cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category – comprehensive guide

Discover the cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category with key dates, fees, eligibility, application steps, and expert insights on preparing quickly and smoothly.

Introduction

In a major update, IIM Kozhikode has officially released the CAT 2025 notification, launching the cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category and related guidelines for aspirants across India. This move signifies the beginning of the MBA admission cycle for 2026⁠—and with registration starting on August 1 and the exam scheduled for November 30, aspirants must act quickly to secure their participation. This comprehensive article lays out everything from eligibility and fees to exam dates, expert advice, and necessary links to prep resources, all tailored for low‑domain authority websites seeking quick rankings.

Exam Overview & Key Dates

• Exam Date: November 30, 2025, held in three computer‑based sessions across ~170 cities
• Registration Window: Opens August 1, 2025 (10 AM IST) and closes September 13, 2025 (5 PM IST)
• Admit Card: Available for download from November 5 to November 30, 2025
• Result Release (Tentative): First week of January 2026

The convener, Prof. P. N. Ram Kumar, has emphasized the importance of using only the official CAT portal—iimcat.ac.in—for application to avoid fraudulent platforms

Eligibility & Fees

To meet the cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category, candidates must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks (CGPA 5.0/10) for General, OBC, EWS categories. SC, ST, and PwD applicants require 45%
• Final‑year students can apply if they obtain the qualifying percentage at graduation

Application Fees

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹2,600
• SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,300

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How to Apply – Step by Step

To secure your spot under the cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official website iimcat.ac.in—the only authorized portal
2. Click New Registration, enter email, mobile number
3. Complete personal, academic (including bachelor’s degree percentage), and work experience sections
4. Upload photo, signature, identity proof, category certificate (if applicable)
5. Pay the application fee online, selecting the correct category
6. Submit and download your confirmation page; note the application number

Prof. P. N. Ram Kumar recommends completing registration early to prevent last‑minute issues and also prompts aspirants to disregard suspicious or fake websites soliciting CAT registrations

Exam Pattern & Sections

CAT 2025 will follow the usual structure across three sections:

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes, summing to a 2‑hour exam The question count is expected to remain between 66‑68, similar to recent years ⁠

Expected Difficulty & Insights

As IIM Kozhikode last conducted CAT in 2019, exam trends from that year hint at a moderate to difficult difficulty level:

• VARC: RC passages may be inference-heavy and time-consuming
• DILR: Logical puzzles and caselet sets are likely to be complex
• QA: Focus on arithmetic and numeric analysis over algebra/geometry

Predicted registration volume: around 3.5 lakh candidates, up from 3.3 lakh in 2024

Expert Advice & Preparation Tips

Strategy Recommendations

• Take mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions
• Analyze performance by section and work on weak areas
• Prioritize time management using sectional targets
• Build endurance for solving 60–70 questions in 120 minutes

Additional Insights

• Prepare through credible resources such as university‑recommended guides, and track trends from 2019‑2024 exam patterns
• Join forums like r/CATpreparation to stay updated, but always cross‑verify with official information. Reddit users highlight key points: “CAT Registration 2025 start date is August 1, 2025… CAT Exam Fees has been increased… CAT will be conducted in 170 test cities…” The Indian Express+4Reddit+4Moneycontrol+4

Linking Strategy for Further Authority

For aspirants looking for context or prep help:

• Internal Resources:
  • NCERT Courses → NCERT Courses
  • Current Affairs → Current Affairs
  • Notes → Notes
  • MCQs → MCQ’s
  • Videos → Videos
  • Syllabus → Syllabus
  • Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps → Downloads of Free NCERT PDFs / Mind Maps
• External Link:
  • For contact details of CAT‑related support or school websites integrate the link to an authoritative institution like Mart Ind Infotech The Indian Express

Summary Table

10 FAQs

1. What is the cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category?
   Must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (CGPA ≥5.0/10) for general category candidates.
2. When does registration for CAT 2025 begin and end?
   Opening August 1, 2025, closing September 13, 2025.
3. What is the application fee for general category applicants?
   ₹2,600 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
4. Who is eligible under CAT 2025 eligibility criteria?
   Graduates or final‑year students meeting the percentage criteria; no age limit applies.
5. How long is the CAT exam and how is it structured?
   2-hour exam with three sections—VARC, DILR, QA—each allotted 40 minutes.
6. Where can I register for CAT 2025?
   Only via the official site iimcat.ac.in to avoid fraudulent platforms.
7. What happens after registration closes?
   Admit cards are issued, followed by the exam, and results expected in early January 2026.
8. What is the expected difficulty if IIM Kozhikode conducts CAT?
   Likely moderate to difficult—particularly in DILR and VARC, based on past patterns.
9. Can SC/ST/PwD candidates apply under general eligibility criteria?
   They need only 45% marks; they qualify under their respective categories with lower fees.
10. How to prepare efficiently for CAT 2025?
    Use mock tests, review performance, manage sectional timing, and follow structured study plans.

Closing Thoughts

The release of CAT 2025 notification and the clear outline of cat 2025 iim admission eligibility criteria for general category give MBA aspirants a solid roadmap. By meeting the criteria, applying early via the official portal, understanding trends, and preparing strategically, candidates can boost their chances of securing admission to top IIMs. Low‑authority websites that publish guides around this keyword can gain fast visibility by offering clarity, authority, and value. Internal linking to your prep resources and referencing Mart Ind Infotech for school or institutional context further strengthens credibility and SEO impact.