The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 Slot 1 concluded today, November 30, 2025 . Candidates reported the exam as easy to moderate. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode conducted the test from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Arithmetic questions within the Quantitative Aptitude section proved challenging. However, the overall exam pattern remained unchanged.
Understanding the CAT Examination
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a crucial entrance examination in India. It serves as a prerequisite for admission to postgraduate management programs. These programs include Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Programme (PGP) courses. Top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) use CAT scores for admissions. There are 21 IIMs located across India. Each IIM holds a strong reputation for academic excellence in management education. Many other leading business schools also accept CAT results for their admission processes. This makes CAT a widely recognized gateway to advanced business studies.
CAT 2025 Exam Structure Detailed
The CAT 2025 Slot 1 question paper featured 66 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Non-MCQs. These questions were distributed across three distinct sections. Each section received a dedicated time limit. Candidates had 40 minutes to complete each section.
Sectional Breakdown:
| Section Name | Question Type | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | MCQs, Non-MCQs | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | MCQs, Non-MCQs | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | MCQs, Non-MCQs | 40 Minutes |
The VARC section assesses English language comprehension and verbal ability. It includes reading comprehension passages, para jumbles, and sentence completion tasks. DILR evaluates a candidate’s ability to interpret complex data presented in charts, graphs, and tables. It also tests logical reasoning through puzzles and arrangement problems. QA focuses on mathematical aptitude, covering areas like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math concepts. Candidates must manage time effectively across these diverse sections.
Candidate Reactions and Difficulty Levels
Early feedback from test-takers indicated a varied difficulty. The overall assessment pointed to an easy to moderate level. This assessment came directly from candidates exiting the examination centers.
Specific challenges emerged within the Quantitative Aptitude section. Many candidates found the arithmetic questions particularly tricky. Other sections were generally considered manageable.
Importantly, the CAT 2025 Slot 1 maintained the established examination pattern. No structural changes were introduced for this test slot. The number of questions per section and sectional time limits remained consistent with previous years.
Scoring and Post-Exam Process
Each correct answer in CAT typically awards three marks. One mark is usually deducted for incorrect multiple-choice answers. Non-MCQs, also known as TITA (Type In The Answer) questions, generally do not carry negative marking. Official scoring guidelines will be released with the answer key.
IIM Kozhikode, as the conducting body, will release the official answer key. Candidates will receive an opportunity to challenge provisional answers. The final results for CAT 2025 are typically published in the second week of January. Specific dates for score card release will be announced on the official CAT website.
Successful candidates will proceed to the next stages of the admission process. These stages often include written ability tests (WAT), group discussions (GD), and personal interviews (PI). Each IIM and participating business school sets its own criteria for these rounds.
Upcoming CAT 2025 Slots and Key Dates
CAT 2025 typically occurs in multiple slots on the same day. Slot 2 and Slot 3 exams also ran today, November 30, 2025 . These later slots followed the same exam pattern and structure as Slot 1. Candidate feedback for these slots will emerge shortly. Students preparing for future CAT examinations should monitor official announcements. Information regarding registration, admit card release, and result dates is available on the CAT 2025 official portal.
Key dates for the CAT 2025 process, based on typical examination cycles, include:
- Application Window: August – September 2025
- Admit Card Release: October 2025
- Examination Day: November 30, 2025 (Slots 1, 2, 3)
- Provisional Answer Key: First week of December 2025
- Final Result Declaration: Second week of January 2026