CAT 2025: Registration (Extended), Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Previous Year Papers & Prep Tips
CAT 2025 (Common Admission Test) is the gateway to India’s top MBA programs, including IIMs and other premier institutes. This complete guide covers registration, important dates, syllabus, exam pattern, previous year papers, preparation tips, and top colleges accepting CAT scores.
🗓 CAT 2025 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start | 1 August 2025 |
| Registration Close (Extended) | 20 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | October 2025 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | 30 November 2025 |
| Result Declaration | January 2026 (Tentative) |
| Counselling & Admission | Feb-March 2026 |
Tip: Apply early to avoid last-minute issues and ensure your preferred test city.
📝 CAT 2025 Registration
Steps to Register:
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Visit the official CAT website.
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Create a profile using a valid email and mobile number.
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Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details.
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Upload scanned photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
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Pay the application fee:
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General/OBC: INR 2,500
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SC/ST/PwD: INR 1,250
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Submit and download the confirmation page.
Note: Late registration may not be accepted even if the date is extended.
📊 CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 34 | MCQs + Non-MCQs | 40 min |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 32 | MCQs + Non-MCQs | 40 min |
| QA (Quantitative Ability) | 34 | MCQs + Non-MCQs | 40 min |
| Total | 100 | – | 120 min |
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Marking Scheme: +3 correct, -1 incorrect (MCQs only)
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Non-MCQs: No negative marking
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Language: English
📚 CAT 2025 Syllabus
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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Reading comprehension
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Para jumbles
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Sentence correction
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Vocabulary-based questions
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
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Tables, charts, graphs
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Logical puzzles
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Seating arrangements
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Caselets
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
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Arithmetic: Profit & Loss, Percentages, Time & Work
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Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration
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Number System, Probability, Permutation
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Modern Math
Preparation Tip: Focus on speed and accuracy; practice sectional tests regularly.
📄 Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests
Practicing CAT previous year papers helps:
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Understand exam trends
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Identify frequent question types
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Improve time management & accuracy
Resources: Official CAT website, coaching institutes, online mock tests
Download Previous Year CAT Papers
Free Online CAT Mock Test
🎯 CAT 2025 Preparation Tips
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Start preparation 8-12 months in advance
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Focus on strong sections first, improve weak ones gradually
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Take regular mock tests and analyze performance
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Practice time management for each section
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Ensure concept clarity, avoid rote learning
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Read newspapers, journals for VARC improvement
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Maintain short notes for formulas and shortcuts
Pro Tip: Revision of previous year papers often predicts high-weightage topics.
🏫 Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Score
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IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Mumbai
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XLRI Jamshedpur
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MDI Gurgaon
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SPJIMR Mumbai
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FMS Delhi
🎓 CAT 2025 Admit Card & Exam Centres
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Admit card available online; download before the exam
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Exam centres: Major cities across India
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Carry printed admit card + valid ID
🏆 CAT 2025 Results & Counselling
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Results declared online on the official CAT website
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Shortlisted candidates called for GD/PI rounds
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Admission based on percentile, academics, and interview performance
✅ Conclusion
CAT 2025 is your gateway to India’s top MBA colleges. Early registration, consistent preparation, practicing previous year papers, and sectional strategy are key to success.
Next Step: Register before 20 September 2025 and start your preparation with mock tests and previous papers.