CAT Application Form 2025: Release Date, Fees, How to Fill

CAT Application Form will open August 1, 2025. CAT Application Form last date is September 13, 2025 (expected). CAT exam important dates for registration, admit card and other events are given below:

Now, coming to the most important point -- how you should apply for the CAT exam. CAT application form filling steps are given below:

1. Login to CAT website iimcat.ac.in and Create Profile

2. Fill in the Registration & Application Form in following steps

2.1 Fill in Personal Details in Application Form

2.2 Submit Academic Details from Class 10 onwards

2.3 Fill in your Work Experience

2.4 Select IIMs & Programmes that you wish to apply

2.5 Select your Preferred CAT Exam Cities 

3. Make Online payment of CAT Application Form Fee 

Above points for CAT application form filling are explained in detail below.

Step 1: Login to CAT website iimcat.ac.in to Create your Profile
First step is to visit CAT Website -- IIMCAT.ac.in. Look for section that says ‘New Candidate Registration’. You need to click this button to Register as New User. Once you click ‘Register’, a new page titled ‘Register to get User ID and Password’ page will open.

Image 1: New Candidate Registration Button

Step-1.1: Register to Get User ID & Password
On Register to get User ID and Password Page (see image below), enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email, Country, and Mobile Number. Then, click Generate OTP button. You will get one-time OTP that you can use to login to CAT main Application Form. You also need to check I agree box in Declaration section. Refer image 1.1 below.

Image 1.1: Register to get User ID and Password

Step-2: Complete CAT Application Form in Steps as below:
Once you have completed Step 1 as above you need to login at Registered candidate login window on iimcat.ac.in, as below. After login, you will be directed to fill in the details in your CAT application as in steps below.   

Step-2.1: Fill in Personal Details in CAT Application Form
First, fill your personal details like parents name, gender, category, nationality, communication address among others. Then, you also need to upload your Photograph, Signature and Caste Certificate.

Step-2.2: Fill in Academic Details from Class 10 onwards
After filling your Personal Details, next you will be directed to fill in all your academics beginning from Class 10 onwards like exam taken, Board/University, marks obtained, maximum marks, percentage of marks among others in the CAT form 2025. The details of professional degree, if any are to be entered on this page.

Step-2.3: Fill the Work Experience obtained after Graduation
After filling your Academic Details, next page on registration form that opens is for work experience. If you are a candidate with work experience that you have earned after graduation, enter your experience in months as on 31st July 2025. Select which all industries (like Banking, Auto, IT…) you have worked and enter months of employment.

Step-2.4: Select IIM Program & Interview Cities
This CAT Application form page requires you to select preferred Program offered by 21 IIMs. It is advisable to check your eligibility and then choose the program for which you are eligible. For example, if you are eligible for IIM Ahmedabad PGP program, you may not be eligible for its FABM or executive program. So, select the best IIM program and then select the IIM Interview City for that program from the respective drop down menu.  

Step-2.5 Select Test Cities
You can select 5 most preferred test cities out of 170 cities in which CAT exam is scheduled. CAT Centre will make all out efforts to allot you your first preferred test city. However, in case due to any reason it is not allotted, you will be allotted the next preferred test city. 

Step-3: Make payment online for CAT Application Form Fee 
Payment of CAT exam fee is the last step while completing your CAT Registration & Application form. The payment is to be made online. A General / NC-OBC candidate needs to pay Rs. 2500 while an SC/ST/PWD candidate will pay Rs. 1250 towards the CAT Application & examination fee. The final amount will also include applicable additional charges. 

Please note that if you miss any step, your application process will remain incomplete and if you fill in any wrong information in CAT application form, you will not get admission in any IIM even after scoring high percentile in CAT 2024 exam.
 

CAT exam application process is online. Following are the important pre-requisites for CAT application and key check points you should know before proceeding to complete your CAT exam application form 2025. 

• Make sure that your E-mail Id is working as you will need it throughout the CAT exam and even after till the admission process in IIMs is not completed
• Make sure that you have with you all your academic details from class 10 onwards; details about your work experience if any; Category reservation certificate (if applicable)
• The recommended browsers to fill the CAT Application form are Mozilla (85 to 102), Google chrome (80 to 103), Microsoft Edge (80 to 103).
• Decide payment mode for CAT registration fee like Net Banking, Credit/Debit card.
   

Submitting the right documents is key for competing CAT application form. Check important guidelines. 

5.1 How to Upload Photograph in CAT Application Form? 

• Upload your recent passport size photograph of not more than 6 months old.
• The dimension of the photograph should be 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels.
• Maximum file size: 1 MB
• File Formats: Only JPEG, JPG
• Please upload the same photograph, that you will affix on the Admit Card on the day of the test.
• The photo-print should be clear and with a continuous-tone quality. It should have a white/offwhite background, full face, neck and shoulders, front view, eyes open.
• Ensure that the photograph is scanned properly using a scanner only. Do not use mobile phone or other mobile applications to scan your photograph.

5.2. How to Upload Signature in CAT Application Form?

• Upload your signature only in JPEG, JPG formats
• Maximum File Size is 80KB

Before you begin with the CAT Application process, remember to organize these 10 key documents required to complete the form:

1.    Documents related to your Educational history from class 10 onwards
2.    Mark sheets – Class-10
3.    Mark Sheet – Class 12th
4.    Mark sheet – Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma
5.    Final Year Certificate from the HoD/Principal (If in final year of bachelor’s degree) also previous year mark sheet
6.    Work experience Document, if any
7.    Applicable Certificates to upload (Category/Affidavits). Check and understand the size and format of Documents to be Uploaded
8.    Scanned images of your passport size photo and signature. 
9.    List of the IIM programs to which you wish to apply

Please note the following to successfully complete your CAT Application form:

• Fill the form carefully. Enter all personal and academic details correctly. No edits are allowed after submission, except for limited fields during the editing window.
• Upload documents properly. Ensure your photograph, signature, and category certificates (EWS, NC-OBC, SC/ST, PwD) are in the correct format, size, and are self-attested as required.
• PwD candidates must select ‘Yes’ if applicable. To use a scribe, arrange one and upload the scribe affidavit from the CAT website.
• Final submission is crucial. Review all details before paying. Once submitted, you cannot edit the form, and no refunds are given for mistakes.
• Check confirmation. Ensure your application is successfully submitted and that you receive an SMS from the CAT Centre. If you made a mistake, register again with a new email ID. Only the latest application will be valid.
   

Note that after the last date for submission of CAT Application form is over, a limited period CAT Application form error correction window will open. Key Errors and timelines for CAT error correction window are as below:

• Photograph
• Signature
• Test City Preference

In conclusion, CAT is the largest MBA entrance exam for MBA admission in 21 IIMs and other top B-schools. CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025. CAT Application Form filling start date is August 1, 2025 (expected). CAT Application Form Fees is Rs 2500. Read this comprehensive guide to how to apply for CAT 2025.