CAT 2025: Exam Date is Nov 30; Read Last Minute Preparation Tips, Exam Day Guide, How to Download Admit Card

• CAT 2025 was held on November 30, 2025 at 339 test centres in 170 cities in India.
• Around 2.58 lakh candidates appeared in CAT 2025 exam (out of 2.95 lakh registered candidates).
• There was No Change in CAT 2025 Exam Pattern with 68 questions.
• CAT 2025 exam difficulty level was higher than CAT 2024 paper.
• Check expected CAT 2025 Score Vs Percentile comparison by India’s top CAT institutes
• CAT 2025 Answer Key was released on December 4, 2025.
• CAT 2025 Result Release Date is December 19-20, 2025 (Expected). 

Conducted by one of the top IIMs every year by rotation, Common Admission Test is the largest MBA entrance exam for MBA admission in 21 IIMs and other top B-schools. So, it is the mandatory entrance exam for MBA admission 2026 in all the 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi and hundreds of other top B-schools in India. Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2024 exam was 3.29 lakhs. However, total number of candidates who appeared in CAT 2024 exam was 2.93 lakhs only. Salient Points about the CAT Exam are:

• CAT is a computer-based test conducted at more than 155 test cities and 400+ test venues
• CAT exam duration is two hours. Time allotted for three sections is 40 minutes each.
• CAT exam is divided into three sections of Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability
• CAT Exam score is mandatory requirement for IIM admissions. IIMs do not consider any other exam like XAT or GMAT for two-year full-time MBA/PGP admission.

CAT 2025 Exam Date is November 30, 2025. CAT 2025 Key Dates for registration, admit card and other events are given below:

CAT 2025 Exam will be held on November 30, 2025 in three slots. CAT 2025 exam timings are given in the table below.

Read complete CAT Exam date and timings details. 

Below are the important points regarding CAT 2025 eligibility criteria:

• A candidate with minimum 50% marks in graduation is eligible
• A final year student in graduation is also eligible
• There is no age limit to apply and appear in the exam
• Note that IIMs have different eligibility criteria for MBA Admissions

Note that IIMs have different CAT exam eligibility criteria for MBA Admissions

Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

CAT registration 2025 process closed on September 20, 2025. How to Apply for CAT 2025? CAT registration 2025 process can be completed by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Registration for User ID and Password 
Visit the CAT official website iimcat.ac.in and register for getting your User ID and password. 

Step 2: Login to CAT 2025 Website
After receiving your User ID and password, login to CAT website and enter the same to login to your account.

Step 3: CAT 2025 Form Filling Process
How To Fill CAT Exam Form? Well, this is the main step for CAT registration. CAT Application Form is categorized into the following six sections:  

1. PERSONAL DETAILS
2. ACADEMICS
3. WORK EXPERIENCE
4. PROGRAMMES
5. TEST CITY
6. DECLARATION  

List of Documents Required for CAT Registration

• Valid email address & mobile number for entire exam duration
• Passport size photograph (within 1200 x 1200 pixels, < 80 KB)
• Scanned signature (within 80mm x 35mm, < 80 KB)
• Educational qualification details (SSC, HSC, Bachelor's, Master's, etc.)
• Valid EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate (if applicable)
• Valid PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Caste/Tribe certificate (for reserved category candidates)
• Additional documents as per the selected category, if applicable

Read Guide to CAT 2025 Registration Process covering all the above steps in detail. 

CAT registration highlights are presented in table below. Link to apply for CAT 2025 is given in table below.
 

CAT 2025 exam scores will be accepted by 21 IIMs for more than 50 general and specialized MBA programs. Check list of IIMs accepting CAT scores with their Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) programs and website in table below. Please note that Admission process for each IIM is independent of CAT exam. While performance in the CAT 2025 examination is an important component for consideration in IIM admission process, each IIM has their own eligibility criteria (including academic cut-offs and relative weights) and follow different selection processes. IIMs may also use the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short-listing of candidates. Each IIM will release their own admission policy in coming months.

IIM CAT Cut Offs are fixed by each IIM by category. While the qualifying CAT cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs for general candidates are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 92-97 percentile.

• CAT 2025 exam syllabus covers three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). While IIMs do not release a fixed syllabus, the CAT exam syllabus can be derived from CAT exam pattern.
   
• The VARC section includes Reading Comprehension (RC), Paragraph Completion, Summary Writing, and Odd Sentence questions, testing candidates on their reading speed, comprehension, and verbal reasoning. The DILR section assesses analytical and problem-solving skills through data-based caselets, logical puzzles, seating arrangements, tournaments, and graphs/charts-based interpretation.
   
• The Quantitative Ability (QA) section focuses on mathematical concepts, with questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and Number Systems. Arithmetic topics such as Percentages, Ratios, Profit & Loss, and Time & Work form a significant portion of the QA section. Algebra includes Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Logarithms, while Geometry covers Circles, Triangles, and Mensuration. Modern Math topics like Permutation & Combination and Probability also appear in the exam. Check complete details in tables below.

Read more about CAT 2025 Syllabus for different sections.

CAT 2025 preparation strategy and tips for last few weeks is given below.

1. Focus on Revision, Not New Topics: The first preparation tip by CAT Toppers is simple but very important to remember. In the run up to CAT, the pressure to cover everything can be overwhelming! But according to CAT Toppers the key is to consolidate what you already know, and avoid studying new concepts that might disturb your focus. 

2. Leverage Mock Tests to Perfect your Test Taking Strategy: For effective CAT 2025 Study Plan, Topper’s advice MBA aspirants that taking Mocks will help in time management, question selection and rejection, and understanding areas for improvement. Mock tests are essential during the final month, but as toppers point out, that “taking mocks alone isn't enough”. What really matters is “understanding mistakes and fine-tuning test taking strategies accordingly”.  

3. Fine-Tune Your Sectional Strategy: CAT isn't just about solving questions! It’s about solving questions strategically, within the time constraints of each section. Hence, for the right CAT 2025 Study Plan, Toppers recommend that MBA aspirants should “experiment with different approaches during mocks” to discover their own unique effective strategy for each section. 

4. Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout: Indeed, preparing for CAT can be mentally exhausting. So don’t burnout in the final stretch! Toppers emphasize the importance of “balancing study with relaxation” to stay motivated to perform well in time pressure. 

5. Last Few Days to CAT Exam -- Take a break: According to CAT toppers, anxiety and over-preparation can be counterproductive in the final days before CAT. Toppers recommend staying calm and taking a break before the CAT exam day!

CAT 2024 Topper Srishti Vazirani, who scored 99 Percentile, shared following last minute CAT preparation tips

• In terms of my test-taking strategy, I had finalized my approach by early November after several mock analyses and strictly followed it on exam day. My focus was on smart question selection and maintaining composure throughout. Earlier, I had a tendency to get stuck on tough questions especially in QA and waste 7–8 minutes trying to solve them out of ego. To fix this, I started scanning the entire section first, marking the easy ones, and then moving on to the more difficult questions. This approach helped me manage time better and stay composed during the test.
• I stopped studying two days before the exam and take things light and that’s something I consciously followed.

Read more CAT Toppers Interviews on MBAUniverse.com 

MBAUniverse.com has launched free CAT 2025 resources to help you set clear CAT targets and optimise your preparation and college applications. First, check the required CAT Cut Offs 2025 percentiles for shortlisting at 21 IIMs and top Non-IIMs. Next, check the required score using CAT Score vs Percentile 2025. Finally, estimate your percentile before and after the exam using the CAT Percentile Predictor 2025. All tools are free to use and live now. Read more details below and try them now! 

CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile (Past Trends & Prediction)
CAT Score vs Percentile shows the marks needed to secure 99, 95, 90, 85 percentile and lower percentiles. For example, in CAT 2024, scoring around 93–94 marks resulted in a 99 percentile. Read this updated CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 guide to understand how CAT percentile is calculated, review previous years’ trends, and check predictions for CAT 2025.

CAT Percentile Predictor 2025
CAT Percentile Predictor is online calculator, developed by MBAUniverse.com, that helps you calculate your marks and percentile in the CAT exam based on your actual or expected performance. This free tool functions as both a CAT Marks Calculator 2025 and a CAT Percentile Predictor 2025, allowing you to estimate your CAT performance and decide which MBA colleges you should apply to.

CAT Cut Offs for IIMs and Non-IIM B-schools
CAT Cut Offs refer to the minimum percentile required to be shortlisted for the MBA admission process at IIMs and other top B-schools. This year, IIM Ahmedabad has increased its minimum CAT cut offs, while IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore continue with lower cut offs. Check CAT Cut Offs 2025 for all IIMs and leading non-IIM MBA colleges. This will motivate you to make the best use of the remaining days before CAT.

Toppers recommend that taking Mocks is of utmost importance as it is a very important preparation tool. If you are seriously preparing for the exam and wish to score high percentile, it is necessary to attempt more and more Mock Tests to get ready for the exam day. IMS, TIME, and Career Launcher (CL) are most popular paid mock test series. 

If you are looking for free high quality CAT Mock Tests, check MBAUniverse.com CAT Mock Tests. They are based on last 10 Years’ actual CAT papers (based on CAT 2024, CAT 2023, CAT 2022, CAT 2021 and other previous year’s CAT paper). You can take them free online after a simple registration. 

CAT Previous Year Question papers are one of the most important CAT preparation tools. IIM are releasing CAT question papers every year since 2017. CAT previous papers are of great help and serve as CAT preparation guide. MBAUniverse.com has prepared series of CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions. Download a few CAT Previous Year Paper pdf from the links below. Visit CAT previous years papers for last 10 years papers.

Should I enroll for CAT 2025 coaching? This is a common question in the minds of CAT aspirants. Read the advantages and disadvantages of CAT coaching.

If you decide for coaching, selecting the right CAT coaching institute is an important step. Check key details to help you decide.

a) Top National CAT Coaching Institutes
Top three CAT coaching institutes with national presence are TIME, IMS and Career Launcher. They offer both offline and online CAT coaching course with fees ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 75,000. TIME is known for tough Mocks. Career Launcher Mock Tests was appreciated by CAT 2024 toppers. IMS Learning has strong online courses.

b) Top Regional CAT Coaching Institutes
Many coaching institutes have strong presence in some cities or states like MBA Guru in Delhi NCR.

c) Top Online CAT Coaching Institutes 
Cracku has emerged as a strong alternative to traditional coaching institutes like TIME and IMS. Similarly, many YouTube channels like Rodhas are also popular.

d)  Specialized Verbal or Quantitative Coaching Institutes

CAT Coaching Fees 
The cost of CAT coaching varies based on the mode and institute:

• Online Programs: Generally, range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000.
• Offline Programs: Typically range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000.

Selecting the Right Institute
When choosing a coaching institute, consider the following:

• Student Feedback: Look for reviews from former students who have taken CAT recently. Also check CAT Toppers interview where they reveal their coaching institutes.
• Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and experience of the teaching staff.
• Study Material: Ensure the institute provides comprehensive and up-to-date materials.
• Mock Tests and Analysis: Regular testing and performance analysis are crucial for tracking progress.

Read this article on CAT coaching for complete details. 

Over the years, the number of CAT exam registrations has seen a fluctuating trend, with a significant increase in last two years. Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2024 exam was 3.29 lakhs. Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2023 exam were 2024 exam was 3.28 lakhs. The number of candidates who have registered for CAT 2025 exam have dropped.

As per a press notification released by IIM Kozhikode on Nov 3, 2025, CAT 2025 admit card has been generated for only 2.95 lakh candidates. IIM Kozhikode has not given a specific number of candidates who have registered for CAT 2025, but given only the number of candidates for whom admit card has been released.

Notification by IIM Kozhikode said, “Admit cards for 2.95 lakh eligible candidates have been generated and can be downloaded only from the CAT website (https://iimcat.ac.in) using the CAT application login ID and password between 12 November and 30 November 2025.” This implies that CAT registrations numbers have fallen. Check comparison with last years in table below. 

Table: CAT Registration Numbers - 10 Years’ Trends

CAT 2025 was held on November 30, 2025 at 339 test centres in 170 cities in India. Last year, for CAT 2024, the number of CAT test cities were increased to 170 from 160 last year. The choice of CAT 2024 Test Cities was reduced to 5 from earlier 6 cities. Check List of CAT Exam Test Cities

The CAT Admit Card 2025 is the official hall ticket issued by the IIM conducting CAT and is a mandatory document to appear in the exam. CAT admit card also contains details such as the candidate’s name, registration number, category, photograph, signature, exam date, time slot, reporting time, and exam centre address.

CAT Exam Admit Card 2025 was released on November 12, 2025. Candidates can download it by logging in with their registered user ID and password. To access it, visit iimcat.ac.in, click the “Login” tab, enter your credentials, and go to the “Admit Card” section. Download the file and take multiple printouts. On exam day, carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the test centre. Read complete details on how to download CAT 2025 admit card.

CAT 2025 help desk has been set up at IIM Kozhikode. Candidates can contact and share any queries at: [email protected]. CAT helpdesk number is 1800 210 017. IIM Kozhikode has also said that is a candidate encounters any fraudulent websites or suspicious request, they should report them immediately to the CAT help desk. 

CAT 2025 Result Release Date is December 19-20, 2025 (Expected). This expected date is based on past trends and recent updates on CAT exam. CAT 2025 results will be released on CAT official website iimcat.ac.in. Check how to download CAT 2025 result scorecard.

MBA Admission 2026 in India: Not only the IIMs, there are highly ranked and internationally accredited MBA/ PGDM colleges among the MBA colleges accepting CAT/XAT score. Some of the prominent MBA colleges excluding IIMs which will accept CAT/XAT score percentile 90 & above for MBA admission are given in table below. Direct links to MBA application forms 2026 for these colleges are given below.

List of Top MBA Colleges with Fees, Salary, Admission 2026 Dates