Published on July 27, 2025 | By Aditya Kumar Singh | Linkedin
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has officially released the CAT 2025 notification—India’s most prestigious MBA entrance exam. The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in three sessions across nearly 170 cities. Candidates aspiring to secure admission in IIMs and other top B-schools must mark their calendars and begin preparing for this crucial exam.
CAT 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration Closes | September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Download | November 5 to November 30, 2025 |
| Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | First week of January 2026 (Tentative) |
How to Apply for CAT 2025 ?
Step-by-step Registration Process:
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Visit iimcat.ac.in
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Click on ‘New Registration’
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Fill in details like email ID, mobile number, and personal info
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Complete the application form with academic and professional details
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Upload required documents – photo, signature, category certificate (if applicable)
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Pay the application fee
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Submit the form and download a copy for future reference
Eligibility criteria
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) or equivalent CGPA from a recognized institution is required. Final year students and those with professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible, though provisional admission may require proof of meeting degree requirements by a set date.
- Age Limit: There is no age restriction.
- Work Experience: While not mandatory for eligibility, some IIMs may consider it during selection.
Syllabus
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section assesses verbal reasoning, grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills, with questions including Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd Sentence Out.
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section evaluates the ability to interpret data and apply logical reasoning. Question types include Tables, Graphs, Charts, Arrangements, Puzzles, and Syllogisms.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section tests mathematical and arithmetic skills, covering topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Math.
CAT 2025 Registration Fee
The application fees for CAT 2025 are as follows:
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₹1300 – SC/ST/PwD candidates
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₹2600 – All other categories
Top IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management)
- IIM Ahmedabad: Consistently ranked #1 in India, known for academic rigor and high placements, especially in consulting.
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IIM Bangalore:
Ranked #2, excels in placements, especially in the tech and consulting sectors.
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IIM Kozhikode:
Ranked #3, offers a variety of specialized MBA programs.
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IIM Calcutta:
Ranked #5, recognized for strong placements and expertise in finance.
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IIM Lucknow:
Ranked #7, known for diverse specializations and robust placements.
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IIM Indore:
Ranked #8, notable for its Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) alongside its PGP program.
- IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE Mumbai): Ranked #6, strong in operations and supply chain management.
Top non-IIMs
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi: Ranked #2 in IIRF 2025, offers excellent return on investment due to relatively low fees and high average salary packages.
- XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur: A top private B-school known for its PGDM programs, especially in Human Resources.
- SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai: Ranked as the top private B-school in India by IIRF 2025, emphasizes value-based leadership and has strong placements in consulting and finance.
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon: Another leading private B-school with strong industry connections and high average placements.
- Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad: A globally recognized institution catering to professionals with significant work experience.
- Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi: Ranked #4, accepts non-engineering graduates as well.
- IIT Bombay – Shailesh J Mehta School of Management: Ranked #10, strong in management studies with a flagship MBA program.
Cutoffs
- Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta): Typically require a 98-99+ percentile for general category candidates.
- Other IIMs (Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, etc.): Cutoffs range from 90-97 percentile, with most selections above the 95th percentile.
- New IIMs (Amritsar, Nagpur, Trichy): Expected cutoffs range around the 95+ percentile.
- Non-IIMs: Cutoffs for top non-IIMs like FMS and MDI can also be very high, comparable to the older IIMs. Other colleges accept scores above the 85th percentile.
- Reserved Categories: SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories have significantly lower cutoffs to promote diversity and inclusion.
1. Can final-year undergraduate students apply for CAT 2025 ?
Yes, candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results can apply for CAT 2025. However, they must meet the eligibility criteria set by individual IIMs during the admission process.
2. How many times can I take the CAT exam ?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam. You can appear for it every year, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Will there be any negative marking in CAT 2025 ?
Yes. For every incorrect MCQ, there is a negative marking of -1 mark. However, non-MCQs (TITA questions) do not have negative marking.
4. Can I change my test city preference after submitting the CAT application ?
No, once the application form is submitted, you cannot change your selected test city preferences. Therefore, choose wisely while applying.
5. Is coaching necessary to crack CAT ?
Coaching is not mandatory. Many candidates successfully crack CAT through self-study using online resources, mock tests, and previous years’ question papers. It depends on individual learning styles.