The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is one of the most anticipated and difficult entrance exams for MBA candidates in India. This is a doorway to famous management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management, also known as IIMs. Knowing the CAT 2025 Exam dates helps hopefuls organize their preparation and register on time to avoid missing any important deadlines. This article will include all of the significant dates for CAT 2025.
CAT 2025 Exam Notification Release
The official notice is the first key day for hopefuls preparing for the CAT 2025 exam. It appears in the latter week of July or the first week of August. The letter includes key information such as eligibility criteria, exam patterns, how to apply, and, most importantly, CAT 2025 exam dates. Candidates preparing for the CAT should search for this notification on the CAT's official website or major education portals, as it marks the beginning of the CAT journey.
CAT 2025 Application Start and Closing Dates
When the announcement is released, registration for CAT 2025 begins. According to the normal pattern, registration begins in the first week of August and continues until the middle of September. For CAT 2025, online registration is planned to begin around August 2025, and the application window will expire on September 2025. During this period, candidates must complete the registration form, upload the needed papers, and pay for the application. It is preferable to register well in advance of the specified day to avoid any technical difficulties at the last time.
CAT 2025 Admit Card Release Date:
Aside from the registration process, the date of issue of the admit card is also quite essential. The admit cards are normally released in the last week of October. CAT 2025: Admit Card The admission card is most likely to be issued on October 25, 2025. When taking the exam, the individual must provide his or her admission card. It will include crucial information such as the name of the examination center, reporting time, and the candidate's roll number. Aspirants should download the admit card and print it on A4 paper to take with them on the day of the exam.
CAT 2025 Exam Date
Every CAT aspirant understands the importance of the exam date. Traditionally, the CAT is held on the last Sunday of November in various sessions. CAT 2025 will most likely take place on November 2025. The exam is computer-based and broken into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. All candidates should, therefore, note the date and session timing properly to reach the examination centre well in advance.
Release of CAT 2025 Answer Key and Response Sheet
The conducting IIM issues a provisional answer key along with candidates' response sheets within a few days after the end of the exam. For CAT 2025, this is expected to happen in the first week of December 2025. A release of this sort allows candidates to go through the answers and calculate their scores. If the candidates find any discrepancies in the answer key, they will be able to raise objections within a window provided, which lasts three to four days. This is a very crucial step for those candidates who are sure about their answers and find discrepancies in the provisional key.
CAT 2025 Result Declaration Date
The next critical date on the CAT 2025 timeline is the declaration of the results. The CAT results are usually declared in the first week of January after the exam. CAT 2025 results are likely to be declared around January 6, 2026. The result will be in the form of an overall percentile with section-wise scores that determine the eligibility of a candidate for subsequent rounds of the admission process, which include group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests at various IIMs and other top B-schools.
Shortlisting and Admission Process Post CAT 2025
After the declaration of results, shortlisting at different IIMs would start. Basically, every IIM has its own criterion to shortlist candidates to appear in the next round of the selection process. The shortlisting usually starts in the second week of January 2026, and this happens based on an interview call received by candidates on the basis of their CAT score, academic record, work experience, and other factors. The final admission offers come out usually in April or May 2026 after the interviews and other assessment rounds are completed.
Conclusion: Why CAT 2025 Exam Dates Matter
Knowing your CAT 2025 exam dates is quite crucial for an application cycle that is smooth and successful. All important deadlines, whether related to registration, admit card downloads, or the exam itself, simply cannot be afforded to be missed, or that definitely mars an aspirant's chances of getting into a good B-school. Candidates must therefore take note of the same on their calendar and set reminders, along with regularly checking the official CAT website for any update or change in them. If an aspirant can plan properly and follow the CAT 2025 timeline, they may pay proper attention to preparation and get the best possible chance to convert their MBA aspirations into reality.