For How Many Years is a CAT Score Valid? Check Now

insiya kothari

26

Jan 02, 2025

For How Many Years is a CAT Score Valid? Check Now

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.

Also Read, What to Do After CAT 2024 Results Are Announced? Check Now

    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.

    Also Read, Which Online Coaching Should I Prefer For CAT 2025?

      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 IIMsCAT Score Validity
      IIM Ahmedabad1 year
      IIM Bangalore1 year
      IIM Calcutta1 year
      IIM Lucknow1 year
      IIM Indore1 year
      IIM Kozhikode1 year
      IIM Amritsar1 year
      IIM Nagpur1 year
      IIM Sambalpur1 year
      IIM Trichy1 year
      IIM Raipur1 year
      IIM Ranchi1 year
      IIM Vizag1 year
      IIM Udaipur1 year
      IIM Bodh Gaya1 year
      IIM Shillong1 year
      IIM Sirmaur1 year
      IIM Rohtak1 year
      IIM Mumbai1 year

      Also Read, How to Choose the Right MBA College After CAT 2024?

      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-schoolsCAT Score Validity
      XIMB1 year
      FMS1 year
      BITSOM1 year
      DMS, IIT Delhi1 year
      LIBA, Chennai1 year
      SJMSOM, IIT Bombay1 year
      IMT Ghaziabad1 year
      MDI Gurgaon1 year
      NITIE Mumbai1 year
      DMS, IIT Madras1 year
      TAPMI Manipal1 year

      Also Read, How Tough was CAT 2023 as Compared to CAT 2022?

      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 ExamScore Validity
      CAT1 year
      XAT1 year
      GMAT5 years
      GRE5 years
      MAT1 year
      SNAP1 year
      IIFT1 year
      NMAT1 year
      ATMA1 year
      CMAT1 year
      TISSNET1 year
      ISC1 year

      Also Read, How Many People Register For CAT Every Year? Check Now

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