The CAT Exam details for 2025 are highly anticipated by MBA aspirants across India. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the premier national-level entrance exam for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 top MBA colleges in the country. With lakhs of candidates competing each year, having a clear understanding of the exam—its dates, eligibility, syllabus, duration, and fees—is crucial.
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Table of Contents
CAT Exam Details 2025 – Comprehensive Guide
The CAT Exam details for 2025 highlight everything an MBA aspirant must know before starting preparation. CAT is a national-level computer-based test, held once a year across 170+ cities, and serves as the gateway to IIMs and 1,200+ top B-schools.
| Parameter |
CAT Exam Details 2025 |
| Exam Level |
National-level MBA entrance test |
| Frequency |
Once a year |
| Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) in multiple sessions |
| Sections |
3 – VARC, DILR, QA |
| Total Questions |
68 |
| Maximum Marks |
204 |
| Duration |
120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Test Cities |
170+ cities across India |
| Accepting Institutes |
21 IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools |
These CAT Exam details 2025 give a quick snapshot of the exam’s structure, helping aspirants plan their preparation with clarity.
Related reading: CAT Marking Scheme 2026 – Complete Guide
CAT Important Dates and Timeline 2025
Staying updated with official announcements is vital for timely preparation and application. Below are the tentative CAT 2025 dates:
| Event |
Date (Expected) |
| Notification Release |
29 July 2025 |
| Registration Starts |
1 August 2025 |
| Registration Ends |
20 September 2025 |
| Application Correction Window |
23 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release |
20 November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date |
30 November 2025 (Sunday) |
| Answer Key Release |
5 December 2025 |
| Result Announcement |
20 December 2025 |
These CAT Exam details and important dates 2025 help you plan your preparation timeline effectively.
Compare with: CAT Notification 2025 – Exam Date, Registration & PDF
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Detailed Checklist
The CAT Exam details highlight clear eligibility requirements that every aspirant must meet before applying. Unlike many competitive exams, CAT keeps the criteria broad, making it accessible to students and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Let’s break it down step by step:
CAT Age Limit
| Age Limit Type |
CAT 2025 Criteria |
| Lower Age Limit |
Not Applicable |
| Upper Age Limit |
Not Applicable |
This means there are no restrictions on age in the CAT Exam details. Whether you are a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone seeking a career switch, you can apply as long as you meet the educational qualifications.
CAT Educational Qualification
According to the CAT Exam details, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution established by an Act of Parliament, state legislature, or deemed to be a university.
- For General, EWS, NC-OBC categories: Minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.
- For SC, ST, PwD categories: Minimum 45% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.
Additionally, candidates with certain professional qualifications are also eligible:
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- Cost Accountant (ICWA/CMA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
These qualifications are recognized by the CAT Exam details as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, provided the minimum percentage requirement is fulfilled.
Final-Year Students
The CAT Exam details also allow final-year undergraduates to apply. Conditions include:
- Candidates must complete their degree requirements before the deadline specified by the IIMs.
- A certificate from the Registrar or Principal of their college/university is required to confirm that they have completed all academic requirements.
- Provisional admission will be granted until final degree verification is complete.
This makes CAT an open opportunity for those about to graduate.
Stream-Specific Eligibility
One of the most inclusive aspects of the CAT Exam details is that all academic streams are eligible:
- Engineering Students: Eligible if they secure 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year engineering students can also apply.
- Non-Engineering Students: Graduates from Commerce, Arts, Humanities, and Science are equally eligible if they meet the percentage requirement.
This inclusivity reflects the diversity of MBA classrooms across IIMs and other B-schools.
Working Professionals
The CAT Exam details make it clear that work experience is not mandatory.
- Fresh graduates can apply without any prior professional background.
- Experienced professionals are also welcome. While work experience does not affect CAT eligibility, it may be considered during the personal interview and selection process at IIMs.
This flexibility ensures that both newcomers and working professionals have equal opportunity to appear for the exam.
Reference: MBA Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Complete Guide
CAT Reservation Policy 2025
CAT follows the Government of India’s reservation policy:
| Category |
Reservation (%) |
| General (Unreserved) |
35.5% |
| SC |
15% |
| ST |
7.5% |
| OBC – NC |
27% |
| EWS |
10% |
| PwD |
5% |
These CAT Exam details for OBC and SC students ensure fair access to management education.
Also read: IIM Admission Criteria 2025
CAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025
The CAT Exam details make it clear that the test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Understanding the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme is crucial for preparation.
- Total Sections: 3 (VARC, DILR, QA)
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section
- Total Questions: 68
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Marking Scheme (As per CAT Exam details 2025)
- +3 marks for each correct answer
- –1 mark for incorrect MCQs
- 0 marks for unanswered questions
- TITA (Type In The Answer): No negative marking
This structure ensures a balance of accuracy and speed. Candidates must use the sectional time wisely since switching between sections is not allowed.
Section-Wise Breakdown
| Section |
MCQs |
Non-MCQs (TITA) |
Total Qs |
Time |
| VARC |
22 |
2 |
24 |
40 mins |
| DILR |
12 |
10 |
22 |
40 mins |
| QA |
14 |
8 |
22 |
40 mins |
| Total |
48 |
20 |
68 |
120 mins |
These CAT Exam details with sectional time limits highlight how important time management is in the exam.
Must check: CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Marking Scheme & Total Questions
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025 – Section-wise Topics
| Section |
Key Topics Covered |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion, Vocabulary, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Para Summary |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Data Sets, Graphs, Tables, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Charts, Logical Puzzles, Caselets |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Math, Percentages, Ratios, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Mensuration |
This table makes the CAT Exam details and syllabus PDF download 2025 easy to understand at a glance.
CAT Exam Duration and Sectional Time Allocation
The CAT Exam details confirm the following duration:
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section
- Flow: VARC → DILR → QA (sequence is fixed)
A good CAT sectional time allocation strategy 2025 is to:
- Attempt easy and high-accuracy questions first
- Leave time-consuming puzzles for later
- Ensure each section is fully utilized since switching is not allowed
CAT Exam Fees 2025
The CAT Exam details and fees for 2025 are as follows:
| Category |
Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC |
₹2,500 |
| SC / ST / PwD |
₹1,250 |
- Fees must be paid online (Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI).
- The fee is non-refundable, irrespective of withdrawal or errors.
These CAT exam fees 2025 reflect inclusivity by offering concessions to reserved categories.
CAT Registration Process 2025
The CAT Exam details and registration process step by step:
- Register Online – Create a profile on the official CAT website (from 1 August 2025).
- Fill Application Form – Enter personal information, academic qualifications, and work experience (if any).
- Choose Exam Cities – Select up to 6 preferences for test centers.
- Upload Documents – Upload a passport-size photograph and scanned signature as per specifications.
- Pay Fees – Make payment as per category (₹2,500 for General/EWS/OBC, ₹1,250 for SC/ST/PwD).
- Download Confirmation – Save the application receipt for records.
Avoid common CAT registration errors 2025 like:
- Uploading unclear photographs/signatures
- Incorrect category selection
- Last-minute rush leading to payment failure
Note: An application correction window will be open on 23 September 2025 for minor corrections.
Guide: CAT Form Filling 2025 – Step-by-Step
CAT Previous Year Question Papers & Trends (2015–2024 Analysis)
The CAT Exam details from past years show how the exam format has changed over time. Knowing these trends helps aspirants adjust their preparation strategy effectively.
CAT Exam Trends (2015–2024)
| Year |
Duration |
Total Questions |
Key Notes |
| 2015–2019 |
180 mins (3 hrs) |
100 |
Stable 3-hour pattern with 3 sections |
| 2020 |
120 mins (2 hrs) |
76 |
Duration reduced; first 2-hour format |
| 2021–2023 |
120 mins |
66 |
Consistent shorter format |
| 2024 |
120 mins |
68 |
Slight increase in total questions |
Key Insights from CAT Exam details
- Earlier years (2015–2019) had 100 questions in a 3-hour format.
- Post-2020, the exam shifted to a 2-hour structure with fewer questions.
- The recent trend shows stability around 66–68 questions.
These CAT Exam details and previous year question papers help predict the likely structure of CAT 2025.
Solve here: CAT PYQ Zone
The CAT Exam details 2025 provide clarity on everything—dates, eligibility, syllabus, pattern, duration, fees, registration, and preparation strategies. With no age limit and eligibility open to all graduates, CAT offers a fair chance to pursue your MBA dream.
Whether you are a fresher, working professional, engineering, or non-engineering student, this is your opportunity. Stay updated with official notifications, practice with mocks, and leverage the right strategy to secure your place at a top B-school.
For PYQs, free mocks, and personalized CAT prep, explore Coachify today.
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