CAT Exam 2025 - Notification, Registration, Preparation Tips, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Cutoff for IIM

With just a few months left, CAT 2025 will most likely be conducted on November 30, 2025. The official announcement regarding the CAT 2025 exam date will be available tentatively by July 30, 2025. If you are aiming for IIMs in 2026, then the clock has started ticking. The CAT 2025 exam will involve testing the candidate's aptitude, planning, and persistence. This year, it is anticipated that IIM Kozhikode will conduct the CAT entrance exam 2025. Every year, IIMs, rotationally, conduct the CAT exam for admission to MBA programs in some of the top IIMs in India. All those planning to pursue PGDM/MBA must appear for the CAT 2025 as their score will be accepted by 21 IIMs and over 1,300 other MBA colleges in India. Keep reading to find complete information on the CAT 2025 exam.

CAT Latest News and Notifications

• CAT 2025 will most likely be conducted by IIM Kozhikode.

• Like last year, over 3 lakh candidates are expected to apply for the CAT 2025 entrance test.

• Like every year, one can expect that the CAT 2025 registration fees might increase.

• No changes are expected in the CAT 2025 paper pattern. The exam is expected to be on similar lines.

What is CAT Exam?

CAT 2025 is one of the most popular national-level management exams conducted in India. It is conducted annually, where candidates, based on their final scores (including CAT scores, WAT/GD-PI scores) are informed of the particular IIMs, or IITs or non-IIMs they get to study in to pursue an MBA program. The CAT 2025 exam includes questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR). The difficulty level of the exam is usually moderate to high. Last year, there were a total of 3.9 Lakh registrations. Over 3 lakh candidates are expected to register for the CAT 2025 exam.

More details on the CAT exam date, registration date, admit card release date, CAT 2025 result declaration date and CAT 2025 syllabus will be given therein.

CAT 2025 Coaching

All those planning to take the CAT 2025 exam can also opt for CAT coaching, which will help guide them towards the right path and in the preparation for cracking the CAT 2025 exam. There are several options available, such as online and classroom-based programs.

Some of the top coaching institutes to prepare for the CAT 2025 exam are IMS, TIME and CL. Listed below are some of the top coaching institutes, both online and in-class, which will be helpful for all.

CAT 2025: Topics with Repeated Questions in CAT Exam

When you are studying for the CAT exam, you will notice that some topics — arithmetic and TITA (Type in the Answer) — usually have questions that are repeated in a similar pattern every year.

Let us look at the following CAT sections which have been similar/repeated in the CAT exam.

Repeated Questions in Quantitative Aptitude

• Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratios, Proportions, Time-Speed-Distance.

• Algebra: Quadratic Equations and Sequences.

• Geometry & Mensuration: Emphasis on triangles, circles and coordinate geometry.

• Number Systems: Divisibility and Prime Numbers

Repeated Questions in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Data Interpretation: Bar Graphs, Tables and Pie Charts

• Logical Reasoning: Seating arrangement and tournament-based puzzles

• Venn Diagrams & Set Theory

Repeated Questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Reading Comprehension (RC)

• Para Jumbles

• Sentence Completion & Error Spotting

CAT Important Topics 2025

The CAT 2025 exam syllabus has not been released yet. However, the CAT exam will have several important questions. It is important for the candidate they go through the following list of important topics to get a rough estimate of the important topics.

CAT 2025 Exam Highlights

IIM admissions and other top B-school admissions in India will be based on CAT 2025. One of the most MBA entrance exams, CAT 2025 is expected to be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. An overview of the CAT exam is given below:

Question- Who will conduct CAT 2025?

Answer- As per the rotation policy, IIM Kozhikode will likely be conducting the CAT 2025 on November 30.

Question- Is CAT 2025 registration open?

Answer- The CAT 2025 registration process will take place probably from the first week of August 2025, and the same will end tentatively in the third week of September 2025.

CAT 2025 Exam Dates

The official CAT 2025 exam dates will be announced along with the CAT notification 2025 at the CAT 2025 official website. The tentative dates of the CAT 2025 registration are mentioned in the table below. As per the CAT 2025 schedule, candidates can prepare a study plan for the CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

To do an MBA at the IIMs or other leading business schools, good scores in CAT 2025 are required. However, it's more important to know what the CAT eligibility criteria are before starting the preparation. There is no set age limit for the CAT exam. Eligibility to appear in CAT 2025 can be summed up as follows:

• Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks (45% in case of SC, ST and PwD) from a recognised university. -OR- Professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)

Note: Final-year students or result awaiting students will get admissions only if they submit proof of eligibility during admissions.

CAT 2025: Reservation

Take a look at the following reservation there for the CAT exam, which all candidates can access

• As per the legal policy, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC), 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 25% of the seats are reserved for Other Backwards Class, candidates belonging to the ‘non-creamy’ layer (NC-OBC). Additionally, 10% of the seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

• Candidates belonging to the reserved categories need to note the eligibility requirements carefully before applying for the CAT 2025 exam.

CAT 2025: Registration

The CAT registration window for all the CAT aspirants will soon open on the official website. As mentioned above, it is expected that the CAT registrations will begin in August 2025 and will end around mid-September 2025. Make sure you keep a tab on this page to get all the latest information on dates.

Till then, let us look at the following registration process for the CAT 2025 exam:

• Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in
• Click on the option ‘new registration.’
• Next, you will be required to enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID.
• Complete the CAPTCHA code and verify registration with the OTP received.
• Login using the CAT 2025 ID received via email to complete the form.
• Provide personal and academic details.
• Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature.
• Select preferred IIMs, courses, and test cities.
• Pay the CAT application fee using a credit/debit card or net banking.

CAT Exam 2025 Registration: Important Documents

When registering for the CAT 2025 exam, all candidates will be required to submit some of their key documents, which are as follows:

• Max. 6-month-old photo, which could have a white/off-white background
• Dimensions of the photo: 30mm x 45mm
• Max. size of the photo: 1 MB
• Format: JPEG, JPG
• Signature with a size of max. 80KB
• Dimensions of the signature: 80mm x 35mm
• The format of the signature could be either JPEG or JPG.
• Category certificates will be accepted for SC-ST/NC-OBC/EWS formats.
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)
• Academic certificates will include those of Class 10, 12, Graduation, Master's/Professional degree details
• Lastly, all candidates must have full-time experience after graduation until 31 July 2025.

Note: All candidates, while submitting the documents, must use a scanner for the documents; do not use mobile devices for scanning photos/signatures/certificates.

Also Reads:

• How Many Students Give CAT Exam Every Year?

• How Many Students Appeared for CAT 2023 Exam?

CAT Exam Fees

CAT 2025 registration fees are expected to come around Rs. 2,500 for general and Rs. 1,250 for reserved candidates as per past trends. However, applicants can expect an increase in CAT 2025 fees to complete the CAT form 2025.

In case there are any changes in the CAT 2025 registration fees, we will update this page with the same for both reserved and unreserved categories of students. Keep in mind that the CAT application fee is non-refundable; thus, candidates must fill out the CAT application form carefully.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

The CAT exam pattern will be based on the three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates will get 40 minutes to work on each section, and the exam will most likely be conducted in both multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and non-MCQ formats.

Below is the CAT exam pattern 2025, which will be helpful for all the candidates.

CAT 2025 Syllabus

There is no specific CAT syllabus for 2025 that has been released by the conducting authorities. However, it is suggested that an aspirant follow the Class 10 syllabus for English and Maths. To give you a basic idea of the syllabus for the upcoming CAT 2025, we have taken out a list of topics from previous year question papers. Through this, candidates will get a basic idea of planning and prepare an effective preparation strategy.

Check out the CAT total questions asked from various topics given below:

Question: Is CAT syllabus same every year?
Answer: Yes, the CAT syllabus remains the same every year. It includes sections such as Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). However, one can expect that the exam pattern might evolve slightly.

Question: Which subject is toughest in CAT?
Answer: Going by the past year trends, it is expected that the Quantitative Ability (QA) section is considered to be the toughest of all the sections. This section often consists of tricky yet seemingly simple questions.

CAT 2025 Preparation

The following CAT preparation tips can help candidates prepare effectively for their CAT 2025 exam.

• Create a daily study schedule for CAT 2025 by organising the syllabus into sections and allocating time for each of them.
• Opt for self-study or enrol in coaching classes, utilising reliable study resources.
• Compile notes on crucial topics and prepare flashcards containing quick techniques and formulas.
• Consistently practice with CAT previous year question papers and mock tests, and review your performance.
• Set a timer when solving questions to monitor time spent on each one.
• Enhance general knowledge by reading the newspaper daily.

Related Reads:

CAT 6 Month Preparation - Complete Study Plan

It’s time that all CAT 2025 aspirants start their CAT preparation by preparing their 6-month study plan. By creating a proper study plan, students will lay a strong foundation first and then move on to a more intensive practice and finally end with focusing on mock tests and revision.

To help you with the CAT 6-month preparation, we have prepared the same, which will help you stay on your toes and keep you focused for the CAT 2025 exam.

CAT Books 2025

Choosing the best books for CAT preparation 2025 can be a bit difficult as we don't know the exact requirement, and there are a plethora of books in the market, but not all of them can be helpful in the preparation for the CAT 2025 exam. Below are the following CAT books 2025, which we have prepared section-wise.

Best CAT Books for DILR

Best CAT Books for VARC and Reading Comprehension

How to Apply for CAT 2025?

The steps for CAT registration are as follows:

1. Visit the official website, iimcat.ac.in and click on "New Candidate Registration."
2. Enter personal details, generate OTP and verify your email ID and mobile number.
3. Login using the CAT ID and password created, and fill in personal, communication, and emergency contact details.
4. Upload documents as specified, provide academic details (SSC/Class 10 onwards to graduation/ postgraduation) and enter relevant work experience (if applicable).
5. Select preferred exam cities (up to six choices).
6. Pay the CAT 2025 fees - Rs 2500 for the general category and Rs 1250 for SC/ST/PwD.
7. Take a printout of the filled CAT 2025 application for future reference.

CAT 2025 Admit Card

The CAT 2025 admit card is the most important document that must be carried on the exam day. Candidates must be aware of the following points about the CAT admit card mentioned below:

• Only registered candidates can download the CAT 2025 admit card.
• Candidates must log in with their ID and password on the official website of IIM CAT - iimcat.ac.in. to download the admit card.
• The CAT 2025 admit card will contain details such as the test centre, exam date, and other important information related to the exam.
• The CAT admit card is a mandatory document that must be carried on the day of the exam.
• Candidates should ensure that all the information mentioned on the admit card is correct. In case of any discrepancies, they should contact the authorities immediately.

How to download CAT Admit Card?

• Visit the official website of IIM CAT- iimcat.ac.in
• Click on the CAT admit card login option
• Enter the required CAT credentials such as CAT ID and Password
• Click on the CAT admit card tab
• Download CAT admit card and take a printout of it for future reference

Common Problems While Downloading CAT Admit Card 2025

Initially, while downloading the CAT 2025 admit card, there are chances that the candidate might face issues. The following are the issues that one might face.

• There can be instances when the candidate might have forgotten the password; in these cases, they can click on ‘Forget Password’ and follow the process to download the CAT exam 2025 admit card.

• Many times, candidates might face technical glitches due to heavy traffic on the official CAT website. It is advised that they must log in after some time.

IIM CAT Admit Card 2025: Ways to Correct the Errors

In case you find any discrepancies with the CAT 2025 admit card regarding the information provided in the same, you can contact us through the following ways:

• CAT Helpline: 10800-210-8720 (Toll Free)

• Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in

Also Reads:

• CAT 2025 Login: How to Retrieve User ID & Password, Registration & Admit Card Access

• CAT 2025 Admit Card: Colour vs Black & White Print; Which One Works?

• CAT 2025 Admit Card Download Link at iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2025 Analysis

According to previous CAT analysis, it is anticipated that the CAT 2025 entrance exam will range from moderate to difficult. In the preceding year, all three slots of the CAT exam were seen to be of a high difficulty level. The conclusive CAT 2025 analysis will rely on the feedback provided by aspirants and experts who took the exam. The earliest insights into the CAT 2025 exam analysis can be accessed through live coverage on the Careers360 YouTube channel from the CAT 2025 exam centre.

Also Reads:

• CAT Exam Analysis 2024 (OUT) For Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3: Download VARC, DILR, QA Analysis PDFs

• CAT Slot 1 Analysis 2024 - Know Section-wise Paper Analysis & Difficulty Level by Experts, Question

• CAT Slot 2 Analysis 2024 (Available): Know Detailed Slot 2 CAT Exam Analysis

• CAT Slot 3 Analysis 2024 (Available) - Detailed Paper Analysis of CAT Exam Slot 3

CAT 2025 Answer Key and Response Sheet

The CAT response sheet containing recorded responses and CAT answer key are typically made available by authorities approximately 8-10 days post the examination. Participants can access and download their recorded responses, along with the answers, from the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in. Additionally, Careers360 will offer a memory-based CAT 2025 answer key before the official release of the CAT 2025 response sheet.

Post the release of the CAT answer key, the candidates have the authority to raise objections during this period within the given timeframe. Once the authorities go through the objections raised, they then release the updated and final answer key concurrently with the CAT result 2025.

CAT 2025 Score Vs Percentile (Expected)

After estimating the CAT 2025 score, candidates can calculate their probable percentile with the help of CAT score vs percentile. Know what percentile a candidate can fetch based on their marks in the CAT 2025 exam with the help of the expected CAT marks vs percentile table:

CAT 2025 Results

The announcement of CAT 2025 results is anticipated in the third week of December 2025. To check the results, candidates should go to the official CAT website and click on the designated link for CAT results. Logging in with their CAT login credentials, like ID and password will be required. The validity of the CAT scorecard extends for one year until 2026.

CAT 2025 Cutoff

After the release of CAT 2025 results top B-schools like IIMs, MDI, FMS, etc., will start releasing their CAT 2025 cut off for admission to their MBA programmes. Based on this CAT cutoff they will shortlist the candidates for their selection process, the personal interview round. Check out the expected CAT 2025 cutoff of IIMs and non-IIMs disclosed under:

Expected IIM CAT 2025 Cutoffs

Expected CAT Colleges 2025 Cutoff (Non-IIMs)

CAT 2025 Selection Process

After clearing the CAT 2025 and achieving the necessary cutoff, they will be called for the CAT selection process by the participating institutes, including the IIMs and non-IIMs. The admission procedures may differ across various colleges, relying on factors such as CAT 2025 scores, Written Ability Test (WAT), and Group Discussion/Personal Interview (GD/PI). Refer to the details of the selection process below:

• Written Ability Test (WAT)
• Group Discussion (GD)
• Personal Interviews (PI)

Candidates must thoroughly research and understand the CAT 2025 selection criteria. They must go through the CAT selection process of the institutes of their interest to prepare accordingly and increase their chances of securing admission.

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score

Now that we are aware of all the IIMs that accept the CAT score, let us now look at the list of non-IIMs which accept the CAT score.

Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2025 Exam?

While the exact difficulty level of CAT 2025 and the exam conducting body are not confirmed. It is most likely that this year, IIM Kozhikode will conduct the exam with a moderate level of difficulty in all three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Looking at past years' CAT exams conducted by different IIMs, the difficulty tends to change. To know the latest updates on CAT and the exam pattern, make sure you keep an eye on all our CAT-related articles.