CAT 2025 Registration, Exam Date (Nov 30), Syllabus, Pattern & Cutoff

Introduction

The CAT 2025 exam is one of the most anticipated management entrance tests in India. While the registration window has closed, candidates should now wait for the form correction window to open. This article covers CAT 2025 Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, and related details.

Key Highlights

• CAT 2025 Registration window was open from August 1 to September 20, 2025 (till 5 PM).

• Form correction (editing of limited fields) will soon be enabled by IIM Kozhikode.

• CAT 2025 Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (in CBT mode).

• Exam will be held in three slots.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a bachelor’s degree (any stream) with minimum 50 % marks (45 % for SC / ST / PWD)

• Candidates awaiting graduation results can also apply, subject to meeting criteria based on earlier years’ marks

• Professional degrees (e.g. CA / CS / ICWA) are eligible if they meet the percentage criteria

Application & Form Correction

• Application fee: General – INR 2,600; Reserved / PWD – INR 1,300

• During form correction, candidates can only edit select fields (test city, photo, signature) without extra charge.

• The correction window is usually open for 2–3 days.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)

• Duration: 120 minutes, divided into 3 sections, 40 minutes each

• Total Questions: 68 (mix of MCQs and TITA)

• Marking scheme: +3 for correct, –1 for wrong answers

• Sections:
    1. VARC (Verbal & Reading Comprehension)
    2. DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
    3. Quantitative Ability

• Syllabus topics include grammar, vocabulary, algebra, geometry, arithmetic, data graphs, puzzles etc.

Preparation Tips

• Familiarise yourself with CAT exam pattern and syllabus early

• Do regular mock tests and past-year papers

• Analyse errors, strengthen weak areas, manage time per section

• For VARC, read widely; for DILR, practice sets & puzzles; for QA, revise fundamentals

Expected Cutoffs & Acceptance

• The cutoff percentile for top IIMs is expected to be in the 85–95 range depending on category & institute

• Many non-IIM MBA colleges also accept CAT 2025 scores

Relevant Link

For students also considering other management entrance exams, check out the XAT 2025 overview and details here: XAT Exam