CAT Exam 2025: Syllabus, Eligibility, Paper Pattern, Prep Tips, & Cutoffs

Common Admission Test, usually referred to as CAT, is an all-India level competitive exam for admissions to MBA or other postgraduate degrees in top B-Schools in the country. It is conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIMs). The exam is scheduled on 30th November, 2025 and will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. 

The following article provides a comprehensive overview of this prestigious exam that includes details like eligibility criteria, exam syllabus, exam pattern, tips and strategies etc. 

IMPORTANT DATES  

How to apply: 

• Visit the official website of IIM CAT i.e. www.iimcat.ac.in. 

• Select “New Registration”

• Register for the exam by filling in personal details such as name, D.O.B, contact details etc. 

• Now login again with the registered mail Id and password 

• Fill up the application form with your academic details, work experience, exam city and venue preferences etc. 

• Upload your scanned signature and passport-size photograph. 

• Pay the fees and save the application form for future references.

CAT Exam Form Fees: 

The application fees for various social categories are as follows: 

General/OBC- Rs. 2600 

SC/ST/PwD- Rs. 1300 

Eligibility Criteria: 

Educational Qualifications: 

• Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university or Indian institute

• Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree or those who have completed their degree and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply. But they must submit a certificate issued from the Principal/Registrar of their institution or university, declaring that they have completed all their degree requirements on the date of issue of the certificate 

Age Limit: 

There is no upper age limit for appearing in the exam. 

Nationality: 

 Candidates must have Indian citizenship. Foreign applicants may also apply provided that they choose a test centre venue within India only. 

CAT Exam Selection Process: 

CAT exam consists of three main sections followed by an interview round. The three main sections are as follows: 

i) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)- This section tests a candidate’s English grammatical skills, reading ability and comprehension skills

ii) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)- This section tests a candidate’s analytical skills with regard to numerical data and basic  logical reasoning skills 

iii) Quantitative Aptitude- This section tests a candidate’s  aptitude in quantitative and mathematical reasoning

Interview 

Candidates who clear the CAT exam are shortlisted for the interview round. Students are tested on their analytical skills, problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills as well as on their knowledge of current affairs. 

CAT Exam Paper Pattern: 

The exam pattern for CAT exam is given in the following table: 

Note: i) For every correct answer, candidates will be awarded +3 marks. 

         ii) For every incorrect answer, a candidate will be awarded  -1 marks. 

CAT Exam 2025 Syllabus:  

Following table provides the detailed syllabus of the CAT exam: 

Courses offered through IIMs: 

Following courses are offered by IIMs through CAT and MBA: 

CAT 2026 Expected Cutoffs: 

The expected category-wise cut offs in all IIMs across India for the CAT exam 2026 are: 

CAT 2025 Admit Card:  

The admit card for CAT exam 2025 will be released by the end of October. Candidates are requested to regularly keep checking the official website for further updates. 

 Preparation Tips and Strategies:  

• Understanding the syllabus: Before beginning your preparation journey, it is important to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the syllabus of CAT that will help you in strategizing your preparation in an effective manner. 

• Practice Mock tests and PYQs: Rigorous practising of PYQs and mock tests gives you an understanding about the current exam patterns, expected questions and trends. 

• Reading Editorials Daily: For VARC, regularly reading editorials enhances your reading speed and strengthens your comprehension ability. 

• Maintain emotional well-being: Avoid distraction and stay optimistic. Take shorter breaks by going for regular walks in the parks and do exercises daily. 

CAT exam Preparation Books

Preparing for this highly competitive and prestigious exam requires discipline, consistency and right approach. Disha Publications offers the best CAT preparation books covering the entire CAT syllabus ranging from Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. 

FAQs

Q1. Can skipping questions improve my percentile in CAT? 

Ans. Strategic skipping helps avoid negative marking and saves time for high-probability questions, boosting accuracy and percentile. 

Q2. Is it true that CAT favours engineers? 

Ans. Not entirely. While QA may align with engineering backgrounds, CAT rewards smart strategies, reading skills and decision-making-not degrees. 

Q3. How important in mock test analysis compared to taking mock tests? 

Ans. Without analysis, mock tests become practice, not progress. Reviewing errors, time spent and skipped questions drives real improvement. 

Q4. Do IIMs consider academic diversity during selection? 

Ans. Many IIMs give weightage to non-engineering backgrounds to ensure classroom diversity, especially in final selection rounds. 

Q5. Can a high CAT score compensate of low academic performance? 

Ans. Partially. Some IIMs prioritize CAT heavily, but others factor in past academic performance. A steller score can stil open doors, especially in newer IIMs.