IIM CAT 2025 Notification: Complete Guide to the Common Admission Test

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most prestigious management entrance examination, conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). For aspirants dreaming of a seat in the elite IIMs and other top B-schools across India, CAT 2025 will be the gateway. With lakhs of candidates vying for a few thousand seats, timely access to accurate information is crucial.

The IIM CAT 2025 notification is expected to be released in July or August 2025, and it will outline all essential details including the exam date, registration process, eligibility, syllabus, and more. In this in-depth blog post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know—right from important dates and exam patterns to preparation tips and application steps.

What is CAT and Why is it Important?

About CAT Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test conducted annually for admission into management programs offered by:

• 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) offering MBA

• Other premier business schools such as FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, and more

The CAT tests candidates in the following areas:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Significance of CAT 2025

• Opens the door to MBA/PGDM programs in India’s top B-schools

• Accepted by over 1,200 institutes across India

• CAT scores are also used by some global institutions as part of their admission criteria

IIM CAT 2025 Notification Overview

The IIMs usually release the official CAT notification on the last Sunday of July or the first week of August. The notification will provide key details including:

• Exam conducting IIM (changes every year)

• Important dates (registration start/end, exam date, result declaration)

• Application process

• Eligibility criteria

• Exam cities

• Test format

Expected Timeline for CAT 2025

Key Details from the CAT 2025 Notification

1. Eligibility Criteria

To appear for CAT 2025, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:

• Educational Qualification:
  A Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students can also apply.

• Age Limit:
  There is no age restriction for appearing in CAT.

• Number of Attempts:
  No limit on the number of attempts.

2. CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT follows a sectional time-bound pattern. While the pattern is usually consistent, the number of questions and sectional breakups can vary slightly.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Expected)

• Question Types: MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA)

• Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA questions

3. CAT 2025 Registration Process

The registration will be conducted online via the official website: https://iimcat.ac.in

Steps to Apply for CAT 2025

1. Visit the official CAT 2025 website

2. Register with a valid email ID and mobile number

3. Fill in personal and academic details

4. Upload scanned photo and signature

5. Select preferred test cities (up to 6)

6. Pay the application fee

7. Submit and download confirmation

Application Fee (Expected)

4. Exam Centers

CAT is conducted in over 150 cities across India.

List of Major Exam Cities

• Delhi/NCR

• Mumbai

• Kolkata

• Chennai

• Bengaluru

• Hyderabad

Candidates can select up to six preferred cities during registration.

Additional Highlights in the CAT 2025 Notification

• Sectional Time Limit: You cannot switch between sections during the exam. Each section has a fixed 40-minute limit.

• Normalization Process: To ensure fairness across different test slots, CAT uses a statistical normalization process.

• Help Centers: IIMs set up multiple support centers for technical and general queries during registration.

Preparation Strategy for CAT 2025

How to Start Preparing for CAT 2025

1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly

2. Create a Section-wise Study Plan

3. Focus on Weak Areas

4. Attempt Mock Tests Weekly

5. Analyze Mocks to Improve Accuracy

Books & Resources for CAT

• VARC: Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, Arun Sharma – Verbal Ability

• DILR: Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit Sinha

• QA: Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma

How IIMs Use CAT Score in Admission

Once results are out, each IIM releases its own shortlisting criteria based on:

• CAT Score

• Academic Performance

• Work Experience

• Diversity Factors (gender, academic background)

• WAT/PI Scores

Final admissions depend not just on CAT but also on Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who will conduct CAT 2025?

Expected to be conducted by IIM Ahmedabad or IIM Calcutta (to be confirmed in notification).

2. Can a final-year student apply for CAT?

Yes, final-year students can appear for CAT 2025.

3. Is there any limit to the number of attempts?

No, there’s no limit. You can attempt CAT any number of times.

4. How is the CAT score calculated?

The raw score is normalized and then scaled to a percentile score.

5. Are calculators allowed in CAT?

Physical calculators are not allowed. An on-screen calculator will be provided.

Conclusion

The IIM CAT 2025 notification is one of the most anticipated announcements for management aspirants in India. It marks the beginning of a rigorous yet rewarding journey toward premier business education. With the right information, dedication, and strategy, candidates can crack this challenging exam and unlock opportunities at the IIMs and other top institutes.

As we await the official notification, aspirants should begin their preparation with structured plans and mock practice. Stay tuned to the official IIM CAT website for updates and ensure you don’t miss any deadlines.