Every year, lakhs of aspirants dream of entering India’s top B-Schools, especially the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The Common Admission Test (CAT) is not just an exam—it’s the gateway to a future filled with leadership, strategy, and corporate success.

With CAT 2025, a new journey begins. Whether you’re a final-year undergraduate student or a working professional aiming to upskill and shift careers, this is your moment.

This article is your ultimate guide to CAT 2025—understanding the exam, cracking the pattern, building a smart study strategy, and finally, using your CAT score to get into top B-Schools like IIMs, FMS, MDI, and even practical business schools like IPS Business School Jaipur, which offer industry-integrated MBAs.

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📘 What is CAT? Understanding the Exam

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. It is the gateway to 21 IIMs and 100+ top B-Schools across India.

✨ CAT 2025 Highlights:

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 2 hours (3 sections × 40 minutes each)
• Language: English
• Conducting Body: IIM (varies every year)

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📊 CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Section	Name	Time Limit	No. of Questions (Expected)
Section I	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	40 min	24
Section II	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	40 min	20
Section III	Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	40 min	22

• Total Questions: Around 66
• Question Types: MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer)
• Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (only MCQs)

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🎓 CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

• Academic Qualification: A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
• Final Year Students: Eligible to apply
• Age Limit: No age restriction

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🗓️ Date (Expected): 30 November 2025 (Sunday)

📌 Important Tentative Dates for CAT 2025:

Event	Tentative Date
CAT 2025 Notification	July 28 – August 4, 2025
Registration Start Date	August 5, 2025
Registration Last Date	September 15, 2025
Admit Card Release	October 25, 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Date	November 30, 2025
Result Declaration	January 5–10, 2026

🧠 How to Prepare for CAT 2025

Cracking CAT is all about strategy, consistency, and smart work. Let’s break it down section by section and month by month.

🗓️ 12-Month CAT Preparation Plan (July 2024 – November 2025)

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1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

📚 Topics to Cover:

• Reading Comprehension (70% of this section)
• Para jumbles
• Summary writing
• Sentence elimination
• Vocabulary

📝 Preparation Tips:

• Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and business magazines
• Practice at least 2 RCs daily
• Use online platforms like Word Power Made Easy and CATKing

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2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

📊 Topics to Cover:

• Tables, Graphs, Charts
• Puzzles
• Arrangements
• Venn Diagrams

🧩 Tips:

• Focus on interpretation speed and accuracy
• Practice sets regularly
• Join DILR practice groups for real-time brainstorming

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3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

📐 Topics:

• Arithmetic (Time-Speed, Ratio, Percentages)
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Number System
• Modern Math (P&C, Probability)

🧮 Tips:

• Start with NCERT books (Class 6–10)
• Build short tricks for calculation
• Make formula revision sheets

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📊 Mock Tests & Analysis: The Game Changer

Take 25–30 full-length mocks before CAT 2025. But simply taking mocks is not enough.

📌 Focus on:

• Post-mock analysis
• Accuracy vs. attempts
• Time taken per section
• Fixing your weakest topics

Recommended platforms: TIME, IMS, CL, and Cracku.

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💡 Self-Study vs. Coaching: What’s Better for CAT?

✅ Coaching Benefits:

• Structured learning path
• Peer competition and doubt-solving
• Regular mocks and mentorship

✅ Self-Study Perks:

• Flexibility
• Saves money
• Personalised speed

🔁 Hybrid Option: Students often join mock test series even if they self-study. Institutions like IPS Business School Jaipur also offer MBA-focused aptitude workshops for CAT, MAT, and CMAT.

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🏫 Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

🇮🇳 IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management):

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Indore
• IIM Kozhikode
  (21 IIMs in total)

🏢 Top Non-IIM B-Schools:

• FMS Delhi
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• MDI Gurgaon
• IITs (MBA Programs)
• IMT Ghaziabad
• XIM Bhubaneswar
• TAPMI, Manipal
• FORE School of Management
• IPS Business School Jaipur – known for combining CAT prep support and live projects during MBA!

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🗣️ What After CAT? – The WAT-PI Round

Cracking CAT is just the first step. Next comes WAT (Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview).

📌 You will need:

• Strong communication skills
• Awareness of current events
• Clarity of career goals
• Confidence and attitude

Pro tip: Start writing essays on trending business topics and practice mock interviews with mentors.

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🎯 Final Year Students – How to Balance College and CAT?

✅ Time Management is key
✅ Wake up early for 2–3 hours of prep
✅ Use weekends for mocks and revision
✅ Reduce social media distractions
✅ Study in group if possible (peer motivation)

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💼 Career After MBA: The Real Impact of CAT

An MBA from a top B-School can completely transform your career trajectory.

🚀 Job Profiles:

• Product Manager
• Investment Banker
• Strategy Consultant
• Operations Manager
• Brand Manager
• HR Leader
• Business Development Head

🏢 Companies That Hire:

• McKinsey & Co.
• BCG
• Amazon
• Deloitte
• HUL
• Goldman Sachs
• KPMG
• Zomato, Paytm, Flipkart
• Startups like CRED, Groww, Swiggy

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💬 What If You Don’t Score Well in CAT 2025?

Don’t worry—your dream is still alive!

Other exams:

• XAT (for XLRI, IMT)
• CMAT (for colleges like JBIMS, Welingkar, IPS Business School Jaipur)
• SNAP (for Symbiosis)
• MAT (multiple intakes per year)
• ATMA, NMAT

Plus, many institutes offer Direct Admission based on profile + GDPI, like IPS Business School Jaipur, which conducts Live Projects + Paid Internships from Semester 1 to ensure employability.

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🔁 IPS Business School Jaipur: CAT + Career-Focused MBA

Located in the heart of Rajasthan’s capital, IPS Business School Jaipur is not just another college—it is a place where industry and academics go hand-in-hand.

Why Choose IPS Business School?

• Live Projects from Semester 1
• Internships with brands like Zomato, Groww, Airtel
• Placement in companies like TCS, Bajaj, Wonder Finance
• Workshops for CAT, CMAT, GDPI
• Personality development, resume building, aptitude training

Even if your CAT score is average, IPS ensures you become industry-ready and start earning during your MBA.

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🧭 Conclusion: CAT 2025 is the First Step to a Bright Tomorrow

CAT 2025 isn’t just about getting into a college. It’s about:

• Challenging yourself
• Unlocking leadership potential
• Changing your career direction
• Growing as a thinker, strategist, and professional

Whether you make it to IIM Ahmedabad or choose a practical, placement-driven institute like IPS Business School Jaipur, the journey begins with believing in yourself.

So, gear up!

🔥 Start your prep.
📚 Stay consistent.
🚀 Crack CAT 2025.
🎓 Transform your life.