IIM CAT 2025 Registration: Fee, Exam Pattern & Key Dates

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to Post Graduate Programmes at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and hundreds of other top business schools across India. With CAT 2025 registration expected to open in the coming months, aspirants must familiarise themselves with the application process, fee structure, and exam pattern well in advance.

What is CAT and Who Conducts It?

CAT is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis every year. The exam is held once annually, typically in November, and scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs as well as numerous other premier business schools and institutes of national importance across India.

CAT 2025 Application Fee

Candidates appearing for CAT must pay a non-refundable registration fee at the time of application. Based on information available from official IIM notifications in previous cycles, the fee structure is as follows:

• General / EWS / OBC-NC candidates: ₹2,400 (approximate, subject to official confirmation)
• SC / ST / PwD candidates: ₹1,200 (approximate, subject to official confirmation)

Note: Aspirants should verify the exact fee on the official CAT website once the notification is released, as figures are subject to change.

CAT 2025 Exam Structure

The CAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted in multiple sessions on a single day. The exam is divided into three sections:

• Section 1 – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Section 2 – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Section 3 – Quantitative Ability (QA)

The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes (40 minutes per section). Candidates are not permitted to switch between sections during the allotted time. Each correct answer carries +3 marks, while incorrect responses attract a penalty of -1 mark. Non-MCQ type questions do not carry negative marking.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for CAT 2025, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) from a recognised university or institution. Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Important Dates (Expected)

While the official CAT 2025 schedule is yet to be announced, based on historical trends, aspirants can expect the following timeline:

• Registration Opens: August 2025 (tentative)
• Registration Closes: September 2025 (tentative)
• Admit Card Release: October 2025 (tentative)
• CAT 2025 Exam Date: Last Sunday of November 2025 (tentative)
• Result Declaration: January 2026 (tentative)

All dates are indicative and subject to official announcement by the conducting IIM.

How to Apply for CAT 2025

Candidates must register and apply exclusively through the official CAT website. The step-by-step process generally involves creating a login, filling in personal and academic details, uploading documents, selecting test cities, and paying the application fee online. It is advisable to keep scanned copies of photograph, signature, and academic certificates ready before beginning the application.

For the official notification, registration link, and further updates, visit the official CAT website – iimcat.ac.in.

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