Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
IIM Kozhikode, or IIM-K as it's popularly known, is one of the premier management institutions in India. Its selection as the CAT 2025 convener underscores its strong academic standing and organizational capabilities. The institute has previously convened the CAT exam, bringing valuable experience to the table. Aspirants can expect a well-managed and smoothly executed examination process under IIM Kozhikode's leadership.
While the core structure of the CAT exam remains largely consistent year after year – focusing on Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) – each convening IIM may introduce subtle changes or nuances in the examination pattern, difficulty level, or question types. Aspiring candidates should closely monitor any further announcements from IIM Kozhikode for specific details regarding the CAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus.
CAT 2025 : Important Dates
The release of the important dates for CAT 2025 is a significant milestone for all aspirants. It allows them to plan their preparation strategy, application process, and other crucial steps effectively. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tentative CAT 2025 schedule:
1. CAT 2025 Official Notification Release:
- Notification Release on : 27th July 2025
- Significance: This is the most critical announcement, providing comprehensive details about the exam, including eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, participating IIMs, and other essential guidelines. Candidates must thoroughly read this notification.
2. CAT 2025 Application/Registration Start Date:
- Application/Registration Start Date: 1st August 2025
- Significance: The online application window will open on the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in). Aspirants can begin filling out their application forms, uploading necessary documents, and paying the application fee.
3. CAT 2025 Application/Registration Last Date:
- Application/Registration Last Date: 13th September 2025
- Significance: This is the deadline to complete the online application process. Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to avoid technical glitches or server issues.
4. CAT 2025 Admit Card Release Date:
- Admit Card Release Date: 5th November 2025
- Significance: The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the CAT exam. It contains crucial information like the candidate's name, roll number, photograph, exam date, time slot, and test center details. Candidates must download and print their admit cards from the official website.
6. CAT 2025 Exam Date:
- Exam Date: 30th November 2025
- The CAT exam is typically conducted in three slots on a single day across various test centers in India.
7. CAT 2025 Answer Key Release:
- Expected Date: First week of December 2025
- Significance: Post-examination, the IIMs release the provisional answer key, allowing candidates to review their responses and challenge any discrepancies.
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2025: Are you Eligible?
While the detailed eligibility criteria will be part of the official notification, based on previous years' trends, the general requirements for CAT 2025 are expected to be:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university. For candidates belonging to the SC.
- Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor's degree or awaiting their results are also eligible to apply. However, their admission would be provisional and subject to them fulfilling the minimum percentage criteria by a specified date (usually around June/July of the admission year).
- Professional Degree Holders: Individuals with professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible if they meet the minimum percentage requirements.
- No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear for the CAT examination, making it accessible to a wide range of aspirants, including working professionals.
It is crucial for all aspiring candidates to meticulously check the official CAT 2025 notification for any specific changes or additions to the eligibility criteria.
The CAT Exam Pattern: What to Expect on D-Day
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes for each section. Candidates cannot move to the next section until the time for the current section is over.
- Number of Sections: 3 sections:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Total Questions: To be around 66 questions (24 VARC, 20 DILR, 22 QA).
- Question Types: A mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions (non-MCQs).
- Marking Scheme:
- +3 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ.
- No negative marking for TITA questions.
Why is CAT Important? Crafting Your MBA Journey
The CAT score is not merely an entrance exam result; it is a critical stepping stone towards a rewarding career in management. Here's why CAT holds such immense importance:
- Gateway to IIMs: The 21 Indian Institutes of Management are consistently ranked among the top business schools globally. A strong CAT score is essential for securing admission to these coveted institutions.
- Access to Top B-Schools: Beyond the IIMs, over 1,300 other leading MBA colleges and universities in India accept CAT scores for their management programs. These include institutions like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IITs (for their management programs), and many more.
- Rigorous Selection Process: The CAT is designed to assess a candidate's analytical skills, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and quantitative aptitude – core competencies required for success in management education and beyond. A high CAT percentile demonstrates a strong foundation in these areas.
- Benchmark for Quality: The CAT score serves as a standardized benchmark that helps B-schools evaluate candidates from diverse academic backgrounds and experiences, ensuring a level playing field.
- Career Advancement: An MBA from a reputable institution, often secured through a good CAT score, significantly boosts career prospects, leading to leadership roles, higher salaries, and diverse opportunities across various industries.
Preparing for CAT 2025: A Strategic Approach
With the convener announced and tentative dates in place, aspirants should immediately intensify their CAT 2025 preparation. Here are some key strategies:
- Understand the Syllabus and Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus for each section and the updated exam pattern.
- Strengthen Your Fundamentals: Revisit basic concepts in Quantitative Ability, improve reading comprehension skills, and practice various types of logical reasoning and data interpretation questions.
- Regular Practice: Consistent practice is paramount. Solve a wide variety of questions from different topics to enhance problem-solving speed and accuracy.
- Mock Tests and Analysis: Take full-length mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions. More importantly, analyze your performance in each mock to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring improvement.
- Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies for each section to maximize your score.
- Stay Updated: Follow official CAT announcements for any changes in exam pattern, syllabus, or other guidelines.
- Resource Utilization: Utilize high-quality study material, online resources, and coaching if needed.
Conclusion: The Race to CAT 2025 Begins!
The announcement of IIM Kozhikode as the CAT 2025 convener and the release of tentative important dates mark the official commencement of the CAT 2025 admission cycle. For aspiring management professionals, this is a call to action. Strategic planning, consistent effort, and a dedicated approach to preparation will be key to cracking this highly competitive examination and securing a seat in their dream B-school. Stay tuned to the official IIMCAT website (iimcat.ac.in) for all future updates and detailed notifications. The journey to a successful MBA career in 2026-28 starts now!
FAQs
Q1. Who is conducting CAT 2025?
A: IIM Kozhikode is the official convener of CAT 2025.
Q2. When will CAT 2025 be conducted?
A: CAT 2025 will be held on 30th November 2025 in three slots across India.
Q3. What is the CAT 2025 registration date?
A: The registration window opens on 1st August 2025 and closes on 13th September 2025.
Q4. Is there any age limit for CAT 2025?
A: No, there is no upper age limit to appear for CAT.
Q5. How many questions will be asked in CAT 2025?
A: The exam is expected to have around 66 questions across three sections (VARC, DILR, QA).
Q6. Which colleges accept CAT 2025 scores?
A: Apart from 21 IIMs, 1300+ MBA colleges including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IITs accept CAT scores.
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