CAT 2025 Exam, CAT 2025 Exam Highlights, CAT 2025 Exam Dates etc
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious management entrance exams in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT 2025 Exam is expected to be held on 30 November 2025. IIM Kozhikode will organise CAT 2025 in online mode across 155 cities. It is the gateway to over 1,000 B-schools, including the coveted IIMs.
CAT 2025 Exam Highlights:
| Common Admission Test (CAT) - 2025 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode (Expected) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| CAT Frequency | Annual |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer (MCQs only) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2025 Exam Dates:
CAT 2025 Exam is expected to be held on 30 November 2025
| CAT 2025 Events – Date (Expected) | |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Notification Release | Last week of July 2025 |
| Start of CAT 2025 Registration | First week of August 2025 |
| End of CAT 2025 Registration | Third week of September 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Form Correction Date | Third week of September 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Admit Card Issue | October 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | Fourth week of November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Results Announcement | Third week of December 2025 |
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.
- Final Year Students: Students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of graduation within the specified time frame.
- Candidates having professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI are also eligible for CAT.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for CAT.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025:
The CAT 2025 will follow a computer-based format with the following structure:
| CAT 2025 Exam Pattern – Sectionwise Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| No. of Sections |
3 Sections 1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) 2. Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) 3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Total Number of Questions | 66 Q’s (Tentative) |
| Type of Questions | MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) |
| Questions per Section |
VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22 |
| Time Allotted | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +3 for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking for Wrong Answer | -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Negative Marking for TITA Questions | No negative marking for TITA questions |
CAT Exam 2025 Marking System:
| CAT Exam 2025 Marking System | |
|---|---|
| Marks for Correct Answer | +3 for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking for Wrong Answer | -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Negative Marking for TITA Questions | No negative marking for TITA questions |
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025:
The CAT syllabus is not officially defined but is derived from previous years’ papers. It covers:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Completion
- Vocabulary & more
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Tables and Charts
- Caselets
- Logical Puzzles
- Seating Arrangements & more
Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
- Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratios, Profit & Loss)
- Algebra (Equations, Inequalities)
- Geometry (Triangles, Circles)
- Number System & more
When is the CAT 2025 exam?
Expected in November 2025
When will CAT 2025 registration start?
Likely in August 2025
When is the CAT 2025 registration last date?
Expected September 2025
How to register for MBA CET 2026?
Apply through the MBA CET 2026 registration link
How to fill MBA CET form 2026?
Follow the online registration process
Where can I find the MBA CET 2026 syllabus PDF?
Available on the official website
The CAT 2024 analysis provides insights into question patterns and difficulty levels across three slots:
Slot 1:
Easy to Moderate to Difficult.
Slot 2:
Balanced Difficulty, Focus On DILR. Q’s/sets Selection Is Important
Slot 3:
Lengthy RCs, QA Moderately Tough.
Cut-offs vary for different IIMs and depend on factors like difficulty level, number of candidates, and seat availability. Generally:
Top IIMs: 99+ percentile
Mid-Tier IIMs: 95–99 percentile
Other B-Schools: 85–90+ percentile
The selection process for IIMs includes:
Shortlisting: Based on CAT scores.
Written Ability Test (WAT): A short essay on a given topic.
Personal Interview (PI): Assessment of communication and problem-solving skills.
Each IIM has its own weightage for CAT scores, WAT, PI, academic records, and work experience.
