The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, the gateway to Indiaโs premier management institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and top B-schools, is all set to be conducted soon. As per the official announcement, the CAT 2025 exam date has been officially released, and the exam will be conducted on Sunday, November 30, 2025. The detailed shift-wise schedule and exam day guidelines are now available on the official website โ iimcat.ac.in.
The CAT 2025 Admit Card is expected to be released in mid-November, and candidates will be able to download it using their registered credentials. Letโs take a detailed look at the exam timing, shift details, pattern, and key instructions for CAT 2025.
๐ CAT 2025 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam Date | November 30, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Release Date | November 12, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Number of Shifts | 3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
๐ CAT 2025 Shift-wise Schedule
The CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts across multiple test centers in India. Each shift will follow the same exam structure but may have different question sets to maintain fairness.
| Shift | Exam Time | Reporting Time | Gate Closing Time |
| Shift 1 (Morning) | 8:30 AM โ 10:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Shift 2 (Afternoon) | 12:30 PM โ 2:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM |
| Shift 3 (Evening) | 4:30 PM โ 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM |
Note: Candidates must report at least 90 minutes before their scheduled shift time for verification and biometric attendance.
๐ CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2025 exam will test candidatesโ aptitude in three key sections. The structure remains consistent with the previous year, but sectional timings are strictly enforced.
| Section | Name | Number of Questions | Time Limit | Expected Difficulty |
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | Moderate to Difficult |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes | Moderate |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | Moderate to Tough |
| Total | โ | 66 Questions | 120 minutes | Moderate |
Each question carries 3 marks, while an incorrect answer results in a -1 negative mark for MCQs. There is no negative marking for TITA (Type-in-the-Answer) questions.
๐ฏ CAT 2025 Key Highlights
The CAT 2025 exam will be held in three sessions to accommodate all registered candidates.
The official notification was released in July 2025, and registrations closed in September 2025.
The Admit Card will mention the exact shift timing, test city, and exam center address.
Over 3 lakh candidates are expected to appear this year, making it one of the most competitive management entrance exams in India.
๐ Important Instructions for CAT 2025 Candidates
Admit Card & ID Proof: Carry a printed copy of the CAT Admit Card 2025 along with a valid photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Voter ID).
Reporting Time: Reach the exam venue at least 90 minutes before the exam begins. Latecomers will not be allowed to enter.
Prohibited Items: Avoid carrying mobile phones, watches, calculators, pens, or paper.
Dress Code: Wear light and comfortable clothing without metallic elements (no jewelry, belts, or shoes with metal parts).
COVID/Health Protocols: Follow any updated health safety measures announced by IIM authorities.
๐ CAT 2025 Difficulty Level (Expected)
Based on the previous yearโs paper analysis and expert predictions, the expected difficulty level of CAT 2025 will likely be Moderate to Difficult.
VARC: Reading comprehension passages are expected to be dense and inference-based.
DILR: Moderate sets with increased emphasis on logical grouping and data puzzles.
Quantitative Aptitude: Conceptual but calculation-heavy questions are likely to dominate.
Candidates should expect a scaled score normalization across all three shifts to ensure fairness in evaluation.
๐ก Tips for CAT 2025 Exam Day
Attempt Strong Sections First: Begin with the section youโre most confident in to boost your confidence early on.
Time Management: Use the sectional timer effectively; donโt get stuck on tough questions.
Mock Test Practice: Take 10โ15 full-length mock tests before the exam to build speed and endurance.
Focus on Accuracy: Negative marking can reduce percentile drastically; prioritize accuracy over attempts.
Check Admit Card Details Carefully: Ensure name, registration number, and photo are correctly printed.
๐ CAT 2025 Expected Percentile Cut-Offs
| Institute | General | NC-OBC/EWS | SC | ST |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ | 95 | 80 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ | 95 | 80 | 75 |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ | 94 | 80 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 98 | 90 | 75 | 70 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 98 | 90 | 75 | 70 |
| IIM Indore | 97 | 90 | 75 | 70 |
The percentile cut-offs may vary slightly based on the difficulty level of the exam and normalization process.
๐ข Final Words
The CAT 2025 Exam Date has now been officially confirmed for November 30, 2025, and the exam will be held in three shifts across India. Aspirants should now focus on revising key topics, taking mock tests, and improving time management.
Keep visiting iimcat.ac.in for official updates regarding admit card download, city intimation, and result announcements.
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