The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2025. The official announcement will be released by July 30, 2025. MBA aspirants aiming for the 2026 academic session must appear for CAT 2025, as its scores are accepted by 21 IIMs, top B-schools, and over 1,300 MBA colleges across India.
CAT 2025
CAT evaluates candidates on Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, and Reading Comprehension. Conducted in a computer-based format at designated centers nationwide, the exam lasts 120 minutes and comprises 68 questions.
CAT 2025 Exam Highlights
- Full Form: Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Conducting Institute: To be announced
- Exam Level: National
- Frequency: Once a year
- Tentative Exam Date: November 30, 2025
- Exam Slots:
- Slot 1: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Slot 2: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
- Slot 3: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Application Fee: INR 2,500 (General), INR 1,250 (Reserved)
- Test Takers (2024): 3.29 lakh
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Test Cities: 170
- Official Website: iimcat.ac.in
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). Final-year students and candidates with professional qualifications like CA, CS, ICWA, and FCAI are also eligible.
CAT 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)
- Notification Release: July 30, 2025
- Registration Period: Early August to Mid-September 2025
- Form Correction: Late September 2025
- Admit Card Release: Early November 2025
- Exam Date: November 30, 2025
- Answer Key Release: Early December 2025
- Result Declaration: Late December 2025 or Early January 2026
Registration Process
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Click on ‘New Registration’
- Enter personal details to create a login
- Complete the application form
- Upload scanned photo and signature
- Select test cities, courses, and IIM campuses
- Pay the application fee to submit the form
CAT 2025 Syllabus
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Set Theory, Puzzles, Coding-Decoding, Series
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out
Exam Pattern
- Mode: Computer-Based Test
- Duration: 2 hours (40 minutes per section)
- Sections: VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude
- Total Questions: 66
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers
- Maximum Marks: 198
Preparation Tips
Start preparing at least nine months before the exam. Choose between coaching classes or self-study, focusing on syllabus analysis and identifying familiar and unfamiliar topics.
Admit Card Download
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Click on the login option
- Enter CAT ID and password
- Download the admit card PDF
Answer Key and Result
The answer key will be available 3-4 days after the exam. Candidates can challenge discrepancies. The final result will be declared after analyzing objections.
Selection Process for MBA Admissions (2026)
IIMs will shortlist candidates based on CAT scores. The selection includes:
- Shortlisting via CAT score
- Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)
- Final selection based on academic records and work experience
CAT Cut-Offs
Qualifying cut-offs vary by IIM, with scores ranging from 75 to 95 percentile depending on the institute.
