.svg)
CAT Exam Fees And Application Details
The Common Admission Test (CAT) stands as the gateway to prestigious management programmes in India. With over 3.3 lakh aspirants competing each year, the CAT exam continues to be one of the most challenging and sought-after entrance tests.
In this guide, you'll see a breakdown of each crucial aspect, including CAT exam fees, IIM entrance exam details, CAT exam fee structure, and CAT exam registration details, to help you proceed on the journey to your dream B-school. Latest cycle anchor: CAT 2025 was conducted on 30 November 2025; CAT 2026 is expected in late November 2026 (IIM convening institute to announce).
CAT Exam Fees: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Type | National Level Entrance Exam |
| Frequency | Once a Year |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Purpose | Entry into IIMs and other B-schools |
| CAT Exam Fees (CAT 2025) | ₹2,500 (General/NC-OBC/EWS) ₹1,250 (SC/ST/PwD) |
| CAT 2026 Fees | Expected to be announced by the convening IIM in the CAT 2026 notification (~Aug 2026) |
| Exam Pattern | 3 Sections: VARC, DILR, QA |
| Exam Timing | Session 1: 8:30 to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 to 6:30 PM |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's Degree with 50% marks (General Category) |
| Admission Process | CAT Exam, WAT, GD, PI |
Before investing in CAT and your MBA journey, it's wise to estimate your MBA ROI before applying for CAT to understand the value you'll get from your degree.
Common Admission Test (CAT): Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start Date (CAT 2026) | 1st week of August 2026 (expected) |
| Registration End Date (CAT 2026) | 2nd week of September 2026 (expected) |
| Admit Card Release (CAT 2026) | Early November 2026 (expected) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | Late November 2026 (expected; CAT 2025 was held 30 November 2025) |
| Result Announcement (CAT 2026) | First week of January 2027 (expected) |
CAT Exam Fees
| Category | CAT Exam Fees (CAT 2025) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹2,500 |
| NC-OBC / EWS | ₹2,500 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹1,250 |
Payment Methods
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking / UPI
Important Points To Note
- The fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Ensure that your payment is successful and that you receive a confirmation email or SMS.
- You must have a copy of the payment receipt for future use.
Get Education Loan for Any College in India. 100% Fees Financed — Propelld Education Loan
CAT Tuition Fees In Top IIMs (NIRF Management 2025)
| S.No. | College Name | Tuition Fees (INR, full programme) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad | ₹25 Lakhs |
| 2 | IIM Bangalore | ₹24.5 Lakhs |
| 3 | IIM Kozhikode | ₹20.5 Lakhs |
| 4 | IIT Delhi (DMS) | ₹11.2 Lakhs |
| 5 | IIM Mumbai | ₹23 Lakhs |
| 6 | IIM Calcutta | ₹29 Lakhs |
| 7 | IIM Lucknow | ₹26.5 Lakhs |
| 8 | IIM Indore | ₹21.7 Lakhs |
| 9 | IIM Raipur | ₹18 Lakhs |
| 10 | IIM Trichy | ₹21 Lakhs |
NIRF Management Ranking 2025 released 4 Sept 2025 at nirfindia.org.
Dream big with Propelld! Leap your academic goals with our tailored education loans. Enjoy competitive rates, quick approval and dedicated support. Get started today!
Courses Offered Through CAT At IIMs
| Course | Duration | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP/MBA) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | General Management |
| Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) | 1 Year (Full-Time) | Leadership and Managerial Skills |
| PGP in Human Resource Management (PGP-HRM) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | Human Resource Management |
| PGP in Business Management (PGPBM) | 2-3 Years (Part-Time) | General Management for Professionals |
| Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) | 4-5 Years (Full-Time) | Research and Teaching |
| PGP in Food and Agribusiness Management (PGP-FABM) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | Agribusiness Management |
Get upto 100% Education Fees Financed with Propelld. Simplified Processing. Dedicated Support.
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Must have a bachelor's degree from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks for General Category | At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks for SC/ST/PwD Category | At least 45% marks |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum marks requirement upon degree completion |
| Professional Degrees (CA/CS/ICWA) | Eligible to apply, subject to minimum percentage requirements |
| Age Limit | No age limit; candidates of all ages are eligible to apply |
CAT Exam Registration Details
- Go to the official CAT exam portal: https://iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'Register' to create a user profile.
- Fill in identity details with your contact number.
- Verify the email and contact number through OTPs.
- Log in with your registered credentials.
- Fill in personal details such as address, nationality and category.
- Provide your academic history, including marks and degree details.
- Mention your work experience if applicable.
- Choose the IIM programmes you are interested in.
- Select a maximum of six cities.
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and signature.
- Upload relevant certificates if applying under reserved categories.
- Pay the Registration Fees (CAT 2025 reference): General/NC-OBC/EWS ₹2,500; SC/ST/PwD ₹1,250.
- Review all the details carefully.
- Submit the application form.
- Save or print the confirmation page for later.
Get your Loan Disbursed 10 times Faster than Banks. Apply Now.
CAT Exam: Key Documents Required
From your academic certificates to your photograph and signature, each document plays a vital role in verifying your eligibility and identity.
| Document Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Photograph and Signature |
|
| Academic Certificates |
|
| Category Certificates |
|
| Work Experience Certificate | From employers, if applicable. |
| Identity Proof | Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / Voter ID / Driving Licence |
Minimal Documentation. Higher Chances of Approval. Easy Online Processes. Check Your Eligibility.
CAT Exam Admit Card
- Go to https://iimcat.ac.in.
- Use your registered user ID and password to log in.
- Navigate to the 'Admit Card' section.
- Press the download link button to save the PDF.
- Verify all details on the admit card, including your name, exam centre and timing.
- Keep at least 2 admit card prints.
CAT Exam Day Guidelines
1. Before The Exam
- Arrive at least an hour before the scheduled time.
- Check the location a day prior to avoid any last-minute confusion.
- Ensure you have printed copies of your admit card.
- Carry a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Wear comfortable clothing. Avoid items that may raise security concerns.
2. At The Exam Centre
- Be prepared for thorough security checks.
- Electronic devices, calculators, bags etc. are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- Undergo biometric verification.
- Follow instructions to find your designated seat.
3. During The Exam
- Read all instructions at the beginning.
- Pay attention to time limits and section-specific guidelines.
- Each section is time-bound; use the on-screen timer effectively.
- Focus on accuracy to avoid negative markings.
4. After The Exam
- Ensure you submit your answers before leaving the hall.
- Follow the instructions for leaving the exam hall.
- Collect all your belongings.
CAT Exam Question Paper Pattern
Total duration: 120 minutes, divided into 3 sections of 40 minutes each.
1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Four options, one correct answer.
- Negative marking of -1 for incorrect answers.
2. Type In The Answer (TITA)
- Non-MCQ questions; type in the answer.
- No negative marks.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
Read here: MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus: Topics and Tips.
CAT Exam Syllabus
| Subjects | Important Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic (All topics) | 36% |
| Geometry: Coordinate Geometry, Mensuration | 18% | |
| Algebra: Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression, Functions | 28% | |
| Modern Maths: Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination | 9% | |
| Number System: Factors and Multiples, HCF, LCM, Remainders | 9% | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Para summary, Para jumbles, Inferences, Sentence Completion | 10% |
| Reading Comprehension | Passages with questions to test comprehension and analytical skills | 24% |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables (Games and Tournaments), Pie Charts, Graphs, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams | 16% |
| Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Syllogism, Caselets, Selection/Election |
CAT Cut Offs (Indicative)
| Institute | CAT Cut-Offs (Percentile) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 85+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 90+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85+ |
| IIM Indore | 90+ |
| IIM Raipur | 92+ |
| IIM Trichy | 92+ |
| IIM Udaipur | 92+ |
| IIM Kashipur | 92+ |
Indicative percentiles based on recent cycles — always confirm against the official admission notice.
You might find this interesting: Education Loan for IIMs — Eligibility & Interest Rates
CAT Selection Process
| Stage | Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|
| CAT Exam Score | Overall and sectional scores |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | Clarity, coherence and articulation in writing |
| Group Discussion (GD) | Communication skills, teamwork, presentation |
| Personal Interview (PI) | Personality, academic knowledge, motivation |
| Academic Record | Scores from class 10, 12 and undergrad |
| Work Experience | Relevance and duration of work experience |
| Diversity Factors | Gender, academic discipline, socio-economic background |
Counselling Documents For CAT Preparation
| Document | Format | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| CAT Scorecard | PDF/Print | Download from the official website |
| Admit Card | Original | Keep the original used during the exam |
| Academic Certificates | PDF/Print | Clear, scanned copies of all mark sheets |
| Work Experience Certificates | PDF/Print | Clear, scanned copies |
| Category Certificates | PDF/Print | Issued by the competent authority, if applicable |
| Identity Proof | Original | Valid government-issued ID |
| Photographs | Physical | Recent passport-sized as per IIM specifications |
| Offer Letter | Original | From respective IIM |
Why Propelld?
Propelld offers tailored education loans designed to meet the unique needs of students aiming for top-tier management programmes.
| Benefits of Propelld | Details |
|---|---|
| Flexible Repayment Options | Customised Repayment Plans |
| Loan Amount | Upto 50 Lakhs |
| Quick and Easy Processing | 10X Fast Approval and Minimal Paperwork |
| Dedicated Customer Support | 24/7 Customer Support |
| Security | No Collateral Required |
Are you parent of a JEE/NEET aspirant?
Join the group and get latest updates, expert advice on counselling and college selection. Completely FREE!
