CAT (Common Admission Test)
All about registration, eligibility, syllabus, important dates, and more.
Overview
CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into MBA, PGDM, and other management programs at IIMs and other top B-Schools in India.
The exam evaluates candidates on Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation.
It is one of the most competitive exams for MBA aspirants in India and is accepted by over 1000+ business schools across the country.
CollegeTracer provides free counseling and admission guidance to help students choose the right MBA college after qualifying CAT.
CAT 2025 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 2025 |
| Registration Start | August 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | October 2025 |
| Exam Date | November 2025 |
| Result Announcement | January 2026 |
CAT Eligibility Criteria
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Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
-
Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
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There is no age limit to appear for CAT.
CAT Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 min | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 min | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| Total | 66 Questions | 120 min | 198 Marks |
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Question Type: MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer)
-
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQs only)
Application Fee (Expected)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs2400 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs1200 |
Payment can be made through credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking.
How to Apply for CAT 2025
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Visit the official CAT website – https://iimcat.ac.in
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Click on “New Candidate Registration” and fill basic details.
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Complete the application form with academic and work experience information.
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Upload scanned photograph and signature.
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Pay the fee online and submit the form.
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Download and save the application confirmation page.
CAT Syllabus 2025 (Overview)
1.Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:
Grammar, sentence correction, para jumbles, reading comprehension passages.
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning:
Charts, tables, puzzles, caselets, and logical sequences.
3.Quantitative Ability:
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Number System, Mensuration.
Preparation Tips
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Understand the exam pattern and sectional timing.
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Practice mock tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
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Focus on strong reading and reasoning skills.
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Analyze previous year CAT papers.
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Maintain a consistent preparation schedule.
Highlights
- Exam Level: National
- Mode:
Online (Computer Based Test)
- Application Fee:
Category Application Fee (Expected for CAT 2025) General / EWS / NC-OBC ₹2,400 SC / ST / PwD ₹1,200 - Duration: 2 Hours
Eligibility Criteria
-
Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
-
Final year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
-
There is no age limit to appear for CAT
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 Jun, 2025 |
| Registration Start | 01 Aug, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 Sep, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 05 Nov, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | 08 Jan, 2026 |
Application Process
- Register on the official portal
- Fill application form
- Upload documents
- Pay application fee
- Download confirmation page
Documents Required
- 10th & 12th Marksheet
- Passport size photo
- Government ID proof
- Category certificate (if applicable)
Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 min | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 min | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| Total | 66 Questions | 120 min | 198 Marks |
-
Question Type: MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer)
-
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQs only
FAQs
The CAT exam is conducted by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis.
No, work experience is not mandatory. Both freshers and experienced candidates can apply.
There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT.
Yes, CollegeTracer provides free MBA counseling and admission guidance for students qualifying through CAT and other exams.
Top Colleges for CAT (Common Admission Test)
No colleges available for this exam.
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