
Yes, -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ. No negative marking for TITA questions.
Q7. What is the best way to prepare for CAT 2025?
Use mock tests, study materials, join a coaching class if needed, and revise regularly.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 is a crucial opportunity for aspiring MBA students. With a structured preparation plan and knowledge of the syllabus, exam pattern, and registration steps, candidates can crack the exam with confidence. Stay updated through the official website iimcat.ac.in and practice regularly.