CAT 2025 Frequently Asked Questions

CAT serves as a primer test for students who wish to pursue a career in organizational management. Its depth makes it different from the others. It assesses the basic skills of analyzing, calculating, and using logic fundamental to the study of management.

The candidates are already aware that the date of the exam has been scheduled for November 30, 2025. The CAT 2025 exam will be hosted in 155 cities nationwide. Many of you will be looking forward to taking this exam, and most of you might have several queries in your mind. No need to worry, for multiple question-and-answer sites hosted online will give you the information you need. Let's take this opportunity to learn about your concerns, the worrisome questions, and the answers that you may have.

Related you will like All you need to know about date, syllabus, preparation, admit card

CAT Exam Date 2025: Highlights

Parameters	Details
Conducting Body	IIM Kozhikode
Exam Mode	Computer-based; will consist of MCQs and Non-MCQs
CAT 2025 Exam Date	November 30, 2025
CAT Exam Fee	₹ 1250 for SC/ST/PWD ₹ 2500 for General/EWS/NC-OBC
Frequency	Once in a year
Exam Duration	120 minutes; 40 minutes per section
CAT 2025 Syllabus	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA)
Number of Questions	68 Questions
CAT Exam Total Marks	204 Marks
Number of Test Cities	170
Marking Pattern	+3 for a correct answer -1 for incorrect answer
CAT Exam Timing	Session 1: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% or more marks
Offered Courses	MBA/PGDM

CAT Exam Calendar 2025

The following are the important CAT 2025 dates for aspirants to plan their preparation:

CAT 2025 Events	CAT 2025 Dates (Tentative)
CAT Notification Release Date	Last week of July 2025
CAT Registration Start Date	First week of August 2025
CAT Registration Last Date	Second week of September 2025
CAT Application Correction Window	September 25-28, 2025
CAT Admit Card Release Date	First week of November 2025
CAT Exam Date	November 30, 2025
CAT Answer Key Release Date	December 5, 2025
CAT Result Release Date	Third week of December 2025

CAT 2025 Most Commonly Asked Questions

It is quite natural to feel anxious and confused the first time you take an exam. We have created an FAQ guide that relieves some of the confusion one might experience.

Who's Going To Conduct CAT 2025, And How Do I Register For It?

IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025. India has a total of twenty-one IIMs; one of the institutes is selected each year to conduct the CAT in turn. Every year, one of their branches is assigned. How Do I Register (Apply) for CAT 2025?

Let’s explain this to you step by step.

• Proceed to the website https://iimcat.ac.in, and click on 'new user registration’.

• Provide all essential information such as your email address and phone number.

• All registered users will get a user ID and password sent to them through email and phone.

• The provided user ID manages the application port. Head on to the application form (with the allotted ID).

• Complete all mentioned requirements, including the furnishing of a claimed signature and a thumb-sized picture.

• All registered users will be sent UCID and passwords through SMS and email. Gradually, users' IDs manage the application port.

• Upon receipt of the payment confirmation, you have successfully registered for CAT 2025.

• As a registered candidate, you can access the user dashboard where you may log into the system and print your registration form after authentication with your user ID.

  
  

What is the fee structure of the CAT Exam?

The levy is INR 2500 for the general students whereas for the reserved category SC/ST/OBC it is INR 1250. Payments are made at registration via the online payment gateway.

Is it true that the CAT score which can be claimed is boundless for two years is also true that flexible issued after the passage of one year?

Typically, the validity of the CAT score is restricted to one year; however, some institutes do allow students to defer their admission, enabling them to enter the next MBA batch a year later on the condition they perform the previous year’s CAT exam. This is often at the mercy of the policies of the institutes.

Is it allowed to bring a calculator during the 2025 CAT exam?

Calculators aren't permitted, however, because this test will be computer-based students will be able to use an elementary features calculator for their computer during the test.

Is CAT mandatory for pursuing an MBA?

The IIMs conduct the CAT examination, and after its completion, it is required for admission into their universities. There are approximately 1500 other institutions that accept CAT scores. There are other B-schools as well as MBA colleges with entrance exams of their own including CMAT, XAT, SNAP, ATMA, NMAT, and numerous others. It is therefore not required for you to pass the CAT exam to get an MBA.

What is the distribution of scores for the CAT examination?

Scores of the CAT examination are allotted in percentiles. For a few, percentiles is a concept that can be confusing. To help you with this, the percentage tells you how many students have scored lower than you. So, if you score 80 percentile, it means 80 % of the people who seat for the CAT scored less than you. Acceptable B-schools admit students who are even at the 60 percentile.

What is the CAT exam and what are its general criteria?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is administered by the Indian Institute of Management to let students enter their MBA program. To be considered qualified, you must hold at least a bachelor's or master's degree earned from a reputable institution. They must also have 50% or higher scores. Candidates belonging to the reserved category must score at least 45% marks.

Are the Marks Obtained In The 12th Grade Important When It Comes To CAT? 

Your performance in Class 12 holds no significance for your CAT exam, what matters is scoring well in a bachelor’s degree program. If you are a general-category student, you should not have an average mark below 50%. For those in the other categories, the cut-off is 45%.

Can Anyone Take The CAT Exam Immediately After The 12th Grade? 

You cannot sit for the CAT exam immediately after standard 12. First, you must complete a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. This takes around 3-4 years. In addition, you must hold an average degree score of above 50% to sit for the test.

Is the CAT Exam Really Tough?

It's by far one of the most challenging entrance tests in the nation and possibly the toughest. Like other entrance tests, the focus is on testing different aspects of a candidate's abilities, such as their ability to think critically and intelligence. Similar to every other test that you take, if you study enough you can obtain good marks and be accepted into the MBA school you've always dreamed of.

How Many Attempts Are Allowed For CAT?

Candidates are allowed to take the CAT test the number of times they'd like It is offered only once a year. It is possible to repeat it each year if the person fulfils the eligibility criteria that are set in the institute. What matters is having the necessary criteria according to their guidelines.

Are There Any Age Restrictions In CAT 2025?

There is no age limit for taking the CAT test. Many, if not most, working professionals try to take the CAT every year as a self-evaluation challenge. Some owners of CAT coaching institutes sit for the CAT every year and use their scores as a promotional strategy to attract prospective students.

How To Prepare For CAT 2025 Without Coaching?

There are many options to self-prepare for the CAT 2025. Here are a few that may help you:

• Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and procure the relevant books. 

• Join any CAT classes or coaching available online.

• Form study groups with peers also preparing for the CAT.

• Make use of various online resources like videos and articles prepared to educate students on preparing for the CAT.

• Practice for the test is crucial; you must try it as often as you can.

• 
  

When Is CAT 2025 Going To Be Held?

The CAT 2025 conference will take place on November 30, 2025. The test will be held in 155 cities across the country. It will be held in two sessions, one-morning session and the second session in the afternoon. Throughout three hours, candidates will have to answer a total of 100 questions. 

Is There An Option To Write CAT 2025 In Offline Mode?

No, CAT 2025 cannot be taken offline. This exam is currently only available online. It used to be taken with pen and paper before 2009 but has not offered any other modes since.

When Will I Receive My 2025 CAT Admit Card? 

The CAT exam admit cards will be released on the 30th of October, 2025. Candidates must log into the CAT official portal using their ID and password that they have created at the time of registration. This is where admission cards are uploaded. Candidates can access their admit card anytime prior to the date of the test, however, it is advised to check for discrepancies in other logins.

Hopefully, there are not too many unanswered questions based on the previous FAQs, as the candidates would appreciate having some semblance of confidence for the test. Of course, CAT 2025 is going to be a tough test, and they will keep looking at the exam from every possible angle – but if you are well prepared, you do not have anything to worry about. Wingers for CAT 2025 hope that they can get into the MBA college of their dreams, which does seem feasible with a bit of effort.

For any other inquiries not included above, feel free to get in touch with our experienced counsellors at the earliest. They will guide you through all that you might have.