CAT 2025 Registration; The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), is one of the most important exams for students aspiring to pursue MBA and other management programs in India. With the registration deadline closing on September 13, 2025, candidates need to act quickly and complete their application at the official portal iimcat.ac.in.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CAT 2025 registration, exam dates, admit card, exam pattern, top MBA colleges as per NIRF 2025 rankings, and step-by-step guide to apply online.
📌 Key Highlights of CAT 2025
- 🗓 Last date to register: September 13, 2025
- 📝 Admit card available: November 5 to November 30, 2025
- 🎯 CAT 2025 Exam Date: November 30, 2025 (Sunday)
- ⏰ Exam shifts: 3 slots (Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
- 🌍 Exam centers: Across 170 cities in India
- 🏆 Top MBA Colleges: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIT Delhi, IIM Lucknow & more
🗓 CAT 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | August 2025 |
| Registration Ends | September 13, 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | November 5 to November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Result Declaration | January 2026 (Tentative) |
👉 Candidates must complete their registration before the deadline, as no extension is expected.
🎫 CAT 2025 Admit Card
- The admit card will be available from November 5 to November 30, 2025.
- Students can download it from the official website using their login credentials.
- The admit card will include candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, shift timing, and exam center address.
- It is mandatory to carry the admit card and a valid photo ID proof on exam day.
📍 CAT 2025 Exam Centers
The exam will be conducted in 170 cities across India. While filling out the application form, candidates can select up to five preferred centers. The final allotment depends on availability.
Some major cities include:
- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, and Guwahati.
🎯 Top MBA Colleges as per NIRF 2025 Rankings
The CAT exam is the gateway to India’s most prestigious management institutes. As per the NIRF 2025 rankings, here are the top universities and business schools:
| Rank | Institute |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad |
| 🥈 2 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore |
| 🥉 3 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore |
| 9 | Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon |
| 10 | XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur |
📝 CAT 2025 Registration Process – Step by Step
Follow these simple steps to register for CAT 2025:
- 🔗 Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in
- 🖱 On the homepage, click on “New Candidate Registration”.
- 📄 Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, country, and mobile number.
- 🔑 Generate and verify OTP.
- ✍️ Fill in academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and exam center preferences.
- 📷 Upload scanned photograph, signature, and documents in required format.
- 💳 Pay the application fee online.
- ✅ Submit and download the confirmation page for future reference.
👉 Once registered, candidates can log in anytime to complete or edit their application before final submission.
💰 CAT 2025 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹2,400 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,200 |
Payment can be made using credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
📚 CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam evaluates candidates in three main sections:
| Section | No. of Questions | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 mins | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 mins | 60 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 mins | 66 |
| Total | 66 | 120 mins (2 hrs) | 198 |
👉 Note: Each correct answer carries +3 marks, while each wrong MCQ answer has -1 negative marking.
🎓 Why CAT 2025 is Important?
- 📈 Opens the door to 20 IIMs and 100+ top B-schools.
- 🌍 Recognized by both national and global recruiters.
- 💼 Offers high placement packages, often ₹20-40 LPA for top IIM graduates.
- 🎯 Builds strong career opportunities in consulting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
🔑 Tips to Prepare for CAT 2025
- 📖 Start with basics of Quant, VARC, and DILR.
- 📝 Solve previous year papers and mock tests regularly.
- ⏰ Focus on time management – aim for speed + accuracy.
- 📊 Analyze mistakes after every mock test.
- 📚 Refer to standard books like Arun Sharma for Quant, and Norman Lewis for Vocabulary.
❓ FAQs on CAT 2025
Q1: What is the last date for CAT 2025 registration?
👉 September 13, 2025.
Q2: When will CAT 2025 be conducted?
👉 November 30, 2025 (Sunday).
Q3: How many attempts can I take for CAT?
👉 There is no limit; you can appear every year.
Q4: Is CAT only for IIMs?
👉 No, over 1000+ MBA colleges in India accept CAT scores.
Q5: What is a good CAT percentile for IIMs?
👉 Generally, 98-100 percentile is needed for top IIMs.
🏁 Conclusion
The CAT 2025 registration window is closing on September 13, and students must ensure timely completion of their forms to avoid last-minute rush. With the exam scheduled for November 30, 2025, it’s the right time to boost preparation and focus on mock tests.
Getting into a top IIM or MBA college can be a life-changing opportunity, leading to high-paying jobs and leadership roles in global companies. Stay updated through the official portal iimcat.ac.in and plan your preparation wisely.
✨ Good luck to all CAT 2025 aspirants!
