Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025

About CAT Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive computer-based examination conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. This prestigious exam serves as the primary gateway for admission to MBA and other management programs at IIMs and over 1,000+ top business schools across India.

CAT is recognized as one of India's most challenging management entrance exams, testing candidates on quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. With lakhs of aspirants appearing each year, achieving a high percentile in CAT opens doors to world-class management education and promising career opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates)
• Candidates appearing for final year bachelor's degree exams can also apply
• Professional degrees like CA, CS, ICWA with equivalent marks are eligible
• Candidates awaiting results can apply provisionally

Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam. Candidates of any age can apply if they meet the educational qualification criteria.

Number of Attempts

There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for CAT multiple times to improve their scores.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

CAT is divided into three sections with a total duration of 120 minutes. Each section must be completed within the allocated time, and candidates cannot switch between sections.

CAT Syllabus

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Reading Comprehension passages from various topics
• Para Jumbles and Para Summary
• Sentence Correction and Completion
• Critical Reasoning
• Vocabulary-based questions
• Odd One Out

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Tables, Charts, and Graphs interpretation
• Caselets and Data Sufficiency
• Logical Puzzles and Arrangements
• Blood Relations and Seating Arrangements
• Syllogisms and Venn Diagrams
• Clocks and Calendars

Quantitative Ability (QA)

• Number Systems and HCF-LCM
• Algebra (Equations, Inequalities, Progressions)
• Arithmetic (Time-Speed-Distance, Work-Time, Percentages)
• Geometry and Mensuration
• Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry
• Permutation & Combination, Probability
• Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest

Registration Process

Step-by-Step Guide

• Visit Official Website: Go to iimcat.ac.in during the registration period
• Create Account: Register with valid email ID and mobile number
• Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and contact details accurately
• Upload Documents: Upload photograph, signature, and required certificates
• Choose Test Cities: Select preferred exam centers (up to 3 cities)
• Pay Application Fee: Complete payment through online modes
• Submit Application: Review all details and submit the form
• Download Admit Card: Download admit card when released (usually in October)

Application Fee

General/OBC/EWS: ₹2,400

SC/ST/PWD: ₹1,200

Important Dates (Tentative for 2025)

CAT Preparation Tips

Top Institutes Accepting CAT Scores

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

• IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta (Old IIMs)
• IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore
• IIM Shillong, Rohtak, Ranchi, Raipur, Trichy, Udaipur
• IIM Kashipur, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Jammu

Other Premier B-Schools

• Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi
• XLRI Jamshedpur (considers CAT for some programs)
• MDI Gurgaon
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• IMT Ghaziabad
• IMI Delhi
• NITIE Mumbai
• TAPMI Manipal

Career Opportunities After CAT

Cracking CAT and completing an MBA from top institutes opens diverse career paths:

Core Domains

• Consulting: Strategy, Management, IT Consulting with firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain
• Finance: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Corporate Finance roles
• Marketing: Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Product Management
• Operations: Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management
• Human Resources: Talent Acquisition, HR Analytics, Organizational Development

Average Salary Packages (Top IIMs)

Domestic Offers: ₹25-35 lakhs per annum average

International Offers: ₹50+ lakhs per annum

Top Recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Deloitte, Hindustan Unilever, TAS, Bain & Company