CAT 2025 is expected to be conducted on the last Sunday of November, 30th November 2025. The official notification for the exam is expected to be released by July 2025. IIM Kozhikode is expected to administer the exam. Around 4 Lakh+ aspirants are anticipated to take the CAT 2025 exam, owing to the fact that it is a gateway to the prestigious 21 IIMs & other top B-schools.
CAT 2025: Key Highlights
CAT stands for Common Admission Test which is conducted once a year. Each year the exam is conducted in a Computer-based Test (CBT) mode which spans over 500+ test centres across India. The exam is conducted in 3 slots. The exam will consist of 3 sections VARC (Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension, DILR ( Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning) & QA (Quantitative Ability). The official notifications of CAT 2025 will be released in July 2025 which will consist of all essential details such as the date of registration, exam date, release of admit cards, etc. The CAT 2025 Application Form is expected to go live in August 2025. This article will provide all inclusive information about the CAT 2025 exam and all the essential details that an aspirant must know.
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Category
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Details
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Exam Name
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Common Admission Test (CAT)
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Conducting Body
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Indian Institutes of Management, Kozhikode (Expected)
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Official Website
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www.iimcat.ac.in
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Medium of exam
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English
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Exam Level
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National
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Frequency
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Annual
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Exam Mode
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Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Number of Questions
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66
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Question Types
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & Type in The Answer (TITA)
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Selection Process
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CAT scores, Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) for some IIMs
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Score Validity
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1 year
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Number of IIMs Participating
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21 IIMs
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Other Institutes Accepting CAT Scores
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1000+ Prestigious management institutes and business schools in India
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CAT 2025 Important Dates
Mentioned below is the CAT 2025 Important Dates. Through this, the aspirants will be able to get familiar with CAT 2025 registration date, last date to register, exam date etc.
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CAT 2025 Important Dates & Timeline
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Important Dates (Tentative)
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CAT 2025 Notification Date
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Last week of July 2025
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CAT 2025 Registration Date
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First week of August, 2025
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CAT 2025 Registration Last Date
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First week of September 2025
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CAT 2025 Exam Date
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November 30, 2025
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CAT 2025 Result Date
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First week of January 2026
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CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria has been provided below that the aspirants must keep in mind before starting their preparation for the exam. The criteria mentioned below are based on the trends of the previous year.
- For the General and NC-OBC categories, a bachelor's degree from any discipline with a minimum score of 50% is required. For ST, SC, and PWD candidates, the required score is 45%.
- Final-year bachelor’s degree candidates are eligible to take the exam upon graduation completion with the necessary scores. Failure to meet requirements will result in admission cancellation.
- Candidates with a professional degree, such as CA/ CS/ ICWA/FIAI, are eligible for the CAT exam.
- CAT 2025 imposes no age restrictions yet mandates a bachelor’s degree for eligibility.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Aspirants aiming for the the CAT 2025 exam must familiarize themselves with the
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern to better understand the topics and type of questions that will be asked in the exam. Below is the tentative CAT 2025 exam pattern based on previous CAT exams.
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Mode of Examination
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Computer-based
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Medium of Examination
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English
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Slots for Exam
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3
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Total Questions
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66
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Questions Per Section
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VARC: 24
DILR: 20
QA: 22
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Time Allotted
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120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
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Type of Questions
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MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer)
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Marks Awarded for Correct Answer
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+3 for every right answer
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Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer
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-1 for every wrong answer
No negative marking for TITA
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CAT 2025 Syllabus
There is no official
CAT 2025 Syllabus prescribed by the test conducting authorities of CAT 2025. An aspirant is suggested to follow the class X syllabus for English & Math. However, based on the trends of the CAT exam in previous years, the tentative topics asked in CAT 2025 syllabus is mentioned below. The aspirants must take note of the topics mentioned below and continue their preparation accordingly.
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Syllabus
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Topics
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Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
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Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagram, Coding-Decoding, Binary Logic, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Direction Sense, Tables, Bars and Line Graphs, Puzzles, Family Tree, Assumptions, Pie Charts, Data Sufficiency, Clocks and Calendars
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Quantitative Aptitude
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Geometry, Ratios and Proportion, Work and Time, Algebra, Percentages, Mensuration, Time, Speed and Distance, Square Root and Cube Root, Number System, Simple interest and compound interest, Mean, mode, median, Binomial theorem, Geometric Progression, Surds and Indices
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CAT 2025 Application Process
The CAT 2025 application process is expected to begin in August 2025. The official notification will be made available on the CAT official website iimcat.ac.in. Based on the application process of the previous years, a step-by-step description of how an aspirant can undergo the CAT 2025 application process is mentioned below-
CAT 2025 Registration Process
Given below is a detailed CAT 2025 registration process that an aspirant will have to undergo while filling out the CAT 2025 application form for the exam-
- A candidate must visit the official website and provide their basic information under "New Candidate Registration."
- They will receive an OTP for registration verification after submission
- Candidates will receive a login ID and password on their registered email and mobile number after the verification is complete
- Candidates can begin adding the necessary information to the application form now.
- Candidates can choose the interview city and the programmes they want to participate in.
- Candidates can choose up to six preferred test cities for the CAT 2025 exam.
Uploading Documents
It is crucial for the candidate to upload the necessary documents as specified during the application process.
- Passport size Photograph
- PwD certificate (if needed)
- Signature
- EWS.NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate
- Candidates will be required to present their mark sheets and degrees in person.
Application Fee Payment (Tentative)
- In order to finalize the CAT 2025 registration, candidates are required to make a payment of the application fees, which can only be submitted online.
- Moreover, candidates have the option to review their application before making the payment and submitting the form.
- After successful payment, candidates will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
CAT 2025 Admit Card 2025
- The CAT 2025 admit card is anticipated to be released in October 2025. Here are some key points to remember for the same.
- Registered candidates can securely retrieve their CAT 2025 admit card by logging into their account on the official website.
- The admit card will contain essential details like the test center, exam date, and time. Remember to carry the CAT 2025 admit card on the day of the examination.
CAT 2025 Answer Key
The CAT response sheet, which includes recorded responses and the CAT 2025 answer key , is usually released by authorities around 8-10 days after the exam. Participants can view and download their recorded responses and answers from the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in. Students can view their response sheets and question papers. By utilizing the answer key provided, students can estimate their probable scores for the examination.
The initial step involves the authority releasing the provisional CAT answer key 2025 for CAT 2025. Candidates are permitted to raise objections during this phase within the allotted timeframe. After a thorough review of the objections, the authority will unveil the final CAT 2025 answer key concurrently with the CAT result 2025 result announcement.
CAT 2025 Result
The CAT Result 2025 is expected to be published on the official website around December 2025. Following the release of results and cut-offs the IIMs and other B-schools will commence their interview and discussion rounds for admissions to the 2025-27 cohort.
CAT 2025: Preparation Tips
How to Prepare for CAT 2025?
Every aspirant who wishes to secure a place in the top management institutes of the country must qualify for the CAT 2025 exam. In order to crack the exam successfully an aspirant must keep in mind the following tips while preparing for CAT 2025.
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Get acquainted with the CAT format and its various types.
- Early Start: Commence your preparation at least a year ahead. This timeframe provides you with sufficient opportunity to grasp concepts, hone your skills and review thoroughly.
- Structured Study Plan: Develop a study timetable encompassing all syllabus topics, prioritizing additional time for sections where you have identified weaknesses.
- Conceptual Clarity: Emphasize grasping fundamental concepts particularly for the Quantitative Ability section. Strengthening the basics paves the way for easier handling of challenging questions.
- Regular Practice: Practice by solving past years' CAT papers and consistently take mock tests. This will allow you to assess the difficulty level and monitor your preparation progress effectively.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with any changes in the exam pattern or syllabus by regularly checking the official CAT website.
CAT 2025 Cut off Scores
Upon the release of CAT result 2025 prestigious B-schools such as IIMs, MDI, FMS and others will announce their respective CAT 2025 cut off scores for admissions to their MBA programs. These cutoff scores will be used to shortlist candidates for the subsequent selection process which includes personal interviews. Explore the anticipated CAT 2025 cut off scores for both IIMs and non-IIMs below.
Expected Cutoffs for IIM in CAT 2025
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IIMs
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CAT 2025 Expected Cutoff
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IIM Ahmedabad
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99-100 %ile
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IIM Bangalore
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99-100 %ile
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IIM Calcutta
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99 %ile
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IIM Lucknow
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97- 99 %ile
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IIM Indore
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97- 99 %ile
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IIM Kozhikode
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97 - 98 %ile
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IIM Amritsar
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95- 99 %ile
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IIM Nagpur
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95- 99 %ile
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IIM Sambalpur
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95- 99 %ile
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IIM Trichy
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93-94 %ile
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IIM Raipur
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92-94 %ile
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IIM Ranchi
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93-94 %ile
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IIM Kashipur
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92- 94 %ile
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IIM Vizag
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92- 93 %ile
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IIM Udaipur
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92-93 %ile
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IIM Bodhgaya
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90-92 %ile
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IIM Shillong
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90-92 %ile
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IIM Sirmaur
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93-95 %ile
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IIM Rohtak
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90- 95 %ile
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IIM Mumbai
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97+ %ile
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Expected Cutoff for Non-IIM Colleges in CAT 2025
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CAT Colleges
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Expected Cutoff
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FMS, Delhi
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98.20 %ile
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BITSOM
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94 %ile
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DMS, IIT Delhi
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98-99 %ile
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Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) Chennai
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90-95 %ile
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SJMSOM, IIT Bombay
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99-100 %ile
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Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad
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90- 99 %ile
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MDI Gurgaon
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95- 97 %ile
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IIM Mumbai
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95-99 %ile
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SPJIMR
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85-90 %ile
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XIMB
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90-99 %ile
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Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras
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95-99 %ile
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TAPMI, Manipal
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85-90 %ile
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CAT 2025 Exam Analysis
A detailed analysis for all the 3 slots will be updated after the successful conduction of the exam. The CAT exam analysis 2025 helps the test takers to get a better understanding of their performance in the exam. Through the CAT 2025 analysis a tentative score and the cutoffs can be estimated. Students can exclusively check the CAT exam analysis 2025 posted by CAT experts at Hitbullseye.
CAT 2025 Exam Centres
The CAT 2025 exam is expected to be conducted in more than 400 CAT exam centres across the country. An aspirant can choose his desired location & centre to take the exam while filling out the examination form. Listed below are the tentative CAT exam centres 2025 based on the previous year.
List of Exam Centre for CAT exam:
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Exam Centres
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Test Cities
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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Port Blair
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Andhra Pradesh
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Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore and Rajahmundry
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Arunachal Pradesh
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Itanagar
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Assam
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Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Silchar
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Bihar
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Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Patna and Purnea
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Chandigarh
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Chandigarh
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Chhattisgarh
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Bhilai and Raipur
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Delhi-NCR
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Panipat, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Delhi, New Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram and Noida
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Goa
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Madgaon and Panaji
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Gujarat
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Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara
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Haryana
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Ambala, Bahadurgarh, Hisar, Palwal, Rohtak and Sonipat
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Himachal Pradesh
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Simla and Waknaghat
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Jammu and Kashmir
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Jammu, Samba and Kashmir
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Jharkhand
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Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur and Ranchi
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Karnataka
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Banglore, Belagavi (Belgaum), Dharwad, Gulbarga, Hubli, Mangalore, Mysore and Udupi
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Kerala
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Ernakulam, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur and Trivandrum
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Madhya Pradesh
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Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Sagar
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Maharashtra
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Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Raigad, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Ahmednagar, Amravati, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Kolhapur and Mumbai
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Meghalaya
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Shillong
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Manipur
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Imphal
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Odisha
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Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Sambalpur and Rourkela
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Puducherry
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Puducherry
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Punjab
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Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot, Patiala, Ropar, Sangrur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh and Fatehgarh Sahib
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Rajasthan
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Ajmer, Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar and Udaipur
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Tamil Nadu
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Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelvelli
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Telangana
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Hyderabad, Karim Nagar, Warangal
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Uttar Pradesh
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Gorakhpur, Greater Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Varanasi, Agra, Allahabad, Barabanki, Bareilly and Ghaziabad
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Uttarakhand
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Dehradun, Roorkee
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West Bengal
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Hooghly, Howrah, Kalyani, Kolkata, Siliguri, Asansol, Bankura, Burdwan and Durgapur
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Dadra
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Kohima
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Ladakh
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Leh
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Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu
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Silvassa
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Tripura
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Agartala
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Mizoram
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Aizawl
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CAT 2025 FAQs
Q. When is CAT 2025 expected to take place?
The CAT 2025 is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November specifically on the 30th November 2025.
Q. When will the official notification for CAT 2025 be released?
The official notification for CAT 2025 is anticipated to be published by the end of July 2025.
Q. Which institute is expected to conduct CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode is tentatively expected to be the administering body for CAT 2025.
Q. How many aspirants are likely to appear for CAT 2025?
It is estimated that over 4 lakh aspirants will take the CAT 2025 given its significance as the entry point to 21 IIMs and other top business schools.
Q. What is the format of the CAT 2025 exam?
CAT 2025 will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in three slots, comprising three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
Q. What is the eligibility criteria for CAT 2025?
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 50% (45% for SC, ST and PWD candidates) or an equivalent qualification. Final-year students can also apply, subject to meeting the degree requirement with the necessary scores upon graduation.
Q. Is there an age limit to appear for CAT 2025?
There is no age restriction for candidates taking the CAT exam; however they must have completed their bachelor's degree.
Q. What types of questions are included in the CAT 2025 exam?
The CAT 2025 will have a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in The Answer (TITA) questions.
Q. What is the selection process after the CAT 2025 exam?
Post-CAT, selected candidates will undergo a selection process which may include a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), particularly for admissions into various IIMs.
Q. How can I apply for CAT 2025?
Candidates can apply for CAT 2025 by visiting the official website (www.iimcat.ac.in) when the registration opens typically expected in the first week of August 2025. Follow the online application process, upload the necessary documents and pay the application fees to complete your registration.
Q. When and how can I download the admit card for CAT 2025?
The admit card for CAT 2025 is likely to be available from October 2025. Registered candidates will be able to download it from the official CAT website by logging into their accounts.
Q. How and when can I check my CAT 2025 results?
CAT 2025 results are expected to be declared in the first week of January 2026. Aspirants can check their results on the official CAT website by logging in with their credentials.