CAT Attempt Limit 2025: How Many Times Can You Take the CAT Exam?

CAT Attempt Limit 2025: How Many Times Can You Take the CAT Exam?

Team Careers360Updated on 30 Nov 2025, 09:18 AM IST

The CAT attempt limit is not specified. The CAT (Common Admission Test) is held once every year for admission to IIMs and other top-rated MBA/PGDM colleges. CAT 2025 will be held on November 30, 2025. Candidates can attempt the CAT 2025 on the day in three slots. There is no specific CAT attempt limit, which is a relieving factor as the CAT exam itself puts a bit of pressure on the aspirants. Moreover, there is no CAT attempt age limit. The CAT attempt limit might not be there, but the candidates should go for a CAT exam a maximum of 2 (3 in rare cases), as it does take a toll on the personal and professional life of the candidate.

LiveCAT 2025 Result LIVE: MBA entrance exam results on December 24? cut-offs, IIM admission requirementsDec 21, 2025 | 8:13 AM IST

IIM Kozhikode may or may not release the CAT 2025 result today, but media reports say it is likely to be announced in the last week of December.

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CAT Attempt Limit 2025: How Many Times Can You Take the CAT Exam?
CAT Attempt Limit

CAT Attempt Limit for Different Categories

For candidates belonging to different categories, there is no CAT attempt limit specified. There is no CAT attempt limit for the general category as well. The eligibility criteria, however, differ slightly for different categories. The CAT eligibility criteria for various categories are given in the table below.

Category

CAT Eligibility Criteria

CAT Exam Attempt Limit

General

Bachelor’s Degree with 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a UGC-recognised institute.

Unlimited

SC/ST/PwD

Bachelor’s Degree with 45% marks or equivalent CGPA from a UGC-recognised institute.

Unlimited

CAT Attempt Limit for IIM Admission 2026-28

The IIMs have not prescribed any CAT exam attempt limit as part of their eligibility criteria. The candidates across all age groups are shortlisted based on their CAT 2025 percentiles. To get shortlisted, candidates need to have a CAT percentile at par with the CAT cutoff for a particular IIM. For final selection, the candidate needs to perform well in the group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) rounds.

Candidates with work experience in significant roles have the chance to make their profile stand out among other applicants. Work experience is not mandatory as per the eligibility criteria of the IIMs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many times can CAT be taken?
A:

The CAT exam can be taken by the candidates for any number of times they wish to. There is no specified number of CAT attempts limit barring a candidate. The CAT exam is held once every year by one of the IIMs. The CAT score is accepted by different IIMs and top management institutes across the country.

Q: What is the validity of the CAT score?
A:

The validity of the CAT score is one year from the date of declaration. The valid CAT score for admission will be acceptable by a college for a given academic year only. For the next year, candidates will be required to take the CAT exam for a valid CAT score.

Q: What is the fee for the CAT exam?
A:

The registration fee for the CAT exam is Rs. 2400 for General Category candidates and Rs. 1200 for candidates belonging to reserved categories. The CAT exam fee can be paid online through various modes like credit/debit cards, net banking, and UPI.

Q: Which is the best IIM in India?
A:

IIM Ahmedabad is considered to be the best IIM in India. It has the highest CAT cutoffs among the peer IIMs. As per the NIRF ranking, IIM Ahmedabad bagged the number one spot for colleges in the management category.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

For a raw score of 56 in CAT 2025 Slot 3, your expected overall percentile is likely to be in the range of the 90th-95th percentile. The exact percentile can vary slightly on the final normalization process and the process and performance of all test-takers. In this article you'll find more about the CAT result.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,
With a projected CAT percentile of 87% but not clearing sectional cutoffs, your chances at top IIMs are limited because they require both overall percentile and sectional minimums. However, you still have a good shot at other reputed management institutes and non-IIM B-schools. Consider colleges like NMIMS, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and other well-ranked private or state-level B-schools that accept CAT scores and weigh your profile holistically. Your academic record, BSc in Animation with 80%, and 5 years of work experience at Ubisoft India are strong points and may help in institutes that value work experience in their selection process. Also, explore institutes that accept XAT, MAT, or CMAT, where your profile can be competitive.
Hope this helps you.

Good Morning,

NIT Rourkela CAT cutoff range is between 70-85 percentiles for the general category. 70 is the minimum percentile needed to apply, and 85 is the highest percentile. However, the maximum percentile depends on the particular year competition. It can be changed.

Thank You.

If you filled the UGC NET form under EWS but you don’t have a valid EWS certificate, then forget using the EWS category. They won’t accept it. You’ll automatically be treated as General category during document verification.


And no, this won’t make your form “invalid” or “illegal.” It just means you won’t get the EWS benefit.


So yes — you can still go for General category posts and Professor recruitment. Just don’t try to submit a fake/invalid certificate; that will get you disqualified.

Hello,
If your CAT admit card shows your surname first followed by your first name as entered in the form, it is correct. You do not need to worry about this format as long as it matches the details you provided. Ensure all other information on the admit card is accurate and carry it to the exam along with the required identification documents.
Hope this helps you.