CAT 2025 MBA Entrance Exam – Gateway to IIM & Top B-Schools | Apply Now

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is India’s most prestigious and highly competitive business school entrance examination, conducted nationally by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) for MBA and management program admissions. The CAT 2025 examination serves as the exclusive gateway for admission to prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is accepted by over 1,300 top business schools across India, making it the world’s most recognized management entrance exam. With an expected participation of over 3 lakh candidates, CAT 2025 represents the most competitive and sought-after MBA entrance examination, offering life-changing opportunities for career advancement in the business and management sectors.​

The Common Admission Test is renowned for its rigorous assessment of management aptitude, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities essential for business leadership. CAT scores play a pivotal role in determining admission to elite management institutions, including all 20 Indian Institutes of Management, premier institutes like FMS Delhi, Delhi School of Management, and numerous other top-tier business schools offering exceptional MBA and management education.​

About CAT and Its Significance

The Common Admission Test (CAT) was established to provide a unified, standardized examination for MBA admissions across India’s premier business institutions. Conducted annually since 1992, CAT has evolved into the benchmark examination for management education in India, maintaining the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and merit-based selection. The examination is recognized globally, with international business schools and corporations recognizing CAT scores for admission and recruitment purposes.​A

CAT qualification represents a significant professional achievement, signaling exceptional analytical abilities, business acumen, and readiness for management responsibilities. Candidates who score well in CAT gain access to world-class management education, extensive professional networks, and career opportunities in leading multinational corporations, consulting firms, financial institutions, and entrepreneurial ventures globally.​

Examination Overview and Structure

CAT 2025 Examination Details (Conducted by IIM Kozhikode):

• Conducting Authority: IIM Kozhikode (Cochin University of Science and Technology)

• Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Fully online

• Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours) – 40 minutes per section

• Total Questions: 66 questions across three sections

• Total Marks: 228 marks

• Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Typed Numerical Answer (TNA)

• Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (Last Sunday of November)

• Exam Sessions: Three time slots

  • Morning Session: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

  • Afternoon Session: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

  • Evening Session: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

• Exam Centers: 170+ cities across India

• Score Validity: Valid for 1 academic year (2025-2026 admission cycle)

• Frequency: Conducted once annually in November

• Languages: English only

• Number of Attempts: Unlimited attempts allowed (no cap)

• Calculator: Not allowed (on-screen calculator NOT provided in 2025)​

Paper Structure and Section Details

CAT 2025 Paper Composition:

Section 1 – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):

• Questions: 20 questions

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Marks: 76 marks

• Question Types:

  • Reading Comprehension passages (multiple questions per passage)

  • Sentence completion and jumbled paragraphs

  • Verbal reasoning and grammar-based questions

  • Logical consistency of sentences

Section 2 – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):

• Questions: 20 questions

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Marks: 76 marks

• Question Types:

  • Data interpretation from tables, graphs, and charts

  • Logical reasoning and deduction problems

  • Pie charts and bar graphs analysis

  • Series and sequence problems

Section 3 – Quantitative Aptitude (QA):

• Questions: 26 questions (22 MCQ + 4 TNA)

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Marks: 76 marks

• Topics Covered:

  • Algebra and linear equations

  • Geometry and coordinate geometry

  • Trigonometry

  • Arithmetic and number systems

  • Percentage and profit-loss

  • Time, speed, and distance

  • Permutation and combination

  • Probability

Marking Scheme:

• MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions): +3 marks for correct, -1 mark for incorrect, 0 for unanswered

• MSQ (Multiple Select Questions): +3 marks for a fully correct answer only, no partial credit, 0 for unanswered or partially correct

• TNA (Typed Numerical Answer): +3 marks for correct, 0 for incorrect or unanswered (no negative marking)​

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university in any discipline

• Minimum aggregate marks: 50% for General/EWS/OBC candidates

• Minimum aggregate marks: 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates

• Equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India

• Professional degree holders (CA, CS, ICWA) with a minimum of 50% marks are also eligible

Candidate Status:

• Candidates who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree

• Candidates appearing in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree

• Candidates awaiting Bachelor’s degree results

• All are equally eligible to apply and appear for CAT 2025

Age Requirement:

• No age limit – Candidates of any age can appear

• Fresher graduates and working professionals are equally eligible

• No maximum age restriction

Nationality:

• Indian citizens

• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

• Foreign nationals

• All are eligible to appear for CAT 2025

Attempt Limit:

• No limit on the number of attempts – Unlimited attempts allowed

• Previous year CAT scorers can appear again to improve their score

• Each attempt is considered separately​

Important Dates and Application Timeline

CAT 2025 Critical Schedule (Completed & Upcoming):

• Notification Release Date: July 27, 2025

• Registration Start Date: August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM)

• Application Deadline: September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM) – CLOSED

• Extended Registration Period: Till September 20, 2025, with a late fee

• Last Date for Application: September 20, 2025 (CLOSED)

• Last Date for Fee Payment: September 20, 2025 (CLOSED)

• Admit Card Release: November 12, 2025

• CAT 2025 Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (Last Sunday of November)

• Answer Key Release (Provisional): December 2025 (1st week)

• Objection Window: December 2025 (2nd week)

• Final Answer Key: December 2025 (3rd week)

• CAT Result Declaration: January 2026 (1st week)

• Scorecards Available: Till January 31, 2027

• B-School Counselling: January-April 2026 (varies by institute)

• MBA Program Commencement: July-August 2026​

Category-Wise Application Fee Structure

CAT 2025 Registration Fees (Non-Refundable):

Payment Methods Available:

• Debit Card (all banks)

• Credit Card (all banks)

• Net Banking (all banks)

• UPI (Unified Payments Interface)

• PayPal (for international candidates)

Important Fee Information:

• Application fees are strictly non-refundable under all circumstances

• No fee refund for non-appearance, withdrawal, or any other reason

• Additional processing charges and GST are payable by the candidate

• Payment must be completed online only

• Refund policy does NOT allow fee transfer to subsequent years​

How to Apply Online for CAT 2025

Registration Status: CAT 2025 registration has CLOSED as of September 20, 2025

For Future Candidates Preparing for CAT 2026, Follow These Steps:

1. Visit Official Website: Navigate to iimcat.ac.in (official CAT portal)

2. Create User Account: Click “Register” and provide:

   • Valid email address

   • Active mobile number

   • Create a strong password

   • Accept terms and conditions

3. Email Verification: Receive OTP on the registered email and verify the account

4. Log in to Portal: Use your email ID and password to access the CAT account

5. Fill Personal Information:

   • Full name (as per government identification)

   • Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)

   • Gender (Male/Female/Other)

   • Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PwD)

   • Nationality

   • Permanent address details

   • Correspondence address

   • State and district information

6. Provide Educational Details:

   • Bachelor’s degree, university name

   • Degree name and field of study

   • Year of graduation

   • Percentage or CGPA obtained

   • Whether currently pursuing or having completed a Bachelor’s

   • Relevant professional qualifications (if any)

7. Exam Preferences:

   • Select preferred exam session/slot

   • Choose exam city (top 3 preferences)

8. Upload Required Documents:

   • Photograph (colored, passport-size, 50×60 mm, JPG, 20-200 KB, 80% face visible)

   • Signature (30×60 mm, JPG, 10-100 KB)

   • Government ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID scanned)

   • Bachelor’s degree certificate or mark sheet

9. Complete Fee Payment:

   • Select payment method

   • Enter payment details

   • Confirm payment

10. Submit Application:

• Review all information carefully

• Click the Submit button

11. Save Confirmation:

• Download the application receipt

• Keep the registration number and password safe​

Career Opportunities After CAT Qualification

• Direct admission to all 20 IIMs across India

• Admission to 1,300+ premier business schools nationwide

• Top MBA colleges: FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, IMT Ghaziabad, XLRI, etc.

• Executive MBA programs and management specializations

• International MBA opportunities and scholarships

• Career advancement in consulting, investment banking, and corporate sectors

• Average MBA graduate salary: ₹15-25+ lakhs per annum (varies by college and specialization)

• Scholarship opportunities for high scorers (up to 100% fee waiver)