CAT Exam 2025: Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation, Study Plan, Registration, Exam Dates

CAT Exam 2025: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance examination conducted annually for admission into postgraduate management programs across India's premier business schools, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

While the official notification for CAT EXAM 2025 is yet to be released, the exam is traditionally held on the last Sunday of November. Based on this pattern, CAT 2025 Exam date is tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2025. The official announcement, including the confirmed exam date, is expected by July 30, 2025. The CAT exam will be conducted in three sessions in more than 170 cities across India.

CAT candidates will have to fill the online application form to appear for the exam. The CAT 2025 registration cum application process will begin in August 2025 and will go on till the third week of September 2025. The form will be available at iimcat.ac.in. Read everything about CAT exam 2025 below in this article.

Table of Content

1. What is CAT Exam

2. Key details about CAT exam

3. CAT Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria

4. CAT Exam Pattern

5. CAT 2025 Syllabus

6. Why Take CAT Exam

7. CAT Exam Preparation Strategy (2025)

8. CAT Exam Study Plan

1. What is CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted in India for admission into Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other management programs at the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools. It is one of the most competitive exams in India for management aspirants. Common Admission Test (CAT) exam is a speed-based test that includes questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). The difficulty level of the CAT exam varies from moderate to high.

More than three lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year. The number of applications reached a record 330,000 in 2023. A total of 329,000 registrations have been made for the 2024 session. Candidates who successfully clear the CAT exam are eligible for admission to more than 1,300 MBA institutes across India, apart from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

2. Key details about CAT exam:

CAT Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria:

To appear for CAT the minimum academic requirement is graduation in any stream from a recognised university. Read below detailed CAT eligibility criteria:

I) Candidates must have a graduation degree with at least 50 per cent aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA to be eligible for the CAT 2025 exam. For candidates belonging to SC, ST and PWD/DA categories, a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate marks are acceptable.

II) Candidates who have completed professional degree (CS/CA/ICWA/FCAI) and fulfil the required percentage criteria are also eligible to write the CAT exam.

III) Candidates who are in the final year of a bachelor's degree or have an equivalent qualification, as well as those awaiting their results, are allowed to take the CAT 2025 exam. However, they must ensure that their combined marks of their first and second year meet the established minimum score criteria.

IV) The education mode of the bachelor's degree can be regular or online mode learning, but should be a 3-year programme and from a UGC recognised institution.

4. CAT Exam Pattern:

5. CAT 2025 Syllabus:

The CAT exam syllabus includes topics that are useful in developing all the skills and abilities required to become a successful business leader. It is generally divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Check out the main topics of CAT syllabus 2025 below. Most of the questions are taken from the following topics. Candidates are advised to pay special attention to these topics while preparing for the exam:

6. Why Take CAT Exam?

A) Admission into IIMs and top B-schools like:

+ IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, etc.

+ FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IITs, IMT Ghaziabad, and more.

B) Career Growth: MBA graduates from top institutes often secure high-paying jobs in Consulting, Finance, Marketing, and Product Management.

C) No age limit, making it a flexible exam for career shifts.

7. CAT Exam Preparation Strategy (2025)

Preparing for CAT 2025 requires a structured approach, strong fundamentals, and regular practice. Below is a detailed preparation plan with the best study material to help you ace the exam.

I) Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Before diving into preparation, ensure you know what to study and how the exam is structured.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

+ Focus on Reading Comprehension (RCs) (70% weightage in VARC)

+ Improve vocabulary and grammar

+ Practice Para Jumbles, Summary Questions, and Odd-One-Out

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

+ Solve DI caselets, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs

+ Master Logical Reasoning (puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, etc.)

+ Focus on accuracy and logical thinking

Quantitative Ability (QA)

+ Strengthen basics in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, and Modern Math

+ Prioritize Arithmetic (highest weightage)

+ Improve speed and accuracy with regular practice

2. Best Study Materials for CAT Preparation

+ Books for CAT Exam Preparation

VARC:

+ How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay

+ Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis

+ The Hindu / The Economic Times (for improving reading skills)

DILR:

+ How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma

+ Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation – Nishit K. Sinha (Pearson)

QA:

+ Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Arun Sharma

+ Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal

Mock Tests & Previous Papers:

+ CAT Previous Year Papers (Past 10 years)

+ Arun Sharma’s CAT Test Series

+ T.I.M.E / IMS / CL Mock Test Series

8. CAT Exam Study Plan (6 Months Strategy)

Final Words: Preparing for CAT 2025 requires dedication, smart strategy, and a structured approach. Start early, focus on concepts, practice regularly, and take mock tests to ensure success.