CAT Exam 2025: Admit Card, Dates, Registration

The CAT Exam 2025 is one of the anticipated entrance exams in India, it is conducted by the Indian Institute of Management IIMs and it opens the gateway for more than 20 IIMs and many top class business schools across India.

In this blog post we will understand everything about the CAT Exam date, the CAT exam registration, CAT exam pattern and CAT exam admit card. Let’s dive into everything you should know about CAT Exam 2025 before you decide to prepare for the exam.

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What is the CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level entrance exam conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management on a rotational basis. Thousands of students appear every year to get admission into the elite IIMs and other prestigious business schools.

Key things about CAT Exam:

• Conducting Authority: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
• Mode of Exam: Computer-based
• Exam Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
• Frequency: Once a year
• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST) marks.

CAT Exam 2025 Important Dates

It is very important for you to know all the important dates for the CAT exam 2025,  before starting the your exam preparation to not to miss out on any deadlines, to keep you on your track here are some crucial key dates for the exams:

CAT Exam Registration 2025

Registration is the first and the foremost step to get to appear in the CAT  exam 2025. Check the step by step process below to get your registration successfully done:

Steps to Register for the CAT Exam 2025:

1. Visit the Official CAT website: Go to the official IIM CAT website and create a user profile.
2. Fill the personal & academic details: Fill out the personal and academic information such as name, date of birth, contact address and details, educational qualification and category.
3. Uploading necessary documents: Prepare and upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature and other necessary certificates like caste, PwD, etc.
4. Choose Your Preferred Test Centers Test: You may choose any six preferred test centres out of the given list provided.
5. Pay the Registration Fee: After filling the details pay the relevant registration fee as per your category.
6. Submit and Print Application Form: After completing your application form, submit it and also keep a print out of your application form for future reference purposes.

 Registration Fee Structure: 

• General/ EWS/OBC candidates: Rs. 2,300/-
• SC/ST/ PwD candidates: Rs. 1,150/-

Be very careful while filling the form because one wrong detail in the form can lead to disqualification from appearing in the CAT exam 2025.

Also, learn the How to Apply for CAT Exam 2025

A Pattern of CAT Exam 2025

Understanding the CAT exam 2025 pattern is crucial for effective CAT exam  2025 preparation. The exam is divided mainly into three sections, each section is designed to test your different skills. Keep reading to know more about the sections and number of questions asked in the exam:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section tests the language and comprehension skills of the student. The key topics include reading comprehension, sentence construction, jumbled paragraphs and vocabulary.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section tests the data interpretation along with solving logical problems solving skills of the students, the key topics includes the data tables, caselets, Line/bar graphs, seating arrangements and puzzles.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA): This section tests the Mathematical Aptitude and Problem-solving Abilities of the students and the major key topics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems and modern maths.

Here’s a breakdown of the sections along with the number of questions asked and time allotment for your detailed understanding:

Key Exam Features:

• MCQs and Non-MCQs Questions: The paper includes both multiple choice and non-multiple choice questions.
• Negative Marking: MCQs has negative marking with 1 mark deducted for every wrong answer.
• No negative marking for Non-MCQs: Non-MCQs do not carry any negative marking.

CAT Exam 2025 Admit Card

The most important thing that you must carry to the examination centre is an admit card. Without it, you are not allowed to enter the exam campus. Below are the steps that can help you to download your admit card.

Steps for downloading the admit card for CAT Exam 2025:

1. Login to the official website:Login through a valid registration id and password.
2. Navigate to the admit card section:  Click on the “Download Admit Card” to download the admit card.
3. Download and Print: Download the admit card and take a clear printout.

Details on the Admit Card: 

• Candidate’s name
• Exam date and time
• Address of the Examination Centre
• Candidate’s photograph as well as signature
• Important Instructions

Important Note:Ensure that all the details on your admit card are accurate. If there is any discrepancy, immediately contact the official CAT helpline.

CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Strategy

Success in the CAT Exam 2025 depends mostly on systematic preparation. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you achieve high success rates for the exams are as follows:

Preparation Strategy for CAT Exam 2025

It is just the beginning and not more than that. What needs to be handled critically is designing a preparation strategy. So here are some tips to help you prepare better for each section:

For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

1. Focus on improving your Reading Comprehension: The VARC section, mostly contains questions originating from RCs. So you frequently need to practise RC passages from different genres.
2. Improve your Vocabulary and Grammar:Pay close attention to the construction of sentences and keep looking for grammatical mistakes, and moreover be on your guard for improving your vocabulary.
3. Mock Tests: Aim to take the full-length mocks at an interval which will not only improve your speed but will also enhance your accuracy.

For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

1.Variety Practice Sets:The DILR problems vary from one mock test to another. So, develop a habit of practising mixed types of questions which might include puzzles, seating arrangements, and data analysis and more.

2. Accuracy is the key: DILR questions can be complicated in many situations. So accuracy becomes very important while solving, also avoid taking in the case of MCQs.

For Quantitative Ability (QA):

1. Command over Arithmetic: As the QA section contains a lot of weightage in arithmetic. So make sure that you have a good command over percentages, ratios, and time and work related problems.
2. Periodic Revision:Develop a habit of revising the algebra concepts and geometric ideas to ensure that you do not forget anything.

General Tips for Preparation:

1. As there are sectional time limits, you ought to have a habit of solving the problems in the stipulated time frame.
2. Solving regular mock tests strictly can help you analyse your performance and helps you in identifying the weak areas you need to work on.
3. Practise TITA Questions: As there is no negative marking for non-MCQ questions so give dedicated time practising TITA questions, but always ensure to solve it correctly by spending enough time in trying to understand what the question demands.

Some Important Pointers to Remember:

• Do not change sections:In case you have answered all questions in a single section within the time taken, then you cannot go back to it. You have to manage time correctly for the sections.
• Negative marking: Do not waste much on wrong answers as they would add some unwanted losses. In the case of TITAs, you have quite enough opportunity to get all correct without actually caring for negatives.

Also, learn How to Prepare for CAT Exam in 2025

CAT Study Plan 

Customise your study plan in a way that there is a good time left for revision and mock tests also make sure to not to learn new topics at the end, but instead:

• Do the Revision of key concepts, formulas, tricks, etc.
• Take 2-3 mock tests and analyse those.
• Focus on maintaining mental and physical soundness through sufficient rest and proper management of stress.

Exam Day Guidelines for CAT Examination 2025

1. Confirmation of dates: Keep checking the website for the dates, recent updates and happenings regarding the website relating to the CAT 2025 exam.
2. Keep your documents ready: Keep your ID proofs and admit card ready for the exam day.
3. Dress Code: Strictly adhere to the dress code guidelines as mentioned in the admit card.
4. Reach before Time: Avoid last minute rush by reaching the venue at least 30 minutes in advance before the commencement of the exam to avoid last minute stress.

CAT Result 2025 

After declaration of results of CAT  you can check your respective cut-offs on the official website of CAT by login into your accounts:

Here’s how you can check CAT exam 2025 results:

1. Visit the official CAT website: Login using your credentials.
2. Navigate to results: Find the result link to view your scorecard.
3. Download the scorecard: Download the scorecard which displays your sectional and overall percentile.

CAT Admission Process

Every IIM has their unique way of selection process, generally comprising multiple stages.  Here’s what you can expect:

1. Shortlisting of candidates: As per the CAT score and academic records.
2. Written Ability Test (WAT): Essay writing to check on the writing skill
3. Group Discussion (GD): People are asked to speak up on a topic to see the communication and analytical ability.
4. Personal Interview (PI): Personal one-to-one interview for personality judgement and suitability for the job of management.

Conclusion 

The CAT exam 2025 is indeed a challenging yet rewarding journey for MBA aspirants. With a strategic preparation and keen management of time you are more eligible to maximise your success in this examination.

With this idea and the pattern in the mind, you are good to go for a successful CAT experience.