CAT Exam Date 2025: Exam Dates, Registration, Fee, Eligibility, Syllabus

CAT (Common Admission Test) is one of the most prominent national-level entrance exams in India for admission to the country's top B-Schools. This computer-based test is conducted once a year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), a premier network of prestigious MBA institutions.

According to the official notification released on July 24, 2025, the CAT 2025 exam will be held on November 30, 2025, across more than 170 cities under the coordination of IIM Kozhikode.

With the announcement of the exam date, the months of August, September, and November have become especially crucial, as most of the important events and deadlines fall within this period.

If you’re planning to appear for CAT 2025, this guide is for you. In the following sections, we’ll cover all the key details you need to know — from the exam structure and important dates to preparation tips and eligibility criteria.

Let’s get started!

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CAT Exam Date 2025 – Important Dates & Timings

The CAT exam is conducted every year for admission into various management programs such as MBA and PGDM. Knowing the key dates and understanding the sequence of events related to the exam is crucial for students planning to appear.

Here is a quick overview of CAT Exam 2025:

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CAT Exam 2025 Registration Date & Process

With over 2.5 lakh applicants appearing for the exam each year, CAT remains one of the most competitive entrance exams for admission to management institutions in India. Applicants who register early are more likely to secure their preferred test session and exam center, and can also plan their preparation more efficiently.

The registration for CAT 2025 began on August 1, 2025, and will remain open until September 13, 2025. It is highly recommended to complete the registration as early as possible through the official website: iimcat.ac.in.

1. Visit the IIMCAT official website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Select “New Registration”.
3. Now simply enter your personal details such as name, D.O.B, and contact details.
4. Create and setup an account with id and password.
5. Now fill up the application form with your academic details.
6. To complete the application, upload your recent passport size photo and scanned signature.
7. After selecting the preferred city and IIMs, you will be directed to the payment page for fee.
8. Once you pay the required fee, your application form will be submitted successfully.

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CAT Exam Fee 2025

CAT 2025 applicants who are seeking admission to top public and private MBA colleges next year will be required to pay the following exam fees:

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CAT Exam 2025 Eligibility for Applicants

CAT is the gateway to India’s best MBA colleges and universities and the exam undergoes a fair and standardized assessment process. To ensure and maintain the prominence of the exam, students are required to meet the eligibility criteria as mentioned below:

1. Academic Requirement: While general applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50 Percentile or equivalent CGAP, candidates from SC, ST, and PwD categories have some relaxation in required percentile with 45 Percentile.
2. Final Year Students: Final year students of their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent programs (qualification) are also eligible to apply for CAT 2025 but they must complete their program and achieve their degree within the specified date as set by the IIMs.
3. No Age Limit: There is no restriction in upper age.
4. Nationality: Nationality is a crucial aspect of the CAT eligibility. Applicants must hold a valid citizenship of India. However, foreign applicants can also be eligible but that process is different and complicated.

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CAT Exam Admit Card 2025

CAT exam admit card downloading process is scheduled from November 05, 2025 to November 30, 2025. The applicants who have successfully done the registration will be able to download their admit card from IIIM-CAT website: iimcat.ac.in. The download process includes login to account with id and password and clicking on “Download Admit Card”. On the day of the examination, consider carrying multiple hard copies of your admit card.

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CAT 2025 Exam Syllabus Overview

CAT exam tests the candidates’ problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills through three main subjects:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Reading Comprehension (RC), Verbal Ability
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Data Interpretation (DI), Logical Reasoning (LR),
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Arithmetic (Most Important): Algebra, Number System, Geometry & Mensuration, Modern Math (Low-Medium Frequency).

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CAT Exam 2025 Patterns and Structure

The CAT exam score is accepted by more than 1,300 B-Schools in India for admission to their colleges and universities, making it a crucial option for students aiming for top private and semi-private MBA institutions in the country. The key to clearing this important exam lies in understanding its pattern and structure because it helps candidates prepare more strategically and manage their time effectively during the test.

This year's exam pattern and structure will remain the same as last year. The exam will be 2 hours (120 Minutes) long with 40 minutes per section, and will consist of 68 questions. The test will cover three main sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

      Find more information in the table below.

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CAT Exam Preparation for 2025

As you familiarize yourself with the CAT 2025 exam format, pattern, and structure, you'll be better equipped to identify the areas where you need improvement. While working on your weaknesses is crucial, other factors such as discipline, focus, mental stamina, and consistency are equally important to crack the exam.

If you plan strategically and study with razor-sharp focus on the following areas, your preparation can truly be a game changer:

1. Start with high-weightage topics like Arithmetic (QA), Reading Comprehension (VARC), and LR puzzles (DILR).
2. Practice sectional tests regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
3. Focus on data interpretation sets and logic-based puzzles, as these are often tough and time-consuming.
4. For VARC, read editorials, newspapers, and fiction/non-fiction to build comprehension and vocabulary

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CAT Exam Answer Key Date 2025

IIM has always been at the forefront in maintaining the sanctity and integrity of the CAT exam. Hence, each year before the announcement of the results, they release the official answer key containing the correct answers to all the questions asked, ensuring transparency and allowing candidates to raise objections if needed.

However, as of now, the date for the release of the CAT 2025 answer key has not been officially announced. It is expected to be released in December, approximately one to two weeks after the exam, which is scheduled for November 30, 2025.

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CAT Exam 2025 Result

The CAT exam result date and timing have always been instrumental in the admission process for a large number of B-Schools across the country. The IIMs usually declare the results before the commencement of the first round of MBA admissions, ensuring a smooth and timely admission process for both institutions and applicants. However, as of now a date for the CAT exam result has not been announced by the IIM.

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Writen By:

Pawan Rawat

Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.