CAT 2025: Exam Date, Application Process, Last Date, and Preparation Strategy

If you’re aspiring to join an IIM or another top B-school in India, the Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) will be your biggest milestone. As one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in the country, CAT opens the doors to prestigious management programs and demands focused preparation.

In this blog, we’ll cover the expected exam date, application process, last date to apply, and a smart preparation strategy for CAT 2025.

📅 CAT 2025 Exam Date

The CAT exam is traditionally held on the last Sunday of November every year. For CAT 2025, the expected exam date is 30th November 2025.

The exam is conducted in three slots (morning, afternoon, and evening) across multiple test centers in India. The official notification is likely to be released in July 2025 on the CAT website.

The results are usually declared in the first week of January 2026.

📝 Application Process and Last Date

The application process is fully online through the official CAT website: iimCAT 
 

Application Window: Expected to open in the first week of August 2025

Last Date to Apply: Likely mid-September 2025

Application Fee (based on CAT 2024):
₹2500 for General, EWS, and OBC-NCL candidates
₹1250 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates

Steps to Apply

1. Register on the CAT portal and create a login ID.
2. Fill in academic and personal details.
3. Upload required documents (photo, signature, and category certificate if applicable).
4. Select preferred test cities.
5. Pay the application fee online and submit.

⚡ Pro tip: Don’t wait until the last date—servers often get overloaded. Apply as early as possible.

📚 Preparation Strategy for CAT 2025
 

1. Understand the Exam Pattern: The CAT has three sections, each with a 40-minute time limit:

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
Questions are a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs. Accuracy and speed both matter since there’s negative marking for MCQs.

2. Month-by-Month Study Plan

Sept – Dec 2024: Build your basics in Quant, practice daily Reading Comprehension, and solve beginner-level DILR sets.
Jan – Apr 2025: Start sectional tests, improve calculation speed, and focus on time management.
May – Aug 2025: Ramp up to full-length mocks (at least 1–2 per week), and strengthen weak areas.
Sept – Nov 2025: Take 2–3 full-length mocks per week, analyze mistakes, and polish your exam-day strategy.

3. Best Resources

Books:
Quantitative Aptitude – Arun Sharma
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – Arun Sharma
Verbal Ability – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
Vocabulary – Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Online Platforms: Mock test series from TIME, IMS, or Career Launcher are highly recommended.

4. Success Tips

Start early and stay consistent.
Analyze every mock to understand mistakes.
Balance speed with accuracy—don’t attempt everything.
Manage stress with light exercise or meditation.

✅ Final Thoughts

CAT 2025 is expected on 30th November 2025, with applications likely open from early August to mid-September 2025. The exam demands not just hard work but also smart preparation and a clear strategy.

Keep tracking the official website 👉 iimcat.ac.in
for the official notification. Begin your preparation now, and you’ll thank yourself later when you walk into that exam hall with confidence.