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Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most sought-after entrance exam by candidates wishing to acquire prestigious colleges in India for their postgraduate degree in management. The CAT exam is conducted for placements in IIM colleges once the candidates qualify for a certain cut-off score as defined by specific colleges. The 2025 CAT exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) bodies through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode by the end of the year in November, annually each year. 

Read the full blog and get comprehensive details about the CAT exam, all you need to know about CAT 2025, its registration, syllabus, exam date, preparation tips, and more. 

Entrance Exam Overview: CAT 2025

Important Dates of the CAT 2025 Entrance Exam

The Important Dates for the CAT 2025 Entrance Exam that you should be aware of are mentioned below if you are applying for the 2025 CAT exam. Remember, these dates are curated based on the important announcements made regarding the CAT 2024 entrance exam and are tentative, it might fluctuate so kindly check the updated dates beforehand. 

Eligibility Criteria of CAT 2025, Entrance Exam

Candidates interested in management and business administration advanced skills after graduation must qualify for the Common Admission Test (CAT) entrance exam. This PG program requires candidates to hold several eligibility criteria to enroll in the course and they are listed below: 

• Bachelors/ UG candidates from any discipline or specialization. 
• Last year Undergraduate candidates were eligible to apply for the CAT entrance exam too. 
• Must have scored a decent 50% minimum mark from a UGC-entitled university
• There’s no age restriction or any specific number of attempts defined for candidates applying for the Common Admission Test (CAT) entrance exam
• Professionals with Full-time work should hold 3 to 5 years of work experience
• International candidates interested in the MBA program in India must qualify for the SAT, IELTS, or TOEFL tests, etc.

How to Register for the CAT 2025 Entrance Exam 

The application form for the CAT 2025 will be out by August 2025, and you can apply for the registration form online by following these easy steps: 

1. Visit the website: Search the official website iimcat.ac.in to apply for the CAT entrance exam and press the ‘new candidates registration’. 
2. Create a user profile: Provide your basic details and an OTP will be received where your user profile will be created with a unique ID and password to log in.
3. Fill out the application form: Insert your details, work experience (if any), academic qualifications, etc in the application form. 
4. Choose Exam Centre: The candidates are required to choose the course, IIM campuses, and exam center of their choice now. You can choose 6 cities for exam tests of your choice and comfort. 
5. Upload Documents: Upload a scanned passport-sized photograph, signature, and caste certificate. 
6. Pay the Application Fee: Aspirants can now pay their application fee based on the category they belong to. 
7. Submit the form: Recheck the application form and submit it.

CAT 2025, Entrance Exam Syllabus 

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 Syllabus includes Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Now, let’s discuss the important topics these categories include for the CAT Exam:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section of the CAT exam comprises questions to test the language ability and reading comprehension skills, which includes topics such as:

• Reading Comprehension: History, Business, Science, Economics, Sociology, and Literature. Solving questions on- fact-based questions, Inference-based, tone of the author, and primary idea.
• Verbal Ability: Odd-sentence out (OSO), Para-jumbles (PJ), Sentence completion and correction, and Summary Writing. 

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

The DILR section in the CAT exam contains questions that test decision-making and analytical skills and includes the topics as given below:

• Logical Reasoning: Blood Relations, Clocks and Calendars, Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms, Puzzles and Games, and Statements and Assumptions.
• Data Interpretation (DI): Venn Diagrams, Data Sufficiency, Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, and Caselets and Word Problems.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

The CAT Entrance exam tests the candidates’ problem-solving and mathematical abilities in the Qualitative Ability test section, which includes the topics given below: 

• Arithmetic: Time, Speed, and Distance, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Ratios, and Proportions, and Time and Work
• Algebra: Inequalities, Linear and Quadratic Equations, and Logarithms.
• Number System: Divisibility Rules, Factors and Multiples, and HCF and LCM.
• Geometry and Mensuration: Coordinate Geometry, Circles, Triangles, Polygons, and Areas, Volumes, and Perimeters.
• Modern Math: 

CAT 2025, Entrance Exam Pattern

The candidates planning to appear for the CAT 2025 Exam should be aware of the pattern they’ll be given. Here’s a tentative CAT 2025 entrance exam pattern curated based on the previous exams: 

Tips to prepare for the CAT Entrance Exam, 2025

The management course aspirants looking to acquire admission to the top IIM college of their choice, here’s a list of tips that can help you prepare for the upcoming 2025 CAT Exam:

1.  Know the CAT exam patterns and syllabus: Before you start studying for the 2025 CAT exam, understand its patterns and syllabus beforehand. This will give you clarity on mark distribution so that the students can emphasize studying certain topics thoroughly. 
2. Curate a Study Schedule: Plan your study schedule and strategize a study routine that can help you cover the syllabus before the exam date and keep you disciplined. 
3. Strengthen your weak: Start by preparing for the hard topics first. For anything that requires more time, understand your weaknesses and prepare those topics first to save time for the easy part and revision.  
4. Practice Regularly: Practice last year's questions and take mock tests through the online platforms. This will help you analyze your weaknesses and focus on improving those areas.  
5. Focus on Time Management: To make sure that you cover all the questions on the CAT 2025 paper and finish the syllabus on time, time management skills are a must.
6. Utilize Quality study materials: Use online platforms to give mock tests, practice questions, and analyze your areas of improvement. You can enroll in coaching classes or even join group studies and get study material from senior candidates to learn better. 
7. Stay Updated with the CAT 2025 Exam: Regularly check the official website of the CAT ‘iimcat.ac.in’ to stay updated with any latest notifications, changes in dates, syllabi, etc. Do not miss out on any essential information about the exam and keep visiting the online website to stay informed about it. 

Cuts Off Scores of CAT 2025 Entrance Exam

After the 2025 CAT Exam, several top management institutes will announce their cut-off scores to take admission of candidates who fall under that specific category. Here is a list of IIM college cutoffs made based on the previous cut-offs:

Conclusion

Candidates who aspire to hone management skills from top colleges in India should apply for the CAT 2025 exam. It provides the stepping stone to a bright career in management and a postgraduate degree with advanced and enhanced skills in managerial values. With a planned strategy, consistent preparation, and updated with the latest notification of the CAT 2025 exam, any candidate can secure admission to their dream B-school. We hope this blog helped you understand all you need to know about the CAT 2025 exam from its registration, exam date, preparation tips, and more. Start preparing today and stay informed of any changes in the syllabus, dates, or patterns of the 2025 CAT exam.