CAT 2025 Notification: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s premier national-level MBA entrance exam, conducted annually for admission to the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over a thousand other top business schools. CAT tests your aptitude across three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA), all delivered via a computer-based test (CBT).
Top-tier IIMs, along with other prestigious institutions like SPJIMR, MDI, FMS, IMT, and newer IIM campuses, all consider CAT scores as a major selection criterion for their two-year flagship MBA/PGDM programs. Hence, a strong CAT performance can significantly impact your management career trajectory.
CAT 2025 Notification – Key Dates & Timeline
On July 27, 2025, the official CAT 2025 notification was released by IIM Kozhikode (the conducting institute for this year), marking the beginning of the admission cycle for the 2026‑28 MBA batch.
Here are the critical dates, consolidated clearly:
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Registration opens: August 1, 2025 (from 10:00 AM)
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Last date: September 13, 2025 (by 5:00 PM)
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Admit card availability: November 5 to November 30, 2025
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Exam date: November 30, 2025 (Sunday), conducted over three sessions
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Results expected: First week of January 2026
Eligibility & Application Fees:
Eligibility Criteria:
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Graduation degree from a recognized university with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories).
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Final-year students awaiting results may also apply, provided they clear their degree by the admission time.
Application Fee:
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General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹2,600
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SC / ST / PwD candidates: ₹1,300
(Note: Some sources mention a headline figure of ₹3,000 for the general category; preferred reliable sources such as ET, HT, and Shiksha consistently report ₹2,600).
How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step
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Visit the official CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in
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Click on “New Registration”, and enter details like email, mobile number, name, date of birth, etc. Verify using OTP.
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Log in with your credentials to fill out the application form: provide academic background, work experience (if applicable), course preferences, and select five preferred exam cities.
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Upload documents: passport-size photo, scanned signature, category certificate (if applicable), mark‑sheets (Class 10/12 and graduation), and a certificate from the institution if you’re a final-year student.
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Pay the application fee via UPI, credit/debit card, or net banking. Fee is non‑refundable and must be paid to complete the submission.
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Keep a printout of the confirmation page for future reference, and await the admit card release in November.
There is generally a short form correction window in the third week of September, allowing limited updates to certain fields.
📝 Official CAT Registration Portal
All CAT-related processes—including registration, application form, fee payment, admit card, and result updates—are conducted through this website.
Exam Structure & Pattern:
CAT 2025 is expected to maintain the existing 3‑section, 120‑minute format (40 minutes per section). Based on previous patterns and minor updates, the likely breakdown is:
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VARC: ~24 questions
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DILR: ~22 questions
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QA: ~22 questions
All sections include MCQs and non‑MCQs, with +3 for each correct, –1 for incorrect responses.
No major changes were announced in the notification, though minor tweaks like increased DILR questions were noted in recent years.
What’s New for 2025:
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Exam fee revision: General/OBC/EWS candidates now pay ₹2,600 (previously ₹2,500); SC/ST/PwD fee remains ₹1,300 (slightly increased).
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IIM Kozhikode is the conducting authority again (rotation among IIMs), and they have published the official PDF notification summarizing all exam details.
Preparation & Strategy Tips:
Since CAT 2025 is scheduled for November 30, 2025, and the notification is out by July 27, 2025, aspirants have over four months for focused preparation. Experts recommend:
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Starting with a diagnostic test to identify strengths and gaps
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Following a disciplined study schedule, covering all sections—VARC, DILR, and QA
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Practicing mock tests under timed conditions
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Analyzing performance regularly to improve weak areas.
Formally registering early during the registration window (August 1 to mid‑September) helps avoid technical glitches and last‑minute rush.
Post‑Exam Steps:
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Admit card download window: November 5–30, 2025
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The exam was taken on November 30 across three slots.
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Results are expected in the first week of January 2026.
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Shortlisted candidates will receive GD, PI, and WAT calls from respective IIMs and B‑schools based on their CAT score, academics, and work experience.
Summary Table:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 27, 2025 |
| Registration Window | Aug 1 – Sep 13, 2025 |
| Admit Card Period | Nov 5 – Nov 30, 2025 |
| Exam Date | Nov 30, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Mode | Computer‑Based Test (in 3 sessions) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (3 × 40 mins) |
| Fee (Gen/OBC/EWS) | ₹2,600 |
| Fee (SC/ST/PwD) | ₹1,300 |
| Eligibility | Graduation with ≥50% (45% for reserved) |
| Results Expected | First week Jan 2026 |
Final Thoughts:
With the CAT 2025 notification out and registrations opening on August 1, it’s time to finalize your application strategy and preparation plan. Getting your documents in order, practicing under timed mocks, and applying early can give you a strong edge. CAT remains the gateway to top-tier management education in India—making this your first important milestone in the journey.
Wishing you the best of luck for your CAT 2025 preparations and future MBA goals!
Khabari bandhu पर पढ़ें देश-दुनिया की ताज़ा ख़बरें — एजुकेशन, मनोरंजन, बिज़नेस, धर्म, क्रिकेट, राशिफल और भी बहुत कुछ। हर दिन की ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़ और लाइव अपडेट्स के लिए हमारे साथ जुड़े रहें!
CSIR NET Admit Card June 2025 जारी: एग्जाम डेट, डाउनलोड लिंक और जरूरी जानकारी देखें यहां