CAT 2025: Registration, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, and Exam Dates

CAT 2025: CAT is India’s premier national-level examination for admission to top MBA/PGDM programmes. The exam is conducted annually by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). It is a computer-based exam to test candidate’s skills in verbal ability and reading comprehension. It is a highly competitive entrance exam in India.

The full form of CAT is the Common Admission Test. The exam is a primary gateway to prestigious management institutions across the country. A high CAT percentile not only boosts your academic future but also places you ahead in the job market post-MBA. The exam provides a standardised measure of the candidate’s skills.

CAT 2025: Overview

Eligibility Criteria for CAT Exam

You are required to meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the CAT exam:

• You must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or college.
• You must achieve atleast 50% marks (45% for the reserved category).
• There’s no age restriction to appear for the CAT 2025 exam.

CAT 2025: Important Dates

Registration Process for CAT

Understanding the step-by-step procedure, required documents, application fees, and common mistakes to avoid is essential to completing the registration successfully.

How to Apply for CAT – Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for CAT 2025, candidates need to follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website once the registration link is live.
2. Register as a new user by providing basic details like name, email ID, mobile number, and date of birth.
3. Verify your email and mobile number using the OTP sent by the system.
4. Fill in the detailed application form, including personal information, academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and choice of IIMs.
5. Upload scanned documents such as photographs, signatures, and category certificates (if applicable) in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the application fee using online payment modes.
7. Review the application form carefully and submit it before the deadline.
8. Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required for CAT Registration

Candidates need the following documents while registering for CAT 2025:

• Scanned passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Academic certificates (10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets)
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Work experience certificate (if claiming weightage)
• Government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport)

CAT 2025 Application Fee

The application fee for CAT 2025 is generally structured as follows:

• General/OBC Candidates: ₹2,400
• SC/ST/PwD Candidates: ₹1,200

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Marking Scheme of CAT 2025 Exam

CAT 2025 Syllabus

The CAT 2025 syllabus is not officially defined by the IIMs, but it broadly covers topics from Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and Quantitative Ability. Understanding the section-wise syllabus helps candidates plan their preparation in a structured manner.

CAT 2025 Admit Card

Candidates can download the CAT 2025 admit card from the official CAT website once it is released. 

How to Download the CAT 2025 Admit Card

• Visit the official CAT website
• Log in using your CAT User ID and Password
• Click on the “Download Admit Card” link
• Download the admit card in PDF format
• Take 2–3 printouts for exam day use

Details Mentioned on the CAT Admit Card

• Candidate’s Name
• Registration Number / User ID
• Photograph and Signature
• Date of Birth
• Exam Date and Time
• Test Slot
• Exam Centre Name and Address

Important exam day instructions

• Exam Day Guidelines
• Carry a printed admit card to the exam centre.
• Bring a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport, etc.)
• Reach the exam center well before reporting time
• Do not carry electronic devices (mobile, calculator, smartwatch)
• Follow all instructions given by invigilators
• Any prohibited item may lead to disqualification

Read More: CAT 2025 Answer Key Released: Click here to Download and Result

CAT Result and Scorecard

Steps to Check the CAT Result 2025 Live Scorecard

You are required to follow a step-by-step process to check and download the CAT result 2025 scorecard:

1. Visit the official website at https://iimcat.ac.in/.
2. Click on the link CAT result 2025.
3. Enter your user ID and Password.
4. Click login 
5. Your CAT Result 2025 scorecard will appear on the screen.
6. Now download the PDF or take a printout.

Details Mentioned on the CAT Result 

1. Candidate's Name
2. Registration Number
3. Date of Birth
4. Section-wise Score: 
5. Overall scaled score
6. Sectional percentile
7. Overall percentile

MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Scores

IIMs Accepting CAT Scores 

The CAT 2025 score is widely accepted by some of the most reputed MBA colleges in India. Candidates securing a good CAT percentile can apply to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as several top non-IIM management institutes. Admission is offered based on CAT score, academic performance, work experience, group discussion, written ability test, and personal interview rounds.

Top Non-IIM MBA Colleges Through CAT

Apart from IIM institutions, numerous universities accept the CAT score for MBA admission. Students who do not meet the high cutoff score can explore these options to continue their MBA journey without losing a year. Here’s a list of some non-IIM institutes:

Final Admission

Institutes prepare a final merit list based on CAT percentile, interview, GD, WAT, PI, and academic records. Selected candidates will receive a provisional admission letter. After receiving the provisional admission letter, you are required to complete the admission process and confirm your admission. 

Conclusion

The CAT exam is a crucial milestone for candidates aspiring to build a successful career in management. With intense competition and limited seats in top MBA colleges, understanding the registration process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and important dates becomes essential for effective preparation. A well-planned strategy, timely application, and clear understanding of the exam structure can significantly improve your chances of securing a high percentile.

FAQ

Q1. What is CAT?

Ans. CAT 2025 is a national-level management entrance examination conducted for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by IIMs and leading B-schools in India.

Q2. Who conducts the CAT exam?

Ans. The CAT exam is conducted by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year.

Q3. What are the eligibility criteria for CAT?

Ans. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). Final-year students are also eligible to apply.

Q4. What is the exam mode of CAT?

Ans. CAT will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode at designated examination centres.

Q5. What is the marking scheme for CAT?

Ans. Each correct answer carries +3 marks, while a −1 mark is deducted for incorrect MCQs. There is no negative marking for TITA questions, and unattempted questions carry 0 marks.

Q6. How many sections are there in CAT?

Ans. CAT consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).