CAT 2025

The Gateway to Premier Business Schools

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most prestigious MBA entrance exam, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into IIMs and other top B-schools. The exam evaluates candidates on Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. A high CAT percentile is crucial for securing admission to prestigious management institutes. Success requires strategic preparation, time management, and consistent practice. With a well-planned study approach, aspirants can enhance their problem-solving skills and improve their chances of pursuing a career in business leadership and management.

DAILY QUIZ

TEST SERIES

BOOKs

PYQs

NOTEs

NEWS

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXAM

Frequency of Exam

Once in a year

Exams

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Qualification

Have completed the bachelor's degree or are in the last year of bachelor's program

Total Marks

120 marks (40 marks per subject)

Languages

English

Duration

2 hours

Marking Scheme

+3 mark for each correct answer -1 mark for each wrong answer (negative marking)

Download Past Year Papers

Download Syllabus

Download Study Material

HOW TO REGISTER

Visit the Official Website and register
Fill Application Form with Academic details, work experience, and preferred test cities.
Upload Documents – Photo, signature, category certificate (if applicable).
Pay Registration Fee
Submit the application and download it for future reference.

TIPS TO PREPARE

Know the Syllabus & Exam Pattern & Build a Study Plan
Practice Mock Tests & Time Management
Improve Reading & Calculation Speed
Stay Consistent & Take Regular Breaks

TENTATIVE DATES

Registration Starts	1 August 2024
Registration Deadline	20 September 2024
Admit Card Release	5 November 2024
Exam Date	24 November 2024
Result Declaration	19 December 2024

EXPERT ADVICE

COUNSELLING

There is no centralized counseling; IIMs conduct their selection process.
Shortlisted candidates undergo a Written Ability Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds.
Final admission is based on the CAT Score, Academic Profile (10th, 12th, UG Marks), Work Experience, Diversity Factor

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

RECOMMENDED COURSES

RECOMMENDED INSTITUTES

FAQs

1. What is CAT?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs at IIMs and other top business schools in India.

2. Who is eligible for CAT?

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university.
Final-year undergraduate students can also apply.
There is no age limit for appearing in CAT.

3. How many times is CAT conducted in a year?

CAT is conducted once a year, usually in November or December.

4. What is the exam pattern of CAT?

Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Total Questions: 66
Sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 questions
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 20 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) – 22 questions
Marking Scheme:
- +3 for each correct answer
- -1 for each incorrect answer (MCQs only)
- No negative marking for non-MCQ (TITA) questions

5. Is there negative marking in CAT?

Yes, 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect MCQ answer. However, non-MCQ (TITA) questions do not have negative marking.

6. How can I apply for CAT?

Candidates must register online on the official IIM CAT website, fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the fee.

7. What is the syllabus for CAT?

CAT does not have a fixed syllabus, but key topics include:

VARC: Reading comprehension, para jumbles, sentence completion, grammar
DILR: Data interpretation, logical reasoning, puzzles, graphs
QA: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system, probability

8. What is the validity of CAT scores?

CAT scores are valid for one academic year.

9. Which colleges accept CAT scores?

Apart from IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by top B-schools like FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, IITs, and hundreds of private institutions.

10. Can I apply for multiple IIMs through CAT?

Yes, a single CAT score allows candidates to apply to multiple IIMs and other B-schools based on cutoffs.

11. How is the CAT percentile calculated?

The percentile score indicates a candidate's relative performance compared to all test-takers. It is calculated using a normalized scoring method across different slots.

12. What is the minimum CAT cutoff for IIMs?

Top IIMs (A, B, C): 98+ percentile
Mid-tier IIMs: 90+ percentile
New IIMs: 85+ percentile
Other B-schools: 70-90 percentile (varies by institute)

13. How should I prepare for CAT?

Practice mock tests and previous year papers regularly.
Strengthen conceptual understanding in Quant and Logical Reasoning.
Improve reading speed for Verbal Ability.
Focus on time management and accuracy.

14. Can I edit my CAT application after submission?

NTA provides a correction window for a limited time to edit details like photograph, signature, and test city preference.

15. Is work experience required for CAT?

No, work experience is not mandatory for CAT, but some IIMs and B-schools give preference to candidates with work experience during the selection process.

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