Overview of the CAT Entrance Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India’s most prestigious entrance exams for admission to postgraduate management programs, primarily the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and equivalent degrees like Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). It serves as the gateway to top business schools, testing candidates’ aptitude in verbal ability, quantitative skills, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. CAT is renowned for its high competition, with over 2 lakh aspirants annually vying for around 5,000 seats in premier institutes.

The Board Behind CAT

CAT is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), a group of 21 autonomous public business schools in India. The responsibility rotates among the IIMs each year. For CAT 2025, IIM Kozhikode is the coordinating institute, overseeing the entire process from registration to result declaration.

Colleges Affiliated/Accepting CAT Scores

CAT scores are accepted by over 1,300 management institutes across India, including all 21 IIMs and numerous other top B-schools. Admissions are based on CAT percentiles, followed by group discussions (GD), written ability tests (WAT), and personal interviews (PI). International colleges also accept CAT scores for select programs.

Below is a table of top colleges accepting CAT 2025 scores, categorized by tier and including approximate cutoff percentiles (based on previous years; actual cutoffs may vary). These are drawn from reliable sources compiling institute lists.

Tier	Institute	Location	Approx. CAT Cutoff Percentile (Overall)	Program
IIMs (Top Tier)	IIM Ahmedabad	Ahmedabad	99+	PGP
	IIM Bangalore	Bangalore	99+	PGP
	IIM Calcutta	Kolkata	99+	MBA
	IIM Lucknow	Lucknow	99+	PGP
	IIM Kozhikode	Kozhikode	98+	PGP
	IIM Indore	Indore	98+	PGP
	IIM Mumbai (NITIE)	Mumbai	98+	PGDMM
Non-IIM Top Tier	Faculty of Management Studies (FMS)	Delhi	98+	MBA
	SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR)	Mumbai	97+	PGDM
	Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS)	Mumbai	99+	MMS
	Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)	Delhi/Kolkata	95+	MBA (IB)
IITs & Others	IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)	Mumbai	95+	MBA
	IIT Delhi (DMS)	Delhi	95+	MBA
	IIT Kharagpur (Vinod Gupta School)	Kharagpur	90+	MBA
	Management Development Institute (MDI)	Gurgaon	95+	PGDM
Mid-Tier (80-90 Percentile)	Great Lakes Institute of Management	Chennai	85+	PGDM
	Goa Institute of Management (GIM)	Goa	85+	PGDM
	FORE School of Management	Delhi	85+	PGDM
	Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB)	Bhubaneswar	90+	MBA-BM

For a full list of 100+ colleges, including those accepting 70-80 percentile scores (e.g., IMS Ghaziabad, KIIT School of Management), refer to comprehensive directories. International options include ESSEC Business School (France), EDHEC Business School (France), and SKEMA Business School (France) for MiM/MBA programs.

Eligibility Criteria

To appear for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA). For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories, the minimum is 45%.
• Final-Year Students: Those in their final year of graduation (expected to complete by June 30, 2026) are eligible, provided they submit proof of meeting the criteria by the deadline set by the admitting institute.
• Age Limit: No upper age limit.
• Work Experience: Not mandatory, but preferred by some institutes.
• Attempts: No restriction on the number of attempts.

Candidates must ensure they meet these criteria before applying, as discrepancies can lead to disqualification.

Schedule for CAT 2025

The CAT 2025 timeline has been extended slightly for registration. Here’s a key dates table:

Event	Date
Registration Opens	August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM)
Registration Closes	September 20, 2025 (5:00 PM) – Extended
Admit Card Release	November 5, 2025
Exam Date	November 30, 2025 (Afternoon slots in three shifts)
Result Declaration	Second week of January 2026 (tentative)

The exam is computer-based and held across 150+ cities in India.

Application Process

The entire process is online via the official website (iimcat.ac.in). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the Website: Go to iimcat.ac.in and click on “Register Now” (available from August 1).
2. Create Account: Provide basic details like name, email, mobile number, date of birth, nationality, and academic details to generate a User ID and password.
3. Fill Application Form: Log in and enter personal, academic, work experience, and category details. Select up to 6 preferred test cities.
4. Upload Documents: Scan and upload passport-size photo (30-80 KB, JPG), signature (10-200 KB, JPG), and other required docs (e.g., SC/ST certificate if applicable).
5. Pay Application Fee: Complete payment online (details below). Save the confirmation page.
6. Submit and Print: Review, submit the form, and download the confirmation for records.

Corrections are allowed in a limited window post-submission. No offline mode; ensure a stable internet connection.

Application Fee

• General/EWS/NC-OBC: INR 2,600
• SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,300
• International Candidates: INR 12,000 (approx. $150, if applicable)

Payment is online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI. No cash or demand draft options. Fees are non-refundable.

Syllabus and Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 follows a standard structure with no major changes announced. The exam is divided into three sections, with a total duration of 120 minutes (40 minutes per section, non-switchable). Total questions: 66 (expected, based on trends). Marking: +3 for correct MCQs, -1 for incorrect MCQs, no negative for Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.

Section	No. of Questions (Expected)	Key Topics/Syllabus	Time Allotted
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	– Reading Comprehension (4-5 passages, 16 questions) – Verbal Ability: Para-jumbles, para-summary, odd sentence out, grammar-based questions	40 minutes
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	– Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, tables, caselets – Logical Reasoning: Arrangements (seating, puzzles), blood relations, syllogisms, games/tournaments	40 minutes
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	– Arithmetic: Percentages, profit/loss, ratios, time/speed/distance, averages – Algebra: Equations, inequalities, functions – Geometry/Mensuration: Triangles, circles, coordinate geometry – Number Systems: LCM/HCF, divisibility – Modern Math: Permutations/combinations, probability, sets	40 minutes

Total Marks: 198. The syllabus emphasizes conceptual understanding and speed, with 10-12 TITA questions across sections. No formula-based syllabus; focus on application.

Preparation Tips for CAT 2025

With the exam just over two months away (as of September 19, 2025), aspirants should shift to intensive mock practice. Here are expert-recommended tips:

1. Understand the Pattern: Familiarize yourself with sectional timing and question types. Solve 1-2 past papers weekly to build stamina.
2. Create a Study Plan: Dedicate 3-4 hours daily (7-8 on weekends). Allocate time: 40% mocks/analysis, 30% weak areas (e.g., QA for math-weak candidates), 30% revision. From now to November, aim for 30-40 full mocks.
3. Focus on Fundamentals First: If starting late, cover basics using books like Arun Sharma (LOD 1-2 for QA/DILR/VARC) or TIME/CL modules. Build speed in VARC by reading editorials (The Hindu, Aeon).
4. Mock Tests & Analysis: Take mocks from IMS, TIME, or Career Launcher. Analyze errors: Track accuracy (aim 80%+ in mocks for 99 percentile). Prioritize easy questions in the exam—solve 70-80% of the paper.
5. Section-Wise Strategies:

• VARC: Read 5-6 RC passages daily; practice para-jumbles without options.
• DILR: Solve 4-5 sets daily; focus on selecting easy sets first.
• QA: Practice 50 questions/day; revise formulas via flashcards.

1. Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Don’t neglect VARC (it’s a tie-breaker). Manage stress with breaks; join online forums like Reddit’s r/CATPrep for motivation.
2. Resources: Free: Official mocks on iimcat.ac.in. Paid: BYJU’s, Unacademy courses. Target 99+ percentile for top IIM calls—consistent 90+ in mocks.

Success in CAT requires discipline and smart work. Start today, track progress, and stay updated via the official site. Good luck!