Know About the CAT Exam in India

Every year, many students choose to take this exam as the CAT 2025 exam opens the door to prestigious B-schools, where the average salary packages offered are in lakhs.

CAT is an exam conducted by the IIMs for admission to MBA programs. It is designed for aspirants who wish to secure admission to top B-schools in India. Every year, many students choose to take this exam as the CAT 2025 exam opens the door to prestigious B-schools, where the average salary packages offered are in lakhs.

To secure a seat in the 22 IIMs, which collectively offer 5,100 seats, students must clear the CAT exam. Preparing thoroughly for this exam is crucial for success. In this article, we will explore all the essential information students need to achieve their dream of getting into a top B-school.

Let’s start with the CAT 2025 Exam Highlights.


CAT 2025 Exam Highlights

CAT is one of the most popular national-level MBA entrance exams in India. Below are the key highlights of the CAT 2025 exam:

CAT Exam Particulars

CAT 2025 Details

CAT Full Form

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Exam Level

National

Exam Frequency

Once a year

CAT 2025 Exam Date

November 30 2025 (tentative)

CAT Exam Timings

Slot 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Slot 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Slot 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

CAT Exam Fees

INR 2,500 (General category)

INR 1,250 (Reserved category)

Number of Test Takers

3.29 lakh (in 2024)

CAT Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

No. of Test Cities

170

CAT Exam Website

https://iimcat.ac.in

The above information is crucial for students planning to clear the CAT exam. Now, let’s move on to the eligibility criteria for the CAT 2025 exam.


CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university.

  • Minimum marks required: 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).

  • Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree course or awaiting results can also appear in the CAT exam.

  • Candidates holding professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI are also eligible.

Students must meet the CAT 2025 eligibility criteria to avoid any issues that could hinder their journey to a dream B-school.


CAT 2025 Exam Dates

It is important for students to keep track of the exam dates and plan their preparation accordingly. The CAT 2025 exam date and full schedule will be announced by July 30 2025. Below are the tentative dates

CAT Exam Events

CAT Exam Date 2025 (Tentative)

CAT 2025 notification out

July 30 2025

CAT 2025 registration dates

First week of August to Third week of September 2025

CAT form correction

Last week of September 2025

CAT admit card 2025 download starts

First week of November 2025

CAT 2025 exam date

November 30 2025

CAT answer key release

First week of December 2025

Declaration of CAT 2025 result

Last week of December 2025 or First week of January 2026

Note: These dates are tentative and may change based on notifications from the IIMs. Students are advised to follow the given schedule to plan their preparation effectively.


CAT 2025 Registration

Follow these steps to register for the CAT exam:

  1. Visit iimcat.ac.in.

  2. Click on ‘New Registration.’

  3. Enter the required details to create a login.

  4. Fill out all the necessary details in the application form.

  5. Upload a scanned photograph and signature.

  6. Select your preferred test cities, courses, and IIM campuses.

  7. Pay the CAT application fee to submit your form.

CAT registration fee:

  • INR 2,500 for unreserved categories.

  • INR 1,250 for reserved categories.

This fee is non-refundable.


CAT Exam Pattern 2025

Below are the highlights of the CAT 2025 exam pattern:

CAT Pattern Particulars

Details

Exam Mode

Computer-Based Test

Exam Duration

2 hours

Sectional Time Limit

40 minutes per section

Number of Sections

3 – VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude

Number of Questions

66

Section-wise Questions

VARC - 24

DILR - 20

QA - 22

Marking Scheme

+3, -1

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