CAT 2025 Registration Alert: Only 3 Days Left to Apply to your Dream MBA College

The clock is ticking. The dream of an MBA from a premier B-school is just a few clicks away, but the window of opportunity is closing fast. With only three days left for the CAT 2025 registration, now is the time to act. This is more than just a last-minute reminder; it's your final call to secure your place in the race for a career-defining qualification.

If you have been preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 or even considering it, this is your wake-up call. The registration deadline is September 13 and there will be no second chance. Your journey to a top-tier MBA College, the alumni network, and the high-flying career that follows, begins with this single, crucial step.

The Essentials: A Quick Guide to Final CAT 2025 Registration

First things first, let's get the logistics out of the way. To complete your registration, you must visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in. The application fee has seen a slight increase this year, so be prepared:

• For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the fee is ₹1,300.

• For all other candidates, the fee is ₹2,600.

• Payment can be made online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2025 Exam:

• A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).

• Final-year students and those with professional qualifications like CA, CS, or ICWA are also eligible to apply.

The CAT 2025 exam is scheduled for November 30, and it will be held in three sessions. You have 120 minutes to prove your mettle across three sections:

1- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

CAT 2025 Registration: How to Register for CAT Exam?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to completing your CAT 2025 registration:

• Visit the official website – iimcat.ac.in

• Create a User Profile – Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. Verify using OTP.

• Log in – Use the User ID and Password received on your email/SMS.

• Fill the Application Form – Provide personal, academic, and work experience details. Select preferred IIM programs and test cities.

• Upload Required Documents – Passport-size photograph, scanned signature, and Category/PwD certificate (if applicable).

• Pay the Application Fee – ₹2,600 (General/OBC) and ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD) via credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.

• Submit & Save Confirmation – Download your application summary and fee receipt.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the last day to register. Early completion helps you avoid technical glitches.

Last-Minute Preparation Strategy

With the countdown in its final days, what you do now is more critical than what you did in the last six months. This is not the time to panic, but to strategize with precision.

1. Revise, Don't Learn New Topics: The biggest mistake you can make right now is starting a new topic. Learning a new concept in these last few days will only lead to confusion and erode your confidence in concepts you have already mastered. Instead, focus on revision. Go through the notes you have prepared. Revisit the key formulas, shortcuts, and core concepts for each section. This will help you reinforce your knowledge and recall information faster on exam day.

2. Take and Analyze Mock Tests: Mock tests are your most valuable tool in the final days. They simulate the real exam environment, helping you build stamina, manage time, and develop a test-taking strategy. Don't just take the tests; analyze them meticulously.

• Identify Your Weaknesses: Pinpoint the types of questions you consistently get wrong or take too long to solve. Work on improving your accuracy in those areas.

• Develop a Strategy: Use the mocks to figure out the best sequence for attempting questions. Do you start with your strongest section? Do you tackle the TITA questions first? Find what works for you and stick to it on exam day.

3. Focus on Your Strengths: While it's important to be aware of your weaknesses, your final push should be all about your strengths. The CAT exam is about maximizing your score, and a high percentile is built on a few well-answered questions. Perfect your strongest topics to ensure you can solve those questions quickly and accurately, thereby securing those crucial marks.

4. Stay Calm and Positive: Anxiety is your worst enemy. Trust the hard work you have put in. Practice deep breathing exercises to manage stress. Ensure you get enough sleep and maintain a healthy diet. A calm mind is the biggest asset on exam day, allowing you to think clearly and make rational decisions under pressure.

Beyond the CAT Score: The Realities of IIM Admissions

While a high CAT score is the golden ticket, it's not the only factor that top B-schools consider. Your final selection for a top college will depend on a composite score that includes:

• Your CAT 2025 score.

• Your academic profile (performance in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation).

• Your work experience.

• Performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).

Academic and gender diversity also play a significant role in the shortlisting process.

Where You Stand: CAT Scores vs. Percentiles

The CAT cutoff is not a single number; it's a dynamic metric that varies by college and category. A raw score of 102-120+ is considered excellent and will likely land you in the 99+ percentile range, opening doors to top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.

For general category candidates, here's a rough guide to the expected percentile ranges and the colleges you can target:

• 99+ Percentile: IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon.

• 95-98 Percentile: IIM Shillong, IIM CAP (Udaipur, Trichy, Kashipur, etc.), IIT Bombay (SJMSOM), IIT Delhi (DMS), NITIE Mumbai.

• 90-95 Percentile: Newer IIMs (Nagpur, Amritsar, Vishakhapatnam), TAPMI, GIM Goa, FORE Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad.

Remember, each IIM has its own sectional and overall cutoffs. For example, while IIM Ahmedabad has an overall cutoff of around 99 percentiles, their sectional cutoffs can be as low as 70. This means you need balanced performance, not just a high overall score.

Your Dream Awaits

The journey to an MBA is long and challenging, but it starts with a single step: registration. Don't let these last three days slip by. Take a deep breath, complete your application, and then dedicate your final efforts to a smart, focused preparation strategy. Your future as a business leader, an innovator, and a change-maker awaits. The MBA is a gateway to a world of opportunities, and it all begins now. Register, prepare, and get ready to live your dream.