CAT Exam Date 2025 (Nov 30): Check Registration, Admit Card, Exam, Result and Other Dates

Usually, it is recommended to start CAT preparation about a year or nine months in advance. However, one can prepare for this exam even in six months if they put 8-10 hours daily into it. Candidates who have attempted the CAT before may not face a lot of hurdles in six-month preparation as they have a foundation in CAT preparation from previous year, but candidates who are appearing in the exam for the first time may face obstacles, mostly related to accuracy. The syllabus of CAT is vast and includes a lot of reading.

One also has to spend a lot of time in practice sessions and mock tests to be able to master all types of CAT questions - easy, moderate and tough. If you are a student of engineering/technical or commerce background you will need to pay extra attention on VARC . 

However, you'll be able to manage the syllabus of DILR and Quantitative Aptitude with adequate practice of topics. But if you are a student from Arts background, it is advised to start CAT preparation much earlier because you will have to brush up a lot of Mathematics. Reading Comprehension is one subject that cannot be mastered by student belonging to any academic stream, if their English comprehension is not strong. To develop reading habit all CAT aspirants will have to start much earlier.

CAT 2025 syllabus will be announced along with the exam schedule in July 2025. The CAT 2025 conducting IIM will release the exam notification carrying application dates, exam dates, eligibility criteria, fees, courses and CAT syllabus. The syllabus for CAT 2025 will include all the important topics of Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.

IIM selection criteria for all the 21 campuses is same and includes selection of candidates through three stages. CAT score Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview (PI) Academic record, work experience Academic and gender diversity CAT exam score is the first parameter on which candidates are shortlisted for admission. In the first state of IIM admission, the institutes shortlist candidates for WAT, GD and PI on the basis of their CAT score and class 10, 12 and graduation marks. The cut offs for shortlisting of candidates is between 95-100 percentile (for SC/ST/PwD candidates the cut offs are lower). These shortlisted candidates have to then appear for What, GD and PI round. Those who clear this round are considered for final admission. For the final selection, every IIMs takes into consideration the following aspects: CAT score What, GD and PI performance Class 10 and 12 marks Graduation marks Work experience Academic diversity Gender diversity.

CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 Lacs candidates apply for it. The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 2.3 Lacs test takers there is a need for tough criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam expect XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.

The CAT 2025 exam pattern is expected to be the same as last year. No change is expected, as a minor change was already brought about in CAT 2025 (an increase in the number of DILR questions from 20 to 22). Thus, the CAT exam pattern for 2025 is expected to be:

• VARC: 24 questions, 40 minutes
• DILR: 22 questions, 40 minutes
• QA: 22 questions, 40 minutes  

Every question will carry 3 marks, and there will be a negative marking of -1 for incorrect attempts.

CAT is a computer based test which is conducted in three shifts. The CAT is conducted for two hours in which candidates have to solve 68 questions.

These 68 questions are divided into three sections Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The VARC section has 24 questions, the DILR section has 28 questions and QA section has 22 question. Each question carries 3 marks for correct entry and -1 for incorrect entry. There is no negative marking for unanswered question. A unique aspect of CAT is the sectional time limit. Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes (53.20 minutes for PwD candidates).

Candidates have to complete the section within the time limit as the moment the onscreen timer shows 0 minutes left, the screen will automatically move to the next section. There is no option to go back to older questions. Also, candidates have to follow the question paper chronology. They have to first solve the VARC section, then the DILR section and then the QA section.

It is unlikely you will receive a call from IMI Kolkata with a 79.40 percentile in CAT. While the overall cut-off for IIMs can vary, most new IIMs, including IMI Kolkata, typically require a minimum of 85 percentile in CAT. 

 

Elaboration:

IIM Cutoffs:

For older IIMs, general category candidates usually need a percentile above 98% to receive a call. Other IIMs might have cutoffs ranging from 94% to 97%. 

IIM Calcutta:

IIM Calcutta specifically requires a minimum of 85 percentile in CAT overall. 

Other Factors:

While a strong CAT score is crucial, IIMs also consider academic profiles, work experience, and other factors in their selection process. 

IMI Kolkata:

IMI Kolkata, like other new IIMs, generally requires a higher CAT percentile to get a call. 

Your Score:

With a 79.40 percentile, you are unlikely to meet the minimum requirement for IMI Kolkata. 

VIT Vellore CAT cutoff 2024 was concluded for admission to MBA course. The closing percentile for MBA among the General AI category candidates was 95. Therefore, at 90 percentile, it is not possible to get admission at the college. In 2023, the CAT cutoff percentile was 95. Therefore, the cutoff has remained constant since the last year. 

 

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

The official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) provides two official CAT mock tests for free. To access these mock tests, you need to follow these steps: 1. Go to the official CAT website iimcat. AC. In 2. Click on the "Registered Candidate Login" button. 3. Enter your CAT login credentials (User ID and Password) and click on the "Login" button. 4. Click on the "Mock Test" button on the left-hand side of the screen. 5. You will be directed to the page with the links to the official CAT mock tests. 6. Click on the "Mock Test 1" or "Mock Test 2" link to start the test. The official CAT mock tests provide a real exam-like experience and are a great way to assess your preparation level. They also help you get familiar with the exam pattern and test-taking interface. It is recommended that you take these mock tests to get an idea of what to expect on the exam day and identify areas where you need to improve.

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.

Yes, you should not worry about your CGPA at graduation to prepare for the CAT exam. A CGPA of 6.5 is not bad, but it is average enough to get you an admissions call from IIM. It doesn't matter what your CGPA is if you score highly on the CAT exam and perform well in the personal interview round because you can enroll in the best IIMs. You need not be concerned about your CGPA because most management colleges also consider 6.5 CGPA for admission. You have to create a good study plan so that you do well in the CAT exam. Additionally, you can make up for your undergraduate CGPA by performing well in group discussions and the Personal Interview round. These are conducted by IIMs after the CAT results are released.

Yes, for candidates desireous of taking admission to MBA programme of TISS Mumbai must appear for CAT exam. TISS Mumbai MBA admission 2026 will be conducted through CAT 2025 scores. Candidates seeking admission to academic year 2026-27 must appear for CAT 2025 on gievn date and time and apply for TISS MBA Mumbai admission 2026 at appln.tiss.edu. Only candidates who will register for TISS MBA admission 2026 will be considered for shortlisting through CAT scores.

To get admission to UBS Chandigarh, you must attain the neccessary percentile as per the cutoff list. UBS Chandigarh CAT cutoff 2024 was concluded. The cutoff was released for different categories belonging to the All India quota. The overall last round closing rank for MBA in Human Resource Management for the General AI category was 85. For other reerved categories belonging to the All India quota, the cutoff percentile was 85 for admission to MBA in HRM. 

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-9 pandemic appropriate behaviour had to be followed at public places and gatherings, the examination authorities increased the number of exam slots to ensure a limited number of candidates can be accommodated at any exam centre in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with gap. Since then, 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 - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

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.

Yes, you should not worry about your CGPA at graduation to prepare for the CAT exam. A CGPA of 6.5 is not bad, but it is average enough to get you an admissions call from IIM. It doesn't matter what your CGPA is if you score highly on the CAT exam and perform well in the personal interview round because you can enroll in the best IIMs. You need not be concerned about your CGPA because most management colleges also consider 6.5 CGPA for admission. You have to create a good study plan so that you do well in the CAT exam. Additionally, you can make up for your undergraduate CGPA by performing well in group discussions and the Personal Interview round. These are conducted by IIMs after the CAT results are released.

Yes, candidates can fill out the CAT application form on one day and pay the fee on another day, as it is not mandatory to register for the CAT exam, fill out the application form, or pay the fee in one go. The registration and application window will remain open for candidates who have registered for the exam and created an ID until the last date of form submission. The applicant can log in and check/fill/edit the CAT application form anytime during the form-filling period. Only the phone number and email ID will not be editable once registration is complete. However, candidates need to submit the CAT form and application fee before the deadline to be eligible to appear for the exam. The CAT application form will not be submitted until the fee payment is completed. The fee can be paid via debit card, credit card, net banking, and UPI wallet.

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