CAT 2025: Exam Date (Nov 30), Form Correction (Started), Admit Card, Syllabus, Pattern, Previous Year Papers, Prep Tips

Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )

DeskCalelnderAdmit Card - 5 Nov '25 - 30 Nov '25

Vipra Shrivastava
Updated on Oct 8, 2025 11:14 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025. The exam will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode in three shifts which will be of 2 hours each. There is no change in the CAT syllabus or pattern. Candidates can expect moderately difficult paper this year. CAT 2025 admit card will be released on November 5, 2025. Registered candidates will be able to download it through login.

CAT 2025 registration process started on August 1 and ended on September 20, 2025. CAT 2025 form correction window opened on October 4 and the deadline to edit the application form was October 7, 2025.

Over 3.20 lakh aspirants are expected to have applied for the exam. The total number of CAT 2025 applicants will be shared by IIM Kozhikode soon. Read all about CAT exam 2025 below including eligibility, fees, admit card, syllabus, pattern, preparation, question paper PDFs. 

Table of content
  • What is CAT Exam?
  • CAT 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • CAT 2025 Exam Highlights
  • CAT 2025 Admit Card
  • CAT 2025 Syllabus and Pattern
  • CAT Question Paper PDFs Download (Previous Years)
  • CAT Exam Preparation 2025
  • CAT Answer Key 2025
  • CAT 2025 Result and Scorecard PDF
  • IIM CAT Cut Offs
  • CAT Registration 2025
  • CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
  • IIMCAT Contact Information
  • Important FAQs on CAT 2025
View More
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What is CAT Exam?

Common Admission Test or CAT is a national level management aptitude test conducted by the Indian Insitute of Management (IIM) for admission to MBA and other postgraduate courses offered by its 21 campuses (NITIE Mumbai has been added to the cluster and has been renamed as IIM Mumbai). CAT exam is a speed based test that includes questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high. 

Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. In CAT 2023, applications touched the record high of 3.30 lakh. The total number of CAT 2024 registration was 3.29 lakh. Candidates who clear the CAT exam are eligible for admission to over 1300 MBA colleges in India, apart from the IIMs. 

Latest Updates:

CAT 2025 form correction started, edit application form now

CAT 2025 registration extended, check new deadline

CAT 2025 registration started, last date September 13

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

Apart from full-time MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes of IIMs and other B-Schools. This exam is open for not only graduates but also post graduates and working professionals. Check below the list of courses offered by the IIMs through CAT and MBA seats offered.

IIM

Courses Offered Through CAT

Number of Seats

IIM Ahmedabad

PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics), PhD

PGP-385

IIM Amritsar

MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA, M.Sc. in Data Science (MSDSM) jointly offered with IIT Ropar, PhD

MBA-240

IIM Bangalore

PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD

PGP-430

IIM Bodh Gaya

MBA, MBA (Digital Business Management), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management), PhD

MBA-120

IIM Calcutta

MBA, PhD

MBA-462

IIM Indore

PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management)

PGP-451

IIM Jammu

MBA, MBA (Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management), Executive MBA, PhD, PhD (Working Professionals)

MBA-350

IIM Kashipur

MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics), PhD

MBA-321

IIM Kozhikode

PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi, PhD, Fellow Programmes in Management PhD (PT)

MBA-484

IIM Lucknow

MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE, PhD

MBA-436

IIM Mumbai

MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management), PhD, PhD (Executive)

MBA-278

IIM Nagpur

MBA, E-MBA, PhD, E-PhD

MBA-267

IIM Raipur

MBA, PhD, PhD (Practice Track)

MBA-377

IIM Ranchi

MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD

MBA-246

IIM Rohtak

PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx, PhD

MBA-399

IIM Sambalpur

MBA, Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals, PhD, Executive PhD

MBA -197

IIM Shillong

PGP, PGPEX, PGP (WE), Doctoral Program, Doctoral Program (WP)

MBA -382

IIM Sirmaur

MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality), ExMBA, ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics), MBA (Family Business), PhD, PhD (Executive)

MBA- 281

IIM Tiruchirappalli

PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM (MBA for Working Executives in Chennai), PhD, Executive PhD

MBA-378

IIM Udaipur

MBA, MBA- DEM (Digital Enterprise Management), MBAGSCM (Global Supply Chain Management), Executive MBA (Online), PhD

MBA-361

IIM Visakhapatnam

PGP, EMBA, PGPMCI, PhD, Executive PhD

MBA-383

Also Read: CAT 2025 important dates

 
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the average number of CAT 100 percentilers every year?
A: 

On an average, about 10-15 CAT aspirants score 100 percentile. Given below is the data of CAT 100 percentilers of last 3 years:

Exam year

CAT 100 percentilers

State wise numbers

CAT 2024

14

1- Andhra Pradesh
2- Delhi
1- Haryana
1-Kerala
5- Maharashtra
1- Odisha
1- Rajasthan
2- Telangana

CAT 2023

14

1 – Andhra Pradesh
1 - Delhi
1 – Gujarat
1 – Jammu & Kashmir
1 - Karnataka
1 - Kerala
4 – Maharashtra
1 – Tamil Nadu
2 - Telangana
1 - Uttar Pradesh

CAT 2022

11

2 - Delhi

1 - Gujarat

1 - Haryana

1 - Kerala

1 - Madhya Pradesh

2 - Maharashtra

2 - Telangana

1 - Uttar Pradesh

 

Q:   What should be the last month preparation strategy for CAT?
A: 

In the last one month before the CAT exam, candidates must start focusing on the most important topics. These may include strong and weak areas. Practice sample questions from these topics and do not start any new topic. Here's what to do in the last month of CAT preparation:

·       Attempt CAT mock tests regularly and anaylse your performance. Spend time on filling the gaps.

·       Practice time management through time bound practice sessions and mock tests

·       Attend online study groups for problem solving and doubt clearing sessions.

·       Keep revising key concepts and formulas of CAT. Have a daily session of 2 hours for revision only.

·       Solve previous years' question papers to understand the trends of past years and work on topics that appear most frequently.

·       Attempt official IIM CAT mock test to know the expected CAT 2025 exam pattern

·       Focus on your health. It is very important to stay healthy in this phase so that your study time is not affected. Sleep well and take breaks from study to indulge in a hobby or a recreational activity to relax.

Q:   How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024?
A: 

14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, out of a total of 2.93 Lacs candidates. Out of 14 toppers, 1 is a woman candidate. Check below CAT 2024 result data:

Check the below table for data and statistics of CAT 2024 test takers and toppers. 

CAT ToppersGender and 
Discipline
State
100
percentiles 14 - Nos 
Female - 1
 Male - 13
 Engg – 13
 Non-Engg – 1
Andhra Pradesh 1
Delhi 2
Haryana 1
Kerala 1
Maharashtra 5
Odisha 1
Rajasthan 1
Telangana 2
99.99
percentiles 29 -Nos.
Female - 2
 Male - 27
 Engg – 25
 Non-Engg - 4
Chandigarh 1
Delhi 4
Gujarat 2
Haryana 1
Karnataka 3
Kerala 1
Madhya Pradesh 1
Maharashtra 5
Odisha 1
Punjab 1
Rajasthan 3
Tamil Nadu 1
Telangana 1
Uttar Pradesh1
Uttarakhand 1
West Bengal 2
99.98
percentiles 30-Nos
Female - 1
Male - 29
 Engg – 20
 Non-Engg -10
Bihar 1
Delhi 2
Gujarat 2
Haryana 4
Karnataka 4
Madhya Pradesh 3
Maharashtra 3
Tamil Nadu 2
Telangana 3
Uttar Pradesh 2
West Bengal 4

CAT 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2025 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
05 Nov ' 25 - 30 Nov ' 25

CAT 2025 admit card download

30 Nov ' 25

CAT 2025 exam

Dec ' 25

CAT 2025 answer key challenge

TENTATIVE
Dec ' 25

CAT 2025 result announcement

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates
Oct ' 25

CAT 2025 form correction

Sep ' 25

CAT 2025 form correction process

01 Aug ' 25 - 20 Sep ' 25

CAT 2025 registration

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CAT 2025 Exam Highlights

CAT is India's top MBA entrance exam. The competition is very high and preparation requires about 6 to 9 months. Candidates who wish to appear for the CAT must make sure they are capable of dedicating so much time to it. Here are the key CAT 2025 highlights for reference:

CAT Exam Particulars

CAT 2025 Details

CAT  Full Form

Common Admission Test (CAT) 

Conducting Institute for 2025

IIM Kozhikode

Exam Level

National

CAT Entrance Exam Frequency

Once a year

CAT Exam Date 2025

November 30, 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 2,600 (General category) and INR 1,300 (Reserved category)

Eligibility Criteria

Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD students)

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 1,300 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

Exam helpdesk no.

1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

Also read: CAT exam on screen calculator

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is CAT score accepted by international B-Schools?
A: 

CAT score is a national level test and is not accepted by B-Schools outside India. For pursuing MBA in foreign countries GMAT score is accepted. Indian B-Schools accept GMAT score for admitting foreign/NRI/PIO students.

CAT is also accepted for Executive MBA, PhD, FPM and other such management programmes in top colleges in India. Similarly, GMAT is also accepted for admission to domestic students in to Executive MBA and such programmes.

Q:   What is the validity of CAT score?
A: 

CAT score is valid for one year at the IIMs and top B-Schools. In some tier 3 and government institutions, CAT score of previous two years are also acceptable. Many B-schools including IIMs have an option of deferment of admission, wherein you can confirm your admission and pay the nominal fee but join the batch in the next year. It is advised that candidates take admission in the same year as their CAT attempt so that they don't have to reappear next year. Given the competition in MBA space, it is difficult to get a good college whether you have a low score or average score. So, incase one is getting a good college, they should take admission and not drop a year to appear for CAT again.

Q:   I have done BCom from correspondence college. Can I apply for CAT?
A: 

Yes, you can apply for CAT. The main criteria of eligibility for CAT is graduation from a recognised university. So, whether the education mode is full-time or correspondence, if the university is recognised by the UGC, the candidates will be eligible to appear for the CAT exam.

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CAT 2025 Admit Card

DeskCalendarAdmit Card: 05 Nov ' 25 - 30 Nov ' 25

CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre. Check CAT admit card 2025 download process:

  • Log on to CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
  • Click on 'login' tab
  • Enter CAT 2025 application number and password
  • Go to 'admit card' section
  • Click on 'download'

Also Read:

Take a look at CAT exam day work flow:

CAT exam day work flow

CAT 2025 Exam Timings

Check the table below for exam timings of CAT 2025. Candidates are required to reach the exam centre as per the reporting time to be able to appear for the exam. 

CAT exam slot 2025

Exam timing

Reporting time

Last entry allowed

Slot 1

8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

7:00 AM

8:15 AM

Slot 2

12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

11:00 AM

12:15 PM

Slot 3

4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

3:00 PM

4:15 PM

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do IIMs send CAT admit card by post?
A: 

CAT admit card is not sent to any candidate by post. Every candidate has to download their CAT hall ticket from the IIMCAT website by using their login credentials created at the time of exam registration. The announcement of release of CAT admit card is done by the exam convening IIM about 10-15 days before the exam. The CAT admit card release date is also shared beforehand so that candidates can download their admit cards in time.

Q:   How would I know my CAT exam centre?
A: 

Candidates will know their allotted CAT exam centre only from the admit card. There is no way to know the test centre before the release of the CAT admit card. The examination authority allots a test centre to aspirants in the city of their first preference as mentioned in the city. So, candidates can atleast be assured that they will get a test centre in the city they had chosen as first preference in the CAT application form. However, the venue will be mentioned only on the candidate’s admit card. So as soon as the CAT admit card is released, candidates must check the test city and test centre details. In order to avoid any confusion, they must visit the centre at least once before the exam day.

Q:   Will CAT exam 2025 also be conducted in three shifts?
A: 

Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.

The CAT exam slot timings will be -

  • First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 
  • Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 
  • Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
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CAT 2025 Syllabus and Pattern

CAT exam syllabus is broadly divided into three sections - VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Check below the main topics of CAT syllabus 2025. Maximum questions are asked from the following topics. Candidates are advised to pay special attention on these topics during exam preparation:

CAT Syllabus sections

CAT Syllabus topics

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd Sentence Out

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Set Theory (Variables), Set Theory + Puzzles, Puzzles with Additional Data, Coding-Decoding and Series

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration

Also Read:

CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

Download Free PDF of CAT Exam Syllabus by Clicking on the Link Below

CAT Syllabus 2025

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

As per the latest notification, the CAT question paper 2025 will have MCQs and TITA questions. There will be negative marking for incorrect attempts. The exact test pattern of CAT 2025 will be known once the official CAT mock test is released. Check the highlights of CAT 2025 exam pattern below:

CAT Paper Pattern 2025

Mode of CAT exam

Computer Based Test 

Duration of exam

  • 120 minutes 
  • 40 minutes per section

CAT exam slots

  • Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Number of questions

66

68

CAT total marks

198

204

Language of question paper

English

Number of answer choices

4

Question Type

MCQ and non-MCQ

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
A: 

Yes, CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of the candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.

Q:   What should be the last month preparation strategy for CAT?
A: 

In the last one month before the CAT exam, candidates must start focusing on the most important topics. These may include strong and weak areas. Practice sample questions from these topics and do not start any new topic. Here's what to do in the last month of CAT preparation:

·       Attempt CAT mock tests regularly and anaylse your performance. Spend time on filling the gaps.

·       Practice time management through time bound practice sessions and mock tests

·       Attend online study groups for problem solving and doubt clearing sessions.

·       Keep revising key concepts and formulas of CAT. Have a daily session of 2 hours for revision only.

·       Solve previous years' question papers to understand the trends of past years and work on topics that appear most frequently.

·       Attempt official IIM CAT mock test to know the expected CAT 2025 exam pattern

·       Focus on your health. It is very important to stay healthy in this phase so that your study time is not affected. Sleep well and take breaks from study to indulge in a hobby or a recreational activity to relax.

Q:   Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
A: 
There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
View Syllabus
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CAT Question Paper PDFs Download (Previous Years)

CAT previous year papers, provide an insight into sectional weightage, difficulty level of questions and types of questions. Candidates must solve previous year CAT question papers of atleast last 5 years. Given below are previous years' CAT papers PDFs (links) for free download. 

CAT 2024 question paper: Download free PDF CAT 2020 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2023 question paper: Download free PDF CAT 2019 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2022 question paper: Download free PDF CAT 2018 question paper: download free PDF
CAT 2021 question paper: Download free PDF CAT 2017 question paper: download free PDF

Evolution of CAT Exam

CAT exam has evolved a lot in the last decade. Over the years, IIM has taken several measure to make it more academically inclusive and diverse so that more and more students from non-technical streams appear for CAT. The exam used to be of 180 minutes with every section having sectional time limit of 60 minutes. In 2020, the CAT was reduced to 120 minutes and in order to balance it out, the number of questions were reduced from 100 to 76. Last year, the number of questions were lesser - 68. CAT still it remains the toughest MBA entrance exam in India. Check the table below for changes in the CAT exam pattern over the years.

CAT Exam  Year

Sections

No. of Questions

CAT Exam Time Duration

2024

QA, DILR, VARC

68

120 minutes

2023

QA, DILR, VARC

66

120 minutes

2022

QA, DILR, VARC

66

120 minutes

2021

QA, DILR, VARC

66

120 minutes

2020

QA, DILR, VARC

76

120 minutes

2019

QA, DILR, VARC

100

180 minutes

2018

QA, DILR, VARC

100

180 minutes

2017

QA, DILR, VARC

100

180 minutes

2016

QA, DILR, VARC

100

180 minutes

2015

QA, DILR, VARC

100

180 minutes

2014

QA & DI, LR & VARC

100

170 minutes

2013

QA & DI, LR & VARC

60

140 minutes

2012

QA & DI, LR & VARC

60

140 minutes

2011

QA & DI, LR & VARC

60

140 minutes

2010

QA, DILR, VARC

60

150 minutes

Prepare for CAT exam with previous years' question papers & prep guides. Get topper tips & expert advice.

Download Here
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the marking scheme of CAT?
A: 

CAT has a total of 68 question. Each section carries 3 marks for correct attempt and -1 marks for incorrect attempt. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the total marks of CAT is 204. 

Q:   From where can I download CAT question papers?
A: 

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

Q:   Where can I get official CAT mock test?
A: 

Generally, the official mock tests are available on the official website of CAT which is https./iimcat.ac.in. The examination is conducted by Indian Institutes of Management. Check out the below steps to know how get official CAT mock tests online:

  • Aspirants are requested to visit the official website of CAT (https./iimcat.ac.in)
  • Login in through the CAT credentials.
  • Click on the "mock test" button on the left side of screen. 
  • Official CAT mock test is available for practise to candidates who have registered for exam.
  • After that, the screen will display the instructions.
  • After reading the instructions carefully, click on 'I am ready to begin' tab and start writing the exam.

Please keep checking the official website of CAT to have up-to-date information. 

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CAT Exam Preparation 2025

The preparation for CAT exam 2025 should include phase wise completion of the CAT syllabus, mock test practice and revision. For effective CAT preparation 2025 aspirants must keep in mind the following:

  • Cover CAT syllabus thoroughly. Try not to leave any topic as questions can be asked from anywhere.
  • Attempt a good number of CAT mock tests to develop speed and accuracy. 
  • Dedicate time on regular revision so that you're always well versed.
  • Learn mental maths for quick calculation. 
  • For Quantitative Aptitude be thorough with important CAT formulas
  • DILR syllabus coverage is to be done with practice papers and sectional mocks.
  • Develop short cuts and learn tricks to solve questions quickly and accurately. 
  • Practice a good number of RC passage from previous years' CAT question papers.
  • Opt for online problem solving sessions to learn new tricks and techniques.

The most effective way of CAT preparation is completing the syllabus in first three months and practicing mock test in rest of the three months. In the last one month, candidates must increase frequency of revision. 

Check the below list of important articles on CAT 2025 exam preparation.

CAT Topper Tips

Learn tips and tricks for optimising performance in the exam from CAT toppers. Check below CAT topper tips and know how the previous year toppers prepared for the exam

Vagish Nangia, CAT 2024, 100 percentile

Swaraj Pal Kesari, CAT 2024, 99.95 percentile

Mani Praneeth Chilukuri, CAT 2024, 100 percentile

Sarthak Jaiswal, CAT 2024, 99.97 percentile

Vedant Chandewar, CAT 2024, 99.98 percentile

Aniruddh K Singh, CAT 2024, 99.89 percentile

Shree Ahuja, CAT 2024, 99.88 percentile

Dhruv Mittal, CAT 2024, 99.69 percentile

Shaivi Goyal, CAT 2024, 99.54 percentile

Rahul Sinha, CAT 2025, 99.49 percentile

CAT Mock Test

Practice free CAT mock test by Shiksha to assess your preparation level. These mock tests are on par with official CAT mock test in terms of difficulty level. You can use below CAT mock tests by simply clicking on the link. The CAT mock tests are accompanied by solutions and answers.

CAT Mock Test 1 CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions
CAT Mock Test 2 CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions

Watch video on CAT preparation:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Why is CAT considered a difficult MBA entrance exam?
A: 
The CAT is conducted as a difficult MBA entrance exam because it is the main national level test for MBA Admission in India. Over 2 Lacs candidates appear for it every year. Thus, the competition is high. The question paper is set by the IIM. Even though the score is accepted by over 1300 colleges the top colleges accept above 90 percentile. The Iims have cut offs above 95 percentile. It has been seen that out of the total number of test takers which is usually around 2 Lacs, only about 20 candidates are able to score 99-100 percentile. The difficulty level of CAT is the highest among all the MBA entrance exams in India. It is conducted for 2 hours and has 66 questions in total to solve. However, the difficulty level of all the questions from VARC DILR and Quantitative Aptitude is high. The VARC has tough and long Reading Comprehension passages. The Data Interpretation tables and charts are dense and calculation intensive. Logical Reasoning questions are also on the tougher side. Moreover, there is sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Candidates have to complete a section in the given time limit only.
Q:   How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?
A: 
Experts recommend that aspirants must practice at least 40 CAT mock tests to score above 99 percentile well in the exam. Most of the CAT test takers take up to 50 mock tests of various types and difficulty level. CAT toppers in previous years have practiced even up to 80 mock tests during their preparation. However, candidates must decide the number of CAT mock tests depending on their control and confidence on topics as the exam day comes closer. Mock tests are the best way to judge your performance viz. The important topics of CAT. The more one practices CAT mock tests, the more accurate they get in solving questions from all subjects. It is very important to know which formula to apply to which type question to solve the problem accurately. Mock tests help candidates in this aspect which is why practicing mock tests is most important in CAT preparation.
Q:   What are the best resources for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation?
A: 

The best resources for Quantitative Aptitude preparation is sample papers and previous years' CAT question papers. Since both Quantitative Aptitude is all about Mathematics, it can only be mastered by having enough practice. But only solving question papers and practice papers will not be enough. You will need to first be thorough with the topics and their concepts/formulae. For that refer to books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha, Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha and Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma. Sectional mock tests for Quants are also very important for preparation.

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CAT Answer Key 2025

DeskCalendarAnswer Key: Dec ' 25

CAT answer key 2025 will be released 2-3 days after the exam. Here's how to download CAT 2025 answer key and response sheet from the official website:

  • Visit the official website of CAT 2025 (iimcat.ac.in)
  • Click on the 'login' tab
  • Enter CAT login ID and password
  • Click on 'CAT 2025 answer key' will appear on the screen
  • Click on 'download' icon to save it as PDF

The provisional CAT 2025 answer key and response sheet will help candidates know the number of correct and incorrect attempts made by them and calculate estimated CAT score. The option to challenge official CAT answer key 2025 will also be given to candidates. To challenge the provisional answer key, candidates will have to submit a document supporting their claim against the particular question/answer. The fee amount for raising objection is INR 1200 per question. The fee amount will be refunded to only those candidates whose objection will be accepted as valid. CAT 2025 result will be prepared on the basis of the outcome of answer key objection analysis. 

Also Read:

How Scaled CAT Score will be calculated for three slots

CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 2 answer Key PDF question paper analysis

CAT 2024 Slot 3 answer key PDF question paper analysis

Download previous years' CAT answer key and question papers

Download Here
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to challenge CAT answer key?
A: 
The CAT examination body allows candidates to challenge the official answer key. In case a candidate feels any answer shared by the examination body is incorrect, they can challenge it by filling an objection form which is released on the same day as release of the CAT answer key and candidate response sheet. The candidates can fill the objection form by using their CAT login ID and password. The steps are given below: 1. Visit the official website of CAT exam 2. Click on 'Login' 3. Enter CAT login ID and password to sign in 4. Go to 'Objection' tab 5. Click on plus sign to add an objection 6. Check the question number from the PDF of the question paper 7. Enter relevant details 8. Upload supporting document 9. Pay objection fee through credit/debit card or net banking The objection fee is INR 1,200 per objection. Candidates can raise any number of objections. The CAT answer key objection fee will be refunded to only those candidates whose objections will be accepted. Objections that have been submitted once cannot be edited.
Q:   Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?
A: 

CAT cut-offs are not announced along with the CAT result. The cut-offs are also not released publicly. They are known after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs will open the shortlist window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.

Q:   What is the benefit of CAT answer key and response sheet?
A: 

The main benefit of CAT answer key and response sheet is that through this document, candidates can analyse their performance in the exam. The CAT answer key contains, candidate's response as well as correct answer to every question. This can help them in calculating how much marks they will score out of the total marks. They can use that information to see how much percentile will they score, even before the result has been declared. They can use the estimated CAT score and percentile to take further decisions regarding MBA Admission such as which colleges to shortlist or which other MBA entrance exams to appear for. Taking these decisions is crucial as many colleges close their application window before the CAT result declaration. Candidates can calculate their CAT score with the help of answer key in the following way: For every correct answer in CAT three marks are awarded, which means if the candidate has got 50 answers correct, the score will be 50x3 i. e. 150 marks. For each incorrect answer, one mark is deducted. So, if a candidate has marked 10 questions incorrectly, then -10 marks will be awarded. So, the score of the candidate out of 198 (total marks in CAT will be: 150 - 10, I. e. 140. For CAT score and percentile click here: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-percentile-predictor.

View answer key
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CAT 2025 Result and Scorecard PDF

DeskCalendarResult: Dec ' 25

CAT 2025 scorecard PDF will be available at iimcat.ac.in website about three weeks after the exam. The examination body does not announce CAT result date beforehand but it releases the scorecards by December 20 every year. Candidates will have to download their result by using their login ID and password. Check below the process to download CAT 2025 result:

  • Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
  • Click on 'login' tab
  • Enter CAT application number and password
  • Click on the scorecard section
  • Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2025 scorecard

The CAT score is valid for admission for only 1 year in IIMs and most of the top B Schools. IIMs and top MBA colleges have the option of admission deferement, in which candidates who have cleared the selection round defer their admission by a year. Those who wish to drop a year have to appear for CAT again.

Also Read:

MBA Admission Through CAT Exam Score
IIM selection process and admission includes shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score and Written Ability Test (WAT) /Group Discussion (GD) /Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:
IIM Admission Process
The IIMs release admission criteria and selection process for PGP/MBA prior to the CAT result declaration. The documents contain cutoffs, parameters, process, etc. for MBA admission. Selection procedure through CAT for all the IIMs includes the following:
  • Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
  • Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
  • Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Also Read: 

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Institutes accepting CAT score other than IIMs also conduct GD/WAT-PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. However, there are a few colleges that do not conduct personality assessment round and admit students based on CAT score only. 

Also Read:

Check CAT cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict CAT Admission Calls
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   How are CAT toppers determined?
A: 

CAT toppers are determined on the basis of candidate percentiles. Those whose overall percentiles are 100 and 99.99, they are declared the toppers of CAT exam. To calculate CAT percentiles, raw scores of every CAT candidate is normalized on the same scale and the following formula is applied:

P = (R/N) * 100

where,

P= Percentile score

R= Rank of the candidate arrived at on the basis of scaled CAT score or the total number of test takers ranking below a particular candidate.

N= Number of candidates who appeared in CAT exam (all three sessions)

Q:   What after CAT result declaration?
A: 

After the declaration of CAT results, IIMs and other top MBA colleges start the candidate shortlisting process. The institutes fix CAT cut offs category wise and invite applicants to appear for Written Ability Test, Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI rounds for MBA Admission. In case of IIMs, the institutes release PI shortlist form which the candidates have to fill before a certain deadline. In the PI form, candidates have to mention their personal, academic and professional details along with CAT score. Depending on the application received and the range of CAT scores the institutes the shortlist candidates for What-GD-PI. The What-GD-PI round is conducted by the institutes individually in March and April in online or offline mode. With the result of What-GD-PI and candidates' overall profile, the institutes finalise the list of students for admission. Offer of admission letters to selected candidates are sent via email in May.

Q:   I appeared for CAT exam in the second slot. Will my result be declared on the same day as that of the first slot?
A: 

Yes, the CAT results for all the exam slots are announced on the same day. In 2022, the exam was conducted in three slots. The results of all the three slots were announced on the same day, I. e. December 21, 2022. In CAT 2023 too, the results of all three slots were declared on the same day. The slot name will be mentioned on the CAT scorecard. The link to download the scorecard for all the slots will be same. Candidates will be required to log into their CAT accounts and download the scorecard from student dashboard. The CAT result is declared in the first week of January but for the last two years, it has been declared in December. If the CAT convening IIM for 2024 follows the same trend, then the CAT 2024 result can also be released in December instead of January.

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IIM CAT Cut Offs

CAT cut off for IIM admission is fixed by each institute category wise. While the qualifying CAT cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 90-97 percentile. PI shortlisting is based on final CAT cut offs. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of 21 IIMs:

IIM

CAT cut offs (qualifying)

IIM Ahmedabad

85

IIM Bangalore

85

IIM Calcutta

85

IIM Lucknow

90

IIM Kozhikode

85

IIM Indore

90

IIM Rohtak

95

IIM Visakhapatnam

80

IIM Trichy

92

IIM Udaipur

92

IIM Ranchi

92

IIM Amritsar

85

IIM Shillong

75

IIM Kashipur

92

IIM Sambalpur

92

IIM Jammu

92

IIM Sirmaur

92

IIM Nagpur

85

IIM Raipur

92

IIM Bodhgaya

92

IIM Mumbai

94

*The CAT cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category. For the SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories, the cut CAT cut offs are lower. 

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List of IIMs for MBA/PGP Courses 

CAT scores are accepted by 21 IIMs. These institutions accept CAT score mainly for MBA/PGDM, PhD, FMP and ePGP. You can visit the links in the below table to know admission cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM: 

List of IIMs Accepting CAT Score

1.       IIM Calcutta

2.     IIM Ahmedabad

3.     IIM Bangalore

4.     IIM Lucknow

5.     IIM Kozhikode

6.     IIM Indore

7.     IIM Shillong

8.     IIM Rohtak

9.     IIM Ranchi

10.  IIM Raipur

11.  IIM Udaipur

12.  IIM Nagpur

13.  IIM Tiruchirappalli

14.  IIM Kashipur

15.  IIM Visakhapatnam

16.  IIM Bodh Gaya

17.  IIM Amritsar

18.  IIM Sambalpur

19.  IIM Sirmaur

20.  IIM Jammu

21.  IIM Mumbai

Also Read: MBA colleges accepting CAT score

IIM Fees for MBA – Campus Wise

IIM MBA fees is on the higher side. While highest fee is INR 27 lakh (IIM Calcutta) lowest fee is INR 14 lakh (IIM Mumbai). Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The fee is to be paid in instalments semester wise. First instalment is to be paid at the time of admission. The IIMs provide assistance for financial aids and scholarships to meritorious students. 

IIM campus

PGP/MBA seats (approx.)

*MBA/PGP fees

IIM Ahmedabad

385

INR 24.61 lakh

IIM Bangalore

430

INR 24.50 lakh

IIM Calcutta

210

INR 27.00 Lakh

IIM Lucknow

436

INR 20.70 lakh

IIM Kozhikode

375

INR 20.50 lakh

IIM Raipur

210

INR 16.10 lakh (excluding boarding fees)

IIM Udaipur

260

INR 19.00 lakh

IIM Rohtak

240

INR 17.60 lakh

IIM Visakhapatnam

60

INR 17.58 lakh

IIM Trichy

180

INR 21.00 lakh

IIM Sambalpur

120

INR 13.08 lakh

IIM Ranchi

240

INR 17.50 lakh

IIM Bodhgaya

120

INR 15.50 lakh

IIM Sirmaur

60

INR 15.75 lakh (including fees for international immersion programme)

IIM Jammu

120

INR 17.15 lakh

IIM Amritsar

60

INR 16.00 lakh

IIM Shillong

120

INR 17. 50 lakh

IIM Kashipur

210

INR 17.30 lakh

IIM Nagpur

130

INR 18.00 lakh

IIM Indore

451

INR 21.14 lakh

IIM Mumbai

660

INR 14.00 lakh

 *The fee amount For every IIM mentioned in the table above has been rounded off to the nearest lakh. IIM fees may increase in the new academic session. 

Also Read: IIM fees & scholarships

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score (non-IIMs)

Along with IIMs, about 1,300 more MBA colleges in India accept CAT score for admission. Given below is the list of top MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list also includes IITs that offer MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies. 

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score

1. NIT Trichy DOMS

2.  IIFT Delhi

3. FMS, Delhi University

4.  MDI, Gurgaon

5.  IIT Kanpur-IME

6.  IIT Delhi - DoMs

7.  IIT Kharagpur-VGoSM

8.  Great Lakes Institute of Management

9.  IMI-Kolkata

10. ITM-University

11.  IIITM-Gwalior

12.  Woxsen University, Hyderabad

13.  Asian Business School Noida

14.  SOIL Institute of Management

15.  SPJIMR, Mumbai

16.  IMT, Ghaziabad

17.  IMI, Delhi

18.  IIT Bombay-SJMSOM

19.  IIT Roorkee-DoMs

20.   IIT Dhanbad-ISM

21.   IMT-Nagpur

22.   IPE-Hyderabad

23.  Institute of Management, Nirma University

24.  Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa

25.  New Delhi Institute of Management

26.  KIIT KSOM

27.  JK Business School Gurgaon

Also Read:

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   When is IIM Shortlist released?
A: 

IIM shortlist of top IIMs is released in the first week of January soon after CAT result declaration. All IIMs release their shortlist one by one after that in the same month. By the end of January, all 21 IIMs release their MBA/PGP shortlist. The WAT-PI shortlists for admission is released individually by the institutes but for the CAP participating IIMs. For them, the CAP conducting IIM releases the PI shortlist form and guidelines on behalf of rest of them. 

Q:   Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?
A: 

CAT cut-offs are not announced along with the CAT result. The cut-offs are also not released publicly. They are known after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs will open the shortlist window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.

Q:   How much weightage does CAT score have in IIM shortlist?
A: 

CAT exam score has the weightage of about 40-60 per cent in IIM shortlist. The weightage varies for each IIM but is in the range of 40-60 per cent. Rest of the weightage is divided between academics, gender and work experience. However, in the final shortlist, weightage of CAT score is less than that of WAT-PI. 

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CAT Registration 2025

CAT 2025 registration process is over. Candidates had to apply for the exam by September 20, 2025. Check below CAT 2025 application process:

 Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in

Click on 'new registration'

Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register

Log in with the ID received in registered email to fill the CAT 2025 application form

Enter personal and academic details (academic details, parents details, etc.)

Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature

Select preferred courses and IIMs

Select test city preference from the drop down

Pay CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

Note: Candidates could select up to five cities for allotment of CAT exam centre in the application form. Allotment of CAT test city and centre will be mentioned on the CAT admit card. Check the list of CAT Test Cities Here

CAT Registration Trend Over the Years

Every year, CAT sees the largest number of registrations among all MBA entrance exams in India. In the last 10 years, the number of applicants has increased from under 2 lakh to over 3 lakh. In 2023, CAT recorded the highest ever registration of over 3.30 lakhs out of which about 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The number of students registered for CAT 2024 was also 3 lakh plus. IIM Calcutta received a total of 3.29 lakh applications. For CAT 2025, the number of applicants is expected to have exceeded 3. 20 lakh. Official numbers are awaited. Check below how many students registered for CAT in last 10 years. 

CAT registration numbers 2014-2024

CAT registration numbers 2014-2024

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there any fee charged for CAT form correction?
A: 

No, the candidates do not have to pay any fee for CAT form correction. The facility is provided to candidates free of cost. However, if they have made an error in a field that will not be available for editing during form correction, then they will have to fill a fresh form before the submission deadline and pay the CAT application fee again. So, candidates must review the CAT application form before submitting to check whether they have filled all the information correctly or not. Once submitted, the form will not be editable but of photo, signature and test city.

Q:   What is the CAT application fee?
A: 

The CAT application fee is INR 2,600 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates. For the SC/SCT/PWD candidates, the fee is INR 1,300. Applicants have to pay the fee at the time of form filling. The application form is not accepted without the payment of fees. Candidates must also keep in mind that the CAT application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Thus, candidates must fill their forms carefully as if they make a mistake they will have to fill the application form again and pay the fees again. There is a provision of form correction in CAT but only test centre, photo and signature can be edited in the already submitted form. In case, you, ve made a mistake in any other field, you will have to fill the form again. 

Q:   Which documents are required for filling CAT application form?
A: 

Candidates need the following documents while filling the CAT application form:

  • A recent passport size photo (color against white background)
  • Scanned signature with black pen on white paper
  • Any photo ID card like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport 
  • Class 10 marksheet 
  • Class 12 marksheet 
  • Graduation marksheet 
  • Permanent address proof 
  • Work experience documents Reserved category students need to upload Category Certificate along with the CAT application form. The Certificate is available on the CAT website. Candidates can download, fill it, get it attested by competent authority and upload it as PDF with the CAT application form. 
  • The PwD category students also have to fill the PwD form and Scribe affidavit along with the exam application form. This is necessary for getting scribe facility and PwD facility at the test centre. The CAT application form is same for students from all categories. Those belonging to a particular category (SC/ST/PwD) will be required to mention it in the relevant field of the CAT form.
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CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

CAT is an entrance exam for admission to PG courses, thus the minimum qualification has to be graduation. Read below detailed breakdown of minimum eligibilty critera for CAT exam:

  • Having bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) is mandatory to appear in CAT 2025.
  • Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent or awaiting final result are also eligible to appear for CAT 2025 exam. However, the aggregate of their first and second year marks must meet the minimum score requirement.
  • Candidates who have completed a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with the required percentage can also appear for CAT.
  • The education mode of the bachelor's degree can be regular or distance learning, but should be a 3-year programme and from a UGC recognised institution.
  • Those in final year or awaiting result will be required to submit passing certificate or marksheet to the MBA college by a certain deadline for confirmation of admission. Until then, their admission will remain provisional. 
  • There is no age limit to appear for CAT. Anybody at any phase of their career can appear for CAT as the exam is accepted for EPGP, Doctorate and FPM courses too. 

 Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria 2025

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is there an age limit to appear in CAT exam?
A: 

There is no upper age limit to appear in CAT exam. Any individual can apply for CAT at any phase of their career. Candidates need to have only bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD) candidates. It means the CAT aspirant must be of at least 20 years of age at the time of appearing for the exam.

Q:   What is the age limit to appear for CAT?
A: 

There is no age limit to appear for CAT. The CAT exam is open for fresh graduates as well as working professionals. Since CAT is accepted by over 1300 B-schools across India for their full-time as well as executive MBA or online professional courses, a lot of working professionals appear for the CAT to pursue such courses. CAT score is accepted by Iims for full time MBA, executive MBA and FPM programmes.

Other top MBA colleges in India also shortlist candidates for executive MBA or part-time MBA on the basis of CAT score. The minimum age limit for has to be 20 years as the minimum qualification for CAT exam graduation. Any candidate who has completed Graduation with 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST candidates).

Any candidate in final year of Bachelor's degree course can appear in CAT exam. Any candidate having a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWAI with a minimum of 50 per cent in aggregate.

Q:   What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?
A: 

For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process. 

IIMCAT Contact Information

For queries regarding CAT Registration, Application and Payment Processing, Document uploading please call only on 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free) Monday to Saturday 9:00AM to 6:00PM (excluding National holidays).
Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in

For Academic queries like eligibility, category and PwD certificate , please contact CAT Centre office with contact details as follows. (
Monday to Friday excluding holiday, from 9:30am to 5:30pm
Phone: +91 495 2809219 | +91 495 2809696
Email: cat2025_helpdesk@iimk.ac.in

CAT 2025 CENTRE
C/o Admissions Office
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT KOZHIKODE
IIMK Campus P.O, Kozhikode, Kerala,
PIN - 673 570

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Important FAQs on CAT 2025

Check below some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT exam 2025:

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is waitlist in IIM admission through CAT?
A: 

IIM waitlist means the number students who are kept waiting for the second shortlist. The institutes select a number of students for admission out of which some miss the first list due to a few points. Such students are kept in waitlist incase any candidate from the first list chooses to not appear for WAT-PI. Those who are kept in the waitlist are invited for WAT-PI if there are seats remaining to be filled after WAT-PI round of the first batch of the students. Also read: IIM Waitlist Movement - Meaning and Past Trends

Q:   Do I need to apply to IIM again after being shortlisted for WAT-PI?
A: 

Yes, after being shortlisted for the WAT-PI round, candidates have to fill an online form expressing interest in participating in the WAT-PI round. The admission panel examines all the applications and then shortlist some candidates for WAT-PI round. Selected candidates are informed about date and venue of the WAT-PI round via email. Final selection is based on candidate's performance in WAT-PI and other parameters.

Q:   Can I appear for CAT exam multiple times?
A: 

CAT is an annual exam, thus one can appear for it only once in the same academic year. However, one can appear for it any number of times over several years. There is no cap on number of appearance. There is no age limit either. Many candidates appear for the CAT two-three times to achieve their desired percentile. 

Q:   I am in my final year of graduation and my aggregate of first and second year is less than 50 percent. Can I apply for CAT?
A: 

Yes, you can apply for CAT 2025, but you will have to ensure you score as much in the final year so that the overall aggregate in graduation is at least 50 per cent. So, your performance in the final year of graduation will be crucial and play a decisive role in your selection to an MBA college. 

Q:   What is the syllabus for CAT exam?
A: 

CAT syllabus includes all the important topics of subjects that are relevant for business aptitude. For CAT exam, candidates have to study, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Given below are the key topics included in the CAT syllabus.

  • VARC topics:  Parajumbles, Paracompletion, Parasummary, Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. 
  • Quantitative Aptitude topics: Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra Trigonometry Modern Math, Number System and Mensuration.
  • DILR topics: Puzzles, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Tables and Bar Graphs, etc.
Q:   What if I do not make it to IIM shortlist? Do I still stand a chance to get admission?
A: 

No, the students who don't make it to the IIM shortlist of a particular year, they will not be considered for admission. Such candidates can appear for CAT again the next year and try for admission. If a candidate doesn't make it to the first shortlist, they can wait for the second shortlist to release in which they might be selected.

Q:   What is IIM Shortlist?
A: 

IIM shortlist can be defined as the list of CAT test takers who make it to the second phase of IIM admission process, which is Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The IIM shortlist is the list of candidates who are eligible to participate in the WAT-PI rounds of IIMs for MBA admission.

Q:   What is the full form of CAT?
A: 

CAT exam full form is Common Admission Test. It is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIMs. The CAT score is accepted by the IIMs for MBA, PGP, Executive MBA, FPM and Ph.D admissions. The Common Admission Test or CAT is the most recognised entrance test for MBA admission in India. Apart from the IIMs, over 1300 MBA colleges in India select candidates on the basis of their performance in CAT. The exam is conducted annually on the last Sunday of November. The exam is conducted in over 150 cities across India. The CAT 2025 will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025.

Q:   I have a Bachelor's degree in Arts degree. Am I eligible for CAT exam?
A: 

Yes, you are eligible. Candidates with bachelor's degree in any subject is eligible for CAT exam. However, the degree must be from a UGU recognised university and the candidate must meet the minimum aggregate score criteria for CAT, which is 50 per cent for General category and 45 per cent for SC/ST category students. 

Q:   Can I fill the CAT application form offline?
A: 

No, the CAT application form can only be filled out online on the official website iimcat.ac.in. There is no option to submit the CAT form in offline mode. Candidates will have to create an account on the CAT website once the registrations begin and fill out the CAT form through that candidate account. Candidates must also note that no other website hosts the CAT form other than iimcat.ac.in 

There is no provision of paying CAT fees in cash, challan or Demand Draft either. The CAT registration fee can be paid online only through Internet banking, credit/debit cards or mobile wallets only. The payment window will be available in the candidate dashboard as part of the CAT application form. Candidates have to simply follow the instructions to pay the fee. Candidates must note that fee payment is mandatory for CAT form filling. Until the fee is paid successfully, the form will not be accepted. Thus, candidates must check the fee payment acknowledgement slip after making the payment.

Q:   Which IIM has the highest cut off for MBA admission 2025?
A: 

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta have the highest CAT cut off. Every year, the cut off percentiles of these three top IIMs hover around 99-100 percentile. even though the qualifying CAT cut off is lower at 80 or 85 percentile, the final cut offs are the highest among all MBA institutes in India. For, reserved category students the final CAT cut offs of these IIMs are a few percentiles lower. 

Q:   What is IIM CAP process?
A: 
IIM CAP is a common selection process for newer Iims. Under the CAP candidates eligible for admission to the nine new Iims - IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur are shortlisted for What-PI round by a single IIM, the one who is given the responsibility to conduct the CAP round in a particular academic year. CAT cut offs, admission parameters and their weightage are same for all CAP Iims. The participating Iims send the list of candidates shortlisted by them for the What-PI process to the institute conducting CAP. The CAP conducting IIM conducts the What-PI round for all the participating Iims. The IIM CAP conducting institute then share the What-PI scores and results of the candidates with the participating institutes. Those institutes then prepare the final shortlist for admission. Those who are selected for admission are informed by the Iims via email. The offer of admission is sent to selected candidates which they have to accept within the given time limit. For more details of IIM CAP, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/what-is-iim-cap-know-admission-process-selection-criteria-and-participating-institutes-blogId-51225.
Q:   I have completed my bachelor’s degree, but have a backlog. Can I apply for CAT 2025?
A: 

Yes, you are eligible to apply for CAT provided your aggregate is 50 per cent in the first and second year of bachelor's degree programme. The aggregate marks are to be filled in the CAT 2025 application form and only those forms will be accepted that meet the minimum academic requirement fixed by the examination authorities.

Q:   How is IIM shortlist prepared by the institutes?
A: 

IIM shortlist is prepared on the basis of CAT cut off, class 10 score, class 12 score, graduation score, work experience (if any). To encourage diversity in the classroom the IIMs award extra points to female and transgender candidates at the time of shortlisting as well as final selection.

Q:   From where can I download CAT result?
A: 

CAT result is announced at the iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates who appear for the test can download their scorecards from the official website by using their login credentials. The CAT result download link is made live about 20 days after the exam. Candidates can download their scorecards by using their login credentials.

Given below is the process to follow for downloading the CAT result.

  • Visit the official website of CAT exam
  • Click on CAT scorecard download
  • Enter your CAT ID and password 
  • Click on the scorecard tab
  • Download the CAT result PDF 

Process to check the CAT result on smart phone:

  • Open a web browser on the mobile phone
  • Type the url of CAT exam: iimcat.ac.in
  • Click on CAT scorecard tab 
  • Enter your CAT application number and password
  • Click on the scorecard tab to open the document
Q:   What is the difference between CAT preliminary answer key and final answer key?
A: 
The preliminary answer key is the one released after the exam and the final answer is the one released after all the objections raised by candidates have been examined and accepted. The final CAT answer key is released along with the result. It is the final CAT answer key on the basis of which the CAT result is prepared. Which means, score of a candidate is based on the calculation of number of correct, incorrect and unanswered questions after all the objections have been examined. The preliminary CAT answer key is released with candidate's response sheet and there is option to challenge it. However, the final answer key is released only as question ID and correct answer option and there is no provision of challenging it. In CAT 2022, objection on two DILR questions raised by candidates was accepted and the question was dropped from final score calculation as it was found to be erroneous.
Q:   Are CAT eligibility criteria and MBA eligibility criteria different?
A: 

No, CAT eligibility criteria and MBA eligibility criteria are same i.e. graduation. However, the minimum marks criteria may vary from institute to institute. Also, in case of stream specific MBA courses such as MBA in Pharma or MBA in Agri-Management etc., the requirement is graduation in specific subject. 

Q:   What is the CAT exam duration? Can I change my exam slot?
A: 

The CAT exam is held for 2 hours. There are three slots of CAT exam. Every slot will have 40 minutes of sectional time limit. Which means candidates will have to finish solving each of the three sections of CAT question paper within 40 minutes. Candidates must take care of saving their answers at every step as the moment 40 minutes will get over, the screen will automatically move to the next section. PwD candidates will get 53 minutes for each section. The exam slot allotted by the exam authorities cannot be changed. There is no provision to apply for the same. Candidates will have to appear for the exam in the allotted slot only. CAT exam timings: Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, reporting time: 7:00 AM, Last entry allowed: 8:15 AM Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, reporting time: 11:00 AM, Last entry allowed: 12:15 PM Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, reporting time: 3:00 PM, Last entry allowed: 4:15 PM.

Q:   Can I show digital copy of the CAT admit card at the exam centre?
A: 

The digital copy of the CAT 2025 admit card will not be accepted at the test centres as a valid document, thus you cannot show it, to gain entry. As per the official guidelines, only the colour print out of the admit card on A4 size sheet will be accepted as valid. Candidates must also affix a passport size photo, preferably the same as uploaded in the CAT application form.  

The examination authority does not accept digital admit card as valid document as it is to be signed and stamped by the test centre staff for proof of candidate’s attendance. One copy of the CAT admit card of every candidate is also retained by the authorities, thus the need for the print out.

Q:   Does every CAT accepting college conduct GD/PI?
A: 

Yes, the CAT accepting MBA colleges conduct either GD/PI or WAT/PI. Since MBA is a professional course about business and team management, personality assessment round is essential to ensure that the aspirant has the flair for management which can be polished during the programme. Communication skills, problem solving ability, management and leadership are essential qualities for MBA thus, every B-School conducts GD/PI or WAT/PI.

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CAT Exam

Student Forum

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Answered a week ago

With a 300 SC category rank in CAT, your chances for NIT Trichy MBA are relatively high. Based on 2025 data, NIT Trichy generally shortlists SC candidates with CAT percentiles around 60-65. To achieve a 300 rank under SC category, you would need about a 65-70 percentile, or a score of roughly 60-65

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

PGCET and CAT serve distinct purposes. The PGCET is primarily conducted for MBA admissions in colleges in the state of Karnataka, specifically for government colleges and private universities with lower fees. CAT is a national level exam for top-ranking B-schools and colleges such as the IIMs that h

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

That's a wonderful goal to push your son toward right at the start. To obtain previous CAT model papers, you can check many available popular exam preparation books in any bookstore or online store. Coaching interest such as TIME, IMS, Career Launcher, etc., usually have mock tests and sample papers

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ABHINAV SRIVASTAVA

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, you can get admission to Jaypee Business School (JBS), Noida for MBA even if you don't have CAT. JBS accepts scores from several other exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, ATMA, and also CUET-PG. Just make sure you have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks, then apply with any of those va

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Vivek Kumar Yadav

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, admissions are possible in ABS without CAT. The other accepted entrance exams are MAT,  ATMA,  XAT,  CMAT, and others. The mode of Asian Business School course admissions is online. Admission to various courses is based on merit and entrance exam scores. The accepted entrance exams are MAT, XAT

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Ishita B

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

For candidates pursuing MBA, the eligibility criteria includes merit and entrance based selection. Whereas, for BBA, candidates must qualify Class 12 with a minimum aggregate. JIIT CDOE MBA on the other hand, is offered based on the minimum aggregate of graduation.  However, for the final admission,

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Manisha Shukla

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, students can get MBA admission into Galgotia University without CAT. The university accepts other national entrance exams for MBA programme. The university accepts entrance exams such as MAT, CMAT, XAT, SAT, and other. It is mandatory to qualify one of the entrance exams. 

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Kartik Shekhar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, students can get admission in Greater Noida Institute of Technology without CAT. CAT is one of the accepted entrance exams at Greater Noida Institute of Technology. The other accepted entrance exams are MAT, NMAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. If a student's CAT score is not good, worry not other acce

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Aishwarya Bhatnagar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi offers various programmes and specilisations across various streams. For obtaining IIFT Delhi admission, candidates are required to appear for the prescribed entrance tests. Students can visit the official website of the IIFT Delhi to learn more regarding the

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Upasana Kumari

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, candidates can not get into Management Development Institute, Gurgaon without CAT as the college offers admissions to students on the basis of their entrance exam scores. The college accepts various national level exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, etc. for admission to its PGDM programmes, foll

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Abhishek Dhyani

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