CAT Registration 2025 Started on iimcat.ac.in: Check Key Dates, Fees, Exam Pattern, Preparation, List of IIMs

CAT Registration 2025 has begun on official CAT website iimcat.ac.in from August 1, 2025. CAT 2025 registration dates are from August 1 till September 13, 2025. CAT 2025 registration fees is Rs 2600 for General Candidates and Rs 1300 for reserved category candidates. CAT official website iimcat.ac.in has been updated with many important information. Here are the key highlights from CAT official website. 

1. IMPORTANT DATES
CAT official website has confirmed the following dates for CAT 2025 exam.

• Registration opens: August 01, 2025 (10:00 am)
• Registration closes: September 13, 2025 (5:00 pm)
• Admit card download: November 05-November 30, 2025
• Test date: November 30, 2025
• Result declaration: First week of January, 2026 (Tentative)

2. CAT 2025 IN THREE SESSIONS
CAT website has confirmed that “the Indian Institutes of Management will conduct a computer-based Common Admission Test 2025 (CAT 2025) on November 30, 2025 in three sessions”.

3. CAT REGISTRATION FEES
CAT Exam Fees is as follows: 

• ₹1300 for SC, ST and PwD category candidates.
• ₹2600 for all other categories of candidates.

CAT Notification 2025 informs that “a candidate needs to pay the registration fees only once, irrespective of the number of institutes he/she is applying for. Fees once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.”

4. TEST CENTRES: 
CAT will be conducted in test centres spread across around 170 test cities. Candidates can select five preferred cities during registration. Check list of CAT 2025 Test Centers.

Continue reading this article for complete guide on CAT exam introduction, eligibility, registration, pattern, syllabus, preparation, coaching and a lot more. All information has been updated based on CAT official website 2025. 

Conducted by one of the top IIMs every year by rotation, Common Admission Test is the largest MBA entrance exam for MBA admission in 21 IIMs and other top B-schools. So, it is the mandatory entrance exam for MBA admission 2026 in all the 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi and hundreds of other top B-schools in India. Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2024 exam was 3.29 lakhs. However, total number of candidates who appeared in CAT 2024 exam was 2.93 lakhs only. Salient Points about the CAT Exam are:

• CAT is a computer-based test conducted at more than 155 test cities and 400+ test venues
• CAT exam duration is two hours. Time allotted for three sections is 40 minutes each.
• CAT exam is divided into three sections of Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability
• CAT Exam score is mandatory requirement for IIM admissions. IIMs do not consider any other exam like XAT or GMAT for two-year full-time MBA/PGP admission.

CAT 2025 Exam Date is November 30, 2025. CAT exam important dates for registration, admit card and other events are given below:

Below are the important points regarding CAT 2025 eligibility criteria:

• A candidate with minimum 50% marks in graduation is eligible
• A final year student in graduation is also eligible
• There is no age limit to apply and appear in the exam
• Note that IIMs have different eligibility criteria for MBA Admissions

Note that IIMs have different CAT exam eligibility criteria for MBA Admissions

Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

CAT registration process has started on iimcat.ac.in. CAT 2025 registration start date is August 1, 2025. CAT 2025 registration last date is September 13, 2025. How to Apply for CAT 2025? CAT registration 2025 process can be completed by following these simple steps: 

Step 1: Registration for User ID and Password 
Visit the CAT official website iimcat.ac.in and register for getting your User ID and password. 

Step 2: Login to CAT 2025 Website
After receiving your User ID and password, login to CAT website and enter the same to login to your account.

Step 3: Fill Application Form
This is the main step for CAT registration. CAT Application Form is categorized into the following six sections:

1. PERSONAL DETAILS
2. ACADEMICS
3. WORK EXPERIENCE
4. PROGRAMMES
5. TEST CITY
6. DECLARATION  

List of Documents Required for CAT Registration

• Valid email address & mobile number for entire exam duration
• Passport size photograph (within 1200 x 1200 pixels, < 80 KB)
• Scanned signature (within 80mm x 35mm, < 80 KB)
• Educational qualification details (SSC, HSC, Bachelor's, Master's, etc.)
• Valid EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate (if applicable)
• Valid PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Caste/Tribe certificate (for reserved category candidates)
• Additional documents as per the selected category, if applicable

Read Guide to CAT 2025 Registration Process covering all the above steps in detail. 

CAT registration highlights are presented in table below. CAT 2025 registration link is given below. 
 

CAT 2025 exam scores will be accepted by 21 IIMs for more than 50 general and specialized MBA programs. Check list of IIMs accepting CAT scores with their Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) programs and website in table below. Please note that Admission process for each IIM is independent of CAT exam. While performance in the CAT 2025 examination is an important component for consideration in IIM admission process, each IIM has their own eligibility criteria (including academic cut-offs and relative weights) and follow different selection processes. IIMs may also use the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short-listing of candidates. Each IIM will release their own admission policy in coming months.

CAT Cut Off for IIM admission is fixed by each IIM by category. While the qualifying CAT cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs for general candidates are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 92-97 percentile.

• CAT 2025 exam syllabus covers three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). While IIMs do not release a fixed syllabus, the CAT exam syllabus can be derived from CAT exam pattern.
   
• The VARC section includes Reading Comprehension (RC), Paragraph Completion, Summary Writing, and Odd Sentence questions, testing candidates on their reading speed, comprehension, and verbal reasoning. The DILR section assesses analytical and problem-solving skills through data-based caselets, logical puzzles, seating arrangements, tournaments, and graphs/charts-based interpretation.
   
• The Quantitative Ability (QA) section focuses on mathematical concepts, with questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, and Number Systems. Arithmetic topics such as Percentages, Ratios, Profit & Loss, and Time & Work form a significant portion of the QA section. Algebra includes Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, and Logarithms, while Geometry covers Circles, Triangles, and Mensuration. Modern Math topics like Permutation & Combination and Probability also appear in the exam. Check complete details in tables below.

Read more about CAT 2025 Syllabus for different sections.

CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025. So, can you crack CAT in 5 months or less? Yes, it is possible to prepare for CAT in less than five months. However, right CAT preparation strategy and focused execution is needed. Check tips on how to prepare for CAT 2025 exam.

• Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus: The CAT exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section is time-bound, with 40 minutes per section, making time management crucial. The syllabus covers key topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension. While IIMs do not release an official syllabus, past trends indicate the key areas to focus on.
   
• Section-wise Preparation Strategy: For VARC, candidates should develop strong reading habits, focus on comprehension, and practice summary writing and para jumbles. DILR requires regular practice with logical puzzles, graphs, seating arrangements, and data caselets. In QA, arithmetic and algebra are the most important areas, and aspirants must focus on conceptual clarity, speed, and accuracy through mock tests and topic-wise practice.
   
• Importance of Mock Tests and Analysis: Mock tests are the best preparation tool for CAT, helping aspirants adapt to the exam pattern, improve time management, and assess strengths and weaknesses. Leading test series providers like IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, and Cracku offer mocks with varying difficulty levels. Analyzing performance after each mock is crucial to identify mistakes and improve accuracy.
   
• Best CAT Preparation Books and Resources: Some of the most recommended books include Arun Sharma’s Quantitative Aptitude, Nishit K. Sinha’s Logical Reasoning, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for VARC. Coaching institutes like Elites Grid, Rodha, and 2IIM also provide structured study materials for effective preparation.
   
• Month-wise CAT Preparation Strategy: Aspirants should start by building fundamentals in the first few months (January-April), move to intensive practice (May-June), and focus on mock tests and time management (July-September). The last two months should be dedicated to final revision and exam strategy. In the final weeks, candidates should avoid learning new topics and focus on light revision and mental preparation.

With a structured approach, consistent practice, and regular mock tests, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of scoring well in CAT 2025.

Toppers recommend that taking Mocks is of utmost importance as it is a very important preparation tool. If you are seriously preparing for the exam and wish to score high percentile, it is necessary to attempt more and more Mock Tests to get ready for the exam day. IMS, TIME, and Career Launcher (CL) are most popular paid mock test series. 

If you are looking for free high quality CAT Mock Tests, check MBAUniverse.com CAT Mock Tests. They are based on last 10 Years’ actual CAT papers (based on CAT 2024, CAT 2023, CAT 2022, CAT 2021 and other previous year’s CAT paper). You can take them free online after a simple registration. 

Should I enroll for CAT 2025 coaching? This is a common question in the minds of CAT aspirants. Read the advantages and disadvantages of CAT coaching.

If you decide for coaching, selecting the right CAT coaching institute is an important step. Check key details to help you decide.

a) Top National CAT Coaching Institutes
Top three CAT coaching institutes with national presence are TIME, IMS and Career Launcher. They offer both offline and online CAT coaching course with fees ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 75,000. TIME is known for tough Mocks. Career Launcher Mock Tests was appreciated by CAT 2024 toppers. IMS Learning has strong online courses.

b) Top Regional CAT Coaching Institutes
Many coaching institutes have strong presence in some cities or states like MBA Guru in Delhi NCR.

c) Top Online CAT Coaching Institutes 
Cracku has emerged as a strong alternative to traditional coaching institutes like TIME and IMS. Similarly, many YouTube channels like Rodhas are also popular.

d)  Specialized Verbal or Quantitative Coaching Institutes

CAT Coaching Fees 
The cost of CAT coaching varies based on the mode and institute:

• Online Programs: Generally, range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000.
• Offline Programs: Typically range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000.

Selecting the Right Institute
When choosing a coaching institute, consider the following:

• Student Feedback: Look for reviews from former students who have taken CAT recently. Also check CAT Toppers interview where they reveal their coaching institutes.
• Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and experience of the teaching staff.
• Study Material: Ensure the institute provides comprehensive and up-to-date materials.
• Mock Tests and Analysis: Regular testing and performance analysis are crucial for tracking progress.

Read this article on CAT coaching for complete details. 

Over the years, the number of CAT exam registrations has seen a fluctuating trend, with a significant increase in last two years. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 led to a slight decline in registrations and appearances, but the numbers rebounded in 2022 and 2023.

Total number of candidates who registered for CAT 2024 exam was 3.29 lakhs. However, total number of candidates who appeared in CAT 2024 exam was 2.93 lakhs only. Below is the year-wise breakdown of CAT registrations and appearances.

CAT exam 2025 will be held in 170 test cities and 400+ exam centers across the country. You can select five centers of your choice that are most convenient for you. CAT authorities will try to give you the closest available center. Last year, for CAT 2024, the number of CAT test cities were increased to 170 from 160 last year. The choice of CAT 2024 Test Cities was reduced to 5 from earlier 6 cities. Check List of CAT Exam Test Cities

CAT 2025 help desk has been set up at IIM Kozhikode. Candidates can contact and share any queries at: [email protected]. CAT helpdesk number is 1800 210 017. IIM Kozhikode has also said that is a candidate encounters any fraudulent websites or suspicious request, they should report them immediately to the CAT help desk. 

CAT Exam 2025 Do’s and Don’ts are important guidelines and instructions that are issued by IIMs for candidates to ensure smooth conduct of the exam.  

Dos: Recheck Admit Card details, Print and Carry CAT Admit Card Hard Copy, Keep Specified Photo ID Ready, Locate and Visit CAT Exam Centre in advance and Ensure to Mark Attendance.

Don’ts: Don’t carry Prohibited Articles in CAT Exam Centre, Follow Dress Code, Do Not Carry Electronic Gadgets, Don’t Apply Mehndi (Henna) on Palm Side.

CAT 2025 results are expected to be released in the third week of December. Registered candidates can view their results by visiting the official CAT website. Candidates have to use their login details, namely CAT ID and password, to access their CAT result 2025. 

In conclusion, CAT exam date is November 30, 2025. CAT 2025 registration dates are from August 1 till September 13, 2025. CAT Convenor is IIM Kozhikode. CAT Exam Pattern is divided into three key areas: VARC, DILR, and QA. CAT preparation requires building a strong foundation and mastering the art of test-taking through CAT mock test. Above article is a complete guide on CAT exam dates, eligibility, registration, pattern, syllabus, preparation, coaching and a lot more. Stay focused, trust yourself, and aim for excellence in CAT exam 2025!