Table of Contents
About CAT Exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. The exam assesses candidates in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning. CAT is one of the most competitive exams in India, accepted by over 120 top business schools, including the IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, and MICA Ahmedabad. It is usually held in November each year. A high score in CAT opens doors to premier management institutes, offering a wide range of specializations and career opportunities.
CAT Exam: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA/PGDM programs in IIMs and other top B-Schools |
| Exam Date | November 2025 (Exact date TBD) |
| Application Process | Online (Tentative Start: August 2025) |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 66-100 (Typically across 3 sections) |
| Sections | 1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) 3. Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree (or final-year students); no age limit |
| Colleges Accepting CAT | IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, etc.), FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, and 100+ other B-Schools |
| Official Website | www.iimcat.ac.in |
CAT Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | There is no minimum percentage required for applying to CAT, but individual institutes may have their own cut-offs. |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit for CAT exam. Candidates of any age can apply. |
| Nationality | Both Indian and Foreign Nationals are eligible to apply. |
| Final Year Students | Candidates in their final year of undergraduate degree are eligible to apply, provided they meet all graduation requirements by the time of admission. |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory, though having work experience can be an added advantage during the selection process. |
Additional Notes:
-
The eligibility is standard across all IIMs, but individual B-Schools may have different criteria for shortlisting candidates based on CAT scores.
-
Some IIMs also accept Foreign Nationals/NRI candidates through their International category.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted | Topics Covered | Marks per Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24-26 | 40 minutes | Reading Comprehension, Sentence Completion, Vocabulary, Grammar, Para Jumbles, Para Summary | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20-24 | 40 minutes | Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts), Logical Reasoning (Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Venn Diagrams) | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22-24 | 40 minutes | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Number Systems, Modern Math, Percentages, Probability | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Total | 66-100 | 120 minutes (2 hours) | - | - |
CAT 2025 Syllabus Overview
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
-
Reading Comprehension: Short to medium-length passages with questions based on inference, analysis, and tone.
-
Grammar and Vocabulary: Sentence correction, vocabulary usage, and fill-in-the-blanks.
-
Para Jumbles: Rearranging the given sentences in a coherent manner.
-
Para Summary: Writing a concise summary of the passage.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
-
Data Interpretation: Analysis of data from tables, charts, graphs, and Venn diagrams.
-
Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangement, blood relations, series completion, coding-decoding, and direction sense.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
-
Arithmetic: Time, speed, distance, averages, profit and loss, percentages, and work-related problems.
-
Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, progressions, and inequalities.
-
Geometry: Basic concepts of geometry, mensuration, coordinate geometry.
-
Trigonometry & Number System: Functions, sequences, and properties of numbers.
-
Modern Mathematics: Probability, permutations & combinations, set theory, and basic statistics.
CAT Exam Timing & Structure
-
Total Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
-
No Breaks: The exam is divided into three sections, and each section has a fixed time limit. Once the time for a section expires, you cannot return to that section.
Scoring & Marking Scheme
-
Correct Answer: +3 marks
-
Wrong Answer: -1 mark (for MCQs only)
-
Unanswered Questions: 0 marks (no negative marking)
Top Non-IIM Institutes (Accepting CAT Scores)
-
FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies)
-
SPJIMR Mumbai (S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research)
-
XLRI Jamshedpur (Xavier Labour Relations Institute)
-
MICA Ahmedabad (Mudra Institute of Communications)
-
JBIMS Mumbai (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies)
-
IMT Ghaziabad (Institute of Management Technology)
-
MDI Gurgaon (Management Development Institute)
-
XIMB Bhubaneswar (Xavier Institute of Management)
-
NMIMS Mumbai (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies)
-
Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai
-
SCMHRD Pune (Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development)
-
LBSIM Delhi (Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management)
-
BIMTECH Greater Noida (Birla Institute of Management Technology)
-
IFMR Chennai (Institute for Financial Management and Research)
-
IMI Delhi (International Management Institute)
-
SIBM Pune (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management)
