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.
📘 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)
📊 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)
🎓 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
🗓️ 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)
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
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
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
📊 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.
💡 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.
🏫 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!
🗣️ 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.
🎯 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)
💼 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
💬 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.
🔁 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.
🧭 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.
