What to do after CAT Result 2025? Shortlist MBA colleges, Prepare for GD/PI

What after CAT result 2025? Once the CAT result is announced, MBA aspirants start evaluating their admission chances. So, what are the aspects to keep in mind for it? Read below for the answer.

CAT 2025 exam was held on November 30 and the result has been released today. With the announcement of CAT 2025 result, candidates must now assess their chance of getting the preferred college with the scores received. The most common question is, 'will I get an IIM or not?' Though every CAT aspirant hopes of scoring 99 percentile and above, the bitter truth is that only a handful of them achieve that score. Then, what after CAT result? The wise thing is to keep other options open, even if you’ve performed brilliantly in the exam. So, the next step after CAT 2025 result is to appear for other MBA entrance exams. We advise candidates to appear for other MBA entrance exams because IIM admission is based on many other factors. Even if you have a score of 99 per centile, you may not get through the top IIMs. 

Latest: CAT 2025 result out @iimcat.ac.in - live updates

CAT toppers 2025: Names, percentiles and scores

Appear for other MBA entrance exams

CAT exam is followed by exam like SNAP, XAT, CMAT and MAT. But to be able to appear for these exams, you need to register beforehand. The registration cycle of these exams are same as CAT, so fill the application forms of these exams too. After CAT result declaration you will still have the chance to ace XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, MAH-CET, TANCET, TSICET and other state level entrance exams held between January and March.

Take a look at colleges accepting other MBA entrance exams:

 What after CAT result 2025?

After the CAT 2025 result is declared, deciding the next step becomes challenging and confusing for candidates who excel in the exam as well as those do not perform up to expectations. Some decide to start looking for a job or pursue another course, while some decide to give CAT exam another shot. The decision taken at this point of time, must be individual choice and a cautious one.

On the other hand, for those who perform well in CAT exam, the next challenge is clearing the written ability test (WAT) group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) round of MBA admission process. All the top MBA colleges in India, conduct WAT/GD-PI for admissions. Just like the entrance exam, this round is also not a cake walk. Given the number of aspirants applying to B-schools every year, the institutes take extra care in choosing best of the best. Shiksha brings to you a list of actionables after CAT 2025 result.

Also Read: Got a low CAT Score? Don't fret, you can still get admission in a good B-school

IIM & Non-IIM Call Predictor

Apply for Admission to B-schools

Even before the CAT result is announced, many B-schools begin application process of MBA admissions. So assess your performance (use Shiksha’s CAT percentile predictor) in CAT, check the cut off percentile of B-schools, make a list of institutes you want to target for admission, check out their application process, fees and schedule and apply.

If one gets selected in any of the IIMs, there can certainly nothing better than that, but what if this does not happen? The next step would be to look for a top B-school other than IIM. While looking for a college, a candidate must keep in mind numerous parameters like ranking, alumni, placement record, faculty, return on investment and environment. 

Check: Shiksha’s IIM and non-IIM call predictor

For IIMs, you don’t need to apply separately. When you fill the CAT application form, you get the option to select the institutes you want to apply at.

Also Read: IIM admission and selection criteria

Top MBA colleges in India: Admission Process

Refer to the table below for admission process of some of the top ranked MBA institutes:

Also Read:

• MBA from IITs: Know courses, fees, eligibility, cut offs, selection process, placements
• MBA Admissions 2026: Check application deadline and selection criteria of Top B-schools 

Course/ specialisation selection: Along with college selection, it is also important to focus on selection of course/ specialization. Many candidates choose a college first, and then select their MBA specialisation, whereas, some candidates search for colleges on the basis of specialization they want to pursue. Both approaches are right. Be clear about what you are looking for. Start weighing your options well in advance, so that there is no confusion at a later stage. 

Also Read:

• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 85 Percentile and Above
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 80-90 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 70-80 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 60-70 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 50-60 Percentile Range

Prepare for WAT/GD-PI

WAT/GD-PI is the second phase of MBA admission. Once the CAT result is declared, the IIMs release their cut off for shortlisting of candidates for this round. The WAT/GD-PI round takes place in February-March. Other MBA institutes also conduct this round in the same months. Thus, after CAT exam you roughly have two months to prepare for this round. To stand a better chance of successfully clearing the GD-PI, candidates can do the following:

1. Join a GD/PI workshop: No matter how good you think you are, you will never know what it is to face a large audience without attending a GD/PI workshop. Before joining a workshop ensure that there are huge number of participants in the same – this will give you the confidence to face a large audience. 
2. Focus on case-based as well as topic-based GDs: B-schools are gradually adopting case based teaching methodology – keeping in mind the same, they are moving towards case-based WAT and GDs. However, to test the candidate’s general knowledge to the maximum, some B-schools go for topic-based GDs. The ideal approach is to prepare for both. 
3. Seek the guidance of seniors/ mentors: Your mentors and seniors would have certainly faced a GD-PI, and their guidance can be of good help. Also, they might provide you some tips and tricks that you will not find in books or on internet, so make the most of this.\
4. Prepare for a specialisation (if holding 4+years of work experience): Professionals holding an experience of about four years or more might be quizzed on the specialisation they want to opt for – being prepared for the same in advance is extremely important.
5. Keep in mind the specific format for each call: Every B-school has a distinct GD-PI procedure and criteria for giving out calls. It is extremely important to know about the format for each call, else you might reach unprepared for the same and might miss out on your chance of getting an enrolment in a top B-school.

Also Read:

• Tips to appear for virtual GD/PI
• Personal Interviews: 5 Situations That May Stump You
• How to Handle Surprise Topics in GDs
• 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2025 (MBA)
• 13 Must Do Things to Crack GD-PI-WAT
• Dos & Don’ts of Group Discussion
• Understand the GD, Interview and WAT process for MBA admissions

Plan B

Life is not always a bed of roses – your CAT attempt might or might not be successful. If you make it to one of the IIMs or your preferred B-School, congratulations for achieving what you had been aiming for, but if things do not fall in place you must always be ready with plan B. Consider the following in case you do not clear CAT exam are:

• Will you apply for a job?
• Will you appear for CAT 2026?
• If you plan to appear for CAT 2026, will you prepare for it full-time or do it while working on a job?

Read More:

• CAT Exam Preparation Tips
• List of CAT books recommended by MBA experts
• What is the best time to start CAT preparation? Experts speak
• How to Prepare for CAT: Ultimate tips from experts
• How to Prepare for CAT exam in 6 months
• How to Prepare for CAT Without Quitting Your Job
• Advantage of Appearing in CAT While Pursuing Final Year Graduation