CAT Exam Details 2025: Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, and Fees
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s premier entrance exam for admission to top management institutes, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B-schools. Conducted annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis, CAT 2025 will be administered by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025, as per the official notification released on July 27, 2025. This comprehensive guide provides updated details on CAT 2025, including exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, pattern, fees, and preparation tips, based on the latest official information.
-Team TestFunda
CAT 2025 Exam Overview
CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) designed to evaluate candidates’ aptitude for management education. It assesses skills in Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Highly competitive, CAT attracts over 3 lakh candidates annually for approximately 5,000 seats across 21 IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon.
Key Highlights of CAT 2025
- Conducting Body: IIM Kozhikode
- Exam Date: November 30, 2025
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Sessions: Three slots (morning, afternoon, evening)
- Application Mode: Online via the official website, iimcat.ac.in
- Purpose: Admission to MBA/PGDM programs at IIMs and over 1,300 B-schools in India
CAT 2025 Important Dates
The official CAT 2025 notification was released on July 27, 2025. Below is the confirmed schedule:
- Notification Release: July 27, 2025
- Registration Start: August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM)
- Registration Deadline: September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM)
- Correction Window: Last week of September 2025 (tentative, for photo, signature, and test city changes)
- Admit Card Release: November 5, 2025 to November 30, 2025
- Mock Test Link Activation: Early November 2025 (tentative)
- Exam Date: November 30, 2025
- Response Sheet and Answer Key Release: December 8–10, 2025 (tentative)
- Result Announcement: Third week of December 2025 (tentative, likely December 19–21)
Candidates should regularly check iimcat.ac.in for updates, as minor changes may occur.
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for CAT 2025 are consistent with previous years:
- Educational Qualification:
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Final-year students or those awaiting results are eligible, provided they meet the percentage requirement upon degree completion.
- Candidates with professional degrees (CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI) with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) are also eligible.
- Age Limit: No upper age limit.
- Work Experience: Not mandatory but considered by some IIMs during selection.
Reservation Policy
- 15% seats for Scheduled Caste (SC)
- 7.5% seats for Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- 27% seats for Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)
- 10% seats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- 5% seats for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Valid certificates for reserved categories must be provided during registration.
CAT 2025 Registration Process
The registration process is entirely online via iimcat.ac.in. Steps include:
- Visit the Official Website: Access iimcat.ac.in and click “Register” under the CAT 2025 section.
- Create a User Profile: Enter name, date of birth, email, and mobile number to generate login credentials.
- Fill the Application Form:
- Provide personal details, academic qualifications, and work experience (if any).
- Select up to five preferred test cities.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
- Pay the Application Fee:
- General/NC-OBC/EWS: ₹2,600
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,300
- Payment modes: Credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit and Download: Review, submit, and download the confirmation receipt.
Note: Fees are non-refundable. Candidates must maintain a valid email and mobile number throughout the process. A correction window in late September 2025 allows changes to photo, signature, and test city preferences.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2025 exam pattern is expected to align with CAT 2024, with 68 questions across three sections:
- Total Questions: 68
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
- Sections and Question Distribution:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions (72 marks)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 22 questions (66 marks)
- Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 questions (66 marks)
- Question Types:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): 70–75%, with four options.
- Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) Questions: 25–30%, requiring typed answers.
- Marking Scheme:
- +3 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ answer.
- No negative marking for TITA or unattempted questions.
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section, with no switching allowed.
The exam is conducted in three slots across approximately 375 test centers in 170 cities, with normalized scores to ensure fairness.
CAT 2025 Syllabus
The CAT syllabus is derived from past trends, covering three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Reading Comprehension: 4–5 passages (500–700 words) on topics like economics, science, history, or literature, testing inference, main ideas, tone, and vocabulary.
- Verbal Ability: Para-jumbles, para-summary, odd sentence out, sentence completion, and error correction.
- Key Skills: Reading speed, comprehension, vocabulary, and logical structuring.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Data Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, and caselets; calculations involving percentages, ratios, and averages.
- Logical Reasoning: Arrangements (linear, circular, tabular), puzzles, blood relations, coding-decoding, and syllogisms.
- Key Skills: Data analysis, pattern recognition, and logical deduction.
- Quantitative Ability (QA):
- Arithmetic: Percentages, profit and loss, time and work, speed and distance, ratios, and averages.
- Algebra: Linear/quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, and progressions.
- Geometry: Lines, angles, triangles, circles, and coordinate geometry.
- Number System: Divisibility, LCM, HCF, and prime numbers.
- Modern Math: Permutations, combinations, probability, set theory, and logarithms.
- Key Skills: Numerical problem-solving, formula application, and time management.
Focus on high-weightage topics like arithmetic (12–15 questions in QA) and RC passages (16–18 questions in VARC).
CAT 2025 Application Fee
The confirmed application fees for CAT 2025 are:
- General/NC-OBC/EWS: ₹2,600
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,300
Fees are paid online during registration and cover the exam and response sheet access. Candidates should verify the amount on iimcat.ac.in during registration.
CAT 2025 Selection Process
The selection process involves three stages:
- CAT Exam: Candidates must achieve qualifying percentiles (overall and sectional) to be shortlisted.
- Shortlisting for WAT/GD/PI:
- IIMs set cutoffs (typically 90–99 for General, lower for reserved categories).
- Shortlisted candidates attend Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and/or Personal Interview (PI). Some IIMs conduct only WAT and PI.
- Final Selection:
- Composite score based on CAT score (40–50% weightage), WAT/GD/PI performance, academic record, work experience, and diversity factors.
- Each IIM publishes its own criteria on its website. Non-IIM B-schools may include additional tests (e.g., XAT, GMAT).
CAT 2025 Expected Cutoffs
Based on past trends, expected sectional and overall percentiles are:
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
| General | 70–75 | 70–75 | 70–75 | 95–99 |
| NC-OBC/EWS | 65–70 | 65–70 | 65–70 | 85–90 |
| SC | 60–65 | 60–65 | 60–65 | 75–80 |
| ST/PwD | 50–55 | 50–55 | 50–55 | 65–70 |
Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) typically require 98–99+ percentiles for General category candidates, while newer IIMs accept 90–95 percentiles. Non-IIMs like FMS Delhi may require 95–97 percentiles.
CAT 2025 Preparation Tips
To excel in CAT 2025, follow these expert-recommended strategies:
- Understand Syllabus and Pattern: Study the structure and focus on high-weightage topics using previous papers and mock tests.
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate 3–4 hours daily for 6–8 months, or 6–8 hours for 3–4 months if starting late. Emphasize weaker areas.
- Practice with Mock Tests: Take 20–30 full-length mocks to simulate exam conditions. Analyze performance to improve accuracy and speed.
- Strengthen Fundamentals:
- QA: Master arithmetic and algebra; learn shortcuts for calculations.
- VARC: Read diverse articles (e.g., The Hindu, Aeon, Smithsonian, NY Times) to enhance comprehension and vocabulary.
- DILR: Practice puzzles and data sets from past papers.
- Time Management: Aim to solve questions within 1–2 minutes. Prioritize easier questions to maximize scores.
- Stay Updated: Monitor iimcat.ac.in for notifications and free resources like study material and video solutions.
New Developments for CAT 2025
- Increased Test Centers: CAT 2025 will be conducted in approximately 375 test centers across 170 cities, enhancing accessibility.
- Digital Initiatives: IIMs may enhance the online mock test portal with realistic simulations, continuing trends from previous years.
- Focus on Diversity: IIMs emphasize gender and academic diversity, potentially giving weightage to non-engineering backgrounds and female candidates.
Why Take CAT 2025?
CAT 2025 offers access to:
- Top IIMs: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and others with average placements of ₹20–35 LPA.
- Non-IIM B-Schools: SPJIMR, FMS, and MDI provide excellent ROI and career opportunities.
- Career Growth: Enhances leadership, networking, and prospects in consulting, finance, marketing, and more.
- Entrepreneurial Opportunities: IIMs offer incubation centers and networks for startups.
Resources for CAT 2025 Preparation
Official Website: iimcat.ac.in for notifications, registration, and mock tests.
Mock Tests: Available on iimcat.ac.in and TestFunda
Study Material: Free PDFs, video solutions, and previous papers from coaching platforms.
Conclusion
CAT 2025, scheduled for November 30, 2025, and conducted by IIM Kozhikode, is a pivotal opportunity for MBA aspirants. With a clear understanding of the exam pattern, syllabus, and strategic preparation, candidates can maximize their scores. Start early, practice consistently, and leverage resources like mock tests and expert guidance. Stay updated via iimcat.ac.in for official announcements. Begin your MBA journey today and aim for the top!
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not professional advice. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the content. Verify all details with official sources like iimcat.ac.in. The blog authors and publishers are not liable for any losses or damages arising from its use. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IIMs or CAT authorities.
