CAT 2025: A Complete Guide

Last Updated : 13-03-2025
Author : Edu Masters

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to postgraduate, doctoral, and executive management programs. Renowned for offering premier management education, IIMs use CAT scores along with Personal Interviews and Written Ability Tests/Group Discussions to shortlist candidates based on merit. This computer-based test evaluates quantitative ability, verbal skills, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. Open to all graduates, CAT also serves as an eligibility criterion for top B-Schools across India, including IITs and IISc. Held in November, it requires 3-4 months of dedicated preparation.

1. Name of the Exam

Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025

2. Conducting Body

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – A specific IIM will be announced as the conducting institute.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Criteria	Details
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
Age Limit	No age limit.
Additional Requirements	Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply.

4. Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Date
Application Start Date	August 2025
Application End Date	September 2025
Admit Card Release	October 2025
Exam Date	November 2025
Result Announcement	December 2025

5. Application Process

Step	Details
Registration	Visit www.iimcat.ac.in and register using email and phone.
Fill Application Form	Provide personal, academic, and professional details.
Upload Documents	Upload scanned passport-size photo and signature.
Pay Fee	Pay online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Submit	Submit the form and save the confirmation page.

Application Fee

Category	Fee (INR)
General/EWS	2,400
SC/ST/PwD	1,200

6. Exam Pattern Exam Pattern for CAT 2025

Aspect	Details
Mode	Online (Computer-based test).
Sections	1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
	2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
	3. Quantitative Ability (QA).
Total Questions	Approximately 66.
Duration	2 hours (40 minutes per section).
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers (for MCQs), no negative marking for non-MCQs.

7. Syllabus

Section	Topics
VARC	Reading comprehension, para jumbles, sentence correction, vocabulary.
DILR	Data interpretation, puzzles, arrangements, logical reasoning.
QA	Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, modern math.

8. Results and Counseling

Aspect	Details
Results Declaration	Results will be announced in December 2025 on the official CAT website.
Counseling Process	Group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests. Institutes consider CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors for final admission.

9. Preparation Tips

Tip	Details
Study Material	Use standard books like Arun Sharma (QA), Nishit Sinha (VARC), and mock tests.
Practice	Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests.
Time Management	Dedicate time to each section and focus on weaker areas.
Join Study Groups	Peer discussions help clarify doubts and motivate.