CAT 2025: Beginner’s Guide to Getting into IIMs for MBA

What is CAT?

Hi there! CAT stands for Common Admission Test, and it’s the exam you take if you want to study business and become a manager by doing an MBA (Master of Business Administration). The best place to do an MBA in India is at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)—they’re like the IITs for business studies! CAT is run by the IIMs (a different IIM each year—IIM Calcutta is handling 2025), and over 2.5 lakh students take it every year to get into IIMs and other business schools. It’s a great way to start a career where you can lead companies, make big decisions, and earn a high salary!

A Little History of CAT

CAT started in 1950 as a way to pick students for IIMs, which were set up to train India’s best managers. Back then, it was a paper-based test, but in 2009, it became computer-based to make it more efficient. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they shortened the exam from 3 hours to 2 hours, and it’s stayed that way since. Over the years, CAT has grown—now over 1,000 business schools in India accept CAT scores, not just IIMs. It’s a big deal because an MBA from an IIM can lead to jobs with salaries starting at 20-30 lakhs per year!

Who Can Apply for CAT?

Here’s what you need:

• Education: You need a college degree (like BA, B.Com, or B.Tech) with at least 50% marks (45% if you’re SC/ST or PwD).
• Age: There’s no age limit—anyone can apply!
• Number of Attempts: You can try as many times as you want—no limit!
• Final-Year Students: If you’re in your last year of college, you can apply, but you’ll need to show your degree later.

What Will You Study? (Syllabus)

CAT has three sections, and each tests a different skill:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This is about English. You’ll read passages (like stories or articles) and answer questions about them. It also tests your grammar (like filling in blanks) and vocabulary (like synonyms).
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This is about solving puzzles and understanding data. You might get charts (like sales data) or puzzles (like seating arrangements) and need to figure out the answers.
• Quantitative Ability (QA): This is math—things like percentages, profit and loss, algebra (solving equations), geometry (shapes), and probability (like rolling dice).

How the Exam Works (Exam Pattern)

CAT is a computer-based test, and here’s how it works:

• You get 2 hours (120 minutes) to finish.
• There are 66 questions: around 24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, and 22 in QA.
• Each question is worth 3 marks, so the total is 198 marks. Wrong answers cost you 1 mark (but only for some questions).
• You have to do each section one at a time—40 minutes per section—and you can’t go back to a section once the time is up.

What’s Happened Before? (Past Trends)

Here’s what past exams show:

• In 2024, about 2.3 lakh students took CAT. To get into a top IIM, you needed a score of 90-95 out of 198 (a 99 percentile, meaning you did better than 99% of students).
• VARC often has 4-5 reading passages with 3-4 questions each. Passages might be on topics like history or science.
• DILR is tricky—sets can take 5-10 minutes to solve. For example, a 2024 set was about scheduling meetings for 5 people.
• QA often focuses on arithmetic (like percentages) and algebra. It’s the hardest for many students because of calculations.
• Toppers usually score 120-130 out of 198, which means getting 40-45 questions correct.

Latest Updates for CAT 2025

Here’s the latest as of May 26, 2025:

• CAT 2025 is scheduled for November 30, 2025. Registrations will open in August 2025 and close in September 2025.
• The exam pattern is the same as last year: 66 questions, 2 hours.
• IIM Calcutta is conducting CAT 2025, and they’ve promised to increase exam centers in rural areas.
• No syllabus changes, but experts predict more focus on logical reasoning this year.

How to Prepare for CAT 2025 (Beginner Tips)

Here’s how to start:

• Read a Lot for VARC: Read newspapers (like The Hindu) or books every day to get better at understanding passages. Practice grammar with “High School English Grammar” by Wren & Martin.
• Practice Puzzles for DILR: Solve puzzles like Sudoku or seating arrangements. Use “Logical Reasoning” by Arun Sharma for practice.
• Learn Math for QA: Start with basics like percentages and fractions. Use “Quantitative Aptitude” by Arun Sharma to practice.
• Take Mock Tests: Do practice tests to get used to 2 hours. TIME and IMS offer free mock tests online.
• Make a Study Plan: Study 4-6 hours a day. Spend 2 hours on VARC, 2 on DILR, and 2 on QA.
• Watch Videos: If math is hard, watch videos on YouTube channels like “Unacademy CAT” to learn better.
• Stay Positive: CAT is tough, but you can do it with practice. Don’t stress—just keep trying!

Where to Find More Help (External Links)

• Official CAT Website – Check dates, syllabus, and results here.
• Shiksha – Easy tips and updates for CAT beginners.

Final Words

CAT 2025 is your chance to study at an IIM and become a business leader! It’s a challenging exam, but with reading, practice, and a good plan, you can make it. Start small, study every day, and dream big—you’re on your way to a great career!