So yeah, if you wanna do MBA from top colleges in India, you defo need to know about the CAT exam. It’s like the toughest and biggest test for MBA admission. Like, lakhs of students give this every year to get into those fancy IIMs and other good B-schools.
I’ll try to put all the info here for you guys but honestly, this exam is crazy hard, so don’t just rely on luck lol.
What is CAT exam?
First thing first, CAT means Common Admission Test. It’s the exam that all the IIMs use to pick students. It’s computer based and happens once every year, usually in Nov or Dec.
If you wanna get into a good MBA college like IIM A, B, C or Lucknow, you gotta clear this with a good score. Simple.
When is CAT 2025 exam?
Okay, the official date isn’t out yet as I write this (Sep 2024). But from previous years, CAT usually happens in last week of Nov or first week of Dec.
Last year it was on 26 Nov, so expect around same time.
Notification comes around July or Aug usually. So keep checking iimcat.ac.in regularly or you’ll miss it.
CAT Exam Pattern – what to expect?
The pattern changes every year like it wants to confuse us lol. But mostly:
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2 hours duration (sometimes 3 in old days)
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3 sections — Verbal + Reading Comp (VARC), Data Interpretation + Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quant (QA)
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Around 66 questions
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Mix of MCQ and non-MCQ questions
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Negative marks for wrong MCQs
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Time limit per section or overall changes each year
So yeah, don’t blindly copy last year’s strategy. Check notification for exact pattern.
How to Prepare?
Honestly, if you wanna crack CAT, just start early and work hard.
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First understand syllabus and pattern properly
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Make a timetable, but don’t freak if you can’t follow 100%
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Focus on basics, like grammar and maths fundamentals
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Solve old papers and mock tests like crazy
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Time management is key — learn to solve questions fast but don’t make dumb mistakes
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Don’t ignore your weak points but don’t waste all time on them either
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Read newspapers daily to improve reading and vocab
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Join coaching if you want, or self study if you have discipline
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Chill sometimes, burnout is real and will kill your motivation
Common mistakes students make
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Starting prep too late and panicking
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Not analyzing mocks, just giving for sake of it
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Overdoing one section and ignoring others
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Getting demotivated after low mock scores
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Ignoring reading habits
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Spending too much time on apps and wasting time
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Trying to learn everything at last moment, which is dumb
Eligibility for CAT
You need:
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Bachelor’s degree with min 50% (45% for reserved)
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Final year students also allowed
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No age or attempt limits, so no tension there
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Pretty open but you must be graduated or near graduating
How to apply?
Online only on iimcat.ac.in. Usually Aug-Sep.
Fill form carefully, upload photo and signature, pay fees (around 2200 Rs). Don’t mess up or you’ll have trouble later.
Exam day tips
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Reach center early
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Carry admit card and ID
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No phones or gadgets allowed
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Stay calm, don’t freak out
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Manage time, don’t waste on tough qs
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After exam, results come in Jan usually
What after exam?
After results, you’ll apply for colleges based on score, academic record, interviews etc.
Final words
CAT is tough but not impossible. Just keep grinding daily, don’t lose hope. Stay consistent.
If you want, I can write more about how to do each section or time management tips.
Good luck and chill out sometimes!!