CAT 2025: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, and Preparation Tips

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams for admission to MBA programs in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT 2025 will once again serve as the gateway to some of the best business schools in the country. As an MBA aspirant, it’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the exam, its pattern, eligibility criteria, application process, and preparation strategies.

In this article, we will explore every crucial aspect of CAT 2025 in detail. From understanding the exam’s importance to preparation tips, cutoffs, and the selection process, this guide will provide all the information you need to crack CAT 2025 and secure admission to a top-tier business school.

CAT 2025 Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most sought-after MBA entrance exam in India. With over 2 lakh candidates applying each year, the exam is known for its high level of competition. CAT scores are used by prestigious business schools, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), to select candidates for their MBA programs.

Key Features of CAT

Conducting Body: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Frequency: Annual (once a year)
Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Sections: Three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA)
Total Questions: 66-70 questions (approximately)
Scoring System: +3 marks for correct answers, -1 mark for incorrect answers

CAT 2025 Key Highlights

Aspect	Details
Mode of Exam	Online (Computer-Based Test)
Total Duration	2 hours (120 minutes)
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Number of Questions	66-70
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect answers
Total Marks	198-210

Why CAT is Important?

CAT is not just a ticket to the IIMs; it opens doors to a plethora of top MBA colleges in India. For those aiming to pursue a career in management, cracking CAT is often the first and most crucial step. The exam is designed to test analytical skills, logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and verbal ability—qualities that are essential for success in the business world.

CAT 2025 Important Dates

For every CAT aspirant, it’s critical to stay updated on important dates to ensure timely registration, preparation, and exam attendance. The CAT 2025 exam will follow a similar timeline to previous years, with a few adjustments.

Tentative Schedule for CAT 2025

Event	Date (Tentative)
Release of Official Notification	July 2025
Start of Registration	August 2025
Last Date for Registration	September 2025
Admit Card Release	October 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Date	November 2025
Answer Key Release	November 2025
Result Declaration	January 2026
Counseling and Admission Process	February 2026

Key Takeaways

Stay vigilant and monitor the official CAT website for updates.
Mark these dates in your calendar and plan your preparations accordingly.
Ensure you complete the registration process well before the last date to avoid last-minute hassles.

CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Before registering for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the IIMs. While the criteria are straightforward, candidates should double-check their academic background, percentage, and other prerequisites.

General Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2025

Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. The degree should be of at least three years in duration.
Minimum Marks: Candidates from the General category need a minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in their undergraduate degree. For candidates from SC/ST/PWD categories, the minimum requirement is 45%.
Final Year Students: Students in the final year of their undergraduate program are eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree before the admission process begins.
Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in CAT.

Key Points

Candidates should check their eligibility carefully to avoid disqualification during the selection process.
Work experience is not mandatory, but many IIMs and other top B-schools prefer candidates with some prior work experience.

CAT 2025 Application Process

The application process for CAT 2025 is online, and candidates need to follow a systematic approach to fill out the form. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Steps for CAT 2025 Application

Registration: Visit the official CAT website and register by providing basic details such as name, email, phone number, and academic qualifications.
Filling the Application Form: After successful registration, log in with your credentials and fill in personal details, academic qualifications, and preferred exam centers.
Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
Application Fee Payment: Pay the application fee through online modes such as credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI.
Submit the Application: Review the application form and submit it. After submission, take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

Application Fee

Category	Application Fee
General/Unreserved	₹2200
SC/ST/PWD	₹1100

Key Takeaways

Ensure that all documents are uploaded correctly to avoid rejection.
Pay the application fee within the stipulated time to complete the registration process.
Candidates must carefully select their preferred exam centers and cities.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Understanding the CAT exam pattern is crucial for developing a strategy to tackle the exam. The CAT exam is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.

Section-Wise Breakdown

Section	Number of Questions	Time Allotted	Weightage (%)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24-26	40 minutes	30%
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	24-26	40 minutes	30%
Quantitative Ability (QA)	26-28	40 minutes	40%
Total	66-70	120 minutes	100%

Key Insights

Each section is timed individually, and candidates must complete each section within the allotted 40 minutes.
The CAT exam is designed to test not only your knowledge but also your time management skills.
The quantitative ability section carries the highest weightage, so candidates must focus on it.

CAT 2025 Syllabus

The CAT syllabus is vast and requires a strategic approach for preparation. It covers topics from Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).

Section-wise Syllabus Breakdown

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Reading Comprehension: Short and long passages with factual and inferential questions.
Grammar: Sentence correction, error spotting.
Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, and context-based vocabulary.
Para Jumbles: Re-arranging sentences logically.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Data Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, caselets.
Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangement, blood relations, coding-decoding, direction sense.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Arithmetic: Time, speed, distance, percentage, averages, profit and loss.
Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, inequalities.
Geometry: Circles, triangles, mensuration.
Modern Math: Permutation and combination, probability, functions.

CAT 2025 Registration Process and Fees

As discussed earlier, the registration process for CAT 2025 is completely online. The application fee varies based on the candidate’s category.

Step-by-Step Guide for Registration

Visit the official CAT website and register using your email and phone number.
Fill in the application form with accurate personal and academic details.
Upload the necessary documents, including a passport-sized photograph and signature.
Pay the application fee via online methods such as credit/debit card or net banking.
Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page.

CAT 2025 Participating IIMs

The IIMs are the most prestigious business schools in India, and securing a seat in one of these institutes is the ultimate goal for most CAT aspirants. The following IIMs participate in CAT 2025:

IIM Name	Location
IIM Ahmedabad	Ahmedabad
IIM Bangalore	Bangalore
IIM Calcutta	Kolkata
IIM Lucknow	Lucknow
IIM Kozhikode	Kozhikode
IIM Indore	Indore
IIM Shillong	Shillong
IIM Rohtak	Rohtak

CAT 2025 Top B-Schools

Apart from the IIMs, several other top B-schools in India accept CAT scores. These include:

B-School Name	Location
FMS Delhi	New Delhi
SP Jain Institute of Management	Mumbai
XLRI Jamshedpur	Jamshedpur
MDI Gurgaon	Gurgaon

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy and Resources

Preparation for CAT 2025 requires dedication, strategic planning, and consistency. Here’s how you can prepare effectively:

Time Management: Allocate fixed hours for each section and practice regularly.
Mock Tests: Take as many mock tests as possible to understand the exam pattern and improve speed.
Study Materials: Use CAT preparation books from renowned authors and refer to online platforms like Unacademy, BYJU’s, etc.

CAT 2025 Previous Years’ Analysis (2022-2024)

Understanding past year trends helps in predicting future exam patterns. The following table provides insights into the exam patterns, difficulty levels, and cutoff trends for CAT 2022-2024.

Year	Difficulty Level (VARC)	Difficulty Level (QA)	Difficulty Level (DILR)	Overall Difficulty	Expected Cutoff (IIMs)
2022	Moderate	Difficult	Moderate	High	99+
2023	Easy	Moderate	Difficult	Moderate	98+
2024	Moderate	Easy	High	Moderate	99+

CAT 2025 Expected Changes

CAT 2025 might introduce certain changes, including:

New Question Types: Possible introduction of new question types or sections.
Increased Focus on Logical Reasoning: More questions might be added to the DILR section.
Change in Marking Scheme: Minor adjustments in the scoring system.

CAT 2025 Selection Process Post-CAT

Once you clear the CAT exam, the next step is the selection process. It includes:

Shortlisting for GD/PI: Based on CAT scores and academic records.
Group Discussion (GD): A group exercise to test communication and problem-solving skills.
Personal Interview (PI): A face-to-face interview to assess leadership potential, clarity of thought, and other soft skills.