CAT
What is CAT?
The CAT Examination is a widely acknowledged national level exam which is governed by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on behalf of MBA programs. Serving as the most prestigious and competitive management entrance test in the country, CAT is a prerequisite for admission into the flagship postgraduate and fellow programs at all 21 IIMs. Beyond the IIMs, many other leading business schools such as MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, IITs (Departments of Management Studies), and IMI are also accepting CAT scores, making it a single gateway to hundreds of top-tier management institutes across India.
CAT is definitely in the top 5 biggest exams of India. Every year, over 2-3 lakh students take this exam, a testament to its importance and the high demand for quality management education. This trend underscores the role a premier MBA plays as an important tool for career progression. The immense competition is reflected in the CAT registration process, with recent years seeing the highest ever numbers, with nearly 3 lakh applicants vying for a limited number of seats. Successfully clearing the CAT with a high percentile is the first and most critical step towards securing a place in India’s leading business schools.
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CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
Here’s a full detailed breakdown of minimum eligibility criteria for CAT exam:
Candidates completed an undergraduate program with at least 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category)
Candidates who are currently in the final year of their undergraduate degree or who are awaiting their final year result are also eligible to sit for CAT 2025 exam. Nonetheless, they must satisfy the first and second year combined aggregate requirement for marks.
Candidates have completed a professional qualification i.e. CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI and the minimum aggregated marks.
It is acceptable to have completed their undergraduate degree in person or through distance learning mode, provided that the degree program is 3 years long and from a recognized UGC institution.
Candidates who are currently in the final year or awaiting results from the examination will need to submit the passing certificate or a mark sheet to the MBA college before some deadline. Their admission will be considered provisional until they submit their passing or result.
There is no upper age restriction for sitting for CAT. Anyone at any stage of their career can sit for CAT entrance exam. The CAT exam is widely accepted for EPGP, Doctorate and FPM courses as well.
Candidates completed an undergraduate program with at least 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category)
Candidates who are currently in the final year of their undergraduate degree or who are awaiting their final year result are also eligible to sit for CAT 2025 exam. Nonetheless, they must satisfy the first and second year combined aggregate requirement for marks.
Candidates have completed a professional qualification i.e. CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI and the minimum aggregated marks.
It is acceptable to have completed their undergraduate degree in person or through distance learning mode, provided that the degree program is 3 years long and from a recognized UGC institution.
Candidates who are currently in the final year or awaiting results from the examination will need to submit the passing certificate or a mark sheet to the MBA college before some deadline. Their admission will be considered provisional until they submit their passing or result.
There is no upper age restriction for sitting for CAT. Anyone at any stage of their career can sit for CAT entrance exam. The CAT exam is widely accepted for EPGP, Doctorate and FPM courses as well.
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CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates will have to devote an ample amount of time and energy to the CAT exam preparation. The CAT exam will provide the candidates 120 minutes to complete the paper. Each section will have a time limit of 40 minutes. Once the time for a section is over, the system automatically moves to the next section.
| Section | Time Limit | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
40 mins
|
24-26 |
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
40 mins
|
20-22 |
|
40 mins
|
120 mins |
20-22
|
|
Total
|
120 mins |
66-70 |
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Syllabus Overview CAT 2025
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section has two parts.
- Reading Comprehension: Passages on diverse topics followed by inferential and direct questions.
- Verbal Ability: Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Completion, and Odd Sentence Out.
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of problem sets.
- Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, Line charts, Pie charts, Tables, Caselets, and mixed graphs.
- Logical Reasoning: Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Blood Relations, Games and Tournaments, and Caselets based on logical conditions.
- Quantitative Ability (QA): This section covers a wide range of mathematical topics.
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Averages, Mixtures.
- Algebra: Linear & Quadratic Equations, Functions, Logarithms, Progressions.
- Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Geometry.
- Number System & Modern Math: Factors, HCF/LCM, Remainders, Permutation & Combination, Probability.
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Registration Process CAT 2025
The CAT application process is entirely online and consists of several steps.
- Registration: Visit the official website (iimcat.ac.in) and register by creating a profile with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill Application Form: Log in and fill in all personal, academic, and work experience details accurately.
- Upload Documents: Upload a scanned copy of your recent passport-size photograph and signature as per the specified dimensions.
- Select Programs & Interview Cities: Choose the IIM programs you wish to apply for and select your preferred test cities (usually up to six choices).
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the registration fee online through the available payment gateway to complete the application process.
Application Form Correction: After the registration window closes, a short correction window is opened. Candidates can typically edit their photograph, signature, and test city preferences. No other details can be changed.
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Top Ranked Colleges for Accepting CAT
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore
- Institute of Management technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Trichy
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Frequently Asked Questions for CAT 2025
Q1: What does CAT stand for?
A: The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test. It is a national level examination for admission into the MBA program conducted by IIMs. All IIMs utilize CAT scores for admissions into their MBA, PGP, Executive MBA, FPM, and Ph.D degree programs.
Who organizes the CAT exam each year?
A: The CAT exam is organized by one of the older IIMs every year.
Q3: Who is eligible to take the CAT exam?
A: Anyone with a bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply. There are no maximum age limits.
What is a good CAT score?
A: A “good” score in CAT is always referred to in terms of percentile. For admission into the top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta), a candidate generally needs to score above the 99th percentile. For other top B-schools, a percentile of 95+ is often required.
What is the difference between MCQs and TITA questions?
A: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) provide four options, and you have to select the correct one. They carry negative marking for wrong answers. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions require you to type the answer using an on-screen keyboard. TITA questions do not have negative marking, making them safer to attempt.
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