Are you aiming for admission to top MBA/PGP programs in India? The Common Admission Test (CAT) is your gateway to the prestigious IIMs and other leading business schools. CAT 2025 is just around the corner, and staying informed about its key dates, registration process, and exam format is crucial for your preparation.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about CAT 2025, from application to exam day, including direct links to the official CAT website.
CAT 2025: Important Dates (Expected)
While the official notification for CAT 2025 is typically released in late July or early August, based on previous years’ trends, here are the expected key dates for CAT 2025:
| Event | Expected Dates (2025) |
| CAT 2025 Official Notification Release | Last week of July 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration Start Date | First week of August 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration End Date | Last week of September 2025 |
| Admit Card Download Start Date | Last week of October 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | Last Sunday of November 2025 |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | Second week of January 2026 |
Note: These dates are provisional and based on historical patterns. Always refer to the official CAT website for confirmed dates once the notification is released.
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Before you register for CAT 2025, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PWD categories) from any university incorporated by an Act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
- Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination or awaiting results can also apply. However, they must complete all requirements for the Bachelor’s degree by a specific date (usually July of the admission year).
- No Age Limit: There is no age restriction for appearing in CAT.
CAT 2025 Application Form Filling Format & Process
The CAT 2025 application process is entirely online. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in filling out the form:
- Registration:
- Visit the official CAT website (link below).
- Click on “Register” for CAT 2025.
- Provide your Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number.
- A unique User ID and Password will be sent to your registered email and mobile.
- Login & Fill Application Form:
- Log in using your generated User ID and Password.
- The application form will appear with several sections:
- Personal Details: Fill in your personal information, parents’ details, address, category (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD), and communication preferences.
- Academic Details: Enter your 10th, 12th, Bachelor’s degree marks/grades, and details of any other qualifications (Master’s, professional degrees).
- Work Experience (if any): Provide details of your full-time, part-time, or internship work experience.
- Program Selection: Select the IIM programs and non-IIM institutions you wish to apply to through CAT.
- Exam City Preference: Choose up to six test cities in order of preference.
- Upload Documents:
- Photograph: Recent passport-size photograph (usually 30mm x 45mm, JPEG/JPG format, max 80 KB).
- Signature: Scanned signature (usually 35mm x 15mm, JPEG/JPG format, max 80 KB).
- Category Certificate (if applicable): Scanned copy of your SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD certificate in PDF format (usually max 800 KB). OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be as per the latest government guidelines.
- Pay Application Fee:
- The application fee for CAT 2025 is typically paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
- Expected Fee: Around INR 2,400 for General/EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. (These are indicative from previous years).
- Review and Submit:
- Carefully review all the details filled in the application form before final submission. No changes can be made after submission.
- Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted in three sections with a total duration of 120 minutes (2 hours). Each section has a specific time limit.
| Section | No. of Questions (Expected) | Time Limit (Expected) | Question Type |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
- MCQ: Multiple Choice Questions (usually +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect)
- TITA: Type In The Answer (non-MCQ, usually +3 for correct, no negative marking)
CAT 2025 Official Website
For the most accurate, confirmed, and up-to-date information regarding CAT 2025, always refer to the official CAT exam website. This is where the official notification, application portal, admit card, and result links will be published.
Official CAT 2025 Website:
Stay vigilant, prepare well, and keep an eye on the official website for the latest announcements!
CAT 2025: Registration, Expected Exam Date, Application Form & All You Need to Know
Are you an aspiring MBA candidate aiming for a top business school in India, including the prestigious IIMs? The Common Admission Test (CAT) is your gateway. Staying updated with the CAT 2025 registration, exam dates, application process, and exam pattern is crucial for your preparation strategy.
This comprehensive post provides all the essential details for CAT 2025, including expected timelines, eligibility, the application form format, and a direct link to the official CAT website.
CAT 2025: Important Dates (Expected)
The official notification for CAT 2025 is typically released in late July or early August. Based on consistent trends from previous years, here are the expected key dates for CAT 2025:
| Event | Expected Dates (2025) |
| CAT 2025 Official Notification Release | Last week of July 2025 (e.g., July 30, 2025) |
| CAT 2025 Registration Start Date | First week of August 2025 (e.g., August 2, 2025) |
| CAT 2025 Registration End Date | Last week of September 2025 (e.g., September 21, 2025) |
| Admit Card Download Start Date | Last week of October 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | Last Sunday of November 2025 (e.g., November 30, 2025) |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | Second week of January 2026 |
Note: These dates are provisional and based on historical patterns. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode is expected to be the conducting body for CAT 2025. Always refer to the official CAT website for confirmed dates once the notification is officially released.
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Before proceeding with your CAT 2025 registration, ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA. For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwD categories, the minimum requirement is 45% marks or equivalent CGPA. The degree must be from a university incorporated by an Act of the central or state legislature in India, or other recognized educational institutions.
- Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification examination, or those awaiting their results, are eligible to apply. However, they must complete all requirements for the Bachelor’s degree by a specific date (usually July of the admission year) and submit a provisional certificate if required by the admitting IIM/B-school.
- No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in CAT.
- Work Experience: Work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT. Both fresh graduates and working professionals can apply.
CAT 2025 Application Form Filling Format & Process
The CAT 2025 application process is conducted entirely online. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the form:
- New Candidate Registration:
- Visit the official CAT website (link provided below).
- Click on the “New Candidate Registration” button.
- You will need to provide your Full Name (as per Class 10 mark sheet), Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number, and country.
- After successful registration, a unique User ID and Password will be sent to your registered email address and mobile number. Keep these credentials safe.
- Login & Fill Application Form:
- Use your generated User ID and Password to log in to the CAT application portal.
- The application form is typically divided into several key sections:
- Personal Details: Fill in your parents’ names, gender, nationality, communication address, and category details (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD). If applying under a reserved category, ensure you have the necessary certificate in the prescribed format.
- Academic Details: Provide your marks/percentages for Class 10th, Class 12th, Bachelor’s degree, and any other higher/professional qualifications (e.g., Master’s, CA/CS/ICWA). If your university provides CGPA, ensure you know the conversion method to percentage.
- Work Experience (If Applicable): If you have full-time work experience (post-graduation), provide details such as employer name, job title, and duration (as of July 31, 2025). This section is not mandatory but is crucial for many top B-schools.
- Program Selection: Select the IIM programs and non-IIM institutions to which you wish to apply. You can select multiple programs and preferred interview cities for each.
- Exam City Preference: Choose up to six test cities in order of your preference. The system will attempt to allot a center based on your choices.
- Upload Required Documents:
- Photograph: A recent passport-size color photograph (not older than 6 months), with a white or off-white background.
- Dimensions: Approx. 30mm x 45mm
- File Size: Usually between 80 KB to 150 KB
- Format: JPEG/JPG
- Signature: Your scanned signature on a white background.
- Dimensions: Approx. 80mm x 35mm
- File Size: Usually between 80 KB to 150 KB
- Format: JPEG/JPG
- Category Certificate (if applicable): Scanned copy of your SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD certificate.
- Format: PDF
- File Size: Usually max 800 KB
- Important: OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be as per the latest Government of India guidelines and issued on or after April 1, 2025. PwD certificates must be in the prescribed format.
- Photograph: A recent passport-size color photograph (not older than 6 months), with a white or off-white background.
- Pay Application Fee:
- The application fee for CAT 2025 is typically paid online through credit card, debit card, or Net Banking.
- Expected Fee: Around INR 2,400 for General/EWS/OBC-NCL candidates and INR 1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. (These amounts are indicative based on previous years).
- Review and Final Submission:
- Before the final submission, meticulously review all the information you have entered in the application form. Once submitted, you generally cannot make any changes.
- After successful payment and submission, download and print the confirmation page for your records. This page serves as proof of your application.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted in multiple shifts on a single day. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes (2 hours), with specific time limits for each section.
| Section | No. of Questions (Expected) | Time Limit | Question Type | Marking Scheme (Typically) |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQ), No negative (TITA) |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQ), No negative (TITA) |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQ & TITA | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQ), No negative (TITA) |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
- MCQ: Multiple Choice Questions.
- TITA: Type In The Answer (non-MCQ questions where you type the numerical answer).
- Sectional Timings: You cannot move between sections until the allotted time for the current section is over.
- On-Screen Calculator: An on-screen calculator will be provided during the exam.
Official CAT 2025 Website
For the most accurate, confirmed, and up-to-date information regarding CAT 2025, always refer to the official CAT exam website. This is the sole authoritative source for the official notification, application portal, admit card downloads, and result announcements.
Official CAT 2025 Website (Permalink):
Stay focused on your preparation, mark the key dates, and regularly check the official website for all announcements!