The Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) examination commenced today, Sunday, November 30, 2025 . Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode is conducting the national-level management entrance test across India. The exam is scheduled in three distinct slots at various designated centers nationwide. The first slot concluded at 10:30 AM , having started at 8:30 AM .
Immediately following the conclusion of each examination slot, major coaching institutes such as IMS are expected to release their detailed analysis. This analysis typically includes insights into the exam’s difficulty level, a section-wise review, and estimations for “good attempts.” These insights aim to provide candidates with immediate feedback and preliminary performance indicators.
CAT 2025 Exam Overview
CAT 2025 serves as a crucial gateway for admission into postgraduate management programs. These programs are offered by the prestigious IIMs and numerous other leading business schools across the country. The examination is designed to rigorously assess candidates’ aptitude across core areas. It evaluates their Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Thousands of aspiring management professionals appeared for the highly competitive test today, aiming for a seat in top institutions.
CAT 2025 Slot Timings
The CAT 2025 examination is meticulously organized into three separate two-hour slots throughout the day. This structured timing allows for the efficient administration of the exam to a large number of candidates. Adherence to strict reporting and entry times is mandatory at all test centers. Candidates who fail to report or enter by the specified deadlines will not be permitted to take the exam, underscoring the importance of punctuality on exam day.
| CAT Exam Slot | Exam Timing | Reporting Time | Last Entry Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM |
CAT 2025 Sectional Division
The CAT 2025 exam comprises three distinct sections, each designed to test specific skills. Candidates face a total of 68 questions distributed across these sections. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section, with 24 questions, assesses candidates’ understanding of language, grammar, and their ability to interpret complex texts. The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section, containing 22 questions, challenges analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities through data sets and logical puzzles. Finally, the Quantitative Ability (QA) section, also with 22 questions, evaluates mathematical proficiency across various topics including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math.
| CAT Sections | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| VARC | 24 |
| DILR | 22 |
| QA | 22 |
Answer Key and Results Timeline
Candidates can anticipate the release of the CAT 2025 response sheet and the provisional answer key around December 5, 2025 . This vital document will enable candidates to cross-reference their submitted answers with the official solutions. The response sheet and answer key will be made accessible for download through each candidate’s personalized login portal on the official CAT website. This allows for transparent self-assessment of performance.
Following the provisional release, a specific window will open for candidates to formally raise objections to any discrepancies found in the answer key. IIM Kozhikode will meticulously review all submitted objections. Based on this review, the institute will then publish the final answer key. Subsequently, the official CAT 2025 results will be declared, utilizing the rectified final key. These results are paramount, as they determine each candidate’s eligibility and percentile for subsequent admission procedures, including interviews and group discussions at participating management institutes.
CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis by IMS
IMS is preparing to deliver its comprehensive analysis of the CAT 2025 Slot 1 examination. This analysis draws from immediate reactions gathered from students as they exit the examination centers. The report will detail the overall difficulty level experienced by candidates, classifying it as easy, moderate, or difficult. It will also include a thorough section-wise review, breaking down the challenge posed by VARC, DILR, and QA sections individually. Crucially, the analysis will provide estimates for “good attempts” – the approximate number of questions a candidate should have answered correctly to achieve a competitive score. This data is invaluable for candidates seeking to understand their performance, assess their chances, and predict potential cutoffs for admission to desired management programs.