The CAT 2025 exam date has been officially announced, bringing clarity and excitement to thousands of MBA aspirants across India. The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted on November 30, 2025, marking another milestone in the journey toward prestigious management programs at IIMs and top business schools.
CAT 2025 Exam Date- Official Notification and Key Announcements
The CAT 2025 exam date official notification was released on July 27, 2025, by IIM Kozhikode, which has been designated as the conducting institute for this year’s examination. This announcement has provided much-needed clarity regarding exam schedules, registration procedures, and other critical details that aspirants have been eagerly awaiting.
IIM Kozhikode will oversee the entire CAT 2025 process, with Professor P.N. Ram Kumar serving as the CAT 2025 Convenor. The institute brings extensive experience in conducting large-scale examinations and is committed to ensuring a smooth and fair testing process for all candidates.
Registration Timeline and Process
The CAT 2025 registration process officially commenced on August 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM through the official website iimcat.ac.in. Candidates have until September 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM to complete their applications, providing a window of over six weeks for registration.
The registration process follows a systematic approach requiring candidates to create login credentials, fill personal and academic details, upload necessary documents including photographs and signatures, select preferred test cities, and complete fee payment. Aspiring candidates are strongly advised to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute technical glitches and ensure their preferred test center allocation.
Comprehensive Exam Schedule and Structure
CAT 2025 will be conducted on November 30, 2025 (Sunday), maintaining the tradition of scheduling the exam on the last Sunday of November. The examination will follow the established three-slot structure to accommodate the large number of test-takers efficiently.
Detailed Exam Slot Information
| Slot | Exam Timing | Reporting Time | Gate Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (Morning) | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 (Afternoon) | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 (Evening) | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM |
Each slot will have the same examination pattern and duration, with scores normalized across slots to ensure fairness. The total examination duration is 120 minutes, divided equally among three sections with 40 minutes allocated per section.
Exam Pattern and Structure
The CAT 2025 examination will consist of 68 questions distributed across three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 22 questions
- Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 questions
The marking scheme remains consistent with +3 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect MCQ responses. Non-MCQ questions (TITA – Type in the Answer) will not carry negative marking.
Registration Fees and Payment Details
The CAT 2025 registration fees have been increased compared to previous years, reflecting ongoing administrative and operational costs. The fee structure is categorized based on reservation policies:
Fee Structure by Category
| Category | Registration Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| General | 2,600 |
| EWS | 2,600 |
| NC-OBC | 2,600 |
| SC | 1,300 |
| ST | 1,300 |
| PwD | 1,300 |
Payment must be completed through online modes including credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI. The registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, making it crucial for candidates to carefully review their applications before submission.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
The CAT 2025 eligibility criteria remain consistent with previous years, ensuring accessibility for qualified candidates while maintaining academic standards.
Academic Qualifications
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) from a recognized university. For reserved categories including SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45%.
Final-year students appearing for their graduation examinations are also eligible to apply, provided they can submit completion certificates by specified deadlines if selected for admission.
Age and Attempt Limitations
There is no upper age limit for CAT 2025, allowing working professionals and mature candidates to pursue MBA aspirations regardless of age. Similarly, there is no restriction on the number of attempts, enabling candidates to retake the exam to improve their scores.
Test Centers and Cities
CAT 2025 exam date will be conducted across approximately 170 cities throughout India, with over 375 test centers facilitating the examination. This extensive network ensures geographical accessibility for candidates across the country.
Major Test Cities Include:
- Metropolitan Centers: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune
- State Capitals: Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Thiruvananthapuram
- Tier-II Cities: Coimbatore, Indore, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati
During registration, candidates can select up to five preferred cities in order of preference. Center allocation follows a first-come-first-serve basis, emphasizing the importance of early registration.
Admit Card and Answer Key Schedule
The CAT 2025 admit card will be available for download from November 5, 2025, through the official website using login credentials. Candidates must carry printed copies of their admit cards along with valid photo identification to the examination center.
Answer keys and response sheets are expected to be released in early December 2025, typically 2-3 days after the examination concludes. The provisional answer key will allow candidates to estimate their scores and raise objections if necessary, with a subsequent release of the final answer key.
Result Declaration and Next Steps
CAT 2025 exam date results are anticipated between December 19-21, 2025, approximately three weeks after the examination. Results will be accessible through the official website using individual login credentials.
The scorecard will include sectional scores, overall raw scores, and percentile rankings. CAT scores remain valid for one year, providing candidates flexibility in their admission timeline and application processes.
Strategic Preparation Recommendations
With the exam date confirmed, aspiring candidates should intensify their preparation focusing on comprehensive coverage of all three sections. Regular mock tests, sectional practice, and time management remain critical success factors.
Given IIM Kozhikode’s conducting role, candidates can expect a moderately challenging paper based on historical patterns, with VARC and QA sections at moderate difficulty levels and DILR potentially presenting moderate to high difficulty.
The announcement of CAT 2025 Exam Date marks the beginning of the final preparation phase for MBA aspirants. With clear timelines established and registration currently open, candidates have the roadmap needed to plan their preparation strategy and secure their path toward India’s premier management programs. The combination of increased fee structure, maintained eligibility criteria, and expanded test center network reflects the exam’s continued evolution while preserving its accessibility and academic rigor.
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