CAT 2025 Exam Dates, Pattern Changes & Registration Guide
Complete guide to CAT 2025 exam dates, new pattern changes, registration process, and important deadlines for MBA aspirants.
📅 CAT 2025 Important Dates & Timeline
CAT 2025 is scheduled to be conducted in November 2025, with the exact date to be announced by IIM Calcutta, the conducting institute for CAT 2025. Based on previous years' patterns, the exam is likely to be held on the last Sunday of November 2025. The registration process typically begins in August, giving candidates approximately 3 months to prepare after registration.
Expected CAT 2025 Timeline: Registration opens in early August 2025, with the last date for registration in mid-September 2025. Admit card download begins 2 weeks before the exam date. Results are typically declared in the second week of January 2026, followed by the admission process for IIMs and other participating institutes.
The exam will be conducted in three slots across multiple cities in India. Candidates can choose their preferred exam city during registration, though the final allotment depends on availability and demand. Major metro cities and state capitals are primary exam centers.
Early registration is recommended as popular exam centers fill up quickly. Keep all required documents ready including recent photographs, signature, and category certificates if applicable. The registration fee is ₹2,300 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,150 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
🔄 CAT 2025 Pattern Changes & Updates
CAT 2025 is expected to maintain the same three-section format: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section will have 40 minutes duration with no breaks between sections, maintaining the total exam duration of 120 minutes.
Question Distribution: VARC typically has 24 questions (18 RC + 6 VA), DILR has 20 questions (4 sets of 5 questions each), and QA has 22 questions. The total of 66 questions remains consistent with recent years. Each section may have both MCQs and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.
Scoring Pattern: MCQs carry +3 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect answers. TITA questions carry +3 marks for correct answers with no negative marking. The raw scores are converted to scaled scores, and percentiles are calculated based on the performance of all candidates.
No major pattern changes are expected for CAT 2025, but candidates should stay updated with official announcements from IIM Calcutta. The computer-based test format continues with on-screen calculator and rough sheet provided for calculations.
📝 CAT 2025 Registration Process & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply, but they must complete their degree by June 2026. There's no age limit or work experience requirement for CAT.
Registration Steps: Visit the official CAT website, create an account with valid email and mobile number, fill the application form with personal and academic details, upload required documents (photograph, signature, category certificate), select exam city preferences, and pay the registration fee online.
Required Documents: Recent passport-size photograph (file size 50KB-300KB), signature (file size 10KB-100KB), category certificate for reserved category candidates, and PwD certificate if applicable. Ensure all documents meet the specified format and size requirements.
After successful registration, candidates receive a confirmation email with application number. This number is required for all future communications and admit card download. Keep the registration details safe and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
🎯 Preparation Strategy for CAT 2025
Start your CAT 2025 preparation immediately after registration to maximize your chances of success. Create a comprehensive study plan covering all three sections with equal emphasis. Allocate 40% time to your weakest section, 35% to moderate section, and 25% to your strongest section for optimal improvement.
Phase-wise Preparation: Months 1-2 focus on concept building and basic problem-solving. Months 3-4 emphasize advanced practice and sectional tests. Final month should be dedicated to full-length mocks, revision, and exam strategy refinement. Take at least 30-40 mock tests before the actual exam.
Stay updated with current affairs for potential RC topics and general awareness. Read quality newspapers, business magazines, and academic journals regularly. Develop strong reading habits as they benefit both VARC and overall comprehension skills across all sections.
Join online communities and forums for peer learning and doubt resolution. Use AI-powered platforms like Dwij for personalized practice and performance analytics. Regular self-assessment and strategy adjustment based on mock test performance is crucial for continuous improvement and achieving your target percentile.