CAT Exam 2025 Overview – Eligibility, Dates, Pattern, and Preparation
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is the gateway to admission into India’s top business schools including 20 IIMs and over 1,200 prestigious B-schools such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and more. With over two lakh candidates registering annually, CAT is one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams.
This article offers a detailed overview of CAT 2025, covering eligibility criteria, application process, updated exam pattern, syllabus, key dates, and preparation tips to help you begin your MBA journey with clarity and confidence.
- CAT Exam 2025 Overview – Eligibility, Dates, Pattern, and Preparation
- What is the CAT Exam?
- CAT 2025 – Important Dates (Tentative)
- CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
- CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Updated)
- CAT 2025 Syllabus – Detailed Section-wise Topics
- CAT 2025 Application Process
- CAT 2025 Admit Card
- CAT 2025 Result & Scorecard
- Preparation Tips for CAT 2025
- Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Scores
- Conclusion
- FAQs – CAT Exam 2025
- Editor's Note | CAT Exam 2025 Overview
What is the CAT Exam?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance exam conducted once a year by a designated IIM. It tests candidates on three main skills required for MBA and other management courses:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT scores are accepted by the IIMs and other premier business schools across India for admission to MBA/PGDM and other postgraduate management programs.
CAT 2025 – Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 25, 2025 |
| Registration Start Date | August 02, 2025 |
| Registration Deadline | September 21, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 20, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | Early December, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | 3rd Week of December |
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for CAT 2025, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university or institution.
- Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their undergraduate degree or awaiting results are eligible to apply.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Updated)
Starting from 2025, the CAT exam is expected to include a total of 68 questions, based on the latest trends and mock test formats. Here is the expected exam pattern:
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Question Types |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | MCQs & TITA |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQs & TITA |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQs & TITA |
| Total | 68 Questions | 120 minutes | — |
- MCQs: Multiple Choice Questions (with -1 negative marking)
- TITA: Type In The Answer (no negative marking)
- Each section is time-bound with no ability to switch between sections during the exam.
CAT 2025 Syllabus – Detailed Section-wise Topics
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading Comprehension (RC) passages – Inference, tone, summary-based questions
- Para Jumbles (without options)
- Para Completion and Inference
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Odd Sentence Out
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Graphs – Bar, Line, Pie, Tables
- Caselets and Data Tables
- Logical Puzzles – Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding
- Games and Tournaments
- Data Sufficiency
- Combination of reasoning and quantitative logic
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Arithmetic – Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio-Proportion, Averages
- Algebra – Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions
- Number Systems – Divisibility, HCF & LCM, Base Systems
- Geometry & Mensuration – Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry
- Modern Math – Set Theory, Probability, Permutations & Combinations, Logarithms
CAT 2025 Application Process
The CAT 2025 application will be hosted on the official website: www.iimcat.ac.in. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Registration: Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and work experience details.
- Upload Documents: Recent passport-size photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
- Select Test Cities: Choose preferred cities for your test center (up to 6).
- Pay Application Fee:
- General/OBC – ₹2500
- SC/ST/PwD – ₹1250
CAT 2025 Admit Card
Candidates will be able to download the CAT Admit Card 2025 from the official website by logging in with their credentials. It contains:
- Candidate details
- Exam date, slot, and center
- Reporting time and exam-day instructions
It is mandatory to carry a printout of the admit card along with valid photo ID proof.
CAT 2025 Result & Scorecard
The CAT 2025 result will be released in the first or second week of January 2026. Candidates can log in to the official website and download their scorecard, which includes:
- Scaled score and percentile for each section
- Overall scaled score and percentile
CAT scores are valid for one academic year.
Preparation Tips for CAT 2025
- Begin Early: Starting preparation 8–12 months in advance gives ample time to master all sections.
- Create a Balanced Study Plan: Allocate daily time for each section.
- Take Sectional & Full-Length Mocks: Helps improve time management and accuracy.
- Analyze Every Mock Test: Focus on weak areas and improve strategy.
- Revise Regularly: Especially important for QA formulas and DILR patterns.
- Join Coaching (Optional): Institutes like The Prayas India, TIME, IMS, and others offer structured preparation programs.
- Daily Reading Habit: Reading editorials and articles improves VARC performance.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Scores
- All 20 IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, etc.)
- FMS Delhi
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)
- MDI Gurgaon
- IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kharagpur, Madras – for MBA)
- NITIE Mumbai
- IMT Ghaziabad
- Great Lakes Institute of Management
- TAPMI, Goa Institute of Management, IFMR, LIBA, etc.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 remains one of the most sought-after and competitive exams for MBA aspirants in India. With an updated exam pattern of 68 questions and evolving question styles, a well-planned and consistent approach is essential for success. From understanding the syllabus to appearing in mock exams, the journey is challenging yet rewarding.
Whether you’re targeting IIMs or other top-tier institutes, early planning, the right mentorship, and focused execution will pave the way to your dream B-school.
FAQs – CAT Exam 2025
Q1. What is the new number of questions in CAT 2025?
Ans: The exam will have 68 questions across VARC, DILR, and QA sections.
Q2. When is the CAT 2025 exam expected to be held?
Ans: Tentatively on the last Sunday of November 2025.
Q3. Are calculators allowed in CAT?
Ans: No physical calculators are allowed. A virtual calculator will be provided on screen.
Q4. How many marks is CAT 2025 for?
Ans: Each question carries 3 marks. MCQs have a negative marking of -1.
Q5. Is there any sectional time limit?
Ans: Yes. Each section has a strict time limit of 40 minutes.
Editor’s Note | CAT Exam 2025 Overview
This article provides an updated and in-depth guide for aspirants preparing for the CAT 2025 exam. From eligibility and the new 68-question pattern to section-wise syllabus breakdown and key preparation strategies, we’ve covered everything to help you stay ahead. As CAT continues to evolve in format and difficulty, timely planning and access to accurate information remain critical. Use this guide as a reliable starting point for your journey toward top B-schools like the IIMs, FMS, and SPJIMR.