The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the popular national-level entrance exams for admission into MBA and PGDM programs at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other top B-schools. The exam is conducted annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis.
CAT is a highly competitive exam that assesses candidates on Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. With over two lakh aspirants appearing each year, the cat exam online coaching serves as the gateway to management education in India.
What is CAT?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the competitive exams for admission into top MBA colleges in India. The exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). CAT serves as the key to top-tier B-schools, including the IIMs, FMS, MDI, and more. It evaluates a candidate’s aptitude in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation.
Qualifying the CAT exam enables students to get admission to 21 IIMs, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow. The CAT score is accepted by 1000+ B-Schools, including FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and IITs.
CAT 2026 Exam Dates
The CAT exam for 2025 has been conducted. The exam details for the upcoming cycle in 2026 is given in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| CAT Notification Release Date | 30th July, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration | 1st week of August- 3rd week of September, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Admit Card Download | 1st week of November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | 30th November, 2025 |
| CAT Answer Key Release Date | 1st week of December 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Result Declaration | Last week of December 2025- 1st week of January 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the CAT exam, the students are required to follow the eligibility criteria mentioned in the table below:
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Minimum Marks | 50% of total marks awarded
*A 5% relaxation is given to students from the reserved category |
| Final Year Students | Eligible |
| Age Limit | No age restriction |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
To understand the exam and its requirements, it is important to understand the exam pattern. The exam pattern for CAT 2025 exam is given in the table below:
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit | Topics |
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes | Reading comprehension, para jumbles, etc. |
| DILR | 22 | 40 minutes | Graphs, tables, puzzles, arrangements |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems |
The syllabus details of the exam are given in the table below:
| Section | Major Topics |
| VARC | RC passages, sentence correction, para jumbles, grammar, vocabulary |
| DILR | Bar/pie/table charts, caselets, blood relations, puzzles, data arrangements |
| QA | Arithmetic, algebra, number system, geometry, modern math |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2026
The CAT exam is accepted by India’s top B-Schools to admit students into its management-related courses. The details about MBA colleges accepting CAT exam are given in the table below, as outlined by English Overview.
Top IIMs
| Institute | Expected Percentile |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 98–99 |
| IIM Calcutta | 98-99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97-98 |
| New IIMs | 92-95 |
Non-IIM B-Schools:
| Institute | Expected Percentile |
| FMS Delhi | 98-99 |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 95-97 |
| MDI Gurgaon | 96-98 |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 90-94 |
| IIT Bombay(SJMSOM) | 97+ |
| TAPMI, XIMB, FORE, GIM | 85-90 |
Preparation Tips for CAT 2025
- Know the Exam Format Thoroughly
- Read Newspapers Daily
- Solve Topic-Wise Questions
- Mock Tests & Analysis
- Use Reliable Resources
- Time Management
- Focus on Accuracy
Conclusion
The CAT 2025 exam is not just about speed and knowledge, it’s about strategy, consistency, and smart effort. By understanding the syllabus, exam format, and selection criteria in advance, you can set a strong foundation for cracking the CAT and securing a seat in India’s leading management institutions.
If you want to know the exam pattern and detailed guide, also visit askfullform.
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