CAT 2025: Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern, Cutoff & Preparation Tips

1. How to Crack CAT 2025 (Common Admission Test)

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s national-level MBA entrance exam, conducted by an IIM—IIM Kozhikode is the convening authority.
CAT is mandatory for admission to the 21 IIMs and is accepted by over 1,000 B-schools across India such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, and others.

Key Features:

• Held once annually

• Conducted in three sessions (morning, afternoon, evening) in over 400 cities nationwide

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

2. CAT 2025 Important Dates

3. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with at least 50% aggregate (or equivalent CGPA)

• SC/ST/PwD candidates: Minimum 45% aggregate

• Be in the final year of graduation or awaiting results (provisional admission allowed if final mark sheet submitted by June next year)

• No age limit and multiple attempts are allowed

4. How to Fill the Application Form

Steps to Apply:

1. Go to official CAT website: iimcat.ac.in

2. Register as a new user; verify email and mobile via OTP

3. Fill in personal, academic, and work experience (if applicable) details

4. Upload required documents: photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable)

5. Select up to 5 exam cities

6. Pay the application fee:

   • ₹2,500 for General/OBC/EWS

   • ₹1,250 for SC/ST

7. Save a printed copy of the application form for your records

Correction Window: Available immediately after submission in late September for minor edits

5. Examination Pattern and Syllabus

Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours), split into three fixed sections (40 minutes each)

Sections:

• VARC – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Qs)

• DILR – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 Qs)

• QA – Quantitative Ability (22 Qs)

Question Types:

• MCQs (negative marking)

• TITA (non-MCQs, no negative marking)

Marking Scheme:

• +3 for correct MCQs, −1 for wrong MCQs

• TITA questions: no penalty

Syllabus Overview:

The CAT 2025 syllabus includes:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and English language skills

• Topics: sentence completion, para jumbles, vocabulary, grammar, error spotting, para summary, sentence insertion, odd one out

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Analyzing and interpreting data

• Topics: tables, bar/line/pie charts, data sufficiency, caselets, blood relations, syllogisms, puzzles, and coding-decoding

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory (Modern Math)

 

6. Expected Cutoff Percentile

• Top IIMs: ~95–99 percentile

• FMS Delhi, DMS IIT, IIM Mumbai: 98+ percentile

• MDI, IMT, LIBA: ~90–97 percentile

• Non-IIMs: Range from ~85 to 99 percentile

Validity of Scorecard:

• CAT score is valid for one admission cycle (one year) only

7. Preparation Strategy & Expert Tips

General Tips:

• Start preparation 6–9 months in advance (ideally by August 2025)

• Take full-length and sectional mocks regularly

• Analyze tests to improve accuracy and time management

• Maintain a tracker for strengths, weaknesses, and mock scores

• Avoid distractions—focus on consistency

• Read regularly and stay updated for VARC and GD-PI

Sectional Strategies:

• VARC:

  • Solve 2 RCs + 5 VA questions daily

  • Practice summarizing, vocabulary, and reading habits

• DILR:

  • Practice 3–4 sets daily

  • Focus on one sub-area, maintain balance in both DI & LR

• QA:

  • Practice 15–20 questions daily

  • Use approximation and mental math

  • Maintain a formula revision notebook

Note: Coaching platforms like Mockat, TIME, IMS, Career Launcher offer structured programs with analytics and mocks

8. CAT Admission Process & CAP 2025 Updates

After the result, candidates undergo:

• WAT (Writing Ability Test)

• GD (Group Discussion)

• PI (Personal Interview)

CAP 2025 Highlights:

• Offline mode returns

• WAT included

• Interviews held in 6 cities and all campuses

• Candidates can choose their interview date/slot

• Cutoffs have increased: many institutes now require 95+ percentile

9. After the Exam: Answer Key & Result

• Provisional answer key and response sheet released ~5 Dec

• Objection fee: ₹1,200 per question

• Results expected around third week of December 2025

• Scorecard downloadable using login credentials

10. Why CAT 2025 Matters & Final Takeaways

Why It’s Important:

• Entry to India’s top MBA colleges (IIMs and other elite B-schools)

• High CAT score leads to GD/WAT/PI shortlists

• Helps in preparation for other exams like XAT, SNAP, NMAT, IIFT

Final Strategy Recap:

• Start early, make a roadmap

• Practice mocks regularly and analyze results

• Work on speed + accuracy

• Read daily and practice writing for WAT

• Stay consistent—smart work > hard work