The Common Admission Test is the golden ticket to IIMs and other top MBA colleges in India. IIMs mainly conduct the CAT for selecting brilliant candidates who strive to change the management industry. An MBA degree from a reputed B-school will secure your future career pathway. The full form of the CAT exam is the Common Admission Test. The CAT exam syllabus for MBA contains three different sections. The VARC is the first section in the online Common Admission Test with 24 questions.

In the second section, there will be 22 LRDI questions. Also, the Quants will be the last section with 22 questions. The total questions in the CAT exam will be 68. Each question will carry +3 marks for a correct response. The CAT exam has -1 negative marking for wrong MCQs. There is no negative marking for the incorrect TITA (non-MCQ) questions. Overall, 204 is the total mark in the CAT Common Admission Test.

In the CAT online exam (Computer-Based Test), you cannot jump from one section to another. It’s mandatory to solve questions from one section within the 40-minute sectional time limit. Once a certain duration is over, you will be automatically directed to the next section. The total duration of the CAT exam is 2 hours. Candidates with PwD disabilities will get 160 minutes to attempt the CAT examination.

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Every year, IIMs conduct the CAT exam on a rotational basis across 170+ cities all across India. IIM Kozhikode is the official conducting body for CAT 2025. IIM Kozhikode was also the official authority for conducting the CAT exam 2019. The overall difficulty level for CAT 2019 was easy to moderate. DILR was the toughest section, and QA was the easiest section. Chances are that IIM Kozhikode will maintain a similar difficulty level, or it might change in the CAT 2025. Solve PYQs from CAT 2018-2025 to enhance your familiarity with a similar type of question. 

Why Lakhs of Candidates Appear For Common Admission Test Every Year? 

If you’re also thinking of pursuing an MBA degree from a notable B-school, then appearing for the CAT exam will open the door to bright career opportunities for you. Let’s take you through the most popular reasons due to which around 3,00,000+ candidates appear for the CAT exam every year. 

• Golden Ticket to IIMs: The Common Admission Test is the main door to enter IIMs for pursuing an MBA degree. Clearing the CAT exam with 99.99%ile will help you secure admission at top IIMs in India like IIM A, IIM B, IIM C and others. 
• International Connections: Through the student exchange programme, some of the enrolled students at top B-schools get the chance to study at a foreign B-school and exchange valuable knowledge with each other. 
• Learn From Best Experts: Best faculty is the most common characteristic of the prestigious B-schools in India. Each faculty exhibits several years of profound experience in their domain. Learning from such versatile experts is an achievement for the MBA students. 
• Competitive Salary: The highest package of IIM Ahmedabad is 1.10 Cr. Being one of the the top IIMs in India, IIMA demonstrates an amazing placement committee to provide constant placement support to the students. Other top B-schools also have an excellent placement record. 
• Extensive Industry Exposure: Along with learning the basics of business and management studies, all the selected students are introduced with the deep practical knowledge about the management industry. Each student will become a part of the summer internship in the 1st year of their course curriculum.

Common Admission Test: Latest Competition Analysis 

Last year, around 3.29 lakh aspirants were eligible for the CAT. This year, the number has decreased by 34,000, which means 10%. As per the CAT official website latest announcement, 2.95 lakh candidates are only eligible for the Common Admission Test. It’s obvious that the competition is less, but still, there’s no uncertainty about the difficulty level. The complexity level of the CAT exam will range between moderate to high in 2025.

Moreover, depending on the competition level, it will vary in the Common Admission Test 2026. Future CAT aspirants can take a look at this comprehensive guide about the CAT. It contains in-depth information about the basic eligibility criteria, exam pattern, marking scheme, year-on-year analysis, expected registration fees, online registration process, section-wise preparation strategy, admit card updates and much more. 

Common Admission Test Slots 2025: Which Will Have the Toughest Difficulty Level?

Predicting the difficulty level of a CAT 2025 exam slots is not possible. The complexity level will differ for every slot of the Common Admission Test. The performance of the candidates in Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 will decide the level of difficulty. IIMs will appoint a team of skilled SMEs who will be primarily responsible for evaluating the CAT question process. Implementation of score normalisation while assessing the candidates will be the main reason for comprehending the difficulty level. 

During the score normalisation process, they can either be scaled more or scaled down to calculate the final CAT percentile. If you’re an aspirant for the Common Admission Test 2025, then your aim should be to score 99.99%ile. No matter which slot you got, it shouldn’t hamper your preparation strategy at all. Until now, your approach should be optimistic, which will help you to solve questions even with the highest difficulty level. 

Common Admission Test Exam Analysis 2024: Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 

We cannot predict the 100% difficulty level of the Common Admission Test 2025. However, we have conducted an in-depth analysis of the past year’s papers and have come to a certain conclusion. The difficulty level of the CAT 2024 was moderate across all three sections. Here are some common similarities that you will come across while solving the PYQs from the CAT 2024. 

• Quantitative Ability: Maximum questions in the Quants were from the Arithmetic and Algebra topics.
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: The combination of the LRDI sets was moderately complex. 
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: All 4 RCs were moderately tough for the CAT 2024 aspirants

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: Exam Day Guidelines (Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3)

Just 9 days left for the CAT 2025, and your career will take a significant turn. This final countdown for the Common Admission Test must be overwhelming for you. At this point, along with revision, you must also be wondering about the exam day do’s and don’ts. As the CAT exam will take place in 3 different slots, candidates must be aware of the necessary guidelines. List of necessary instructions for the CAT exam Slot 1, Slot 3 and Slot 3 are denoted below for the appearing candidates. 

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Exam Day Instructions 

The reporting time for Common Admission Test Slot 1 will be 7:00 AM sharp. The CAT exam will start at 8:30 AM and will be completed at 10:30 AM. An early morning slot means there will be a lot of rush to complete the day-to-day tasks. Henceforth, you should make a to-do list in advance to finish the daily responsibilities and report to the test centre on time. A few important instructions for the CAT 2025 slot 1 are below.

• Wake up early and complete the daily tasks.
• Practice 5-10 meditation to rejuvenate your mind and body. 
• Get ready according to the guidelines. 
• Eat a healthy breakfast that is a mix of all nutrients. 
• Don’t open any notes or formula cheatsheet at the last minute.
• Leave for the test centre on time. 
• Appear for the CAT exam with a positive mindset. 
• Take your CAT admit card, a transparent water bottle transparent) and government ID proof. 

CAT 2025 Exam Slot 2 Guidelines

If you’re giving the Common Admission Test in Slot 2, then you will have a lot of time for day-to-day responsibilities. The CAT 2025 exam will start around 12:30 PM and will last till 2:30 PM. To ensure that you appear for the CAT exam with a fresh and calm mind, here are the guidelines you must follow.

• Sleep early to wake up on time. Opt for the 7-day rule to build a habit. 
• Participate in physical exercise, yoga or meditation for 15-30 minutes.
• Don’t overdo or dress out of the box. Maintain the code of conduct. 
• Have a light breakfast and lunch that contains the right portion of fats, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals. 
• Avoid going through any preparation material. 
• Pack your bag with these essentials,i.e, CAT admit card, transparent bottle and a valid ID proof. 

Common Admission Test 2025 Slot 3 Tips 

On the exam day, slot 3 candidates attempt the Common Admission Test in the final slot. It takes place from 4:30-6:30 PM. Even if you have the last slot, you don’t need to dive deep into the revision entire day. Keep your mind free from any type of revision. Just stay positive throughout the day. Some of the important tips for the CAT 2025 exam Slot 3 students are below.

• Prepare your mind to stay composed throughout the day. 
• Don’t spend your mental energy on unnecessary revision.
• Avoid checking any updates about the Slot 1 and Slot 2 difficulty levels. 
• Wear clothes that are loose and comfortable. 
• Stick to discipline and punctuality. Reach timely at the CAT test centre.
• Carry important documents like the CAT admit card, government ID proof and a transparent bottle. 

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What is the Common Admission Test?

Common Admission Test is one of the toughest management entrance tests in the country. It assesses candidates’ logical skills, verbal ability, and quantitative aptitude. Lakhs of candidates appear in this entrance test every year with an aim to secure 99 percentile or above. This makes the entrance exam more competitive and tougher. Therefore, candidates should understand all the aspects of the common admission test to prepare efficiently. This can improve their chances of success. They can check the CAT previous year question papers and exam analysis. This helps them understand question type and the difficulty level over the years.

Every second candidate is dreaming of getting in top IIMs through CAT exam whether they are coming from Science, Commerce and Humanities. Among such competition, being one of the 99+ percentilers is a great challenge that requires a proper preparation strategy. To assess the dream of getting in top Indian Institute of Management, Common Admission Test is the main gateway and the exam is not enough. Apart from the CAT exam, students have to focus in building their academic profile strong to stand out in the competition. Let’s discuss brief about the Common Admission Test in the table mentioned below to get the clear understanding.

Key Aspects	Details (Common Aptitude Test)
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test
Sections	3
Name of Sections	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI)
Candidates Registered in CAT 2025	3,42,598 (approx.)
Marking Scheme in Common Admission Test	+3 marks for correct answer -1 marks for incorrect answer
Number of Questions	VARC – 24 DILR – 22 QA – 22
Total Questions	68
CAT 2025 Conducting Body	IIM Kozhikode
Number of Attempts Allowed	Once a year
Sectional Time Limit	VARC – 40 minutes DILR – 40 minutes QA – 40 minutes
Total Duration	120 minutes
Number of slots	3 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

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Who Conducts the Common Admission Test?

The CAT exam is organized annually by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) every year. There are currently 21 IIMs in the country. Candidates are always curious to know which IIM will conduct the Common Admission Test. This helps them check past exam trends of those institutes and predict the difficulty level of the upcoming exam. Last year, IIM Calcutta conducts the Common Aptitude Test and the VARC section was having moderate difficulty level, DILR section and QA section were also sharing the moderate difficulty level of the CAT exam.

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

Why Should You Appear For the Common Admission Test 2026?

By qualifying for the CAT exam, also known as the Common Admission Test, college students and working professionals aspire to pursue an MBA course from a notable business school. Completing a 2-year full-time residential MBA course from IIMs, SP Jain, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon and other top B-schools in India opens the door to amazing career opportunities. Here are some prominent reasons due to which lakhs of diversified candidates appear for the CAT exam every year.

• Good Networking Connections: Once you get admission into the B-schools in India, you get the opportunity to connect with peers, academic professionals and alumni from different industries, which builds your inner circle. 
• Learn Interpersonal Skills: Problem-solving, Decision-making, Effective communication, Critical-thinking, etc, are some of the most important managerial skills which candidates get to learn throughout their course duration. 
• Competitive Salary and Job Profile: Graduating from a top MBA college in India will allow you to appear for placement rounds. Top recruiting partners like Amazon, Deloitte, etc select the best candidates and offer a whopping package worth lakhs. 
• Receive Global Recognition: An MBA degree from 21 IIMs or top non-IIMs, which hold a significant reputation, has endless benefits. You can work in India, abroad or start your entrepreneurship journey with people from all across the globe. 

Common Admission Test: Top 5 Misconceptions

There’s a lot of unnecessary phobia amongst the college students and working professionals about the Common Admission Test. A majority population thinks that it’s impossible to crack a competitive exam like CAT. There’s a constant sense of fear that the paper level is extremely difficult and only candidates who demonstrate an excellent background in mathematics can achieve the qualifying cut-off in the CAT exam.

Some students also believe that work experience is compulsory to clear the final selection process of the CAT. Similarly, there are many more misconceptions about the CAT exam, which make it seem like a monster. Thus, we are here with the 5 top common misconceptions that create a sense of panic all across the student circle. As we bust every myth, you will understand that nothing is impossible and all you need is confidence to clear the Common Admission Test. 

Myth 1: A Strong background in Mathematics is essential

The Common Admission Test accepts applications from different backgrounds. This information clearly specifies that mathematics is not a compulsory subject for the CAT exam. The QA syllabus of the CAT includes mathematical topics from Class 6th to Class 10th grade. However, the main focus areas are topics from the 9th and 10th grades. This means that candidates who are willing to appear for the Common Admission Test need to have a strong and basic understanding of the school-level mathematical concepts from the 6th to 10th grade. 

Every aspirant has foundational knowledge about those topics, and there’s no rocket science behind it. Just remember that whenever you decide to prepare for the CAT in future, you simply need to brush up your existing knowledge on the mathematical concepts that constitute the CAT syllabus for MBA. 

Myth 2: VARC Requires No Preparation

On a rotational basis, IIMs conduct the CAT Common Admission Test every year to shortlist the deserving candidates for MBA admissions. If you carefully analyse the CAT syllabus for MBA, it comprises mathematical concepts, English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and logical analysis. There’s a motive behind every section and the type of questions. It has also come to our notice that interested candidates assume Quants as the toughest section. Meanwhile, many candidates also ignore VARC, thinking that it’s the easiest section. 

Now that’s incorrect but not untrue. It’s the high-scoring and easiest section, but strong reading comprehension skills are important to solve the CAT-level RC passages from different genres,para-jumbles, complete the sentences, etc. Like you will prepare for QA and LRDI, similarly, you need to read newspapers, high-quality English newspapers, learn unique words, etc, to clear the necessary sectional cut-off in the VARC section. 

Myth 3: Freshers Cannot Apply for the Common Admission Test 

There’s no such criteria that only candidates with prior work experience can apply for the Common Admission Test. For years, IIMs have followed a basic eligibility criteria that addresses that both freshers and working professionals have the right to appear for the CAT exam. The only “X” factor is that working individuals earn extra points in the final selection process for the MBA. 

If you’re a candidate with zero work experience, you should aim to achieve a high score in the Common Admission Test, exhibit excellent performance in the GD-WAT-PI rounds, and demonstrate an amazing academic track record in 10th,12th and graduation. Every B-school has a different weightage for all these components. Check the official website for accurate information. 

Myth 4: Attempt All Common Admission Test Questions for High Score 

You shouldn’t attempt every question from the VARC, DILR and QA sections to secure a high percentile. In the Common Admission Test, speed and accuracy matter more than anything else. You need not attempt 68 questions in the CAT. Instead, your primary objective should be to maintain the perfect balance between speed and accuracy. If you aim to achieve 99.99+%ile, then prioritise solving 40-45 questions in the CAT mocks and PYQs. 

Also, as CAT is a sectional limit exam, your ideal strategy should be to make maximum correct attempts under a restricted duration. The moment you complete the syllabus, follow this approach while solving questions from every section, mocks, sectionals and sample papers. After every practice, your scores will improve and you will get closer to an 85-90% accuracy rate. 

Myth 5: Female Candidates can’t score a high CAT percentile

Lastly, the most invalid myth for the Common Admission Test is that female candidates cannot score more. Well, we agree that gender diversity is applicable across different B-schools for females and transgender candidates. Although it doesn’t seem that this rule is implemented because they score less.

Famous personalities like Vineeta Saini (CEO-Sugar Cosmetics) – IIM Ahmedabad Alumni, Indira Nooyi (CEO-PepsiCo) – IIM Calcutta, Falguni Nayar (Nykaa) – IIM Ahmedabad Alumni and many more women come under the list of CAT toppers. IIMs facilitate gender diversity to promote the importance of education amongst the female candidates. Above all, the ultimate goal is to encourage women candidates to pursue an MBA degree and fulfil their career aspirations. 

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.inPhone: 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

Latest News on Common Admission Test 2025

The latest news on the Common Admission Test for the application process, admit card, etc, is shared below.

• The CAT 2025 exam will be organised on November 30, 2025, in three sessions.
• The CAT 2025 admit card will be available online from November 05 to November 30, 2025, only at the official website.
• The CAT 2025 application edit window is open until October 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM
• The application form submission for CAT 2025 has officially closed on September 20, 2025.
• The last date to submit the applications was extended from September 13 to September 20, 2025.

Key Highlights of Common Admission Test

Aspirants who are interested in appearing in the CAT exam should be familiar with all its important details. These include eligibility, pattern, syllabus, top MBA colleges, and other crucial information. Staying updated with exam details will help candidates plan their preparation and complete the process within the timeline. Look at the highlights of the common admission test shared below for reference purposes. The table mentioned below covers the purpose of Common Admission Test, frequency, application mode, total registration, total test-takers, CAT sections, CAT exam pattern and more.

Exam Conducting Body	Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Purpose	Admission to MBA and other management programs at IIM and other B-schools.
Frequency	Annually
Application Mode	Online
Total Registrations (2024)	3.29 lakh
Total Test-takers (2024)	2.93 lakh
CAT Sections	DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), and QA (Quantitative Ability)
CAT Exam Pattern	Online Test, 68 Questions
CAT Exam Centres	170 cities
Official Website	iimcat.ac.in

Recent Changes in the Common Admission Test

Applicants should stay updated with all the recent changes related to the Common Admission Test. This will help them stay on track and prepare efficiently for the exam. Some of the latest changes in the CAT exam are as follows:

• The total number of questions has been increased from 66 to 68. This change took place in the CAT question paper 2024. It is anticipated that the CAT 2025 exam will also carry 68 questions.
• The entrance exam will be conducted for 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD candidates). The time assigned for each section will be 40 minutes (53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates).
• Questions in DILR have increased from 20 to 22.
• The CAT 2025 exam is expected to be moderately difficult this year.

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

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%

What is the Official Website for the Common Admission Test

All the details related to the Common Admission Test are published only on the official website. The official website for the Common Admission Test is iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can apply for this entrance test only through the official website. All important activities, such as downloading the admit card, checking results, and using the application correction window, must also be done exclusively on the official CAT portal. Candidates should avoid using any unofficial sources.

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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

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

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

What are the Changes in the Common Admission Test Pattern

The Common Admission Test pattern has undergone various changes in terms of the number of questions and exam duration over the years. The past trends of the CAT exam pattern are shared below to help you clearly understand the exam format and marking scheme.

CAT Year	CAT Total Questions	CAT Total Marks
2024	68	204
2023	66	198
2022	66	198
2021	66	198
2020	76	228
2019	100	300
2018	100	300
2017	100	300
2016	100	300
2015	100	300
2014	100	300

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

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

Also Read – CAT DILR Trend Analysis

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

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

Top 30+ Non-IIMs Accepting the Common Admission Test Score 

Your Common Admission Test will be acceptable across 21 IIM colleges in India and numerous other reputed B-schools. If you don’t achieve the CAT percentile according to an IIM institute, then there’s no need to worry or lose hope. Endless good options are available for the bright students who clear the CAT exam with a good percentile. Now, here you need to understand that there’s a difference between a good percentile and a high percentile.

A good percentile will open doors to top MBA colleges in India and maybe a few IIMs (depends on multiple factors). Moreover, a high percentile like 99.99%ile can help you get shortlisted by the IIM institutes. In the upcoming sections, we are going to list down the best MBA colleges in India apart from IIMs. Do your research about every B-school before selecting the one that fits in your dream school checklist. 

• ISB Hyderabad
• Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
• XLRI Jamshedpur
• SP Jain
• Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies
• Management Development Institute Gurgaon
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade, Delhi
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai 
• Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru)
• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management Pune
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai 
• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
• Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 
• BITS School of Management (BITSoM)
• FORE School of Management 
• T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal
• SDA Bocconi School of Management 
• KJ Somaiya Institute of Management
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 
• Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Pune 
• Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar
• Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad 
• University Business School (UBS), Chandigarh 
• Department of Financial Studies (DFS), Delhi 
• Delhi School of Economics
• Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, SIOM Nashik
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management
• Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida 
• LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration), Chennai
• IFMR Graduate School of Business (GSB)
• Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
• Great Lakes Institute of Management
• International Management Institute, New Delhi
• Goa Institute of Management
• National Institute of Bank Management
• Institute of Rural Management, Anand
• Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Mumbai
• Department of Finance and Business Economics, University of Delhi

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	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

What is a Good Score For the Common Admission Test?

Out of 204 marks, if you successfully manage to achieve 96-151+, then it’s a good score for the Common Admission Test. In this CAT score, your percentile will range between 99-100%ile. IIMs follow a standard score normalisation process to evaluate the candidates. This is done to ensure that fairness and transparency are followed across all the slots of the CAT exam. Some of the major factors that affect the CAT exam raw score calculation are the total number of appearing candidates, section-wise performance, accuracy rate, slot-wise paper difficulty level, score normalisation process, time limit, performance of every candidate, etc. The right formula to calculate the score and percentile of the Common Admission Test is below. 

CAT Score Calculation Formula: CAT Score (Total Number of Right Attempts*3) – (Total Number of Wrong Attempts).

Formula to Calculate the CAT Percentile:  P = (n/N) × 100​​. Here, P = percentile of the candidate, N = total candidates appeared in the CAT exam, and r = rank of an individual candidate as per the scale score calculation. 

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

How to Prepare for the Common Admission Test?

Preparation for the Common Admission Test requires focus and planning. It will help you learn and revise all essential topics. Look at the tips and tricks to prepare well for the CAT exam.

• Understand the CAT exam pattern before commencing the preparation. It provides clarity on the marking system and paper format.
• Create daily and weekly targets. Give equal time to all subjects. 
• Build strong concepts in all the subjects.
• Attempt mock tests and PYQs regularly. This approach can improve efficiency and speed.
• Maintain short notes for formulas and shortcuts. Revise them daily. It will help you avoid making mistakes before the exam.

Common Admission Test Mocks Importance 

Attempting sectionals and full-length mock tests is the most essential part while preparing for the Common Admission Test. Solving a good number of mocks, nearly 25-30, will help you identify the most common types of questions. CAT-level mocks are designed according to the original exam environment. Hence, you will learn how to stimulate yourself with the original timing and atmosphere.

Regular analysis of the mock scores will help you to determine the weak areas for improvement and analyse your performance in every section. Amongst all the coaching institutes in India, iQuanta is the best platform to practice mock tests. The first iCAT mock is free on our official website. Other features of our iCAT include: 

• Detailed Mock Analysis
• Compare the Previous iCAT mock with the current one
• Get Score vs Percentile analysis according to the actual level of the Common Admission Test
• List of B-schools you can crack depending on your mock percentile. 
• Resume CAT-level mocks anytime.
• Keep a track of your study goals.
• AI mock analysis, along with an accurate error report. 

Why it is Important to Understand the Common Admission Test?

The CAT exam is the initial step and important one for candidates to secure admission in a top management schools like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and more. Post Common Admission Test, getting admission in top B-schools leads to the career advancements and land various candidates in top management roles.

Common Admission Test demands the verbal as well as analytical skills across sections like QA, VARC as well as LRDI which leads to the overall skill development which is highly required or valued by top management roles and employers.

What’s Next After the Common Admission Test?

After the CAT result, the next step is the MBA admission process. The shortlisting criteria is different for every institute. The admission will be granted based on the candidate’s CAT scores, academic records, diversity, work experience and more. The complete process after the CAT is below.

• Visit the official CAT website to access your result.
• The cutoff marks are released by the IIM and B-school. It is used for shortlisting.
• Aspirants are shortlisted based on CAT score, academics, and other factors.
• Shortlisted candidates will have to attend the WAT, GD, or PI.
• MBA colleges prepare a final merit list after considering all the factors.
• Selected aspirants will get admission offers from the respective institutes.

Also Read – CAT Exam Time Duration

Which is the best coaching institute to prepare for the Common Admission Test? 

As the Common Admission Test takes place at a national level, it witnesses a huge number of appearing candidates. This exam is not limited to engineering; management students and candidates from other diversified backgrounds also appear for the CAT Common Admission Test every year. More than 3 lakh students appear for the CAT entrance exam every year. However, the number of appearing candidates has dropped by 10% in the CAT 2025. Still, there’s no guarantee that the number will decrease more or increase at a higher level in 2026 or future.  

Thus, every CAT aspirant must start their CAT Exam preparation with the help of the best coaching institute in India. At present, iQuanta is the No.1 coaching institute that provides online preparation courses for the CAT Exam. Check out below about the core USPs of their course and know why you should choose them to prepare for the Common Admission Test in 2026.

Common Admission Test: CAT Online Course Offerings 

• Free Student Community: A unique and dedicated online student community on Facebook with 4.1 Lakh+ members. In these groups, our experts provide instant solutions to the CAT doubts. They are available 24*7 to resolve queries. 
• Exclusive Quant Modules: Non-engineering students who join iQuanta to start their preparation for the Common Admission Test get access to 70+ videos across different QA topics. It has 35+ hours of course content with 300+ mixed sets of questions from the most crucial topics. 
• Solve DILR Sets Efficiently: At our platform, we teach our students to solve DILR sets with a smart approach. For every problem, we offer a specific shortcut. Through the LRDI Inception module, you will get to understand how to approach an LRDI set and how to solve it.
• Free Resources for Common Admission Test:  If you join our student community across different platforms, then you will have access to unlimited resources. We regularly share tips from Topper’s desk, free webinars and MBA updates, PDFs on the CAT Exam timetable, high-weightage topics, CAT PYQs, etc and a lot more, which will ease the preparation journey for you. 
• CAT-Level Mocks and Sectionals: Our mocks are curated in accordance with the latest pattern of the CAT Common Admission Test. There will be 35 full-length mocks and 45 sectional tests for QA, DILR and VARC. You also get an AI tool to analyse your overall mock performance, track errors, etc. 
• Separate VARC Module For Engineering Students: It’s a unique module that our CAT Expert faculty has designed for VARC syllabus preparation. Here, our experts focus 70% on Reading Comprehension and 30% on English Grammar and Vocabulary to teach the students who enrol for the online course. 
• CAT Exam Tools: This is what we are known for all across our CAT Preparation student communities. We have AI-based tools for every concern. All the CAT aspirants can analyse their mock performance, check mistakes, set a target score as per a specific B-school, write and review an SOP on our platform. 

IIM Guwahati Added to Common Aptitude Test 2025 Edit Window

During the CAT 2025 application edit window, IIM Guwahati added to the application as the 22nd IIM of the country and the 2nd IIM in the northeast region after IIM Shillong. The Common Admission Test application adds IIM Guwahati as the 22nd IIM in the list where from the government, 550 crores approval will be given to the institute to setup their campus and also mentored by IIM Ahmedabad.

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 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.

• Average, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation
• Profit & Loss, SI CI, Percentages
• TSD & Time and Work
• Geometry
• Quadratic, Polynomials & Simple Equation
• Progression and Series
• Inequalities, Modulus & Functions
• Logarithm, Surds & Indices
• Probability and P&C
• Number System
• Venn Diagrams

Common Admission Test: Section-Wise Preparation Strategy  

Starting the preparation for the CAT 2026 now will be your best decision. You will have the flexibility to customise your preparation schedule. Basically, you will get to study, revise and practice every topic. If you join iQuanta, you will get access to unique modules for QA, VARC and DILR. Simultaneously, we also have a student community with 4.1 lakh+ members where our enrolled students and other CAT aspirants can join for free. This community is the one-stop platform for 24*7 instant doubt-solving and free resources on the Common Admission Test. Additionally, you will also get the opportunity to prepare for the CAT exam along with other peers. Still, if you need any guidance, then here’s a short and precise CAT exam preparation plan. 

• Take a Syllabus Overview. Ensure that you know the important topics, type and number of questions, and weightage from every section.
• Read for 30 minutes to 2 hours daily and enhance your reading comprehension skills for the Common Admission Test. 
• Master the art of scanning a DILR set in 30 seconds. Practice a minimum of 5-6 sets regularly to boost speed and accuracy. 
• Set an aim to cover 70-80% most important topics from the Quants. These topics dominate the Quant section of the Common Admission Test. 
• Create a formula notebook for the Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and additional QA topics for last-minute revision. 
• Attempt 25-30 full-length mocks. Dedicate at least 5-6 hours to every mock analysis. Review your strengths and weaknesses for improvement. 
• Learn unique words from Norman Lewis- Word Power Made Easy and Barron’s List to improve your English Grammar and vocabulary. 
• Solve the last 5-year CAT question paper from every section to know about the actual exam pattern, most common topics and questions that appear in the Common Admission Test.

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

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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