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    CAT

    • Application Form Start Date
      August 1, 2025
    • Application Form End Date
      September 13, 2025
    Exam Name

    CAT

    Details About Exam

    The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an annual national-level entrance exam in India for admission to postgraduate management programs, primarily at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a computer-based test consisting of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam is typically held in late November, with a two-hour duration and a fixed order of sections.  
    This video provides a comprehensive overview of the CAT exam, including the syllabus, pattern, and essential information for beginners:

    Purpose: CAT is the gateway to top B-schools in India, including the IIMs and other prestigious institutions.  
    Format: It is a computer-based test (CBT) with three sections.  
    Duration: The exam is 2 hours long.  
    Sections: The three sections are VARC, DILR, and QA.  
    Marking: Correct answers are awarded +3 marks, and incorrect answers incur a -1 mark penalty (except for non-MCQ type questions).  
    Registration: The registration process is online and typically opens in August.  
    Exam Date: The CAT exam is usually held on the last Sunday of November.  
    Eligibility: Candidates typically need a Bachelor's degree with a minimum percentage of marks (often 50%).  
    Conducting Body: The IIMs conduct the exam on a rotational basis.  
    Scoring: A high CAT score is crucial for admission to top MBA programs. 

    Exam Quick Info

    Level of Exam PG
    Exam Type Interence Exam
    Application Mode Online
    Conducting Authority NTA
    Application Start Date 2025-08-01
    Application End Date 2025-09-13
    Exam Date 2025-11-06
    Application Fee & Details

    CAT Exam Details:
    Conducted by: IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management).  
    Purpose: Entrance exam for MBA and other postgraduate management programs.  
    Format: Computer-based test.  
    Sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).  
    Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes), with a 40-minute time limit for each section.  
    Questions: Approximately 66-68 multiple choice and descriptive (TITA) questions.  
    Marking Scheme: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer (MCQs), no negative marking for TITA (non-MCQ) questions.  
    Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) or equivalent CGPA. Final year students are also eligible.  
    Important Dates: CAT 2025 registration is expected to begin around August 1st, 2025 and continue until the third week of September. The exam is typically held in late November. 

    Eligibility & Structure

    The CAT (Common Admission Test) exam eligibility requires a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) or equivalent CGPA, or a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA. There's no age limit, and final-year students can also apply. The exam structure includes three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).  
    Eligibility Criteria:
    Educational Qualification:
    A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or institution is required.  
    Minimum Marks:
    50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in the Bachelor's degree is needed for General, EWS, and OBC categories. For SC, ST, and PwD categories, the minimum is 45%.  
    Professional Degree:
    Candidates with professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI can also appear for CAT.  
    Final Year Students:
    Final-year students are eligible to apply, but they need to submit their degree completion proof within the specified timeline.  
    Age Limit:
    There is no age limit for the CAT exam.  
    Number of Attempts:
    Candidates can appear for CAT as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria each year.  
    Nationality:
    There are no restrictions on nationality.  
    Work Experience:
    While there is no work experience requirement for CAT eligibility, some B-schools may consider it during admissions.  
    Exam Structure:
    Sections:
    The CAT exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
    Question Type:
    The exam includes both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and non-MCQ questions.
    Time Limit:
    Each section has a time limit, and the total exam duration is typically 120 minutes.
    Marking Scheme:
    Correct answers are awarded +3 marks, and incorrect answers incur a penalty of -1 mark for MCQs. There is no negative marking for non-MCQ questions.
    Number of Questions:
    The total number of questions in the exam is typically 66, but this may vary.
    Exam Mode:
    The exam is conducted in online, computer-based mode.  
     
    CAT 2025: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility Criteria ...
    For the General and NC-OBC categories, a bachelor's degree from any discipline with a minimum score of 50% is required. 

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