Purpose
The CAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admissions to postgraduate management programs (MBA) offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India.
Conducting Authority
The exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PWD candidates).
- Residency: Candidates must be Indian nationals or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
- Age Limit: There is no specific upper age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
- Number of Attempts: Candidates can attempt the exam up to three times in consecutive years.
Exam Schedule
- Notification Release: Expected in the 4th week of July 2025
- Application Form Release: Expected in the 1st week of August 2025
- Last Date to Apply: Expected in the 3rd week of September 2025
- Correction Window: Expected in the 2nd week of October 2025
- Admit Card Availability: Expected in the 1st week of November 2025
- Exam Date: Expected on November 30, 2025
- Result Declaration: Expected in the 2nd week of January 2026
- Counselling and Seat Allocation: Begins immediately after result declaration
Application Process
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the CAT official website (iimcat.ac.in).
- Register: Complete the registration process by entering the required details.
- Fill the Application Form: Fill out the CAT application form and upload scanned documents.
- Pay the Application Fee: Pay the fee using credit/debit cards or net banking.
- Submit the Form: Submit the application form and print a hard copy for future reference.
Application Fee
- General Category Candidates: ₹2,500
- SC/ST/PwD Candidates: ₹1,250
Exam Pattern
- Mode: Computer-based Test (CBT)
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Total Questions: 60 questions (20 each from three sections)
- Total Marks: 100 marks
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Medium: English
Syllabus
The syllabus is divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- English grammar
- Verbal reasoning
- Reading comprehension
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Data tables
- Data sufficiency
- Logical puzzles
Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Data interpretation
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and focus on the important topics.
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate time for each subject and stick to your schedule.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Focus on Concepts: Strengthen your understanding of fundamental concepts rather than rote learning.
- Seek Guidance: Consider joining coaching classes or seeking guidance from teachers and mentors.
- Stay Healthy