Common Admission Test (CAT) scores are valid for one year from the result announcement date. The CAT 2024 score is valid till December 31, 2025. The score validity period of the CAT reflects the period for which the CAT score can be used for admission into MBA colleges. The CAT score is valid for IIMs and Top B-Schools for the period based on particular admission policies.
CAT exam scores can be used for MBA admission to management programs for the upcoming academic session. For instance, if you take the CAT exam in 2024, your score will generally be considered valid for academic year 2025-2026. If a candidate fails to clear the CAT exam, reattempting the CAT exam is the best strategy. After one year, candidates will have to retake the CAT exam in the coming year for admission to their respective institutions.
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CAT score validity Highlights
- The CAT score is valid for admissions to MBA programs for the upcoming academic year only.
- For instance, if a candidate takes the CAT 2024 exam, the score is valid for admission to the academic session 2025-2026 only.
- The CAT 2024 score will be valid until 31 December 2024.
- The CAT score validity may differ according to the admission process and policies of the management college.
- After the CAT score expires, candidates must take the upcoming CAT Exam for admission to their respective institutes.
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CAT Score Validity for IIM Colleges
The CAT score validity 2024 is up to December 31, 2025. The CAT 2024 can be used for admission to MBA programs at top IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. Candidates who have cleared the required CAT cutoff must take admission during the academic session 2025-2026. Check the table below for CAT score validity for IIM colleges.
List of IIMs | CAT Score Validity |
IIM Ahmedabad | 1 year |
IIM Bangalore | 1 year |
IIM Calcutta | 1 year |
IIM Lucknow | 1 year |
IIM Indore | 1 year |
IIM Kozhikode | 1 year |
IIM Amritsar | 1 year |
IIM Nagpur | 1 year |
IIM Sambalpur | 1 year |
IIM Trichy | 1 year |
IIM Raipur | 1 year |
IIM Ranchi | 1 year |
IIM Vizag | 1 year |
IIM Udaipur | 1 year |
IIM Bodh Gaya | 1 year |
IIM Shillong | 1 year |
IIM Sirmaur | 1 year |
IIM Rohtak | 1 year |
IIM Mumbai | 1 year |
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CAT score validity for MBA admissions
Unlike the GMAT score which is valid for 5 years from the result date, the CAT score is valid for one year only. For admission to MBA colleges during the academic session 2025-2026, candidates must have appeared for the CAT 2024 examination. Candidates will have to take the CAT exam in the subsequent year after the score validity expires after one year. If a candidate has appeared for CAT 2025, their CAT score validity for MBA admissions applies to the academic session 2026-2027.
CAT Score Validity for Top MBA Colleges
The CAT score validity for top B-schools is generally up to 1 year. For IIMs, the CAT score is valid for up to 1 year. After a year, candidates shall reappear for the CAT in the particular year to procure a valid CAT score. Check the table below for CAT score validity for top B-schools.
List of Top B-schools | CAT Score Validity |
XIMB | 1 year |
FMS | 1 year |
BITSOM | 1 year |
DMS, IIT Delhi | 1 year |
LIBA, Chennai | 1 year |
SJMSOM, IIT Bombay | 1 year |
IMT Ghaziabad | 1 year |
MDI Gurgaon | 1 year |
NITIE Mumbai | 1 year |
DMS, IIT Madras | 1 year |
TAPMI Manipal | 1 year |
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Can CAT Score Validity Be Extended?
It is not possible to extend the validity of the CAT score. The CAT score is valid for one-year post-declaration of CAT results. CAT score 2024 can be used for admission to MBA programs in 2025 only. The CAT score 2024 is valid up to December 31, 2025. Students interested in using their CAT scores for admission to the academic session 2026-27 must reappear for the CAT 2025 exam.
CAT Score Validity vs Other Entrance Exams Validity
The CAT score is valid only for the academic year for which the exam is taken. It cannot be carried forward for MBA admission in subsequent years. However, exams such as GMAT and GRE are valid for more than 1 year allowing flexibility in admissions. The XAT and SNAP exams are valid for 1 year similar to the CAT score validity period. Check the table below for CAT score validity vs. other entrance exams' validity period.
Name of the Entrance Exam | Score Validity |
CAT | 1 year |
XAT | 1 year |
GMAT | 5 years |
GRE | 5 years |
MAT | 1 year |
SNAP | 1 year |
IIFT | 1 year |
NMAT | 1 year |
ATMA | 1 year |
CMAT | 1 year |
TISSNET | 1 year |
ISC | 1 year |
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