CAT 2025 LIVE: Admit card in 3 days; MBA exam for 2.95 lakh candidates on November 30

The CAT 2025 exam pattern is as follows.

Shouvik Chatterjee, who scored 99.43 percentile in last year's CAT exam, advised aspirants to stay consistent till the last day. His preparation strategy included daily mock tests, visualising exam-day performance, and isolating from distractions. On exam day, he scanned all questions first to decide the right attempt order, a strategy that helped him maximise scores across VARC, DILR, and QA.

The CAT 2025 pattern remains similar to last year, with around 68 questions across VARC, DILR, and QA sections. Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there’s a 1-mark deduction for incorrect MCQs. Non-MCQs have no negative marking.

For CAT 2025 aspirants in the general category, top IIMs maintain high shortlisting standards. Historically, IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta have required at least 85 percentile in each section and an overall 95+ percentile for the first stage of selection. IIM Lucknow and Kozhikode generally shortlist candidates with an overall 90 percentile, while newer IIMs such as Trichy, Udaipur, and Ranchi accept aspirants with 92–94 percentile, highlighting the importance of securing strong sectional scores in VARC, DILR, and QA.

The official CAT mock test 2025 will be available from November 12 on the IIM CAT website. The mock will help candidates familiarise themselves with the exam interface, navigation, and question pattern, enabling better time management on exam day.

With just weeks left for CAT 2025, previous years’ toppers have highlighted the importance of revising key topics, analysing mock tests, and staying composed on the exam day. From practising in real exam slots to prioritising strengths and managing time efficiently, their consistent approach was to focus on clarity and confidence rather than last-minute cramming.

Read More: CAT 2025: Mock tests, revision, focus; how toppers cracked MBA exam

IIM Kozhikode will issue the CAT 2025 admit card on November 12 at iimcat.ac.in. Registered candidates can download it using their CAT application ID and password till exam day. The admit card is mandatory for entry to the test centre along with a valid government ID.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 on November 30 across 170 test cities. The exam will be held in computer-based mode with three sections—VARC, DILR and QA. CAT 2025 will serve as the qualifying test for MBA and PGDM admissions to IIMs and top B-schools across India.

CAT cut-off for candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) varies between institutions. IIM Ahmedabad cut-off for EWS is expected at 95 percentile while IIM Bodhgaya cut-off is 77 percentile, as per Careers360 analysis. CAT EWS cut-off for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta is 75 percentile.

IIM Kozhikode will issue the CAT admit card 2025 on November 12. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards on iimcat.ac.in. The first thing they are advised to check are the details mentioned in the CAT 2025 admit card such as name, exam centre, exam slot, registration number, exam date, and then move on to the exam-day instructions. In case of any discrepancies, students must contact the authorities immediately.

470 students of 62nd batch of flagship MBA in IIM Calcutta secured 510 offers in summer placements this year. The highest salary has been recorded at Rs 6 lakh per month. The average monthly stipend was Rs 1.85 lakh. The top recruiters included companies from consulting, finance, FMCG, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals.

Read More: IIM Calcutta MBA Summer Placements 2025: Highest salary at Rs 6 lakh per month; offers, average stipend dip

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta ranked 8th globally and first in India in QS International Trade Rankings 2026 for executive MBAs. The institutions are ranked based on trade programme content, graduate outcomes, industry engagement, innovative teaching and academic reputation.

Read More: IIM Calcutta enters global top 10 in QS Executive MBA International Trade Rankings

CAT 2025 aspirants can check last year's MBA exam analysis to get an idea about the exam pattern. The difficulty level of last year’s CAT exam, according to the Careers360 experts, is given below.

Based on previous year's analysis, section-wise total number of questions for CAT 2025 is given in the table below.

CAT slot timings 2025 have not been announced yet. CAT exam slot will be allotted to a candidate and will be mentioned on his or her CAT admit card 2025 which is due for November 12.

As per an official notication on the official website of CAT 2025 -- iimcat.ac.in -- a total of 2.95 lakh candidates are going to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025.

The following table presents placement and higher studies data for the two-year postgraduate programmes at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) over the past three academic years. IIMA continues to lead in management education, having secured rank 1 in the NIRF 2025 rankings.

CAT 2025 admit card will be released on November 12. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The CAT 2025 admit card will be issued on November 12. It will include the candidate’s name, photograph, signature, registration and roll numbers, exam date and slot, test centre address, and exam-day instructions.

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has launched a two-year blended MBA in business analytics and AI for working professionals and entrepreneurs. The programme combines live, direct-to-device learning with on-campus modules and peer interaction. The curriculum covers business management, analytics, and AI through case discussions, capstone projects, and action-learning, with specialisations in 20 areas including predictive analytics, product management, finance, human–AI collaboration, AI ethics, supply chain digitisation, and Generative AI. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree with minimum marks and 2–3 years of work experience. Admission will be based on CAT, GMAT, GRE scores or the IIMA admission test scheduled for December 14, 2025.

Read More: IIM Ahmedabad launches 2-year blended MBA in business analytics, AI for working professionals

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. PN Ram Kumar, faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has been appointed as the convenor of the MBA entrance examination. The CAT 2025 exam will be held in approximately 170 cities across India. Candidates will be required to select five preferred cities while filling out the application form.

The main topics included in the CAT DILR 2025 syllabus are listed below.

As per previous year’s trends, candidates who secured a raw score between 95 and 100 marks in CAT fall in the 99 to 100 percentile range. Those scoring around 73 to 78 marks correspond to the 95 percentile range, while 60 to 65 marks are generally aligned with the 90 percentile bracket.

IIM Lucknow has announced its MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 batch through the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. The institute has assigned 30% weightage to the MBA entrance exam and rest to other factors including Class 10, 12 performance, interview, work experience, etc.

Yes, the IIM CAT 2026 admit card out date has been announced. It will be released on November 12. Candidates will be able to download the CAT 2026 exam hall ticket through the official website at iimcat.ac.in.

The CAT 2025 score vs percentile is given below.

CAT 2025 slot 1

CAT 2025 slot 2

CAT 2025 slot 3

Yes, the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted in three sessions. CAT exam timings 2025 will be mentioned in the CAT 2025 admit card which will be issued on November 12. Candidates will be able to download the CAT admit card 2025 from the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the CAT 2025 admit card.

The IIM CAT 2026 admit card will be released on November 12. Candidates will be able to download the CAT 2026 exam hall ticket through the official website at iimcat.ac.in.

According to the schedule, the CAT 2025 exam is set to take place on November 30. The computer-based test (CBT) will be held in three sessions across exam centres in 170 cities nationwide.

The total number of questions for CAT 2025 is given in the table below.

According to the CAT 2025 exam pattern, the computer-based test will consist of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates will have a total of 120 minutes to complete the MBA entrance examination.

CAT 2025 previous year's cut-offs for IIM admissions is given in the table below.

Candidates can check the CAT 2025 cutoff marks vs percentile for the previous year given below.

IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Lucknow joined Goldman Sachs' '10,000 women' initiative. The programme aims to graduate 1,000 women entrepreneurs in India. The company already partners with IIM Bangalore.

Read More: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow join Goldman Sachs’ ‘10,000 Women’ programme to support women-led businesses

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad recorded 100% summer placements 2025 for PGP batch 2025-27 with TCS as lead recruiter and Zomato, Apple as first-comers. More than 90 roles were offered across several cohorts. Some of the top recruiters included Adobe, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Sprinklr.

Read More: IIM Ahmedabad Summer Placements 2025: TCS leads in cluster 3; Zomato, Apple new recruiters

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted in three sessions. CAT exam timings 2025 will be mentioned in the CAT 2025 admit card which will be issued on November 12. Candidates will be able to download the CAT admit card 2025 from the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

IIM Lucknow has announced its MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 batch through the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. The institute has assigned 30% weightage to the MBA entrance exam and rest to other factors including Class 10, 12 performance, interview, work experience, etc.

Read More: CAT 2025: IIM Lucknow assigns 30% weightage to exam for MBA admissions

CAT 2025: IIM Lucknow MBA admission policy. (Image: Official)

MBA aspirants can expect CAT percentile above 99 for admissions to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), based on analysis of previous years' trends. IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode are likely to admit students having CAT 2025 percentile between 97 and 99.

Read More: CAT 2025: IIM Ahmedabad demands above 99 percentile for MBA admission; check NIRF top B-school cut-offs

As per CAT exam pattern trends, the section-wise total number of questions for CAT 2025 are given in the table below.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 will be conducted on November 30 in three sessions for admissions to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other B-schools.

No, the IIM CAT 2026 admit card will be released on November 12. Candidates will be able to download the CAT 2026 exam hall ticket through the official website at iimcat.ac.in.

Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the CAT 2025 admit card.

IIM Kozhikode has confirmed that the CAT 2025 admit card will be released on November 12. Candidates should check the official portal, iimcat.ac.in, from the release date to download their hall ticket.

Although the official CAT 2025 portal displays the download link, candidates are currently unable to access the admit card. The early appearance of the CAT 2025 hall ticket link has caused some confusion, as aspirants can log in to the portal but cannot download the actual CAT 2025 admit card yet.

CAT 2025 admit card. (Image: Official website)

Candidates attempting to download the CAT 2025 admit card may notice that no file appears in the portal yet. Authorities have not released the CAT 2025 admit cards despite the login being accessible. Candidates should keep checking the portal regularly.

IIM Kozhikode has released the CAT 2025 admit card today, November 5. Candidates can download it from the official website, iimcat.ac.in, using their login credentials. The admit card is mandatory to enter the exam centre.

The upcoming CAT exam is expected to follow the structure of the last two years, featuring around 68 questions overall. Typically, VARC includes 24 questions, DILR has 22, and QA also contains 22. In recent years, DILR has seen a gradual increase in the number of sets, often adding to the overall challenge of time management. Candidates are advised to practice sectional mocks under timed conditions to improve accuracy and stamina before the test day.

Along with the CAT 2025 admit card, IIM Kozhikode will activate the CAT 2025 mock test link on November 12. The mock test will provide candidates with a sample paper and an interface identical to the actual exam. It aims to help test-takers understand on-screen navigation, timer display, question palette, and marking scheme before the main test.

As per the official update, IIMs have strengthened exam-day protocols to prevent unfair practices. Mobile jammers will be installed at selected centres to block network access during the exam. Candidates will undergo multiple identity checks and frisking procedures before entering the examination hall. Electronic items, calculators, and stationery other than those permitted will not be allowed.

With CAT 2025 approaching on November 30, candidates should note that top IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta usually require above 85 percentile in each section and around 95 overall for shortlisting. IIM Lucknow and Kozhikode consider 90 overall, while newer IIMs shortlist from 92 percentile onwards.

Read More: CAT 2025: Top IIMs maintain higher percentile thresholds for first-stage shortlisting; marks vs percentile

IIM Kozhikode will release the CAT 2025 admit card on November 12 at iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can download it using their login credentials till the exam day, November 30. The admit card and a valid photo ID are mandatory for entry to the exam centre.

With less than a month remaining for CAT 2025, candidates should prioritise targeted revision across VARC, DILR, and QA through 40-minute timed mock sessions. In the following weeks, take full-length mocks, analyse weak areas, and refine exam-day strategy including question selection and time management.

The list of top MBA colleges accepting CAT 2025, along with their NIRF ranking 2025 is given below.

The CAT 2025 score vs percentile is given below.

CAT 2025 slot 1

CAT 2025 slot 2

CAT 2025 slot 3

An analysis of IIM Calcutta's batch profiles shows widening gender gap in the last three years and an increase of number of candidates from science background. The enrollment of arts students has declined over years. The number of male candidates rose from 54% to around 60%.

Read More: CAT 2025: IIM Calcutta MBA sees widening gender gap, dominance of science students, freshers

CAT 2025 is scheduled for November 30 and just 25 days are left. Aspirants are suggested to revise what they've studied and focus on the three sections by taking mock tests. They can take full-length mocks next week and work on weak areas. In the final weeks before the MBA entrance exam, students are recommended to emphasize on high-scoring topics and prepare exam-day strategy.

Read More: CAT 2025 revision tips for VARC, DILR, QA; difficulty level as per trends

CAT 2025 question paper contains three sections -- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Based on previous year's question paper, CAT exam syllabus is given below.

As per NIRF ranking 2025, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad is the best management institute in India followed by IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Lucknow.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be conducted on November 30 for around 2.95 lakh MBA aspirants. The exam will be held in three sessions in 170 examination cities.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will issue the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 admit card on November 12. CAT admit card 2025 will be available on iimcat.ac.in.