ITM Business School MBA Admissions 2025
400+ Company Visits | Highest CTC Offered: 21 LPA | Average CTC Offered: 8.65 LPA | 100% Placement Assurance
IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025 exam on November 30 in three sessions. CAT exam notification was released on July 27, 2025 across all newspapers. The official CAT notification can be downloaded on the official iimcat.ac.in 2025 website. CAT 2025 exam dates are out. Registration dates for CAT 2025 exam are August 1 - September 13. Around 3 lakh+ students are expected to register for CAT exam. MBA admissions in 21 IIMs and more than 1000 Indian B-schools is through scores obtained in CAT exam. Read on to get all latest onformation on CAT 2025 exam.
Full Exam Name | Common Admission Test |
Short Exam Name | CAT |
Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta |
Frequency Of Conduct | Once a year |
Exam Level | National Level Exam |
Languages | English |
Mode Of Application | online |
Application Fee | Online : 2500 |
Mode Of Exam | online |
Mode Of Counselling | online +1 more |
Participating Colleges | 1269 |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
CAT Common Admission Test (session 2025)
Who is eligible for CAT 2025? Anyone with 50% in their bachelor's can apply for CAT 2025. SC/ST/PwD candidates registering for CAT 2025 exam need have obtained only 45% in their graduation. Lets take a look at the detailed eligibility specified for CAT exam 2025 by IIM Kozhikode.
Who can apply for CAT 2025 exam? Anyone with a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or institution can register for CAT 2025.
Can I apply for CAT exam if I am in my degree final year? Yes, final year degree students can also appear for CAT 2025. For admissions, they need to submit their degree marks.
What is the minimum marks required to apply for CAT 2025? A minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA is needed to be eligible for CAT exam 2025. The minimum marks for SC, ST, and PWD candidates in their degree is 45%.
Can professional degrees holders like CA, CS, ICMAI apply for CAT 2025? Yes. Professional degree holders of CA/CS/ICWAI/FCAI can also apply for CAT exam.
Is working experience necessary to register for CAT 2025? No. It is not mandatory to have work experience to appear for CAT exam 2025. However, work experience carries weightage in most MBA admissions. IIMs also have allotted a certain weightage to this factor.
What is the age limit for CAT 2025? There is no specific upper age limit for CAT exam.
The MBA eligibility is slightly different from CAT exam eligibility. While the degree pass percentage is considered for appearing in CAT 2025, the eligibility for MBA varies for college and branch. MBA Eligibility considers CAT scores but has weightage for other factors like work experience, gender, class 10 and 12 academics, extra curricular activities.
Registrations for CAT exam 2025 start from August 1. The lst date to register for CAT 2025 is September 13, 2025.
How to fill CAT exam application form?
Check out the detailed step by step explanation on registering and filling CAT 2025 form.
Step 1: Register for CAT 2025:
Step 2: Filling the CAT Application Form:
Step 3: Selecting Test Centers to appear for CAT 2025:
Step 4: CAT Exam Fee Payment:
NOTE: Make sure to get confirmation of successful payment.
Step 5: Confirmation of Application for CAT Exam:
What if there are mistakes in the application form for CAT 2025?
The authorities always open a correction window to allow candidates to rectify certain details in their CAT form. It is to be noted that all details will not be open for correction.
IIM Kozhikode will open the correction window for CAT 2025 after September 13. The correction window is opened once registrations for CAT exam are closed. The correction window for CAT 2025 exam will be active for three days.
What details can you change during correction window for CAT 2025?
Candidates can change their photo, signature, and city. Email or mobile number, name etc are not editable.
Comprehensive CAT prep guide with focused practice on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Download NowState | City |
West Bengal | Kolkata Asansol Bankura Burdwan Durgapur Hooghly Kalyani Siliguri |
Tamil Nadu | Chennai Coimbatore Madurai Salem Tirunelveli Tiruchirappalli Vellore |
Kerala | Kannur Ernakulam Kollam Kottayam Kozhikode Thrissur Thiruvananthapuram |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
Andhra Pradesh | Guntur Kakinada Kurnool Nellore Rajahmundry Tirupati Vijayawada Visakhapatnam Vizianagaram Anantapur Chittoor Srikakulam |
Assam | Dibrugarh Guwahati Jorhat Silchar Tezpur |
Bihar | Arrah Bhagalpur Darbhanga Muzaffarpur Patna Gaya Samastipur |
Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
Chhattisgarh | Bhilai Bilaspur Raipur |
Gujarat | Ahmedabad Anand Gandhinagar Mehsana Rajkot Surat Vadodara |
Haryana | Ambala Hisar Faridabad Gurgaon |
Himachal Pradesh | Shimla Bilaspur Hamirpur Kangra |
Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu Srinagar |
Jharkhand | Bokaro Dhanbad Hazaribagh Jamshedpur Ranchi |
Karnataka | Belagavi Bangalore Dharwad Hubballi Kalaburagi Mangaluru Mysuru Shivamogga Udupi |
Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal Gwalior Indore Jabalpur Sagar Satna Ujjain |
Maharashtra | Amravati Ahmednagar Aurangabad Jalgaon Mumbai Kolhapur Nagpur Nanded Nashik Pune Raigad Satara Solapur Thane Palghar Navi Mumbai Bhiwandi Boisar Vasai-Virar |
Meghalaya | Shillong |
Mizoram | Aizawl |
Nagaland | Kohima |
Odisha | Balasore Berhampur Bhubaneswar Cuttack Dhenkanal Rourkela Sambalpur |
Puducherry | Puducherry |
Punjab | Amritsar Jalandhar Ludhiana Mohali Pathankot Patiala Sangrur Bathinda |
Rajasthan | Ajmer Alwar Bikaner Jaipur Jodhpur Kota Sikar Udaipur |
Telangana | Hyderabad Karimnagar Warangal |
Uttar Pradesh | Agra Aligarh Bareilly Gorakhpur Jhansi Kanpur Lucknow Meerut Moradabad Muzaffarnagar Varanasi Ghaziabad Noida Greater Noida Prayagraj |
Uttarakhand | Dehradun Haldwani Roorkee |
Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar Naharlagun |
Goa | Panaji Madgaon |
Manipur | Imphal |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Silvassa |
The CAT exam pattern is designed to test various skills required for management courses. Here is a detailed breakdown of the CAT 2025 exam pattern:
1. CAT Exam Sections
The CAT exam consists of three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
Quantitative Ability (QA):
NOTE: The total number of questions in the CAT exam is 68. The total marks in the CAT exam are 204.
2. CAT Exam Duration
3. CAT Exam Question Types
4. Marking Scheme
5. Mode of CAT Exam
IIM will activate the CAT mock test link on its official website, iimcat.ac.in. The mock tests are an essential part of CAT exam preparation. They help you simulate a real CAT exam environment, assess your performance and identify areas for improvement. Here are some important features of CAT mock tests:
Previous Year CAT Exam Mock Tests Link
Avail yourself of the free CAT Mock Test by Careers360 here
1. Importance of CAT Mock Tests
2. Where to Find CAT Mock Tests
Preparing for the CAT exam is very challenging, but with proper strategy and dedication, you can achieve great results. The preparation for the CAT exam should start nine months before the CAT exam date. CAT exam preparation includes completing the CAT syllabus phase-wise, mock test practice, and revision.
Candidates can join a coaching institute for the CAT exam or study on their own with the help of online study groups, books, and resources. Check the table below for important articles about CAT exam preparation. Here are some detailed tips to help you prepare effectively:
CAT month-wise preparation plan
CAT Exam Preparation from May to November 2025
May is the month when every CAT exam aspirant gets serious about their preparation. If you haven't started your CAT exam preparation yet, May is the best time to start your preparation. We have created a detailed map of your CAT exam preparation from May to November.
CAT Exam Preparation Months | CAT Exam Preparation Pointers | CAT Exam Mocks |
May to June 2025 |
|
|
July to August 2025 |
| Give sectionals as well as mocks |
September to November 2025 |
| Give at least 20 mocks in these months |
Tips and Tricks for CAT Exam
Benefits of Preparation through CAT Coaching
CAT exam preparation without coaching or self-study mode
Set CAT exam preparation timetable
People also search for
IIM Kozhikode will issue the CAT exam 2025 admit card on November 30, 2025. The CAT exam admit card is an essential document that candidates need to download and carry on the day of the CAT exam. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to download the CAT admit card:
Remember to carry the CAT exam admit card along with a valid identity proof to the examination centre. It is advisable to reach the examination center early to avoid last-minute problems.
Take a look: CAT Exam Day Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts for the Exam Day
The CAT answer key is released by the conducting body (usually one of the IIMs) after the exam is conducted. It helps the candidates to estimate their CAT exam score before the official results are declared. Here are important details about the CAT answer key:
How to Access the CAT Exam Answer Key?
1. Release of CAT Exam Answer Key
2. Types of CAT Answer Keys
3. Challenging the CAT Answer Key
The CAT exam analysis will be released separately after the conclusion of each CAT exam slot. CAT is known for its unpredictability in terms of difficulty. The analysis often categorizes the exam as:
The difficulty level for the CAT exam varies each year, and it impacts the overall percentile and cutoffs. After the conclusion of the CAT 2025, the paper analysis will be released.
Previous Year CAT Exam Analysis
According to last year's CAT analysis, the overall paper's difficulty level was moderate to tough for all the slots. Slot 3 was tougher than CAT exam slot 1 and slot 2. In all three CAT slots, the QA section was tougher than the VARC and DILR sections.
CAT sections | Number of questions | Break up | Difficulty level |
---|---|---|---|
VARC | 24 | 4 passages having 4 questions each, 2 para-summary questions, 2 para-jumble questions, 2 para-completion questions and 2 odd one out questions | Moderate |
DILR | 20 | 4 sets of 5 questions each | Moderate to difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 7 Algebra questions, 3 Geometry questions, 4 Number System questions, 7 Arithmetic questions, and 1 Modern Maths question
| Difficult |
Total | 66 | -- | Moderate to difficult |
CAT Exam Analysis by Aspirants
Check out below the slot-wise CAT exam analysis by CAT aspirants.
CAT Exam Analysis for Slot 1
Rounak Tikmani (CAT aspirant) took the first slot and said it went quite well. The English section of the CAT exam was moderate, and DILR was quite time-consuming. The QA section was a bit long and time-consuming as well. As per him, the VARC was easy, and DILR & Quant were difficult. VARC had 24 questions, and the remaining two sections had 20 & 22 questions, respectively.
CAT Exam Analysis for Slot 2
As one of the students, Pulkit Daga, who took CAT slot 2, said, "The VARC section had 2 RCs, and some of the VA was easy to moderate. For LRDI, he says, "I don't think there was any easy set; it was moderate or tough. (I hardly did one set.)". He also said that QA questions were not very straightforward; you really have to search for easy targets.
CAT Exam Analysis for Slot 3
According to Suvam Debnath, who appeared in last year's CAT exam slot 3, the overall difficulty level was moderate when compared to CAT exam slot 1 and slot 2. Candidates who took CAT exam slot 2 said, "The CAT exam was moderately difficult. The quant was easy but tricky.". As per the slot 3 paper, the verbal and DILR were moderately difficult. No surprises were there in the number of questions.
The CAT 2025 results will be declared in the second week of January 2026. According to last year's announcement, the CAT exam result will be announced in the last week of December 2025. You can access your scorecard and other details by logging into the official CAT exam website using your credentials.
CAT Result Declaration
How to Check CAT Results
Also Check: CAT Percentile Predictor
Validity of CAT Score: The CAT exam score is valid only for the current admission cycle. For example, the CAT 2025 score is valid for admissions in 2026-2027.
NOTE: Keep a printed or digital copy of your CAT exam scorecard for admission processes.
The CAT cutoff for IIM admission will be fixed by each institute category-wise. While the qualifying cut-offs are between 80 and 90 percentiles (general category), the final cut-offs are much higher. Below are the qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of 20 IIMs:
List of IIM's | CAT Cutoffs (Qualifying) |
---|---|
IIM Ahmedabad | 85 |
IIM Bangalore | 85 |
IIM Calcutta | 85 |
IIM Lucknow | 90 |
IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
IIM Indore | 90 |
IIM Rohtak | 95 |
IIM Visakhapatnam | 80 |
IIM Trichy | 92 |
IIM Udaipur | 92 |
IIM Ranchi | 92 |
IIM Amritsar | 85 |
IIM Shillong | 75 |
IIM Kashipur | 92 |
IIM Sambalpur | 92 |
IIM Jammu | 92 |
IIM Sirmaur | 92 |
IIM Nagpur | 85 |
IIM Raipur | 92 |
IIM Bodhgaya | 92 |
IIM selection process and admission include shortlisting of candidates based on CAT exam score and Written Ability Test (WAT) / Group Discussion (GD) / Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM sets a minimum CAT exam cutoff percentile to participate in the next round of the IIM admission process. Below is an overview of the selection process for IIMs and non-IIMs:
IIM MBA Selection Criteria: The CAT selection procedure for IIM admissions starts with shortlisting based on scores in CAT exam before being called for a GD and PI. Each IIM has its own parameters and different weightage for each. Students are advised to check the same before applying or putting in their preferences. Check out the IIM selection process given below:
IIMs release the admission criteria and selection process for PGP/ MBA before the CAT exam result declaration. The documents contain parameters, processes, cutoffs, etc. for MBA admission. The selection process through the CAT exam for all IIMs includes:
Note: Candidates do not apply to the IIMs. All CAT qualified candidates are issued call letters if they meet the criteria for the respective IIM in the order of their preference in CAT application form.
Check out all about the IIM Common Admission Process
Non-IIM Selection Process through CAT exam
Other than IIMs, institutions accepting CAT exam score conduct GD/ PI for admission to their MBA/ PGDM programmes. However, a few colleges admit students only based on CAT exam scores without conducting a personality assessment round.
People also looking for
Candidates willing to appear in the CAT exam should solve the previous year's CAT exam paper, as it is the best study source and also helps in effective preparation. Understanding the types of questions asked, the marking scheme, the weightage of various sections, and, most importantly, learning how to solve a problem quickly, which will help in the CAT exam, are just a few advantages of solving the previous year's CAT exam paper.
CAT Exam Paper with Solution PDF (2012-2022)
Take a look at below the year-wise CAT exam question paper.
18002090830 , 03324679178
Highest CTC: Rs 18.33 LPA | Average CTC: Rs 7.39 LPA | Experiential Learning | Classes by Industry Professionals | Alumni Mentorship Program
Triple Accreditation (NBA, IACBE & SAQS) | Dual Specialisation | Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Yes, it is possible to crack CAT without practice, but it requires a well-structured self-study plan and dedication. Many candidates have successfully cleared CAT through self-preparation using proper study materials like books and online resources.
There are no designated pass marks. In fact, CAT exam scores are in the form of percentiles, which are used by various BSchools including IIMs, for admission purposes.
This is always dependent on the preparation, but in general, the CAT exam is not very tough. There is a lot of competition, but with a good amount of dedication and preparation, its easy to crack the CAT exam.
Although switching between sections is not allowed in the CAT exam, switching between questions within a section can reduce your chances of scoring. By dividing each section of the CAT exam into three rounds, the process can be made more streamlined.
IIM develops new and innovative questions every year to assess candidates' problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and aptitude. Questions may not be exactly repeated in the CAT exam, and similar concepts or patterns may be found in different years.
CAT is not only for engineering students. Traditionally, engineering students write CAT in large numbers. Also, CAT's exam pattern, which includes VARC, QA, and DILR, is designed to test candidates' problem-solving skills.
CAT is conducted online in CBT mode by IIMs every year to start the MBA admission process in top B-schools in India.
No, 12th-grade student is not eligible for CAT. Since CAT is an MBA entrance exam, a candidate must have a Bachelor's degree.
Applicants who have not completed their undergraduate degree. Graduates with less than 50% marks are not eligible to apply for the CAT exam 2025.
No, the CAT exam is a requirement for admission to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), where one can pursue an MBA.
During the CAT exam, candidates are only allowed to use an on-screen calculator. No other calculator will be allowed to be taken inside the CAT examination hall.
There is no limit on the number of CAT entry attempts as determined by the CAT exam authority. An aspirant can attempt multiple times to crack the CAT exam.
No. It is not mandatory to appear in CAT for MBA. Candidates can join Bschools by appearing in other entrance tests or through direct admission, minimum graduation marks, or reserved category.
The CAT exam application fee is Rs 2,600 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates. For SC/ ST/ PWD candidates, the fee is Rs 1,300.
Any candidate who has completed graduation with 50% (45% for SC/ST candidates) can apply for the CAT exam. Final-year candidates are also eligible and there is no age limit to apply for the CAT exam.
Every year an IIM conducts the CAT exam on a a rotational basis. This year, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode.
CAT is a national-level management aptitude test conducted by IIMs for PGP/PGDM/MBA admission offered by its 21 campuses.
Application Date
10 Jul, 2025 - 05 Dec, 2025
Application Date
01 Aug, 2025 - 10 Oct, 2025
Result Date
02 Aug, 2025 - 02 Aug, 2025
Application Date
15 Sep, 2025 - 15 Sep, 2025
Application Date
20 Nov, 2025 - 20 Nov, 2025
Exam Date
27 Dec, 2025 - 28 Dec, 2025
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, if your caste is listed under Central OBC and you come under the category of Non-Creamy Layer, then you shall be eligible for the OBC-NCL reservation in the CAT exam and IIM admissions, irrespective of its being categorized as OEC in Kerala. Remember to get a valid OBC-NCL certificate obtained as per the format prescribed by the Government of India.
Hey Vijay:)
Thanks for reaching out!
OEC,(Other Eligible Communities) is a state-specific reservation category used in Kerala,and it is not recognised as a separate category in central-level exams like the CAT.
For Central govt exams candidates must choose from the recognised categories: General,SC,ST,OBC-NCL,EWS or PwD.If your community is listed under OEC-SC or OEC-ST in Kerala,you should check whether it falls under SC or ST in the central list and apply accordingly.
Similarly,If your OEC community is in the central OBC list and you meet the non-creamy layer(NCL)rules,you can apply as OBC-NCL, otherwise you need to apply under the general category.
You can verify caste's status in the central list on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
Hope this clears your doubt!
Hi dear candidate,
The score of your CAT exam is valid for one year from the date of exam.
For example: If your CAT exam was held on 24th November 2024 then your score is valid till 31st December 2025 meaning that you can take admission in the academic year 2025 - 27.
BEST REGARDS
With a Telangana EWS state rank of 2000 in NEET 2025, you have a decent chance of getting an MBBS seat under Category A (Convener quota) in government or semi-government medical colleges, especially during the later rounds of counselling. Your chances are higher in newer or peripheral colleges.
CAT ( Common Addmission Test ) is for those students who want to study MBA or other post-graduation program in mangement field. Who have Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% recognised university can apply for CAT .final year graduation students are also eligible to apply for CAT exam .
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now
Amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed
Ranked #41 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement | Last Date to Apply: 30th July | Limited seats available in select program
NAAC A+ Grade | Ranked No.1 Private University in India (QS World University Rankings 2025)
North India's Largest Educational Group | NIRF Ranked 86 | NAAC A+ Grade | Highest Package 1.6 Cr | Applications Closing on 31st July
College Available: 683
College Available: 493
College Available: 84
College Available: 66
College Available: 54