CAT 2026 Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Registration, Eligibility, Preparation Tips

Prior to submitting an application for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, candidates should thoroughly examine the eligibility criteria established by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These requirements aim to promote fairness and inclusivity for applicants from diverse academic backgrounds.
 

1. Educational Qualification

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.

• For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45% marks.

• The degree should be awarded by a recognized university or institute.

2. Final Year Students

• Students appearing in the final year of their graduation (2025) are also eligible.

• They must complete their degree requirements and submit proof within the timeline specified by their institute.

3. Professional Degrees

• Candidates holding CA/CS/ICWA degrees with the required percentage (50% for General, 45% for SC/ST/PwD) are also eligible to apply.

4. Age Limit

• There is no upper age limit for appearing in CAT 2025.

5. Work Experience

• Work experience is not mandatory. However, it may add weightage during the GD-PI-WAT process at IIMs and other B-Schools.
   

NOTE: To qualify for the CAT 2025, meeting the eligibility criteria is essential, however, admission into IIMs also relies on your CAT percentile, academic achievements, and how well you perform in the interview stages.

The application process for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted online through it's official website.
Candidates must carefully follow the steps while filling the form, as incomplete or incorrect applications may lead to rejection.

CAT 2025 Application Timeline 

• Application Start Date: August 2025

• Last Date to Apply: September 13, 2025 

• Admit Card Release: November 05, 2025

• Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (Sunday)
   

Step-by-Step Procedure for CAT 2025 Application

1- Registration (New User Sign-Up):

• Visit the official CAT 2025 website.

• Click on “New Candidate Registration” and enter details such as name, email ID, mobile number, and date of birth.

• A unique User ID and Password will be generated and sent via email/SMS.
   

2- Login & Fill Application Form:

• Log in using the generated credentials.

• Enter personal details, academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and category details.

• Choose your preferred IIM programs and up to 6 test cities.

3- Upload Documents:

• Upload recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format.

• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) or PwD certificate (if applicable).

4- Pay Application Fee:

• Pay the CAT 2025 registration fee using Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Wallets.

• Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

5- Final Submission & Confirmation:

• Recheck all details carefully before submitting.

• Download and print the application confirmation page for future reference.

CAT 2025 Application Fee 

• General / NC-OBC Candidates: ₹2,600

• SC / ST / PwD Candidates: ₹1,300

NOTE: All details entered in the CAT 2025 application form must be authentic. Any false or incorrect information may cause disqualification at later stages, including final admission.

To successfully submit the CAT 2025 application form, candidates are required to pay the registration fee online.
The fee is non-refundable and varies based on the candidate’s category.

CAT 2025 Application Fee Structure:

Mode of Payment

The application fee can be paid only through online methods, including:

• Credit Card

• Debit Card

• Net Banking

• UPI / Mobile Wallets

The counselling process for CAT 2025 is not managed centrally by IIMCAT. Rather, each Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other B-Schools that accept CAT scores handle their own admission procedures.
Candidates who are shortlisted according to their CAT percentile will need to navigate several rounds of selection before they can secure their final admission.
 

Key Stages of CAT 2025 Selection Process

1. Shortlisting for Interview

   • After CAT 2025 results are declared, each IIM releases its cutoff percentile.

   • Candidates meeting the required cutoff are shortlisted for the next admission stage.

   • Factors like CAT score, academic background, work experience, and diversity are considered.

2. Written Ability Test (WAT)

   • Shortlisted candidates may be asked to write a short essay on current affairs, business, or abstract topics.

   • The test assesses written communication, clarity of thought, and analytical ability.

3. Group Discussion (GD) / Case Discussion (CD) (varies by institute)

   • In some B-Schools, GD/CD is conducted to evaluate teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.

   • Candidates discuss or analyze a case study within a limited time frame.

4. Personal Interview (PI)

   • This is the most crucial stage where candidates are evaluated on their academic knowledge, career goals, personality, and overall confidence.

   • Questions can range from academics and work experience to general awareness and career aspirations.

5. Final Selection & Merit List

   • Each IIM prepares a final composite score by considering CAT percentile, WAT/GD/PI performance, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors.

   • Based on this score, the final merit list is released, and admission offers are extended.
      

Important Note for Aspirants

• The weightage of CAT scores in the final selection process may vary from one IIM to another.

• Non-IIM institutes accepting CAT scores will also follow their individual admission procedures.

Pro Tip: Start preparing for GD/PI/WAT along with CAT preparation itself, as cracking the exam is only the first step, performance in the interview stage is equally important for final admission.

The CAT 2025 exam syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude, analytical ability, logical reasoning, and language proficiency. While IIMs do not officially release a fixed syllabus, it is based on the topics that have consistently appeared in past CAT exams.
The syllabus is divided into three major sections:

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section checks a candidate’s reading skills, grammar, and verbal reasoning.
Key Topics Include:

• Reading Comprehension (RC Passages – Business, Science & Technology, Economy, History & Politics)

• Para Jumbles (PJ)

• Para Summary

• Odd Sentence Out

• Sentence Completion

• Verbal Reasoning

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section evaluates data analysis, problem-solving, and logical thinking.
Key Topics Include:

• Data Tables, Charts, and Graphs (Bar, Line, Pie)

• Caselets and Data Arrangements

• Blood Relations

• Syllogisms

• Coding-Decoding

• Direction Sense

• Seating Arrangements

• Venn Diagrams

• Puzzles

• Data Sufficiency

• Clocks & Calendars

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

This section tests mathematical and numerical ability.
Key Topics Include:

• Bar Graphs

• Data Tables

• Line Charts, Pie Charts

• Venn Diagrams

• Data Sufficiency
   

CAT 2025 Sectional Weightage

Pro Tip for Aspirants: Focus on mock tests and previous year CAT papers along with topic-wise preparation, as it helps in understanding question trends and improving exam strategy.

The CAT 2025 exam will be conducted across 150+ cities in India to ensure accessibility for candidates from all regions.
During the application process, aspirants will be able to select up to 6 preferred exam cities in order of priority. The exact test city and exam center will be allotted based on availability and mentioned on the CAT Admit Card 2025.
 

Key Points About CAT 2025 Exam Centers

• Candidates must carry a valid photo ID proof along with the admit card on the exam day.

• Once allotted, the exam center cannot be changed under any circumstances.

• The list of exam cities is released officially in the CAT 2025 notification.

For all CAT related queries, please contact:

Help Desk Number: 1-800-210-0175 (Monday to Saturday 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM;
(Not available on National/Public Holidays)
EMail: ​cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in