Everything About CAT Exam

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

The CAT exam 2025 is to be conducted in three sessions on a single day – morning, afternoon, and evening – just like in previous years. In CAT 2024, the exam was conducted by IIM Lucknow, which introduced a few changes in the test structure and content. The pattern has undergone minor adjustments over recent years, but the core format remains consistent.

CAT 2025 will also feature three main sections:

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Each section will be time-bound with 40 minutes, and the total duration of the test will be 120 minutes. As per previous trends, candidates will not be allowed to switch between sections during the exam.

Due to the pandemic lot of changes were introduced to the CAT exam. The sectional time limit has been reduced to 40 from 60 minutes.

CAT 2025 Exam Dates

Note: The registration for CAT 2025 will start in the first week of August, and the exams are expected to be conducted on November

Points to Remember for CAT 2025 Exam

• IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025 with some new changes in test content and structure.
• MCQS questions have negative marking and Non -MCQs do not have any negative marking for any wrong answer.
• Candidates were able to use an on-screen calculator during the exam
• For applicants who are granted CGPA, the conversion of grades will be according to the method approved by the university or institute.

Session Timings

The CAT exam total marks are 204, based on 68 questions divided across three sections.

Section-wise exam pattern

CAT Exam Eligibility:

The candidate who wants to appear in the CAT exam must reach the eligibility criteria mentioned below.

• The CAT exam eligibility criteria ensure that the candidates have completed their graduation/ required qualification with an aggregate of 50% of marks to attend an examination.
• The candidates having a place with any of the saved classifications like Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PWD)/(DA) classification must-have in any event 45% marks with a relaxation of 5%.
• Candidates performing for the final year of Bachelors’s degree or comparable qualification examination and those who have achieved degree qualifications and are expecting results can also apply.
• For applicants who are granted CGPA, the conversion of grades will be according to the method approved by the university or institute.

There is no age restriction and the number of attempts for the CAT Exam. The degree certificates which are awarded to the students must have recognized by the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development or under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1965.

CAT 2024 Exam Highlights

It is necessary to understand the CAT marking system before appearing for the exam.

• Each question carries 3 marks.
• Questions will be in MCQs and Non-MCQs format
• The correct answer carries +3 marks whereas the wrong answer -1 in MCQs.
• In Non-MCQ, the correct answer carries +3 whereas 0 for the incorrect
• An onscreen clock and a calculator will be granted.

CAT Exam Centers:

CAT 2024 was held in 170 cities in 367 test centers across the country.