Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 – Exam Guide for MBA Aspirants

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is administered annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as an entrance exam for postgraduate management programmes, including the flagship MBA/PGDM courses.

CAT is the primary gateway not just for the IIMs but also for many other leading business schools across India. Today, there are over 20 IIMs that accept CAT scores, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore and IIM Shillong.

The exam is computer-based and evaluates candidates in three areas:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

As of 2025, the CAT has 68 questions in total: around 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA. The exam duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated per section.

Scoring follows a +3/−1 scheme: three marks for each correct answer, one mark deducted for incorrect multiple-choice responses, and no penalty for unanswered questions or non-MCQs (type-in-the-answer).

CAT is held once a year, usually in late November. Results are reported as percentiles, showing how a candidate’s performance compares to others. High percentiles are required for shortlisting, though the exact cut-offs vary by institute and category.

In addition to the IIMs, a wide range of prestigious institutions also accept CAT scores, including:

• Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad

• Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad

• Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

• Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Ahmedabad

• National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai

• S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

• T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal

The CAT remains one of the most competitive entrance tests in India, attracting hundreds of thousands of candidates each year who aim to secure a place at top business schools.

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CAT Example Questions

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

 Question 1 – Reading Comprehension

Passage excerpt:

"With the rapid growth of digital media, traditional print newspapers have experienced a sharp decline in circulation. However, some argue that print still offers a depth of analysis that online platforms often sacrifice for speed."

Statement: Online platforms consistently provide more depth than print newspapers.

a) True
b) False
c) Cannot be determined

The correct answer is: b) False

The passage states the opposite — print offers more depth, online prioritises speed.

Question 2 – Sentence Rearrangement

Arrange the following sentences into a logical order:

1. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities worldwide.

2. Climate change has accelerated the melting of polar ice caps.

3. Governments are under pressure to develop mitigation strategies.

4. One major consequence is the flooding of low-lying regions.

a) 2–1–4–3
b) 1–2–3–4
c) 2–4–1–3
d) 3–1–2–4

The correct answer is: a) 2–1–4–3

Cause (2), effect (1), result (4), response (3).

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Question 1 – Data Interpretation

A company sells three products: A, B and C. In one month, sales were as follows:

• Product A: 200 units at ₹50 each

• Product B: 150 units at ₹80 each

• Product C: 100 units at ₹120 each

What was the total revenue?

a) ₹24,000
b) ₹28,000
c) ₹30,000
d) ₹32,000

The correct answer is: b) ₹28,000

(200×50) + (150×80) + (100×120) = 10,000 + 12,000 + 6,000 = 28,000.

Question 2 – Logical Reasoning

Four friends — A, B, C and D — are sitting in a row. A is to the left of B. C is to the right of D. D is to the left of B.

Who is in the middle?

a) A
b) B
c) C
d) D

The correct answer is: d) D

Arrangement: A – D – B – C.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Question 1 – Arithmetic

A train travels 240 km at 60 km/h and then 180 km at 90 km/h. What is the average speed for the whole journey?

a) 70 km/h
b) 72 km/h
c) 75 km/h
d) 80 km/h

Correct answer: a) 70 km/h

Total distance = 420 km. Total time = (240/60) + (180/90) = 4 + 2 = 6 hours. Average = 420 ÷ 6 = 70 km/h.

Question 2 – Algebra

If $x + \frac{1}{x} = 5$, find the value of $x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}$

a) 21
b) 23
c) 25
d) 27

The correct answer is: a) 23

Square both sides: $x^2 + 2 + \frac{1}{x^2} = 25$

Therefore, $x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} = 23$

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the CAT exam held?

The CAT is conducted once a year, usually in late November. Registration typically opens in August, and the test is organised by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis.

How many questions are in the CAT?

As of 2025, the CAT has 68 questions in total: around 24 in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), 22 in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and 22 in Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

How is the CAT scored?

Candidates earn +3 marks for each correct answer. Incorrect multiple-choice answers attract a −1 penalty, while non-MCQs (type-in-the-answer) carry no negative marking. Percentiles are calculated to compare performance with other candidates.

What percentile is needed for the IIMs?

Top IIMs often require a 95th–99th percentile or higher, though cut-offs vary by institute, programme, and candidate category. Many other respected business schools accept lower percentile scores.

Can I retake the CAT in the same year?

No. Candidates can sit the CAT only once per year, but there is no limit on the number of years you can attempt it.

Final Thoughts

The Common Admission Test is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India, attracting hundreds of thousands of candidates every year. While the format is challenging and time-pressured, success in the CAT depends less on covering vast amounts of subject knowledge and more on practising problem-solving, time management and accuracy under exam conditions.

Strong preparation, familiarity with the question types and consistent practice will give you the best chance of achieving a high percentile. Remember that the CAT is just the first step in the admissions process — performance in interviews, written ability tests and group discussions also plays an important role in securing a place at a top business school.

Approach your preparation with focus and discipline, and the CAT can be your gateway to some of the most prestigious management programmes in India.