Table of Contents
What is CAT 2025
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s premier MBA entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for just over 5000 seats in top IIMs, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.
For CAT 2025, over 3 lakh students are expected to appear, targeting admission in 2026. It’s not just an exam, it’s a strategic war of aptitude, speed, accuracy, and time management.
What’s New in CAT Exam 2025?
As per recent newspaper reports:
- Exam Date: 30 November 2025 (Sunday)
- Result Announcement: January 2026
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Registrations: Start 1st week of August
The competition remains fierce as ever, with increased emphasis on logical reasoning and reading comprehension.
CAT Exam 2025 Dates Schedule
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | July 2025 |
| Registration Start | August 1st Week |
| Registration Deadline | September 13, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | October 2025 |
| CAT Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Result Date | January 2026 |
Number of Seats in IIMs: Overview
With nearly 5000+ seats, IIMs are divided into three categories:
Category A: ABC IIMs
Includes the oldest and most prestigious:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
These demand 98-99.9 percentile and exceptional academic records.
Category B: Newer IIMs
Established around 2010 and includes:
- IIM Ranchi
- IIM Raipur
- IIM Trichy
- IIM Udaipur
Percentile needed: 92–96
Category C: Baby IIMs
Started post-2015 with evolving infrastructure:
- IIM Nagpur, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Amritsar, etc.
- Accept 85–90 percentile
CAT 2025 Eligibility and Registration Fees
To apply for CAT:
Eligibility:
- A Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks
- Final year students can also apply
Fees:
Payment must be done online during registration.
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC | ₹2600 |
| SC/ST/PWD | ₹1300 |
CAT 2025 Paper Pattern
The CAT exam has 3 sections and lasts 2 hours. Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes.
| Section | Questions | Time |
| VARC | 24 | 40 min |
| DILR | 20–22 | 40 min |
| QA | 22–26 | 40 min |
1- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading passages, paragraph summary
- Grammar-based questions
- High reading speed is essential
2 – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Bar graphs, puzzles, seating arrangements
- Requires practice and logic
3 – Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Focuses on algebra, geometry, arithmetic
- Time management and calculation skills are key
Expected Percentile vs College Cutoff
| Percentile | IIMs |
| 99.9+ | ABC IIMs |
| 97–99 | IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore |
| 93–96 | IIM Trichy, Udaipur, Ranchi |
| 85–92 | Baby IIMs & Tier 2 B-schools |
Top IIMs with Most Seats: Full Table
Data as per 2024–25 trends
| IIM | Total Seats | Average Package (LPA) |
| Ahmedabad | 408 | ₹34.4 |
| Bangalore | 530 | ₹35.3 |
| Calcutta | 480 | ₹35.1 |
| Lucknow | 558 | ₹32.2 |
| Indore | 600 | ₹28.0 |
| Kozhikode | 480 | ₹30.0 |
How to Score 90+ Percentile: Expert Strategy
- Study Plan: 6–9 months of consistent prep
- Mock Tests: At least 30–40 before D-Day
- Daily Reading: The Hindu, Economic Times
- Coaching vs Self-Study: Depends on discipline
- Section-wise Prep:
- VARC: 2 RCs daily
- DILR: Practice 2 sets/day
- QA: Target weak topics weekly
https://studyreach.in/overcoming-procrastination-small-steps-lead-big-success/
The best time to start? Right now.
One step today can change your tomorrow.
Syllabus Breakdown for Focused Prep
| Section | Topics |
| VARC | RCs, Para Jumbles, Sentence Correction |
| DILR | Graphs, Puzzles, Games & Tournaments |
| QA | Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Geometry |
When & How the Results Will Be Announced?
- CAT 2025 results will be announced in January 2026
- Scores are valid for 1 year
- Results are available at iimcat.ac.in
What After CAT? The Admission Journey
- Shortlisting: Based on CAT + Academic scores + Work experience
- WAT-PI Round: Written Ability Test and Personal Interview
- Final Merit List: Composite score of all stages
Conclusion
With 5000+ seats and 3 lakh aspirants, CAT 2025 is your gateway to the most prestigious B-schools in India. Whether you aim for the elite IIM Ahmedabad or the fast-growing IIM Trichy, strategic preparation, mock tests, and a strong mindset will take you far.
Start your preparation now and aim for 90+ percentile. The journey is tough, but the reward — a career-transforming MBA — is absolutely worth it.
