The CAT 2025 Registration process has officially started. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most prestigious MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIMs for admission into MBA, PGP, Executive MBA, and FPM/PhD programs at 21 IIMs and 1200+ B-schools across the country.
This short guide covers everything from registration to final admission, helping you prepare for the CAT 2025 Exam with confidence.
Table of Contents
CAT 2025 Registration Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 |
| Conducting Body | IIM Kozhikode |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based (CBT) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Courses Offered | MBA/PGP, FPM (PhD), Executive MBA |
| Participating Institutes | 21 IIMs + 1200+ B-schools |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 27 July 2025 |
| Registration Start | 1 August 2025 (10:00 AM IST) |
| Registration End | 13 September 2025 (5:00 PM IST) |
| Correction Window | 15–21 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 5 November 2025 |
| Last Date Admit Card | 30 November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | 13 December 2025 (Tentative) |
| Objection Window | 13–16 December 2025 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | First week of January 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | 2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD | 1,300 |
Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI
Note: Fee is non-refundable
CAT Eligibility Criteria
For MBA / PGP & Similar Programs
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final year UG students can apply (provisional admission if selected)
- Candidates with CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI degrees are also eligible
- No age limit
For Fellow/PhD Programs
- PG/Professional degree, as per institute-specific norms
read more:
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How to Apply for CAT 2025 online form
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Click on New Registration and fill in the basic details
- Receive User ID & Password via email/phone
- Log in and fill out the detailed application form
- Upload photo, signature, and category certificates (if applicable)
- Select preferred programs and up to 5 test cities
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit and print confirmation
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Registration Portal | Click here |
| CAT 2025 Notification | Download here |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT Admission Process
- CAT score shortlisting (IIM-wise cutoffs vary)
- WAT (Written Ability Test), PI (Personal Interview), and/or GD (Group Discussion)
- Final selection on composite score: CAT%, academic record, work experience, diversity factors
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
- Sections:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 20 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 22 questions
- Total Questions: 66
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 min per section)
- Question Type: MCQs & TITA (Type In The Answer)
- Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (no negative for TITA)
- Computer-Based Test at designated centres
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Allotted | Marks per Correct | Negative Marking (MCQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 min | +3 | -1 |
| DILR | 20 | 40 min | +3 | -1 |
| Quant | 22 | 40 min | +3 | -1 |
| Total | 66 | 120 min | 198 Max | [MCQ only] |
CAT 2025 Exam Date
The CAT 2025 exam will be held on 30 November 2025 (Sunday). This year, IIM Kozhikode is conducting the exam. It will be an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), organised in three sessions on the same day at exam centres across India. While filling the registration form, you can choose your preferred test cities.
Participating Institutes (IIMs) – CAT 2025
| No. | Institute Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2 | IIM Amritsar |
| 3 | IIM Bangalore |
| 4 | IIM Bodh Gaya |
| 5 | IIM Calcutta |
| 6 | IIM Indore |
| 7 | IIM Jammu |
| 8 | IIM Kashipur |
| 9 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 10 | IIM Lucknow |
| 11 | IIM Mumbai |
| 12 | IIM Nagpur |
| 13 | IIM Raipur |
| 14 | IIM Ranchi |
| 15 | IIM Rohtak |
| 16 | IIM Sambalpur |
| 17 | IIM Shillong |
| 18 | IIM Sirmaur |
| 19 | IIM Tiruchirappalli |
| 20 | IIM Udaipur |
| 21 | IIM Visakhapatnam |
FAQs: CAT 2025
When will CAT 2025 Registration start?
CAT 2025 registration begins on 1 August 2025 and will continue till 13 September 2025 through the official website iimcat.ac.in.
What is the application fee for CAT 2025?
CAT 2025 fee is ₹2,600 for General/EWS/OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
What are the CAT 2025 eligibility criteria?
You must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students and candidates with CA/CS/ICWA qualifications can also apply.
How is the CAT 2025 exam pattern structured?
CAT 2025 has 66 questions divided into three sections – VARC (24), DILR (20), and QA (22), with 40 minutes for each section.
When is the CAT 2025 exam date?
The exam will be held on 30 November 2025 in computer-based mode at test centres across India.
Which institutes accept CAT 2025 scores?
All 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India accept CAT scores for MBA/PGP admissions.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 is a big chance for students who want to join IIMs or other top B-schools in India. Once you register, start focusing on the exam syllabus, pattern, and practice mock tests regularly. If you prepare well and manage your time smartly, you can score high and get into your dream MBA college.
