The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has released the CAT 2025 notification. The exam will be conducted on Sunday, November 30, 2025, and registrations will run from August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM) to September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM) at iimcat.ac.in. The application fee has been hiked to ₹2,600 (General/EWS/OBC) and ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD). The test will be held in three sessions across ~170 cities.
Quick Snapshot (TL;DR)
- Conducting IIM: IIM Kozhikode.
- Exam date: November 30, 2025 (Sunday), in 3 sessions.
- Registration window: Aug 1 (10 AM) – Sep 13, 2025 (5 PM).
- Admit card download: Nov 5 – Nov 30, 2025.
- Fees: ₹2,600 (Gen/EWS/OBC), ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD).
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT), three sections (VARC, DILR, QA).
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) or equivalent; final-year students can also apply. (Unchanged from last year.)
- Official website / application link: iimcat.ac.in.
Important Dates for CAT 2025
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Notification release | July 27, 2025 |
| Registration start | August 1, 2025 (10:00 AM IST) |
| Registration end | September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM IST) |
| Admit card download | November 5 – November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 exam date | November 30, 2025 (3 sessions) |
Sources: IIM Kozhikode notification coverage & leading MBA portals.
CAT 2025 Application Fees (Hiked)
- General / EWS / NC-OBC: ₹2,600
- SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,300
Payable online via debit/credit card or net banking.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA).
- 45% for SC/ST/PwD categories.
- Final-year undergraduate students are eligible (subject to conditions mentioned in the official notification).
- There is no age limit.
Eligibility remains the same as last year, as reported in today’s updates. Always cross-check the official notification PDF at iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (As per Notification & Previous Year’s Structure)
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Sessions: 3 (morning, afternoon, evening)
- Sections:
- VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
- QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
- Sectional time limits will apply (same as last year; details in the official brochure).
- MCQ & non-MCQ (TITA) question types.
- Marking scheme (same as last year; confirm in brochure): +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect MCQs, no negative for non-MCQs.
Exact number of questions and duration will be confirmed in the official information bulletin; refer to iimcat.ac.in once the full brochure is live.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for CAT 2025 (With Pro Tips)
- Go to iimcat.ac.in and click “New Candidate Registration.”
- Register with your name, email ID, and mobile number to generate your User ID & Password.
- Login and fill the application form: personal details, academic history, work experience (if any).
- Select programs & IIMs you wish to apply to.
- Choose up to 6 test cities (final number to be confirmed in brochure; last year it was 6).
- Upload the required documents (see below).
- Pay the fee online.
- Submit & download the confirmation page/application summary for records.
Documents You’ll Need
- Recent passport-size photograph (as per dimensions/specs in brochure)
- Scanned signature
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD), if applicable, in the prescribed format
- PwD/Scribe certificate, if applicable
Keep file sizes & formats exactly as prescribed to avoid rejection.
Syllabus Snapshot (High Level)
While CAT does not publish an explicit, exhaustive syllabus, the test typically evaluates:
- VARC: Reading Comprehension, Para summary/jumbles, odd sentence out, grammar/usage
- DILR: Caselets, logical puzzles, data interpretation (tables, graphs, charts, Venn diagrams)
- QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Math (P&C, Probability, etc.)
Refer to the official notification and last year’s pattern to fine-tune your prep.
Admit Card, Answer Key & Result (What to Expect)
- Admit Card: Download from Nov 5 till the exam day.
- Provisional Answer Key & Objection Window: Usually released a few days after the exam (exact dates will be announced on the site).
- Result: Typically announced in early January of the following year; wait for official confirmation. (Inference from past trends; verify on iimcat.ac.in once announced.)
What’s New This Year?
- Fee hike to ₹2,600 / ₹1,300.
- Conducting IIM: IIM Kozhikode.
(Any further structural changes—question count, session protocol, test cities, etc.—will be clear once the detailed bulletin/PDF is uploaded. Bookmark iimcat.ac.in and check frequently.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong category certificate format → use the latest prescribed formats only.
- Waiting till the last day → payment failures & server load are common.
- Mismatch in name/DoB across documents → ensure consistency with your Class 10 certificate.
- Ignoring photo/signature specs → leads to form rejection.
- Selecting fewer cities when you have options → always maximize your choices.
Handy Preparation Timeline (If You’re Starting Now)
- July–September 2025: Build concepts & take topic tests.
- October 2025: Shift to full-length mocks + deep analysis.
- November 2025 (till 25th): Revise error logs, focus on strength areas, maintain mock rhythm.
- Last 4–5 days: Light revision, no new topics, ensure admit card & exam-day logistics are in place.
Official & Trusted Links
- Official CAT 2025 website & registration: iimcat.ac.in.
- Coverage & details: Times of India, Economic Times, (for quick fee/date confirmation & live updates).
FAQs
Q1. When is CAT 2025?
A. November 30, 2025 (Sunday), in three sessions.
Q2. What are the CAT 2025 registration dates?
A. August 1 (10 AM) to September 13, 2025 (5 PM).
Q3. What is the CAT 2025 application fee?
A. ₹2,600 for General/EWS/OBC and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD.
Q4. Who is conducting CAT 2025?
A. IIM Kozhikode.
Q5. How many sections does CAT have?
A. Three: VARC, DILR, and QA (with sectional time limits)
