CAT Exam Details, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Duration, Fees

CAT Exam Details

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is an important national-level entrance exam for aspirants aiming to secure admission into prestigious management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top MBA colleges across India. Here's a comprehensive overview of the CAT 2025 exam, including its conducting body, registration details, important dates, eligibility criteria, and application process.

CAT Exam Date

The CAT exam is conducted once a year and is a crucial milestone for aspirants seeking admission into premier management institutes in India. It is important to stay updated with the official dates for registration, exam day, and result announcements to ensure timely preparation and application. Below is the tentative schedule for CAT 2025 to help you plan accordingly.

Also Read, CAT Exam Syllabus 2026, Section-wise Pattern, Download PDF

CAT Exam Eligibility

To appear for the CAT exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria related to their educational qualifications and academic performance. There are no age limits, making the exam accessible to a wide range of candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Below is a summary of the key eligibility requirements for CAT 2025.

CAT Age Limit

There is no minimum or maximum age limit to apply for the CAT exam. The only academic requirement is that the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with the required percentage:

CAT Educational Qualification

To be eligible for CAT 2025, candidates must meet the following academic requirements:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree with:
  • At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (for General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories).
  • At least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA (for SC, ST, and PwD categories).
• Degree must be awarded by a recognized university or institution (as incorporated by an Act of Parliament, State legislature, or deemed to be a university).
• Candidates who have completed professional qualifications like CA/CS/ICWA/CMA or are Fellows of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) are also eligible, provided they meet the percentage requirements.

CAT Eligibility for Final-Year Students

Final-year undergraduate students can apply for CAT 2025, subject to the following conditions:

• They must complete all degree requirements before the date specified by the IIMs.
• A certificate from the Registrar/Principal of their university or college must be submitted, confirming completion of all requirements (issued on or before the specified date).
• Provisional admission will be granted, pending document verification at later stages.
  
  

CAT Eligibility for Engineering and Non-Engineering Students

• Engineering Graduates: Eligible with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year engineering students can also apply, provided they submit documents by the deadline (usually July 31).
  
  
• Non-Engineering Graduates: Candidates from all academic streams (Commerce, Arts, Science, Humanities, etc.) are eligible, provided they meet the degree and marks requirements.
  
  

CAT Eligibility for Working Professionals

• Work experience is not mandatory to apply for the CAT exam.
• Both fresh graduates and professionals with work experience are eligible.
• Work experience may be considered during later admission stages by IIMs, but it has no impact on CAT eligibility.

Also Check, CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025, Reservation Criteria, Age Limit

CAT Exam Reservation Policy

CAT follows the Government of India’s reservation policy to ensure fair access to education across all sections of society.

PwD Criteria Includes:

a) Blindness and low vision
b) Deaf and hard of hearing
c) Locomotor disability (cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy)
d) Autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, mental illness
e) Multiple disabilities as defined under clauses (a) to (d)
f) Other specified disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016

CAT Exam Syllabus

The CAT exam syllabus covers three major sections designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude across verbal, quantitative, and logical domains. These sections test critical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and data interpretation ability. Below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for each section:

Also Check, CAT Exam Syllabus 2025, VARC, DILR, QA Important Topics

CAT Exam Pattern

The CAT exam is structured each year by the administering body to assess a candidate’s proficiency in problem-solving, reasoning, and mathematical aptitude. The exam is divided into three key sections: DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude).

• The VARC section consists of 24 questions, carrying a total of 72 marks.
• The DILR section includes 22 questions, with a total weightage of 66 marks.
• The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section also contains 22 questions, worth 66 marks in total.

CAT Exam Section-Wise Pattern (Tentative)

CAT Exam Sectional Time Allocation

Also Check, CAT Exam Pattern 2025, Marking Scheme, Duration, Structure

CAT Exam Duration

The CAT exam is carefully structured to test candidates across three key sections, each with a fixed time limit. Understanding the duration allocated to each section can help you plan your time management strategy effectively during the exam. Below is the detailed breakdown of the CAT exam duration and sectional time limits:

CAT Exam Fees

Before applying for the CAT exam, candidates need to pay a registration fee. The fee varies based on the candidate’s category, with concessions provided for reserved categories. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through various payment methods. Below is a detailed breakdown of the CAT exam registration fees for different categories.

CAT Exam Details: Conclusion

The CAT 2025 exam is a gateway to securing admission into the prestigious IIM colleges and other top B-schools in India. With no age limit and eligibility open to both fresh graduates and working professionals, CAT offers a fair chance to all aspirants. Make sure to stay updated on the official CAT 2025 dates, registration process, and syllabus to plan your preparation effectively and boost your chances of success.

Whether you are an engineering graduate, non-engineering student, or working professional, CAT 2025 is your opportunity to take a step closer to your MBA dream. Focus on mastering the CAT syllabus, understanding the exam pattern, and practicing time management during mocks. Keep an eye on official updates, follow a strategic study plan, and aim high for admission into India’s best management institutes.