CAT 2025 Exam Details:
Exam Info
Exam Details
Paper Pattern
Syallabus
Selection Process
Prep Strategy
Top Institute
Cut off
Exam Info
What is CAT Entrance Exam?
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is an entrance exam conducted in India for admission into postgraduate management programs, such as MBA, PGP, PGDM, and other management courses offered by various Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), IIFT, TISS and other B-Schools. The exam is conducted annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis.
The CAT exam is a computer-based test that assesses a candidate’s aptitude in quantitative ability, verbal ability, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. It is considered one of the most competitive exams in India for MBA aspirants, and a high CAT score is generally required for admission to top B-Schools in India.
Exam Details
Exam Name | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
Conducting Body |
|
Exam Level | National |
Exam Mode | Computer Based Test |
Sections | 3 (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability) |
Total Questions | Your data mentions 66 questions, but the latest pattern shows 68 questions. |
Duration | No change (120 minutes), but 40 minutes per section should be explicitly mentioned. |
Marking Scheme | +3 marks for correct answer; -1 mark for wrong answer (MCQs); no negative marking for non-MCQs |
Exam Fee |
|
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
Exam Date | Expected to be November 30, 2025 (not just “usually in November”). |
Score Validity | 1 Year |
Accepting Colleges | Your data mentions 500+ MBA colleges, but the latest figure is 1,300+ MBA colleges, including all 21 IIMs. |
Paper Pattern
CAT Exam Pattern (Latest)
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 Minutes |
Syallabus
CAT 2025 Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Reading Comprehension: Passages on Politics, History, Society, Literature, Science, Environment, Mythology, Technology, Culture. Verbal Ability: Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, Fact Inference Judgment, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Correction, Word Usage (Vocabulary), Syllogisms, Idioms, Analogies, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution. |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Data Interpretation: Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Data Sufficiency. Logical Reasoning: Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Assumptions, Binary Logic, Clocks and Calendars, Constraint-Based Puzzles, Data Arrangements, Family Trees, Matching Puzzles, Propositions, Statements. |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio and Proportion, Time, Speed, and Distance, Time and Work. Algebra: Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Polynomials, Logarithms, Surds and Indices. Geometry and Mensuration: Lines and Angles, Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, Mensuration. Number System: Divisibility Rules, Factors and Multiples, Prime Numbers, LCM and HCF, Remainders, Base Systems. Modern Mathematics: Permutation and Combination, Probability, Set Theory, Functions and Graphs, Sequences and Series. |
Selection Process
CAT Selection Process
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: CAT Exam | The first stage is the CAT exam itself, which is conducted in November every year. Candidates who score above the cutoff marks for their chosen institute are shortlisted for the next stage. |
| Stage 2: Group Discussion (GD) or Written Ability Test (WAT) | The second stage may involve either a Group Discussion (GD) or a Written Ability Test (WAT), depending on the institute. The GD or WAT assesses the candidate’s communication skills, analytical ability, and knowledge of current affairs. |
| Stage 3: Personal Interview (PI) | The third stage is the Personal Interview (PI), which is conducted by the institute. The PI evaluates the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for the MBA program. |
| Final Selection | The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in all three stages, as well as their academic record, work experience, and other factors as specified by the institute. |
Prep Strategy
- Develop a study plan: Plan your study schedule in a way that covers the entire syllabus and gives equal time to all sections. Make a daily, weekly, and monthly study plan and stick to it.
- Focus on basics: Clear your basics and concepts of each topic. It will help you understand the advanced concepts and solve complex problems easily.
- Attempt sectional tests: Take sectional tests to analyze your performance in each section. It will help you to improve your weak areas and strengthen your strong areas.
- Take mock tests: Attempting mock tests is crucial to get a feel of the actual exam. It will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and devise a strategy accordingly.
- Improve reading speed: Reading speed is crucial to perform well in the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section. Improve your reading speed by practicing speed-reading techniques and reading newspapers.
- Practice regularly: Practice regularly to gain confidence and speed. The more you practice, the more you will be able to improve your accuracy and efficiency.
- Revise regularly: Revise the important topics, formulas, and concepts regularly. It will help you retain the information and perform well in the exam.
- Stay calm and focused: During the exam, stay calm and focused. Do not panic and take breaks to relax your mind.
- Analyze your performance: After each mock test or sectional test, analyze your performance and identify your mistakes. Work on your mistakes and try not to repeat them.
- Seek guidance: If you have any doubts or queries, seek guidance from your mentors, teachers, or peers. Join a coaching institute or attend online classes to get better insights and tips.
Top Institute
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi – Department of Management Studies
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur – Vinod Gupta School of Management
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
- S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB)
Note: This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other colleges and institutes that also accept CAT scores for their MBA programs.
Cut off
CAT 2025 Cutoff – Old IIMs
| Institute | Section | General | NC-OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | VARC | 70 | 65 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 60 |
| DILR | 70 | 65 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 60 | |
| QA | 70 | 65 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 60 | |
| Overall | 80 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 80 | 70 | |
| IIM Bangalore | VARC | 80 | 70 | 65 | 55 | 70 | 60 |
| DILR | 75 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 65 | 60 | |
| QA | 75 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 65 | 60 | |
| Overall | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 75 | 60 |
CAT 2025 Cutoff – New IIMs
| Institute | Section | General | NC-OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Trichy | VARC | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 |
| DILR | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 | |
| QA | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 | |
| Overall | 95 | 78 | 60 | 40 | 78 | 60 | |
| IIM Udaipur | VARC | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 |
| DILR | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 | |
| QA | 80 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 50 | |
| Overall | 90 | 78 | 60 | 40 | 78 | 60 |