Complete Guide on Common Admission Test CAT 2026: Every year, around 3,00,000+ candidates appear for the CAT exam. To appear for the CAT exam, candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements. Candidates must exhibit a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50%. Reserve category candidates (SC/ST/PwD) must have cleared the bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 45%. IIMs also allow candidates with professional courses like CA/CS/ICFA to appear for the CAT. Candidates who appear for the CAT exam must achieve a 99+ Percentile to get admission into top MBA colleges in India, like IIM ABC. 

The syllabus of the CAT exam 2026 has been divided into 3 major subjects: VARC, DILR and QA. The number of questions has been increased from 66 to 68 in the CAT exam. The total marks for the CAT 2026 will be 204. If you manage to score 151+, top IIMs like IIM ABC and non-IIMs like ISB Hyderabad, FMS Delhi will be shortlisting you for GDPI rounds. The average package of an IIM Ahmedabad graduate was 35.50 LPA. Higher package, remarkable career growth and international opportunities are the prominent reasons that attract lakhs of candidates towards the Common Admission Test. 

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What is a Common Admission Test? 

Key Parameters	Major Information
Type of MBA Entrance Exam	National-Level Entrance Exam
Conducting Body	IIMs ( Rotational Basis)
Frequency of the CAT Exam	Once a Year
Mode of the Exam	Online
CAT Official Website	iimcat.ac.in
CAT Exam Fees 2026	Rs 2600 – General/EWS/NC-OBC Rs 1300 – SC/ST/PwD
CAT Syllabus for MBA	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension  Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning  Quantitative Aptitude
No. of Questions	68
Sectional Weightage	VARC – 36%  DILR – 32% QA – 32%
Marks for every section	VARC – 72 DILR – 66 QA – 66
Total marks	204
Language Medium	English
Total Number of Slots	3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
Age Limit	No upper age limit
Level of Difficulty	It fluctuates every year and for every slot.
Accepting B-Schools	21 IIMs and 1000+ Non-IIMs
CAT Score Validity	One year from the announcement of the official CAT result
Approximate Registrations (Yearly)	3lakh+
Seats	1000s of seats

Who Conducts the Common Admission Test?

Look at the list of IIMs that have conducted the CAT exam over the years, with the difficulty level of the question paper. The table mentioned below covers the difficulty level of Common Admission Test over the years.

Year	IIM	VARC	DILR	QA
2025	IIM Kozhikode	Moderate (expected)	Moderate to Tough (expected)	Moderate (expected)
2024	IIM Calcutta	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
2023	IIM Lucknow	Moderate to Difficult	Moderate	Difficult
2022	IIM Bangalore	Moderate	Difficult	Moderate
2021	IIM Ahmedabad	Moderate to Difficult	Difficult	Moderate
2020	IIM Indore	Moderate to Difficult	Difficult	Moderate
2019	IIM Kozhikode	Moderate	Moderate to difficult	Moderate
2018	IIM Calcutta	Moderate	Difficult	Difficult
2017	IIM Lucknow	Moderate	Moderate to difficult	Easy

Common Admission Test Notification 2026

Key Specifications	Basic Information & Tentative Dates
Entrance Exam for MBA	CAT
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test
Target Year	CAT 2026
CAT 2026 Notification Date	Last week of July 2026
CAT 2026 Registration Start Date	August 2026
Last Date to Register for the CAT Exam	3rd/4th Week – September 2026
CAT Correction Window Date 2026	September 2026 (Last Week)
CAT 2026 Download Admit Card	November 2026
CAT Exam 2026 Date	Last week of November 2026
CAT Result Date 2026	December 2026 (Last Week)
Official Website of Common Admission Test	iimcat.ac.in
Contact Information	Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in Phone: 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

Common Admission Test Eligibility Criteria 

Major Components	Standard Requirements
Age Criteria	No age limit has been set for the Common Admission Test
Academic Qualifications	A candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a renowned university or educational institute. The minimum aggregate score for the General category candidate is 50%. SC/ST candidates always get a 5% relaxation. Candidates with professional courses like CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) are also eligible to apply online for the CAT exam.
Professional Experience	Freshers (zero work experience) and candidates with prior work experience are also eligible to appear for the CAT exam 2026. Candidates with significant professional achievements get extra points in the final selection.
Gap Year	IIMs allow candidates with a gap year to register and attempt the CAT examination. In the PI (Personal Interview) round, you will have to share a valid explanation for having a gap in your CV.
Final Year Students	If you qualify for the CAT exam, it’s mandatory to submit a “Provisional Certificate”. It must be signed and approved by the Principal/Registrar within the given period.

Common Admission Test Registration Fees (Expected)

Reservation Category	General/EWS/NC-OBC	SC/ST/PwD
CAT Registration Fees	Rs 2600	Rs 1300
Refund Policy	Non-Refundable	Non-Refundable
Mode of Payment	Debit card/Credit Card/Net banking/UPI

Latest Syllabus of Common Admission Test

Candidates should understand the Common Admission Test syllabus first before making the study plan. It helps you integrate only those topics in the preparation that are important from an exam perspective. Typically, the CAT syllabus covers three subjects, which are  DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), and QA (Quantitative Ability). Grasp the concepts for each topic and master core chapters. This can maximise your chances of success in the exam. Get the subject-wise CAT syllabus with weightage in the table below.

Subject	Important Topics
Quantitative Ability (QA)	Average, TSD & Time and Work, Geometry, Number System, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation, Probability and P&C, Inequalities, Modulus & Functions, Logarithm Surds & Indices, Progression and Series, Venn Diagrams Quadratic Polynomials & Simple Equation, Profit & Loss, SI CI, Percentages
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading Comprehension, Para Summary, Para Completion, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Tables, Linear Arrangements, Cubes, Selection, Network Flow, Diagrams, Distribution, Pie Charts, Line & Bar Graphs Based DI, Circular Arrangements, Venn Diagrams, Games & Tournaments, Binary Logics

Common Admission Test Syllabus – Section-Wise

The CAT exam syllabus is very important to prepare for the exam because without understanding the syllabus it is very difficult for the candidates to prepare strategy across sections. LRDI section stands for the Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation which is one of the trickiest section as per the candidates. VARC requires a proper reading habit along with the practice of RC questions comprises different genres. The QA (Quantitative Aptitude) section is a scoring one with a proper practice of question especially in parts like Arithmetic and Algebra. If you are a CAT aspirant and seriously preparing for the Common Admission Test exam, then first you need to understand syllabus thoroughly across VARC, LRDI and QA. Let’s discuss in-depth syllabus across sections in the CAT.

CAT Syllabus for VARC

The first section we are covering is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension which is marked as one of the important section to prepare for Common Admission Test. The syllabus for the VARC section is mentioned below in detailed manner.

CAT Syllabus For VARC – RC Genres

Reading Comprehension Genre	Verbal Ability
Science & Technology	Para Summary
Business & Economics	Para Completion
Arts, Society & Culture	Odd One Out
History & Politics	Para Jumbles
Philosophy & Psychology
Mixed

DILR Syllabus for Common Admission Test

DILR stands for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. According to the candidates, the DILR section is one of the trickiest sections in Common Admission Test where according to the previous year analysis, the sets coming before CAT 2014 is slightly easier in comparison to the difficulty level of DILR sets after CAT 2017. The detailed information about the DILR syllabus is mentioned in the table below.

DI	LR
Tables	Cubes
Line & Bar Graphs	Linear Arrangements
Pie Charts	Circular Arrangements
Quant Based DI	Venn Diagrams
–	Distribution
–	Selection
–	Binary Logics
–	Games & Tournaments
–	Network Flow Diagrams

QA Syllabus for the Common Admission Test

The Quantitative Aptitude syllabus is very important to cover or understand before starting practicing the questions. The detailed syllabus about QA is mentioned in the table below which helps in preparing Common Admission Test strategically.

Key CAT QA Topics	Quants Sub-Topics
Arithmetic	Ratio & Proportion Percentage Instalments, Effective Rate Average Simple & Compound Interest Time, Speed & Distance
Algebra	Linear Equations Logs, Surds and Indices Quadratic Equations Functions Polynomials Inequalities
Geometry	Coordinate Geometry Lines and Angles Triangles Quadrilaterals Polygons Mensuration Circles
Number System	Divisibility Factors Remainders Base Systems LCM & HCF Complex Numbers Surds & Indices
Modern Maths	Set Theory Logarithms Permutation & Combinations Probability Roots

New Exam Pattern of Common Admission Test

It is crucial to analyse the exam pattern for the Common Admission Test for effective preparation. The exam pattern is not usually officially released prior to the CAT exam. Candidates can get an idea of the exam pattern based on the previous year’s data. The CAT test paper pattern is expected to remain the same for 2025. It is anticipated that the CAT exam consists of 68 MCQs and Non-MCQs. The test duration will be 120 minutes. The marking scheme states that every correct answer will be awarded 3 marks, and there shall be a deduction of 1 mark for every incorrect MCQ.

Section	Number of Questions	Exam Duration
Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes
Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	40 minutes
Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	40 minutes
Total	68	120 minutes

Common Admission Test Marking Scheme 

Section	Total No. of Questions	Total Marks	Marking Scheme
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	24 Questions	72 marks	+3 marks ( Every Correct Response)-1 mark (Every Wrong Attempt) 0 marks for wrong TITA questions 0 marks for unanswered questions
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	22 Questions	66 marks
Quantitative Aptitude	22 Questions	66 marks
Total	68 Questions	204 marks

Weightage of Common Admission Test

Understanding the weightage of the Common Admission Test will help you prioritise key areas accordingly. It explains which topics carry higher weightage in the exam every year. Knowing the topic-wise weightage of every section will make your preparation more exam-focused. Topics covered in CAT VARC are VARCs, Odd One Out, Para Summary, Para Jumbles, etc. Similarly, the Quant section includes topics like Average, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation, Profit & Loss, SI CI, Percentages, TSD & Time and Work, Geometry, etc. On the other hand, LRDI focuses on Tables, Cubes, Line & Bar Graphs, Linear Arrangements, Pie Charts, Circular Arrangements, Quant-Based DI, Venn Diagrams, etc.

CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage

Topics	Weightage
RCs	16 Questions (4 sets)
Odd One Out	2 Questions
Para Summary	3 Questions
Para Jumbles	3 Questions

CAT LRDI Topice-Wise Weightage

Set Number	SLOT 1: Set- Topic/Area	SLOT 2: Set- Topic/Area	SLOT 3: Set- Topic/Area	Total Questions
1	Candlestick chart based on stock price – DI	Rating Distribution – DI	Countries GDP – DI	4
2	People visiting different countries bar graph + venn diagram – DI	2 Graph Based DI – DI	OTT Subs, Bar Graph – DI	4
3	Web Surfers assign 30 stars – Distribution – LR	Diagram Based Calculation – LR	Content in Food Grains – LR	4
4	Games and Tournaments – Teams splitting in 2 groups – LR	Number Based Arrangement – LR	AC Temp, Line Graph – DI	5
5	Two candidates contesting election – DI	8 Gymnasts and their Coaches – LR	ATM Network – LR	5

CAT Quant Topic-Wise Weightage

Topic	2022 (No. of Ques Asked)	2023 (No. of Ques Asked)	2024 (No. of Ques Asked)
Average, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation	3-5	4-6	3-5
Profit & Loss, SI, CI, Percentages	1-3	2-3	2-3
TSD & Time and Work	3-5	2-3	2-3
Geometry	3	3	3
Quadratic, Polynomials & Simple Eq	1-3	3-4	1-2
Progression and Series	1-3	2	1
Inequalities, Modulus & Functions	3-4	1-2	1-2
Logarithm, Surds & Indices	0-1	1-3	2
Probability and P&C	1	1	0-1
Number System	1	1	2-3
Venn Diagrams	0	0	0

How to Apply for the Common Admission Test?

Candidates can apply for the Common Admission Test only through online mode. They should ensure they satisfy all the eligibility conditions and fill out the CAT online form with valid details and documents. Any misleading information in the CAT application form will lead to cancellation of the candidature. Look at the guide shared below to learn how to apply online for the Common Admission Test without any hassles.

• Go to the official CAT website.
• On the homepage, click “New Registration”
• Register yourself with the correct information. It includes a valid email ID, mobile number, and other crucial information.
• Log in with valid details on the official portal. Thereafter, complete your application form.
• Upload the documents in the prescribed format.
• After this, pay the application fees.
• Take the printout of the copies of the CAT application form.

Common Admission Test Important Documents 

The Common Admission Test registration process includes a lot of important documents. You must ensure that all your documents are accurate and updated. Uploading wrong/mismatched/false documents will lead to the disqualification of your candidature from the CAT examination. 

• Class 10th Passing Certificate or Marksheet
• Class 12th Passing Certificate or Marksheet 
• Graduation Certificate 
• A Valid Government ID proof
• Date of Birth Certificate 
• Reservation Category Certificate (SC/ST/EWS/OBC/PwD) (if applicable)
• Scribe Affidavit (if applicable)
• Identification Affidavit (if applicable)
• Final Year Certificate (if applicable)
• Scanned Photograph 
• Scanned Signature

Common Admission Test: Reservation Policy 

Reservation Category	% (Reservation)
Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)	27%
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)	10%
People with Disability (PwD)	5%
Scheduled Caste (SC)	15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	7.5%

Registration Trends of Common Admission Test

Candidates should check the past registration trends of the Common Admission Test to get a clear picture of the number of participants and the overall competition level. The exam authorities release the total number of candidates registered and appeared in this entrance test. In CAT 2024, 2.93 lakh applicants appeared for the exam out of 3.29 lakh registered candidates. Look at the past registration trends for the CAT exam shared below for reference purposes.

Year	Number of Candidates Registered	Number of Candidates Appeared (Test Takers)
2010	2,04,000	1,85,000
2011	2,05,000	1,86,000
2012	2,14,000	1,95,000
2013	1,94,516	1,73,714
2014	1,96,988	1,70,000
2015	2,18,664	1,79,602
2016	2,32,434	1,95,679
2017	2,31,067	1,99,632
2018	2,40,338	2,09,405
2019	2,44,169	2,09,926
2020	2,27,835	1,90,144
2021	2,29,969	1,91,660
2022	2,55,501	2,22,184
2023	3,23,000	2,88,000
2024	3,29,000	2,93,000

Common Admission Test Evolution

Year of Common Admission Test	CAT 2019	CAT 2020	CAT 2025
Date of the CAT Exam	24 November 2019 (Sunday)	29 November 2020 (Sunday)	30th November 2025 (Sunday)
Total Number of Questions	100	76	68
Total Duration of the Exam	180 Minutes	120 Minutes	120 Minutes
Major Changes	Less TITA questions as compared to the CAT 2018.	There was a decrease in the total number of questions, the CAT exam total duration and the sectional time limit.	Only 68 questions. The paper will be more in a condensed format with a major focus on aptitude, critical thinking and English language.
Total Number of Slots	Slot 1 & Slot 2	Slot 1, Slot 2, Slot 3	Slot 1, Slot and Slot 3
Section-Wise Questions	VARC – 34 Questions DILR – 32 Questions  QA – 34 Questions	VARC – 26 Questions DILR – 26 Questions  QA – 24 Questions	VARC – 24 Questions DILR – 22 Questions  QA – 22 Questions
Sectional Time Limit	60 Minutes (Every Section)	40 Minutes (Each Section)	40 Minutes per section

CAT Exam Changes in Last 5 Years: Complete Overview 

There have been no significant changes in the CAT exam syllabus for MBA. However, the CAT exam pattern has undergone a significant change in the last 5 years. We will now update you briefly about the changes that took place in each year, starting from the CAT 2020 to the CAT 2024. Each year, the Common Admission Test has witnessed pivotal changes that varied across the number of questions in every section, overall and slots. 

CAT 2024 

It was a minor change in the CAT 2024. From 66, the number of questions increased to 68 only.  The number of questions in the DILR section increased from 20 to 22. The majority of the DILR sections were extremely unique. In the VARC section, IIM Calcutta eliminated the “Para Jumbles” questions and introduced a few verbal questions in the Reading Comprehension section. 

CAT 2023

The CAT 2023 aspirants saw there was a sudden increase across the complexity level of Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. In the VA section, there were dense and heavy RCs, which were quite challenging for the candidates. Next, there were only 20 questions in the DILR section. If we talk about the Quants section of the Common Admission Test 2023, there were 22 questions, with the maximum questions being from the Arithmetic section. 

CAT 2022

IIM Bangalore was the official conducting body of the CAT 2022. There were 66 questions in the entire question paper.  The change was primarily witnessed across each section. Like, the DILR section had 4 different sets with 5 questions each. The VARC section consisted of 24 questions with an additional component, i.e, para insertion. Again, the QA section didn’t undergo any major change and had 22 questions from the CAT QA syllabus. 

CAT 2021

A significant decrease again in the number of questions. This year, there were 66 questions in the CAT exam paper. The actual duration of the CAT exam was 120 minutes, with a 40-minute sectional time limit for every section. There were no such changes in the Slots. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, IIM Ahmedabad conducted the CAT 2020 exam in 3 different slots. 

CAT 2020

The CAT 2020 exam saw major changes in the exam pattern. The total number of questions was reduced from 100 to 76. Also, the total duration of the exam was decreased to 2 hours from 3 hours. The slot was also increased from 2 to 3. The detailed analysis of the CAT exam 2020 paper also states that the type and number of questions changed across the QA, VARC and DILR sections individually. Overall, the Common Admission Test 2020 was full of new surprises for the appearing candidates.

Also Read – CAT DILR Trend Analysis

What is the CAT Score validity? 

The Common Admission Test score remains valid for 1 whole academic year. For example, the CAT score 2026 will remain valid until the academic year 2027-28. In most of the B-schools,  the validity timeline for a CAT score remains 1 year. However, the validity period also varies for many top B-schools in India. Once the timeline is over, candidates will have to reappear for the CAT exam for MBA admission. Within 1 year, candidates have the liberty to seek admission with a valid CAT score into the 2-year full-time residential MBA course.

What is a good CAT score for IIMs?

Generally, a Common Admission Test score of 99+ Percentile is acceptable by the Tier-1 IIM colleges in India. New IIMs, Baby IIMs and other top private B-schools in India accept a score within the 90-95 Percentile range. This is the cut-off for the candidates from the General category. The ideal cut-off score and percentile will differ for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Depending on your percentile, you will receive the invitation for the GDPI rounds from the respective B-schools. 

CAT Score Validity For IIMs 

List of Top IIMs in India	Validity
IIM Ahmedabad	1 Year
IIM Bangalore	1 Year
IIM Calcutta	1 Year
IIM Lucknow	1 Year
IIM Indore	1 Year
IIM Kozhikode	1 Year
IIM Amritsar	1 Year
IIM Nagpur	1 Year
IIM Sambalpur	1 Year
IIM Trichy	1 Year
IIM Raipur	1 Year
IIM Ranchi	1 Year
IIM Vizag	1 Year
IIM Udaipur	1 Year
IIM Bodh Gaya	1 Year
IIM Shillong	1 Year
IIM Sirmuar	1 Year
IIM Rohtak	1 Year
IIM Mumbai	1 Year

CAT Score Validity For Non-IIMs

Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score	Valid Period
FMS Delhi	1 Year
MDI Gurgaon	1 Year
TAPMI	1 Year
BITSOM	1 Year
DMS, IIT Delhi	1 Year
NITIE Mumbai	1 Year
DMS, IIT Madras	1 Year
IMT Ghaziabad	1 Year
LIBA, Chennai	1 Year
XIMB	1 Year
SPJIMR	1 Year
SJMSOM, IIT Bombay	1 Year

Top Colleges Accepting Common Admission Test Scores

IIMs and many other top B-schools accept CAT scores for admission to their MBA/PGP programs. Those who clear the CAT cutoff percentile of the respective institute will have to appear in other selection rounds outlined by every institute. The final admission process is different for every MBA college. It generally depends on CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and diversity considerations. Look at the list of top MBA colleges in India accepting Common Admission Test scores with the latest qualifying cutoff.

IIM	General	EWS	NC-OBC	SC	ST	PwD
IIM Ahmedabad	95	80	80	85	75	60
IIM Indore	90	90	80	60	45	45
IIM Calcutta	≥85	≥75	≥75	≥70	≥65	≥55
IIM Bangalore	85	75	75	70	65	60
IIM Kozhikode	60	60	60	55	55	55
IIM Mumbai	≥85	≥75	≥75	≥70	≥65	≥55
IIM Lucknow	90	82	82	65	60	60

What is IIMs Selection Process for Common Admission Test?

IIMs Admission Criteria	Crucial Information
Common Admission Test Score	It’s mandatory to clear the sectional cut-off in the QA, VARC and DILR sections of the CAT exam. Please note that you should also achieve a 99.99%ile in the actual CAT exam.  If you’re aiming for any specific B-school, then prepare accordingly to clear the CAT exam with the relevant percentile.
GD-WAT-PI Performance	Secondly, all those candidates who obtain the necessary cut-off score and percentile will receive the notification to appear in the next stage.  The second round is divided across three stages. IIMs conduct these rounds to assess the overall personality, skills, and career goals of the candidate.
Composite Score and Final Selection	IIMs will generate a composite score for the shortlisted candidates from the GD-PI-WAT rounds. The components that will help in this process are the CAT score, Class 10th score, Class 12th score, Graduation score, GD-WAT-PI performance, Academic Diversity, Gender Diversity and Work Experience.

Common Admission Test: IIMs Selection Criteria Weightage Distribution

Top IIM Colleges	CAT Exam Score	GD/WAT/SOP	Personal Interview	Academics	Work Experience	Gender	Others
IIM Ahmedabad	25%	10%	50%	15% (Part of Application Rating)
IIM Bangalore	25%	10%	40%	15%	10%	–	–
IIM Calcutta	30%	8%	48%	–	8%	6%	–
IIM Lucknow	30%	10%	40%	10%	5%	5%	–
IIM Kozhikode	35%	20%	35%	–	–	–	10%
IIM Mumbai	60%	–	20%	20%		–	–
IIM Indore	40%	–	45%	10%	–	5%	–
IIM Shillong	40%	–	40%	–	–	10%	10%
IIM Udaipur	57%	6%	15%	8%	9%	5%	–
IIM Raipur	50%	5%	25%	–	15%	–	5%
IIM Ranchi	65%	2.50%	12.50%	10%	10%	Additional marks for females and transgender individuals	–
IIM Trichy	47%	5%	20%	10%	10%	8%	–
IIM Kashipur	33%	–	25%	20%	12%	10%	–
IIM Rohtak	60%	–	20%	–	–	20%	–
IIM Nagpur	40%	5%	20%	10%	15%	10%	–
IIM Visakhapatnam	25%	–	48%	12%	10%	5%	–
IIM Amritsar	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
IIM Jammu	45%	–	30%	10%	10%	5%	–
IIM Sirmaur	30%	10%	20%	15%	20%	5%	–
IIM Bodh Gaya	45%	5%	20%	14%	16%	–	–
IIM Sambalpur	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Common Admission Test: CAT Score vs Percentile Trend Analysis

CAT aspirants just have 19 Days left for the CAT 2025 exam. If you aim specifically to secure a seat in 21 IIMs or any other elite B-school, then you should demonstrate 99.99%ile in the Common Admission Test. Most students who appear for the CAT exam dive deep into vigorous preparation to clear the sectional cut-off and high percentile. Apart from preparing for this top-level competitive exam, you must also check the past 5 years’ cut-off score, percentile and the CAT paper difficulty level. Check out the detailed analysis below. In the upcoming sections, you will obtain a deeper understanding of the expected cut-off score for the CAT 2025, the last 5-year analysis, etc. 

CAT 2025 Score vs Percentile (Tentative)

CAT Percentile	CAT 2025 Expected Cut-Off	Paper Difficulty Level (Expected)
99.9	120 – 125	Medium to Complex
99.5	105 – 110	Medium
99	95 – 100	Medium
97	80 – 85	Medium
95	70 – 75	Easy to Medium
90	58 – 62	Easy

CAT 2024 Score vs Percentile Report

CAT Percentile	CAT 2024 Cut-Off Score
99.9	123
99.5	104
99	96
97	79
95	70
90	58
80	44

CAT 2023 Score vs Percentile Report

CAT Percentile	CAT 2023 Cut-Off Score
99.9	101
99.5	84
99	76
97	61
95	54
90	44
80	35

CAT 2022 Score vs Percentile Report

CAT Percentile	CAT 2022 Cut-Off Score
99.9	109
99.5	92
99	84
97	72
95	62
90	49
80	36.02

CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile Report

CAT Percentile	CAT 2021 Cut-Off Score
99.9	124
99.5	110
99	98
97	82
95	73
90	60
80	45

CAT 2020 Score vs Percentile Report

CAT Percentile	CAT 2020 Cut-Off Score
99.9	130
99.5	115
99	101
97	85
95	76
90	63
80	48

Common Admission Test: Last 5 Years’ Score vs Percentile Overall Analysis 

CAT Percentile	CAT 2024	CAT 2023	CAT 2022	CAT 2021	CAT 2020
99.9	123	101	109	124	130
99.5	104	84	92	110	115
99	96	76	84	98	101
97	79	61	72	82	85
95	70	54	62	73	76
90	58	44	49	60	63
80	44	35	36	45	48

Also Read – CAT Exam Time Duration

Is Appearing in the Common Admission Test Worth it?

Yes. The CAT exam is worth it for those who aspire to build a successful career in management. It opens the door to top MBA colleges in India, like IIMs and other top B-schools. MBA graduates from top colleges get excellent salary packages. They can secure leadership and managerial roles. They can also build strong professional networks and connections. The fees and placements of top MBA colleges in India are shared below. It will help you understand ROI before applying.

Top B-schools in India for MBA	Fees	Placement Package (Approx)
IIM Ahmedabad	INR 27,50,000 (inclusive of tuition fees of INR 20,10,000)	INR 34.45 LPA to INR 1.46 crore per annum
IIM Bengaluru	Rs. 26,00,000	INR 32 LPA-INR 35 LPA
IIM Kozhikode	INR 23,50,000	INR 28 LPA-INR 72 LPA
IIT Delhi	INR 12 Lakh	INR 15 LPA-INR 18 LPA
IIM Lucknow	INR 20,00,000	INR 30 LPA-INR 1.23 Crore per annum
IIM Mumbai	Rs 21,00,000	INR 47 LPA-INR 54 LPA
IIM Calcutta	Rs 27 Lakhs	INR 35 LPA-INR 1.15 Crore
IIM Indore	INR 21,00,000	INR 25 LPA-INR 1 crore per annum
MDI Gurgaon	INR 18 Lakh-INR 26 Lakh	INR 25.6 LPA to INR 53.6 LPA
FMS Delhi	Rs 57,350 for the current semester	INR 34.1 LPA

Common Admission Test 2024: Slot-Wise Analysis 

In the upcoming sections of this article, we will be sharing the precise and accurate analysis of the CAT exam 2024 for Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. Each section had a moderate to tough difficulty level. Go through the table below which covers an in-depth analysis of the CAT 2024 exam. Through this relevant data, you will understand how IIMs implement the “score normalisation” process across all the slots to calculate the CAT percentile of every candidate. 

CAT Exam Slot 1 Analysis: Difficulty Level and Score Normalisation
Section	CAT Raw Score	Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	32	39.24	99.05
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	28	33.21	99.55
Quantitative Ability	24	22.76	95.49
Overall	–	95.21	99.58

CAT Exam Slot 2 Analysis: Difficulty Level and Score Normalisation
Section	CAT Raw Score	Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	32	34.41	97.93
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	28	25.81	98.29
Quantitative Ability	24	25.66	96.94
Overall	–	85.88	99.15

Common Admission Test Slot 3 Analysis: Difficulty Level and Score Normalisation
Section	CAT Raw Score	Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	32	27.81	94.21
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	28	35.73	99.79
Quantitative Ability	24	24.34	96.25
Overall	–	87.88	99.27

Common Admission Test: CAT 2025 Slots Out 

Common Admission Test Slot	Session	Exam Timings
Slot 1	Morning	8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Slot 2	Afternoon	12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Slot 3	Evening	4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

How to Download the CAT 2025 Admit Card?

On 12th November 2025, IIM Kozhikode will release the admit card for the Common Admission Test 2025. All the 2.95 lakh candidates who have completed the online registration process for the CAT exam can download the admit card. Go through the step-by-step instructions below to download the admit card via the official website. 

• Step 1: Go to the official website of the CAT exam. 
• Step 2: Navigate to the “Login” option. 
• Step 3: Fill in your CAT registration ID and the password to log in. 
• Step 4: Next, tap on the “Admit Card” option. 
• Step 5: Save and download the admit card for the Common Admission Test 2025.
• Step 6: Print out the admit card. Check that it’s clear and all the details are correct.

What Details Should You Check in the CAT 2025 Admit Card?

The CAT 2025 Admit Card is one of the most crucial documents that every appearing candidate must carry along with them. On 12th November 2025 – 10:00 AM, IIMs will open the window to download the CAT admit card online. If you report to the test centre without the admit card, you won’t be allowed to sit in the Common Admission Test 2025. Moreover, the exam centre authorities can also prohibit you from giving the CAT exam if your details are incomplete or wrongly printed on your admit card. After downloading the admit card, check that the information for the following particulars is correct.

• Name of the Candidate
• Candidate’s Date of Birth
• Scanned Photograph and Signature 
• Reservation Category 
• CAT Registration Number 
• Date and Time of the Common Admission Test 
• CAT Exam Day Instructions
• CAT 2025 Exam Slot
• CAT Exam Day Centre Address
• Emergency Contact Information

Exam Day Instructions For the Common Admission Test 

Whether you’re appearing for the CAT exam this year or in future, you must be well-aware of the important guidelines and policies. From downloading your admit card, ensuring that all the details are correct, to carrying the important documents, there’s a lot that you must remember. Here’s the informative overview of the exam day guidelines for the Common Admission Test, which will prevent you from landing in unwanted circumstances. Check all the important pointers below and don’t miss out on anything at the last minute. 

• Admit Card Information Check: The CAT exam admit card is the most important document for every candidate who is appearing for it. Upon downloading your admit card, cross-check that your personal details are correct. 
• Keep 2 Colour Copies of the CAT Admit Card: The respective authorities at the CAT exam centre will check your Common Admission Test admit card. On the exam day, take along one black-and-white and two colour copies with you.
• Remember Your Shift Timings: The Common Admission Test always takes place in 3 different slots. Check your slot and timings after downloading the admit card for the CAT exam. Note down your timings and reach 1 hour 30 minutes before the actual reporting time. 
• Carry a Valid Government ID proof: Along with the admit card, it’s important to carry a government-authorised identity proof. Acceptable ID proofs at the Common Admission Test exam centre are Aadhar card, PAN card, Driving License, voter ID and Passport. 
• Wear Something Light and Comfortable: Your attire for the Common Admission Test exam day should be breathable. Don’t wear heavy jackets, jewellery, metal belts, etc. Wear a simple T-shirt, trousers, pants, etc, while adhering to the CAT exam day instructions. 
• Avoid Carrying Electronic Devices: It’s strictly prohibited to bring any kind of electronic devices, like smartphones, electronic calculators, speakers, earphones, etc, to the exam centre of the Common Admission Test.  If caught using it secretly, you will be debarred from giving the CAT exam. 

Why should you check the Answer Key for the Common Admission Test?

Once candidates appear for the CAT exam on 30th November 2025, IIM Kozhikode will release the official answer key in the next 5-6 days. Each slot,i.e, Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 from the Common Admission Test will have a different answer key.  You can fetch the answer key via the official website of the CAT exam. It’s advisable that every candidate must check the answer key to evaluate their performance and calculate the CAT exam score. 

Now, IIM Kozhikode will release the answer key in two different variations. Firstly, candidates will get access to the “Provisional Answer Key” in the beginning week of December 2025 (tentative date). In the 3rd week of December 2025 (tentative), IIM Kozhikode will release the final answer key on the official platform. In case you wish to raise an objection, there’s a separate period and procedure. Check the information below to know about the CAT 2025 Answer Key Dates and step-by-step instructions to check it and file an objection (if applicable)

Common Admission Test: Important Answer Key Dates

CAT 2025 Answer Key Main Events	Crucial Dates (Expected)
CAT 2025 – Provisional Answer Key	December 2025
CAT 2025 Objection Window Opens On	December 2025
Last Date To Object CAT 2025 Answer Key	December 2025
CAT 2025 Final Answer Key	December 2025
CAT 2025 Result Date	December 2025

How can I download the Common Admission Test Answer Key? 

Candidates who are appearing for the CAT Exam in 2025 or in the future can follow these detailed instructions to download and check the answer key. 

• Step 1:  Go to the CAT exam official website: iimcat.ac.in 
• Step 2: On the homepage, search for the “CAT Candidate Login” option. 
• Step 3: Carefully fill in your CAT exam credentials,i.e, registration ID and password only.
• Step 4: Next, click on the “Submit” option.
• Step 5: Furthermore, tap on the “Download PDF” option. The CAT exam answer key PDF file will get downloaded instantly.
• Step 6: Lastly, tap on the “Candidate Response” option. In a few seconds, your response sheet will get downloaded. You can now match your response sheet with the official answer key. 
• Note: All the correct solutions will be highlighted with green colour and a tick mark symbol. The wrong options will be visible in red colour along with a ❌ symbol.

How to file an Objection for the CAT exam answer key? 

IIMs release the answer key for the CAT exam every year, which allows the appearing candidates to analyse their overall performance before the announcement of the result. As soon as the answer key is out, you can check it as per your slot. If you come across any discrepancies in the answer key of the Common Admission Test, then you can file an objection through the CAT exam official website. Here are the steps to object the CAT answer key. 

• Step 1: Enter your CAT registration ID and password to log in. 
• Step 2: A new page will pop up in front of you. Here, you will have to fill in your personal details correctly. 
• Step 3: Search for the “Objection Form” option and click on it.
• Step 4: Select the question number for the objection and the section. 
• Step 5: Also, choose the objection type from any of these options ,i.e, None of the options is a correct answer/The answer key is incorrect/More than one option is the correct answer 
• Step 6: If applicable, enter any remarks. You can address your marks up to 500 marks only.
• Step 7: Check the objection charges for the Common Admission Test.
• Step 8: Make the payment per question if there is more than one question.
• Step 9: Finally, submit the objection form online.
• Step 10: Wait for the results.

How to check the Common Admission Test Result?

Tentatively, IIMs will announce the final results for the CAT 2025 in December 2025. All the candidates can check their scorecard online. Carefully read the instructions below to check the result for the Common Admission Test in December. 

• Step 1: Open the official website of the CAT exam
• Step 2: Now, you will have to tap on the “CAT Score Download” option
• Step 3: Enter the registration ID for CAT 2025 and password. 
• Step 4: Find the “Scorecard” tab on the CAT exam dashboard. 
• Step 5: Lastly, download your CAT exam result PDF.

CAT Exam Other Links

CAT Exam 2025	CAT Syllabus 2025
CAT Eligibility Criteria	CAT Preparation Strategy
CAT Books	CAT Exam Pattern
CAT Exam Date	CAT Age Limit

CAT vs Other OMETs: Key Differences

Top MBA Entrance Exams	CAT	XAT	NMAT	SNAP
Full Form	Common Admission Test	Xavier Aptitude Test	Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Management Aptitude Test	Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions Type In The Answer	Multiple Choice Questions	Multiple Choice Questions Only	Multiple Choice Questions
Total Number of Sections	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension  Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning  Quantitative Aptitude	Part 1 Verbal and Logical Ability Decision Making Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation Part 2 General Awareness	Language Skills Logical Reasoning  Quantitative Skills	General English  Analytical and Logical Reasoning  Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency
Total Number of Questions	68 Questions	95 Questions	108 Questions	60 Questions
Section-Wise Question Distribution	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – 24 Questions Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning – 22 Questions Quantitative Aptitude – 22 Questions	Decision Making: 21 Questions Verbal and Logical Ability: 26 Questions QA and Data Interpretation: 28 Questions General Knowledge: 20 Questions	Language Skills – 36 Questions Logical Reasoning – 36 Questions Quantitative Skills – 36 Questions	General English – 15 Questions Analytical and Logical Reasoning – 20 Questions Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – 25 Questions
Marking Scheme	+3 marks for every correct answer  -1 mark for every incorrect answer 0 marks for negative TITA answers and unanswered questions	+1 mark for every correct response – 0.25 marks for every incorrect response – 0.10 marks 8+ consecutive un-attempted questions No negative marking is applicable for the wrong GK questions	+3 marks for each correct response 0 marks for each incorrect answer  0 marks for each unattempted question	+1 mark for every right attempt -0.25 marks for every incorrect attempt  0 marks for unattempted questions
Official Website	iimcat.ac.in	xatonline.in	mba.com/exams/nmat	snaptest.org
Age Limit	No set age limit for the CAT exam. Candidates from any age group can apply for the CAT exam.	No upper limit is set for the XAT exam	There is no age limit restriction to appear for the NMAT exam.	Candidates from any group can appear for the SNAP exam.
Attempt Limit	One Attempt Every Year	Multiple retakes are allowed	3 retakes in a year	A minimum of 3 attempts is allowed in one year.
Total Duration of the Exam	120 Minutes	180 Minutes	120 Minutes	60 Minutes
Sectional Time Limit	40 Minutes Per Section	Part 1: 170 Minutes Part 2: 10 Minutes	Language Skills – 28 minutes  Quantitative Skills – 52 minutes Logical Reasoning – 40 minutes	No Sectional Time Limit

Conclusion – Common Admission Test

The CAT exam or Common Admission Test is the main entrance exam for pursuing masters and mainly accepted by the top IIMs or other B-schools in the country. So, if any candidate is preparing for the MBA/PGDM or other masters program then CAT (Common Admission Test) is the main gateway to enter in a top B-school whether it is IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore, FMS Delhi and more. To start preparing for the CAT exam, candidate have to prepare across three major section which covers 40 minutes of sectional time limit and allows students to cover whole exam in 120 minutes or 3 hours. The planning for the Common Admission Test should be done strategically with the focused preparation approach across VARC, LRDI and QA.

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