 will be announced in the coming months.){kind=link}
Common Admission Test or CAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted for students seeking admission into management programs at IIMs and other best B-schools in India. It is a highly competitive management test with lakhs of aspirants. The actual CAT 2025 exam date will be released soon, however, this exam is typically conducted in November every year. CAT Exam 2025 is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2025. CAT registration will likely begin in August 2025 as per last year’s trends. Aspirants must carefully check the eligibility requirements and then apply online before the deadline. The minimum eligibility to apply for CAT is a graduation from any recognised University. Scroll down to know all about the Common Admission Test 2025, including registration, exam date, eligibility, pattern, and more.
What is the Common Admission Test?
CAT stands for Common Admission Test, a management aptitude test conducted online by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) annually. It is a gateway for admission to MBA and other related programs at IIMs and other best B-schools in India. Understanding the exam requirements is essential to perform well in the entrance exam. Questions in the CAT exam are asked from sections, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). CAT questions typically range from moderate to difficult based on previous trends and analysis.
Common Admission Test (CAT) Overview
Over 2 lakhs of aspirants appeared in the CAT exam in the previous year, making the competition level intense. Knowing all about the Common Admission Test (CAT) will help candidates stay on track in their preparation. This year, the CAT notification 2025 is likely to be announced in July 2025, with the application form expected in August 2025, tentatively. These are the expected dates, and candidates are advised to check the official website regularly for the latest updates. Here is the overview of the CAT 2025 Exam for candidates’ reference.
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CAT 2025 Exam Overview
| Exam Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA and other PG courses in IIM and other B.Schools. |
| Frequency | Annual |
| 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 |
Common Admission Test Exam Date 2025
The important dates of all events of the Common Admission Test 2025 will be announced in the coming months. The CAT Exam 2025 is expected to be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2025 in various exam centres across the country. Interested students must thoroughly check the official notification PDF for detailed information. Here are the tentative dates for the CAT 2025 exam tabulated below for the candidate’s knowledge.
CAT 2025 Exam Date
| 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 |
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025- Qualification for Common Admission Test
Checking and confirming your eligibility is crucial before applying for the CAT 2025 exam. Any misleading or incorrect information in the application may directly lead to the disqualification of your candidature. Here is the CAT eligibility criteria 2025 in terms of qualification shared below:
- Bachelor’s Degree with 50% marks or equivalent (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) from any recognised University.
- Students in the final year of graduation or those awaiting their results can also apply for the CAT 2025 exam. However, they need to produce the passing certificate within the stipulated period to join the program.
- Completed a professional course (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with the required marks/percentage.
Common Admission Test (CAT): Programs Offered at IIMs
Candidates will be eligible for admission to management programs at IIM based on the marks obtained in the CAT exam and other admission rounds. These courses include full-time MBA, PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, etc. They must check the eligibility of all these programs and apply as per their choice and educational background. The list of programs offered by the IIMS through CAT is shared below:
| 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 |
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CAT Registration Process 2025
The CAT registration process 2025 is conducted online. Interested aspirants will have to go to the official website to register and submit the online form. Here are the simple steps to apply online for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025:
- Visit the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Hit the “New Registration” link on the homepage.
- Enter details like name, valid mobile number, email ID, date of birth, and nationality in the registration form.
- Next, log in with your credentials to complete the CAT application form.
- Submit all details like personal, academic, contact, and other information
- Upload all the required documents like photos and signatures in the specified format.
- Choose the exam centres as per your choice from the given list.
- Pay the application fees and submit the form.
- Download or print the copies of the CAT 2025 application form for future use.
Common Admission Test (CAT) – Registration Trends
The CAT exam consistently sees a rise in registrations annually, drawing lakhs of aspirants each year. Talking about the previous year, 3.29 lakh students registered for the CAT 2024, and around 2.93 lakh candidates attempted the test. Of them, 1.86 lakh were male test-takers, 1.07 lakh were female candidates, and 5 were transgender exam-takers. Have a look at the registration trends for the Common Admission Test (CAT) below:
Registration Trends for Common Admission Test (CAT)
| Year | Number of Registered Candidates | 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 |
Common Admission Test Exam Pattern 2025
The CAT 2025 exam is a computer-based test, comprising MCQS and Non-MCQs questions. The exam duration will be 120 minutes, with each section needing to be attempted within 40 minutes. The CAT Exam Pattern 2025 is likely to same as the previous year. Each question carries 3 marks and a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer in the MCQ. Check the expected exam pattern for the Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) below:
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (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- Past Trend & Analysis (2014 to 2024)
| 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 |
Common Admission Test 2025 Syllabus
The CAT syllabus 2025 consists of three sections, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). A strong command in all these subjects can help you score high marks in the CAT Exam 2025. The exam syllabus act as a roadmap for your exam preparation. The list of important topics for the Common Admission Test is as follows:
CAT Syllabus 2025
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | AverageTSD & Time and WorkGeometryInequalities, Modulus & FunctionsRatioMixture & AlligationLogarithmSurds & IndicesVenn DiagramsQuadraticPolynomials & Simple EquationProfit & LossSI CIPercentagesNumber SystemProgression and SeriesProbability and P&C |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | TablesVenn DiagramsLinear ArrangementsCubesPie ChartsLine & Bar GraphsQuant Based DICircular ArrangementsSelectionDistributionGames & TournamentsBinary LogicsNetwork Flow Diagrams |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading ComprehensionPara SummaryOdd One OutPara CompletionPara Jumbles |
CAT Admit Card 2025
Aspirants can check and download the admit card for the Common Admission Test (CAT) only through the online mode. Valid login credentials are required for downloading purposes. Without a valid copy of the CAT admit card 2025, test-takers cannot appear in the entrance exam. Here are the steps to access the CAT 2025 admit card:
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Enter valid login credentials, CAT ID and password.
- Hit the admit card link. It will appear on the screen.
- Download the hall ticket for future use.
CAT Answer Key 2025
The CAT answer key 2025 is typically released in two stages, i.e. provisional and final keys. The answer key for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is announced after the conclusion of the entrance test. It includes correct responses to all questions asked in the paper. In case of discrepancies, aspirants can also challenge the official keys through the Objection Management link on the official portal using the valid CAT application login ID and password.
CAT Result 2025- How to Download CAT 2025 Scorecard?
The result for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 exam will be announced after the answer keys are released. It is accessible online only on the official CAT website. Here are the steps to access the CAT 2025 Result/Scorecard:
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Enter valid login credentials, CAT ID and password.
- Hit the scorecard link. It will appear on the screen.
- Download the CAT 2025 scorecard for future use.
CAT Mock Tests 2025
CAT mock tests play an important role in the exam preparation. The mock tests are also provided by the CAT authorities on their official website to help candidates understand the exam format and question types. Besides, you can also join iQuanta’s CAT courses to boost your preparation. Their sectional and full-length mock tests are based on the actual exam, with difficulty levels. You will also get video solutions and detailed performance analysis that highlights your strengths, weak areas, and mistakes. Regular practice can improve your chances of scoring high marks in the Common Admission Test.
How to Prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT)?
Cracking the CAT 2025 exam can be challenging but not impossible. The preparation requires dedication, the right resources, and a perfect strategy. Here is the quick preparation guide for the upcoming Common Admission Test (CAT 2025):
- Review the latest CAT 2025 syllabus and exam pattern before starting the exam preparation. It highlights all the important topics that can appear in the question paper.
- Prepare an effective study plan that helps allocate equal time to each subject.
- Enrol in the best courses for expert guidance, the best CAT books and high-quality resources. The iQuanta CAT online coaching offers all the required features. This includes live conceptual classes, quick doubt-solving support, personalised guidance, etc, to boost your confidence, preparation, and performance.
- Solve unlimited mock papers and CAT previous year question papers to improve time management skills and question-answering ability. It also highlights all your strengths and weaknesses, and helps you plan a strategy accordingly.
- Learn time management to attempt most of the questions correctly and improve your chances of scoring high marks in the entrance test.
- Prepare short notes on all important topics and utilise them during last-minute revision.
CAT Previous Year Papers
Practising the CAT previous year papers comes with a lot of benefits. It provides information about exam toughness, sectional weightage, and recurring topics in the CAT exam. CAT previous year question papers help you understand where your preparation stands and highlight the areas that require focus and improvement.
CAT Exam Analysis 2025
Candidates who will appear in the CAT 2025 exam must stay updated with the exam format and competition level over the past years. The CAT question paper is usually moderate in nature. In CAT 2024, questions of VARC were moderate to tough, QA questions were moderate to tough, and DILR questions were moderate. The previous year’s CAT exam analysis allows you to predict the expected questions in the upcoming test and also highlights the topics with more weightage.
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 passing marks to proceed in the MBA admission process. It is released before the CAT exam. Knowing the IIM CAT qualifying cutoff helps aspirants adjust their test strategy and establish realistic goals. Here is the previous year’s IIM CAT qualifying cutoff shared below for reference purposes:
IIM Qualifying CAT Previous Year Cutoffs
| 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 MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
IIMs and several top B-schools grant admission to MBA and other post-graduate management courses based on the CAT scores. These are the best management colleges that aim to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the corporate sector. They offer various facilities like advanced infrastructure, high-quality education, experienced faculty, and placement assistance. Some of the top colleges accepting CAT scores other than IIM are listed below:
- IIT Delhi- DoMs
- FMS, Delhi University
- IIT Kharagpur- VGoSM
- Great Lakes Institute of Management
- IIT Kanpur- IME
- ITM-University
- IMT, Ghaziabad
- IIT Dhanbad-ISM
- IMI, Delhi
- SPJIMR, Mumbai
- IMT-Nagpur
- IIT Roorkee-DoMs
- IMI-Kolkata
- IPE-Hyderabad
- IIITM-Gwalior
- IIT Bombay-SJMSOM
- Asian Business School Noida, etc.
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Common Admission Test 2025 FAQs
The minimum eligibility to apply for the Common Admission Test (CAT) is graduation from any recognised University.
CAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted for students seeking admission into management programs at IIMs and other best B-schools in India.
The CAT 2025 Exam is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2025. The official exam dates will be announced in the coming months.
No. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is held once a year, and lakhs of candidates appear for this entrance test.
You can apply online for CAT 2025 exam by registering with valid details, filling out the application form with details and documents and paying fees for final submission.