How to Apply for CAT Exam 2025

The CAT 2025 examination is tentatively  going to take place in the month of November 2025 as conducted by IIM in an online mode across 155 cities. The CAT 2025 scores will be applicable in 21 IIM’s and more than 1200 B schools in India which offer a range of management courses. For those who are still wondering how to apply for CAT this blog will provide a complete and detailed overview of all the steps.

How to apply for CAT Exam 2025

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It is likely that Registration will begin in the first week of August 2025 after the CAT notification is out. In progression with the steps relevant to the exam, it is of utter importance to pay attention to the respective notification as it will contain predominantly important for example the date of the examination, dates regarding registration, dates concerning the issuance of the admit card and the date of announcement of the results. Knowing how to apply for CAT will make the process seamless and efficient:

Key Highlights of CAT Exam 2025:

Particulars Details
Exam Name Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body Indian Institutes of Management, Kozhikode (Expected)
CAT Frequency Annual
Exam Level National
Medium of Exam English
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Number of Questions 66
CAT Question Types Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in The Answer (TITA)
CAT Score Validity 1 year
Number of IIMs Participating 21 IIMs
Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Scores 1000+ prestigious management institutes
Official Website iimcat.ac.in

CAT Exam Date 2025

The official notification regarding CAT 2025 is expected to be released by the end of July. The examination is likely to be held in the last week of November 2025. Hence it is important to know how to apply for the CAT

CAT 2025 Notification Release 30th  July, 2025
Start of CAT 2025 Registration 2nd August, 2025
End of CAT 2025 Registration 13th September, 2025
CAT 2025 Form Correction Date September 25th-28th, 2025
CAT 2025 Admit Card Issue 25th October 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Date 26th November, 2025
CAT 2025 Results Announcement Second Week of January 2026

 

CAT Eligibility Criteria for 2025

Before proceeding to register for CAT 2025, candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements that are listed below:

  • General/NC-OBC Candidates:

    A bachelor’s degree or a similar one with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.

  • ST/SC/PwD Candidates:

    A bachelor’s degree of any discipline with at least 45% marks on the aggregate.

Step by Step Guide on How to apply for CAT 2025?

The CAT 2025 application can be made online. Follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the official CAT site (iimcat.ac.in).  This is where you find a portal explaining how to apply for CAT explaining all the necessary steps.
  2. Click on the  “New Candidate Registration.” Familiarity with the process of how to apply for CAT will save your time and avoid common mistakes.
  3. Fill in the basic information such as name, email, and phone number followed by an OTP, and get the login credentials.
  4. Fill the provided user ID and password to sign in.
  5. Complete the CAT application form with all the relevant information required.
  6. Attach the relevant certificates in the prescribed format and size.
  7. Choose not more than six preferred examination centers.
  8. Proceed and pay the registration fees through the available options.
  9. Check and fill in the application form and then submit it.
  10. Take the printout and save it for your reference.

CAT 2025 registration can easily be done by following these simple steps.

CAT Correction Window

If there is any error or discrepancy in the CAT application form, a correction window provides the candidates an opportunity even after learning how to apply for CAT to make the requisite changes through the official login portal.

Suppose if you want to change the photograph the signature as well as test cities preference details you can do the same by following the steps mentioned below:

Here’s how to make the corrections in your CAT application form:

  1. Login to your CAT application portal and click on “Go to application.”
  2. Make the necessary changes on the sections that require correction.
  3. Check all the changes made comprehensively before saving.
  4. Log out in order to save all the changes made.

In this way, corrections can be made with ease by the candidates with respect to their application form.

Exam Structure and Syllabus CAT 2025

Although the official CAT 2025 exam syllabus has not yet been released the students can still prepare and understand how to apply for CAT for the same by following the previous year trends.  Familiarity with the topics can help you build a strong preparation strategy.  A few examples of the common topics from the  CAT exam 2025 is mentioned for your reference:

Overview Of The Syllabus For CAT 2025

  • VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

    This section covers a range of topics that includes Reading Comprehension (RC) Passages, Verbal Logic, Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, Para Summary, Inferences, One-word Substitution, Odd One Out, Syllogisms and Analogies.

  • LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation):

    Topics in this section includes Blood Relations,Directions, Syllogisms, Binary Login, Clocks and Calendars, Tables, Charts, and Graphs, Connectives, Matching/Puzzles, Logical Sequences, Number and Letter Series, Venn Diagrams, Seating Arrangements, Coding Decoding, and Caselets and Tables.

  • Quantitative Aptitude:

    This section is focused on topics such as Geometry, Averages, Simple and Compound Interest, Trigonometry, Percentages, Arithmetic, Number Systems, Algebra, Modern Maths, Mensuration and  Profit and Loss

Also learn the CAT Exam Syllabus

CAT Exam Pattern and Strategy for Preparation

Understanding the CAT exam pattern and the importance of comprehending the CAT 2025 exam format and knowing how to apply for CAT is a crucial thing for the one who intends to focus their preparation. Such knowledge encompasses and provides you a detailed understanding of the number of questions asked in the sections, time allocation according to the sections, can help you ascertaining and strategizing the approach and help you plan accordingly. As in most of the cases, the years of previous experience provide guidance; the following is the expected CAT 2025 exam structure:

Particulars Details
Number of Sections 3 sections: VARC, DILR, QA
Total Number of Questions 66
Type of Questions MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer)
Questions per Section VARC: 24, DILR: 20, QA: 22
Time Allotted 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
Marks for Correct Answer +3 for each correct answer
Negative Marking -1 for each incorrect MCQ answer
Negative Marking for TITA No negative marking for TITA questions

Also learn the CAT Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 Admit Card

After registration, candidates often wonder how to apply for CAT admit card. As the CAT admit card is a vital document that every candidate must have when going to the examination hall. Therefore, follow the steps below to download the same:

  1. Go to the official IIM CAT website at: (iimcat.ac.in)
  2. Enter your credentials like CAT ID and password to login.
  3. Navigate and click on the link titled as “CAT 2025 Admit Card”.
  4. Check all the information provided in the admit card and save it in PDF format for your reference.
  5. Carry the admit card to the examination centre and do not forget to keep the same for the examination day.

CAT 2025 Exam Analysis

Once CAT 2025 is over, various experts along with different coaching institutes will provide an extensive analysis of the exam which will include the level of difficulty of different sections along with a general reaction of candidates to the exam. As per past trends, it is predicted that the level of difficulty of CAT 2025 will be moderate to tough, like last year’s exam. The last section will be prepared based on the inputs from the test-takers and other professionals which will benefit the candidates in the future to understand the pattern and level of the examination in actual.

Conclusion 

Successfully navigating how to apply for CAT admit card is the first step towards navigating a good management institution. Cat Exam 2025 is one of the golden tickets for all the management students who want to get into the IIMs or top business schools in India. Meticulous preparation coupled with comprehensive understanding of the eligibility criteria, in depth understanding of the syllabus coupled with a time-bound study plan can help you improve the odds of getting a good score.

Knowing how to apply for CAT can make a huge difference in reducing the exam stress and ensuring a smooth exam experience. By keeping steady and sticking to the game plan, the CAT 2025 exam can be taken with a positive attitude and confidence to match the management ambitions of the candidates.

All the best for your CAT 2025 preparation!!