CAT Exam: Registration (Started), Syllabus, Pattern, Books, Mock Tests,
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What is
CAT ?
CAT
Exam Highlights
CAT
Exam Dates
CAT
Exam Date Trends (Previous Records)
CAT Eligibility Criteria
CAT
Registration
CAT
Syllabus
CAT
Exam Pattern
CAT Test Cities and Centres
CAT Mock
Test
CAT
Admit Card
CAT Exam Day
Guidelines
CAT
Answer Key
CAT
Result
CAT Cut
off
Top MBA Colleges
Accepting CAT Score
CAT Selection
Process
CAT Contact
Details
The CAT exam will be held on November 30, 2025, and this year, IIM Kozhikode will be
conducting it. The CAT registration has started on August 1, 2025. The CAT application form
application deadline is Sep 13, 2025. The application fee has been revised to INR 2600 for
General
category candidates and INR 1300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. CAT will be conducted in three shifts
across 170+ cities in India.
The official CAT notification, including exam and registration dates, has been released on the
official website. The official website for CAT has also been notified, which is https://iimcat.ac.in
The CAT admit card will be out on Nov 5, 2025. You are advised to start with your CAT last 3 months
preparation plan to crack the exam.
What is CAT ?
CAT, also known as the Common Admission Test, is a national entrance exam for the prestigious
Indian Institute of Management and other top business institutions in various postgraduate
management programs, including MBA and PGDM.
CAT is scheduled to be conducted by IIM Kzhikode, on November 30, . The exam is scheduled to be
held in 170 cities in India for admissions to MBA courses in 21 IIMs as well as top
institutions, including IITs, NITs, MNITs, and various other higher education institutions.
Registration for the CAT will began in Aug and close in September .
Scoring good marks in the CAT exam is very essential to secure seats at the top management
colleges in India. The preparation for the CAT requires rigorous practice and understanding of
exam patterns as well as the syllabus.
Importance of CAT Exam or Why is CAT prestigious?
The CAT is a national-level entrance exam widely accepted by Indian institutes of management and
other top business schools, including IITs, NITs, and various other institutions offering
high-quality management education, advanced facilities, experienced faculty, and extensive
industry connections. These institutions have partnerships with major companies that offer
high-paying jobs and have a strong network.
Graduates from IIMs and other top schools are globally recognized for the reputation of these
institutions. Furthermore, the CAT exam assesses students based on their analytical skills,
quantitative ability, verbal ability, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning, helping them
improve their problem-solving and time-management skills. This is further beneficial for their
professional endeavours.
The CAT exam also makes it easier for students to secure scholarships and financial aid for
meritorious students and provides them with accessibility to a broad range of study
opportunities.
CAT Exam Highlights
CAT highlights are tabulated below:
| Highlights | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Full Form |
| Exam Level | National |
| Conducting Body | IIM Kozhikode |
| Category | Postgraduate |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Language | English |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Helpdesk | 1-800-210-1088 |
CAT Exam Dates
CAT exam date is scheduled to be held on Nov 30, . IIM will hold CAT in three slots across 170 cities in India. According to sources, IIM Kozhikode will conduct the CAT . CAT exam dates schedules are tabulated below for the candidates' reference.
| CAT Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT Registration | Aug 1 ' 25 - Sep 13 ' 25 |
| CAT form correction process | Sep ' 25 |
| CAT admit card download | Nov 5 ' 25 |
| CAT exam | Nov 30 ' 25 |
| CAT Admit Card | 5 Nov |
| CAT Answer Key | Dec |
| CAT Answer Key Challenge | Dec |
| CAT Result | Jan 2026 |
| CAT Final Answer Key | Dec - Last Week |
Follow the links for CAT Subject-wise Syllabus:
CAT Exam Date Trends (Previous Records)
According to CAT exam date trends, the exams are usually conducted in November every year, and the notification for the same is released by the end of July. The exam date trends for all the previous years' of CAT are tabulated below for the candidates.
National Level Entrance Exams for BBA:
| Exam Year | CAT Exam Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 |
| 2024 | Nov 24, 2024 |
| 2023 | Nov 26, 2023 |
| 2022 | Nov 27, 2022 |
| 2021 | Nov 28, 2021 |
| 2020 | Nov 29, 2020 |
| 2019 | Nov 24, 2019 |
| 2018 | Nov 25, 2018 |
| 2017 | Nov 24, 2017 |
CAT Eligibility Criteria
CAT exam eligibility is specified in the notification by IIMs. However, candidates can take a
look at the primary CAT exam eligibility announced in previous years.
IIM has decided to remove the
minimum percentage of marks (45% and 50% [or equivalent CGPA] respectively) for appearing in
the CAT exam because of the possibility that various universities will use various
evaluation patterns throughout the nation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This exception will be made to
provide equality for candidates who obtained their bachelor's degree in 2020/2021/ or who
will do so in . Please be aware that this notice applies to the criteria for writing the CAT
. The eligibility criteria for CAT will be updated once the official notification is
released. Candidates are advised to look
at and follow respective institution-specific admission policies. This will be for 2020,
2021, and graduates. The minimum eligibility criteria for all the other candidates are
Graduation with 50% - General/ OBC-NC/EWS, and Graduation with 45% - SC/ST/ PWD.The college or institute that a
candidate has studied in shall abide by the Act of Parliament or State Legislature in India
or be declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess
an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.CAT Registration
CAT registration has been commenced on August 1, 2025, with the official schedule announced
on July 27, 2025. Candidates can complete the CAT application process online at
https://iimcat.ac.in by Sep 13, 2025.
The registration process involves online registration, form filling, document uploading, and
fee payment. Aspiring candidates must ensure they complete all steps within the given
timeline to be eligible for the exam.
IIM CAT Registration : How to Apply?
The candidates must follow the steps below to apply for the CAT exam successfully.
Login: CAT login
credentials will be sent to the candidates' registered
email IDs or mobile numbers after they enter all the required details for CAT
registration. The applicants must take down the credentials to log into the candidate
portal on the official website.Enter All Details
Carefully: The application form requires candidates to
enter various details. Candidates must fulfil this step with utmost care and attention.
Mistakes of spelling or factual errors should be avoided.Upload Documents as Per
Specifications: The candidates will be asked to
upload their photographs and signatures along with the form. The candidates must resize
the documents as per the specifications given on the website. Candidates from reserved
categories will be asked to upload their respective category certificates.CAT Syllabus
The CAT syllabus covers topics designed to evaluate a candidate's English communication,
reasoning skills, and quantitative aptitude. It is divided into three key sections: Verbal
Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and
Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
Below are the main topics from which most questions are asked. Candidates should focus on
these areas for effective preparation.
CAT Syllabus Breakdown
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension
Para JumblesPara SummaryOdd Sentence Out2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Set Theory (Variables)
Set Theory + PuzzlesPuzzles with Additional Data
Coding-DecodingSeries3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Number SystemAlgebraArithmeticGeometryMensurationCAT Exam Pattern
The CAT question paper will consist of both Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. The exam duration is 120 minutes, with a 40-minute sectional time limit. PwD candidates will receive additional time.
CAT Exam Pattern Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Nov 30, 2025 |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Exam Slots | - Morning: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM - Afternoon: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM - Evening: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Number of Questions | 66 – 68 |
| Total Marks | 198 – 204 |
| Language | English |
| Answer Choices | 4 |
| Question Types | MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA) |
Candidates should familiarise themselves with the CAT exam pattern to optimize their exam preparation.
CAT Test Cities and Centres
The CAT exam 2924 centres list was released by the conducting authority on the official
website for the candidates. IIM Lucknow has identified 170 cities and approximately 375
centres to serve as the official CAT exam centres . The hall tickets of the candidates will
contain all the necessary details related to the exam centre of candidates for CAT .
The candidates are advised to check and visit their exam centre a day before to avoid any
last-minute confusion on the exam day. The complete details are mentioned on the exam admit
card.
CAT Mock Test
The CAT official mock test will be released by the conducting authority. The candidates are
advised to go through the details carefully and attempt the mock test. This is one of the
best ways to check your preparation and guide you towards the mistakes. The candidates will
be able to login to the CAT official mock test using their login credentials, i.e.,
registration number and password.
CAT Mock Test Link
The candidates willing to take the mock test are advised to click on the link shared below
to access it. The second mock test details will be notified soon. One must note that the
mock tests are a replica of the actual exam and thus the test will be over in 120 minutes.
| CAT Mock Test Link | To Be Updated |
CAT Admit Card
The CAT admit card will be released on the official website, https://iimcat.ac.in. The
exact date for downloading the admit card will be announced along with the CAT exam
schedule in July 2025.
The CAT admit card download link will help the candidates access the hall ticket with
ease.
| Download Link | To Be Updated |
CAT Exam Day Guidelines
Candidates taking the CAT exam must adhere to all exam-day rules released by the IIM hosting the test. The formalities that the candidates have been given are listed below.
When the candidates
arrive at the IIMCAT exam centre, they must first find their lab and go through the
frisking process.After completing this
work, candidates' systems will be assigned, and their documents will be verified.
Finally, to start the
exam, candidates must finish the registration process and log in.
IIM CAT Exam Timings
The IIM CAT timing has been shared below for all three slots. The candidates are advised
to reach the exam centre an hour before.
| Event | Slot 1 Timing | Slot 2 Timing | Slot 3 Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting Time at CAT Exam Centre | 7:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Entry Closing Time at CAT Exam Centre | 8:15 AM | 12:15 PM | 4:15 PM |
| CAT Exam Timing | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| CAT Exam Timing for PwD Candidates | 8:30 AM to 11:10 AM | 12:30 PM to 3:10 PM | 4:30 PM to 7:10 PM |
CAT Answer Key
The conducting IIM will provide the CAT answer key a few days after the examination. Candidates must follow the methods outlined below to download the CAT answer key and response sheet from the official website:
Step 1: Visit the
official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in). Step 2: Click the
'login'
tab.Step 3: Enter the CAT
login ID and password. Step 4: Click on the
'CAT
answer key' will show on the screen.Step 5: Click the
'download' icon to save it as a PDF.
The provisional CAT answer key and response sheet will allow candidates to check their
correct and incorrect attempts and estimate their CAT score.
Candidates will also have the option to challenge the official CAT answer key if they
believe any answer is incorrect. To do so, they must submit a valid supporting document
as proof.
CAT Result
The CAT scorecard PDF will be available only online. Candidates will be required to download their results using their login ID and password. Check out the steps below to download the CAT results.
Log on to CAT website
iimcat.ac.inClick on 'login' tab
Enter CAT application
number and passwordCritical and analytical
Click on the scorecard
sectionClick on download option
and save the PDF of CAT scorecardThe CAT admission process will commence soon after the declaration of results for different colleges.
CAT Result Download Link Available
The download link for the CAT Scorecard is given below:
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| CAT Result | CAT Result |
To check the results and download the scorecards, candidates will have to log in using their credentials. Once they have logged in, the screen will display the scorecard and then they will be able to download it.
CAT Cut off
The CAT cut off will be released separately for all colleges based on the total seats they offer. The cut off marks will be released in Jan 2026. The IIM cut off marks, shall range around 98-100 percentile for top IIM colleges. On the other hand, the CAT cutoff is usually about 70-80 percentile for the tier 2 MBA colleges.
| List of IIMs | Gen/ OBC | Gen/ EWS/ SC/ ST |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Gen- 80 OBC- 75 |
EWS- 80 SC- 70 ST- 60 |
| IIM Bangalore | Gen- 85 OBC- 75 |
EWS- 75 SC- 70 ST- 65 |
| IIM Calcutta | Gen- 85 OBC- 75 |
EWS- 75 SC- 70 ST- 60 |
| IIM Lucknow | Gen- 90 OBC- 82 |
EWS- 82 SC- 65 ST- 60 |
| IIM Indore | Gen- 90 OBC- 80 |
EWS- 90 SC- 60 ST- 50 |
| IIM Kozhikode | Gen- 85 OBC- 75 |
EWS- 75 SC- 65 ST- 55 |
| IIM Amritsar | Gen- 85 OBC- 75 |
EWS- 85 SC- 55 ST- 40 |
| IIM Nagpur | Gen- 90 OBC- 76.5 |
EWS- 80 SC- 60 ST- 40 |
| IIM Sambalpur | Gen- 74 OBC- 74 |
EWS- 70 SC- 54 ST- 40 |
| IIM Trichy | Gen- 92 OBC- 74 |
EWS- 70 SC- 54 ST- 40 |
To check the results and download the scorecards, candidates will have to log in using their credentials. Once they have logged in, the screen will display the scorecard and then they will be able to download it.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score
The following are the colleges that accept CAT scores for admission. Check CAT
Percentile Wise Colleges here.
Top IIMs Accepting CAT Score
Indian Institute of Management are a group of business schools in India set up by the
government of India with the aim of providing high-quality management education. There
are currently 20 IIMs across India which allow admissions to various management
programmes based on common admission test (CAT) scores. The list of IIMs is given below.
| List of IIMs | MBA Seats | MBA Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Indore | 451 | INR 17.07 LPA |
| IIM Nagpur | 130 | INR 13.37 LPA |
| IIM Kashipur | 210 | INR 15.10 LPA |
| IIM Shillong | 120 | INR 12.68 LPA |
| IIM Amritsar | 60 | INR 12.00 LPA |
| IIM Jammu | 120 | INR 13.80 LPA |
| IIM Sirmaur | 60 | INR 11.75 LPA |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 120 | INR 10.60 LPA |
| IIM Ranchi | 240 | INR 15.30 LPA |
| IIM Sambalpur | 120 | INR 13.03 LPA |
| IIM Trichy | 180 | INR 10.70 LPA |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 60 | INR 10.70 LPA |
| IIM Rohtak | 240 | INR 15.30 LPA |
| IIM Udaipur | 260 | INR 17.60 LPA |
| IIM Raipur | 210 | INR 14.20 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | 375 | INR 19.00 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | 436 | INR 19.00 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | 210 | INR 23.00 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | 430 | INR 23.00 LPA |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 385 | INR 23.00 LPA |
Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score Over 1,200 B-schools across the country accept CAT scores. Given below are the top Non-IIMs colleges.
| Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Scores | |
|---|---|
| IIT Bombay SJMSOM | SPJMIR Mumbai |
| IIT Delhi - DoMs | IMT Ghaziabad |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | IMI Delhi |
| IMI Kolkata | IIT Madras - DoMs |
| IIT Roorkee DoMs | IIT Dhanbad ISM |
| IMT Nagpur | IIT Kharagpur |
| IIT, Kanpur-IME | ITM University |
| IIITM Gwalior | Institute of Management, Nirma University |
| FMS , Delhi University | MDI, Gurgaon |
| IPE Hyderabad | Goa Institute of Management |