The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted for admission into prestigious management programs offered by the IIM and other top B-schools across India. Over 2 lakh candidates appear in the CAT exam annually. The official CAT Exam 2025 date will be announced in the coming months. It is likely to be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2025 across various test centres in the country. Aspirants must check the exam requirements and start preparing early to excel. The CAT registration process is expected to begin in August 2025, following the pattern of previous years. Candidates must confirm their eligibility and submit the application form online to appear for the test. Read on to get complete details on the CAT 2025 exam date, registration, syllabus, pattern, and much more on this page.
What is the CAT Exam 2025?
CAT full form is Common Admission Test. It is a computer-based management aptitude test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) at the national level every year. It is a prerequisite for admission to MBA and other postgraduate programs offered by IIMs and other top B-schools in the country. The CAT exam is typically conducted in three sessions and comprises sections like Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). It is a popular yet competitive entrance exam with a huge number of participants every year. Last year, 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT 2024 exam out of 3.29 lakh registered eligible candidates.
CAT Exam 2025 Highlights
Any graduate with the minimum required marks can apply for the CAT Exam 2025. Eligible candidates must stay updated with all the aspects of this entrance exam to avoid any confusion later on. The CAT 2025 notification is expected to be released in July 2025, and the application window will open in August 2025, tentatively. Here are the key highlights of the CAT exam for the ease of the candidates.
CAT Exam 2025 Overview
| Exam Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA and other PG programs in IIM and other B.Schools. |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Total Registrations (2024) | 3.29 lakh |
| Total Test-takers (2024) | 2.93 lakh |
| CAT Syllabus | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| CAT Exam Pattern | Online Exam, 68 Questions |
| CAT Exam Centres | 170 cities |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2025 Exam Date
The official CAT exam date 2025 will be announced soon by the authorities. However, the exam will be conducted in November 2025 in various exam centres across the country. The official CAT notification PDF comprises all details about the exam date, registration, and other related information. Aspirants must keep a tab on important dates to avoid missing any deadlines. Given below is the complete schedule of the CAT 2025 exam for candidates’ reference.
CAT 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT Notification 2025 Release Date | Last Week of July 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration Date | August, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration Last Date | September, 2025 |
| CAT Admit Card 2025 | November, 2025 |
| CAT Exam Date 2025 | November, 2025 |
| CAT Result 2025 | January 2025 |
Programs Offered Through CAT at IIMs
The admission to various courses like full-time MBA, PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, etc at IIM depends on CAT scores and other selection rounds. Aspirants should review the course list and apply based on their career goals. Given below are the courses offered by the IIMs through CAT:
| Institute | Programmes |
| IIM Ahmedabad | PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics) |
| IIM Amritsar | MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA, M.Sc. in Data Science (MSDSM) |
| IIM Bangalore | PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | MBA, MBA (Digital Business Management), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management) |
| IIM Calcutta | MBA |
| IIM Indore | PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management) |
| IIM Jammu | MBA, MBA (Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management), Executive MBA |
| IIM Kashipur | MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics) |
| IIM Kozhikode | PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi |
| IIM Lucknow | MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE |
| IIM Mumbai | MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management) |
| IIM Nagpur | MBA, E-MBA |
| IIM Raipur | MBA |
| IIM Ranchi | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics) |
| IIM Rohtak | PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx |
| IIM Sambalpur | MBA, Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals |
| IIM Shillong | PGP, PGPEX, PGP (WE) |
| IIM Sirmaur | MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality), ExMBA, ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics), MBA (Family Business) |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM (MBA for Working Executives in Chennai) |
| IIM Udaipur | MBA, MBA-DEM (Digital Enterprise Management), MBAGSCM (Global Supply Chain Management), Executive MBA (Online) |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | PGP, EMBA, PGPMCI |
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Interested candidates must check the eligibility criteria to appear in the CAT Exam 2025. They must ensure they fulfil all those requirements to avoid rejection of their applications. The minimum required CAT qualification is that the candidate must be a graduate of any recognised University. Check the detailed CAT 2025 eligibility criteria listed below:
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent (45% for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories) from any recognised University.
- Candidates in the final year of graduation/equivalent or those who are awaiting results can also apply for the CAT 2025 exam. However, they will be permitted to join the program only after submitting the passing certificate within the deadline.
- Aspirants must have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with the required percentage.
CAT 2025 Registration
The registration for the CAT exam 2025 will be conducted online. Eligible candidates will have to visit the official website to access the CAT 2025 registration link. They will have to register and then fill out the CAT application form to complete the process. Follow the guide shared below to apply online for the CAT 2025 exam:
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- On the homepage, click the “New Registration” link.
- Register successfully using valid information like name, nationality, date of birth and valid mobile number & email ID.
- After registering, log in with valid credentials to fill out the CAT application form.
- Enter all the details, i.e. personal, education, contact, etc.
- Upload documents like photos and signatures in the prescribed format.
- Select exam centre preference from the available list.
- Pay the application fees as per your category through prescribed modes.
- Take the printout of the CAT 2025 application form for future reference.
CAT Exam Registration Trends
Every year, lakhs of students register and appear for the CAT exam to secure admission in top MBA colleges in India. Given the importance of the exam, the number of registrations highlights the increasing demand for management education. The trends also showcase the competition level in the admission process. A total of 3.29 lakh candidates registered for the CAT 2024, and around 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The total attendance was approximately 89%. Of the total test-takers, 1.07 lakh were female candidates, 1.86 lakh were male candidates, and 5 were transgender aspirants. Check the CAT registration trends in the table below.
CAT Registrations
| Year | Number of Candidates Registered | Number of Candidates Appeared (Test Takers) |
| 2010 | 2,04,000 | 1,85,000 |
| 2011 | 2,05,000 | 1,86,000 |
| 2012 | 2,14,000 | 1,95,000 |
| 2013 | 1,94,516 | 1,73,714 |
| 2014 | 1,96,988 | 1,70,000 |
| 2015 | 2,18,664 | 1,79,602 |
| 2016 | 2,32,434 | 1,95,679 |
| 2017 | 2,31,067 | 1,99,632 |
| 2018 | 2,40,338 | 2,09,405 |
| 2019 | 2,44,169 | 2,09,926 |
| 2020 | 2,27,835 | 1,90,144 |
| 2021 | 2,29,969 | 1,91,660 |
| 2022 | 2,55,501 | 2,22,184 |
| 2023 | 3,23,000 | 2,88,000 |
| 2024 | 3,29,000 | 2,93,000 |
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CAT 2025 Syllabus
The CAT 2025 syllabus will cover three main subjects, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Grasp fundamentals and achieve mastery in core topics of all the subjects to excel in the CAT Exam 2025. Familiarity with CAT high-weightage chapters can sharpen your conceptual knowledge and improve your question-solving ability. Some of the important topics of the CAT syllabus 2025 are as follows:
CAT Exam 2025 Syllabus
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | AverageRatioMixture & AlligationQuadraticPolynomials & Simple EquationProfit & LossSI CIPercentagesTSD & Time and WorkGeometryInequalities, Modulus & FunctionsProgression and SeriesProbability and P&CLogarithmSurds & IndicesVenn DiagramsNumber System |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | TablesPie ChartsLine & Bar GraphsQuant Based DICircular ArrangementsVenn DiagramsLinear ArrangementsCubesGames & TournamentsSelectionDistributionBinary LogicsNetwork Flow Diagrams |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading ComprehensionPara CompletionPara SummaryOdd One OutPara Jumbles |
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT Exam 2025 will be conducted online in computer-based test mode. The CAT 2025 question paper comprises both MCQS and Non-MCQs questions. The overall exam duration is likely to be 120 minutes, with time allotted for each section being 40 minutes. The CAT 2025 marking scheme is expected to be similar to last year’s. Every correct answer will be awarded 3 marks. There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in MCQ. Here is the expected CAT exam pattern 2025 tabulated below:
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 (Expected)
| Section | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
CAT Exam Pattern-Previous Trend & Analysis
The CAT exam has undergone numerous changes in terms of the number of questions, maximum marks, and exam duration over the years. This past trend analysis provides insights into the competition trends and difficulty level of the entrance exam. Check the previous trends of CAT total marks and questions from 2014 to 2024 in the table below:
| CAT Year | CAT Total Questions | CAT Total Marks |
| 2024 | 68 | 204 |
| 2023 | 66 | 198 |
| 2022 | 66 | 198 |
| 2021 | 66 | 198 |
| 2020 | 76 | 228 |
| 2019 | 100 | 300 |
| 2018 | 100 | 300 |
| 2017 | 100 | 300 |
| 2016 | 100 | 300 |
| 2015 | 100 | 300 |
| 2014 | 100 | 300 |
CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Tips
The CAT exam is one of the toughest management entrance exams in the country. You must have the right strategy and resources to stand out. To help, we have shared the CAT exam 2025 preparation guide for the reference of the candidates:
- Check the latest CAT 2025 syllabus and exam pattern before formulating any study plan.
- Join the best online course to boost your preparation and resources. The best online coaching will not only save you valuable time but also provide the right guidance. This where iQuanta CAT online coaching steps in. They offer live conceptual classes, instant doubt-solving support, personalised mentorship, and many other features to make candidates exam-ready.
- Attempt mock papers and CAT previous year question papers to check where your preparation stands.
- Make short notes while studying and use them during quick revision.
CAT Admit Card 2025
The CAT admit card 2025 will be released online a few days before the exam date. Eligible candidates must use valid login credentials to access the admit card for the CAT Exam 2025. No candidates will be permitted to appear for the exam without a valid CAT 2025 admit card. Here are the download instructions for the admit card:
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Login with valid credentials, CAT ID and password.
- Click on the admit card link, and it will be displayed.
- Download the admit card for future reference.
CAT Mock Tests 2025
CAT mock tests are a crucial element of successful preparation. CAT authorities also offer mock tests link on their official website so that candidates can familiarise themselves with the types of questions typically asked in the exam. Apart from this, candidates can also join iQuanta’s CAT courses to solidify their overall preparation level. They offer sectional and full-length mock tests with video solutions and in-depth performance analysis. Its mock tests resemble the actual CAT exam to improve candidates’ time management and question-solving ability under exam pressure.
CAT Previous Year Papers
Solving CAT previous year papers can enhance your preparation. It helps you understand the overall difficulty level, section-wise weightage, and topics frequently asked in the CAT question paper. It is one of the essential tools to sharpen your concepts and boost your confidence. CAT previous year papers also help you identify the areas that needs focus and improvement.
CAT Exam 2025 Answer Key
The CAT answer key 2025 will be released in two phases, i.e. provisional and final keys. The answer key for the CAT Exam 2025 will be announced a few days after the exam is over. It comprises correct answers to each question asked in the exam. If candidates find any discrepancies, they can also challenge the official answer keys through the Objection Management link on the CAT website. The CAT 2025 answer key challenge window can be accessed through their valid CAT application login id and password.
CAT Result 2025 and Scorecard
The CAT Result 2025 will be released soon after the final answer keys are announced. Candidates can download their official CAT 2025 scorecards by logging into the websites. Here are the download instructions for the result for CAT Exam 2025:
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Log in with valid credentials, CAT application login ID and password.
- Click on the scorecard link, and it will be displayed.
- Download the CAT scorecard for future reference.
CAT Exam Analysis 2025
Candidates aspiring for the upcoming CAT exam 2025 must check the previous analysis for detailed insights into the actual format and difficulty level of all the sections. The difficulty level of the CAT question paper is typically moderate in nature. In CAT 2024, VARC questions were moderate to difficult, 10+ DILR questions were moderate, and QA questions were moderate to difficult. CAT exam analysis helps candidates identify key topics and anticipate cutoff scores.
CAT Exam Analysis Previous Year Trends
| Year | CAT Exam Difficulty Level |
| 2024 | Moderate |
| 2023 | Moderate to difficult |
| 2022 | Moderate |
| 2021 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2020 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2019 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2018 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2017 | Moderate |
| 2016 | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2015 | Moderate to Difficult |
IIM CAT CutOffs 2025
The IIM CAT qualifying cutoffs are the minimum score required to get shortlisted for further MBA admission process. The qualifying cutoff marks are available before the CAT exam. Familiarity with IIM CAT qualifying cutoff helps candidates set their target score in the preparation and approach the exam accordingly. Check the previous year IIM CAT qualifying cutoff to get an idea of the competition level:
Previous Year IIM Qualifying CAT cut offs
| Institute | Qualifying CAT Cut-Off |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Trichy | 94 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 94 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 |
| IIM Raipur | 94 |
| IIM Vizag | 82 |
| IIM Ranchi | 92 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 94 |
| IIM Jammu | 94 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 94 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 |
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
Various IIMs and top B-schools are accepting CAT scores for admission to MBA and other management courses in India. These prestigious institutions are known for their quality education, modern infrastructure, experienced teachers, and strong placement records. The list of top colleges accepting CAT scores other than IIM are as follows:
- IIT Delhi- DoMs
- IIT Kanpur- IME
- ITM-University
- FMS, Delhi University
- IIT Kharagpur- VGoSM
- Great Lakes Institute of Management
- IMI-Kolkata
- IIITM-Gwalior
- IIT Bombay-SJMSOM
- Asian Business School Noida
- SPJIMR, Mumbai
- IMT, Ghaziabad
- IIT Dhanbad-ISM
- IMI, Delhi
- IMT-Nagpur
- IIT Roorkee-DoMs
- IPE-Hyderabad, etc.
CAT Exam 2025 FAQs
Candidates can apply online for the CAT Exam 2025 soon after the CAT 2025 registration link becomes active on the official website. The CAT application form 2025 is expected to be released in August 2025.
The CAT 2025 syllabus will cover three main subjects, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
No. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management test conducted once a year.
Graduates with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD categories) can apply for the CAT 2025 exam.
The CAT 2025 exam will be held in November 2025 across various test centres in the country. The official CAT exam 2025 date will be announced in the coming months.