The much-anticipated journey of CAT 2025 begins on a crisp November morning. On the 30th, thousands of aspirants across India will sit for this pivotal exam, hoping to secure a spot in the nation’s top management institutes. The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode is at the helm this year, orchestrating the event with precision. The exam will unfold over three shifts, spanning more than 170 cities, embracing the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.
The adventure begins months earlier, in August, when the gates to registration swing open. Eager candidates flock to the official CAT portal, iimcat.ac.in, their excitement palpable. Creating login IDs, meticulously filling out application forms, and paying the fees (around INR 2,500 for the General category and INR 1,250 for reserved categories) becomes a rite of passage for each hopeful aspirant. They gather an arsenal of documents—mark sheets, bachelor’s degree certificates, and caste certificates, if needed. With a careful choice of up to five test cities, they set their preferences, envisioning the day they’ll step into the exam hall.
Eligibility, too, plays a defining role in this journey. A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories) becomes the key to entry. Interestingly, even final-year students awaiting their results are welcomed into this competitive arena. There’s no age barrier here—only the burning drive to succeed. Beyond these basics, the IIMs weave their own nuanced criteria into the selection process, considering academic brilliance, work experience, and diversity.
As the exam day looms closer, candidates delve into their preparation, mastering the three sections that define the test: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The clock ticks fast during this two-hour battle, each section demanding sharp focus for its allotted 40 minutes. Every correct answer brings a reward of +3 points, while an incorrect choice tugs the score down by 1.
On exam day, aspirants carry not just their admit cards but also dreams of securing a place at the prestigious IIMs. CAT 2025 isn’t just a test; it’s a stepping stone, a challenge, and a story of perseverance that unfolds across the nation, uniting dreamers under one roof of opportunity.
Key Details about CAT 2025:
1. Exam Date and Conducting Institute:
- Date: November 30, 2025.
- Conducting Body: IIM Kozhikode.
- Format: Computer-Based Test (CBT), conducted in three shifts across 170+ cities in India.
2. Registration:
- Timeline: First week of August to third week of September 2025.
- Process:
Apply online at iimcat.ac.in.
Create login ID, fill the application form, and pay the fee.
Registration fees: INR 2,500 (General), INR 1,250 (Reserved categories) (tentative, based on past trends). - Required Documents:
Class 10 and 12 mark sheets.
Bachelor’s degree certificate.
Caste certificate (if applicable). - Preferences: Choose up to five test cities.
3. Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories).
- Final-year students can apply.
- No age limit.
- Institutes may factor in academic performance, work experience, and diversity criteria.
4. Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
- Sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
- Quantitative Ability (QA).
Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section).
Questions: Around 68.
- Marking Scheme:
+3 for correct answers.
-1 for incorrect multiple-choice answers.
