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The CAT 2025 exam is expected to take place on November 30, 2025, organized by IIM Kozhikode in online mode across 155 cities. Its scores will be accepted by 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India for admission into postgraduate management programs. The official notification is likely to be released on the IIMCAT website (iimcat.ac.in) by the end of July 2025, with registration starting in the first week of August 2025. The notification will provide key details, including the exam date, registration schedule, admit card release, and result announcement, enabling candidates to plan their preparations and complete all exam-related steps on time.

Exam Illustration

What is a CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted annually by one of the top IIMs on a rotational basis, is India's most prominent MBA entrance exam. It serves as the gateway for MBA admissions to all 21 IIMs, along with prestigious institutions like FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi & Kolkata, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and numerous other leading B-schools across India. With over 2 lakh aspirants appearing each year, CAT opens doors to MBA programs in India's top management institutes.

Key Highlights of the CAT Exam:

  • Nationwide Computer-Based Test: Conducted across 155+ test cities and 400+ exam venues.
  • Reduced Duration: The exam has been shortened to two hours since 2020, down from the previous three hours.
  • Three Exam Sections: The test comprises Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA), each with a fixed time limit.
  • Mandatory for IIM Admissions: All 21 IIMs and top B-schools will consider only CAT scores for MBA admissions.

The exam duration will be 2 hours and the question paper will most likely have 76 questions in total, the same as last year. But you never know! IIM Ahmedabad is known for its surprises. So the total number of questions may vary between 60-76. 

 Through this exam, IIMs and other colleges offer MBA, PGP, PGP-FABM, PGPEM, PGDM, EPGP PGPSM, PGPWE, PGDHRM, PGPEX, PGPBM, etc. The CAT exam is an aptitude test designed to evaluate an applicant’s Quantitative, Verbal/reading, Data Interpretation, and Reasoning Skills. The Indian Institutes of Management conduct a computer-based Common Admission Test in two sessions in the last week of November. IIMs will conduct this exam as a prerequisite for admission to various management programs of IIMs and other colleges.

CAT Exam Important Dates

The notable CAT 2025 dates, including the CAT registration date 2025, the last date to apply, the CAT 2025 exam date, and the result date, are provided below:

 

CAT 2025 Important Dates
CAT 2025 Events CAT 2025 Dates (Tentative)
CAT 2025 notification Last week of July 2025
CAT 2025 Registration First week of August 2025 
CAT 2025 Registration Last Date Second week of September 2025
Release of CAT 2025 admit card First week of November 2025
CAT 2025 exam date November 30, 2025
CAT 2025 result date Third week of December 2025
 
               

CAT Exam Pattern

The initial stage before preparing for an exam is knowing about the CAT exam syllabus. The CAT exam schedule contains three sections. These sections are QA, VARC, and DILR. QR stands for quantitative aptitude that section includes grade tenth-level mathematics.

VARC stands for verbal ability & reading comprehension. That section includes grammar and comprehensive type questions. DILR means data interpretation & logical reasoning. That includes analysis of puzzles and pie charts. 

CAT Exam Particulars CAT Key Details
CAT Exam Full Form  Common Admission Test 
Who Conducts the CAT Exam?  One of 6 old IIMs conducts CAT every year
CAT 2025 Conducting Institute IIM Kozhikode (tentatively expected)
CAT 2025 Exam Date  November 30, 2025
Total Questions in the Exam 66
No. of sections & Questions Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: 24 Qs Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: 20 Qs Quantitative Ability: 22 Qs
Number of Answer Options for MCQs 4
Number of Answer Options for Non-MCQs No Answer Option; Type In the Answer on Computer screen
Number of Answer Options for Non-MCQs No Answer Option; Type In the Answer on Computer screen
Scoring Pattern in the CAT exam +3 Marks for Each Correct Answer
-1 Mark for Each Wrong Answer (Only for MCQs)
0 Mark for Each Wrong Answer or Unattempted Question for Non-MCQs
Exam Slots To be Conducted in 3 sessions – Morning, Afternoon & Evening on same day
Exam Duration 2 hours for each slot
CAT Sectional Time Limit 40 Minutes for Each of the 3 sections
Facility to Choose Order of Sections No, Must answer the sections in pre-defined order from section 1 to 3
Testing Mode Computer-based exam at test centers but not an online exam
CAT 2025 Notification Release Last week of July 2025 (Tentative)
Details to Check in Notification CAT Exam details, Application fee, Registration dates, MBA courses by IIMs through CAT 2025
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 for MBA Admission 2025 21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs, IMI, IMT & 1000 other MBA colleges in India
How to Apply for CAT 2025? Application process is online only
CAT 2025 Registration Fee Rs.2500
CAT Official Website for Form Filling https://iimcat.ac.in

 

 CAT Exam Particulars Questions Time (in mins)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 24 40
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 20 40
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) 22 40
Total 66 120

How to Register for CAT 2025?

Now, coming to the most important point -- how you should Register for the CAT 2025 exam. CAT Registration 2054 steps are simple and can be completed easily following this step-by-step guide:

  • Log in to https://iimcat.ac.in and create your profile.
  • Fill in the registration & application form:
    • Enter personal details.
    • Submit academic details from Class 10 onwards.
    • Provide your work experience (if applicable).
    • Select IIMs and programs you wish to apply for.
    • Choose 6 preferred CAT exam cities.
  • Make the CAT registration fee payment online.