Should You attempt the CAT exam more than once?

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Exam Date
30th November, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

The CAT examination is a very difficult and competitive exam. Students may not be able to clear the CAT examination on their first time or may not be happy with their allotted seat. This article highlights some of the benefits and drawbacks for students who choose to retake the CAT examination. Going through the positives and negatives can help students make a better and well-informed decision.

CAT 2025 Important Dates

Provided below is an overview of the dates for the CAT 2025 examination. It is very important for students to keep up with the important dates of the CAT exam. Keeping up with these dates ensures students are updated on all key events and deadlines about examination.

Event

Dates

CAT 2025 Notification Out

30th July 2025

CAT 2025 Registration Date

1st August - 13th September 2025

CAT Form Correction

Last Week of September 2025

CAT 2025 Admit Card Release

5th October 2025

CAT Exam Date

30th November 2025

CAT 2025 Answer Key Release

First Week of December 2025

CAT 2025 Results

December 2025

Is it Common to Retake the CAT Examination?

Yes, it is a very common practice for students to retake the CAT examination. As the exam is very difficult with limited seats, not everyone can get into the colleges they aspire for. If a student is unhappy with their seat or performance on the CAT exam and they are still certain about pursuing an MBA degree in India, retaking the CAT exam is a very logical choice to make. Lakhs of students give the CAT exam, many of whom are not satisfied with their allotted seat and retake the exam.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Retaking CAT

There are several positives and negatives of retaking the CAT examination. Students should weigh the overall positives and negatives, and make a well-informed decision as to which path they want to take. While there are several positives of retaking the CAT exam, there can be some negatives that can weigh heavy for students giving the exam a second time.

Positives of Retaking CAT

The benefits of retaking the CAT examination are as follows:

  • Experience: Students who properly prepared for the CAT exam the first time will be properly experienced in giving the exam. These students will have a lot of valuable experience in preparing for the topic. Having experience also ensures these students do not have to struggle as much when preparing for the CAT exam.
  • Better Opportunities: It is highly likely that if a student is retaking the CAT examination, they are going to score a lot better. Having experience giving the CAT exam twice along with scoring higher can ensure students get into some of the best business schools and IIMs easier. In turn, these can ensure students have better opportunities for well-paying jobs.

Negatives of Retaking CAT

Provided below are the negatives of retaking the CAT examination:

  • Exhaustion: An exam like the CAT exam is very competitive and difficult. Retaking the exam means students will have to go through the whole 6 to 10 month process of preparing for the exam as well as the counseling process. For some, going through this process again can be very tiring and mentally exhausting.
  • Money: While students may be well-prepared for the CAT exam, students will be required to spend money on preparing for the exam. This includes books, coaching and travel during the counselling process. This can be a significant investment for students to make.
  • Loss of Opportunity: Some students may lose out on their current seats for an MBA degree if they choose to retake the exam. Students may also be required to balance out a job along with their studies as well. This can lead to stress for students preparing for the CAT exam the second time around.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT

View All

Related Articles

Exam

19th September, 2025 , 4 min read

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more! By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

19th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

23rd September, 2025 , 4 min read

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
More Articles

Related News

Exam

21st September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT 2025 registration is now closed, Check Next Steps CAT 2025 registration closed? Learn about the CAT application form correction window & how to make changes. Get step-by-step guide to download your CAT admit card 2025. Find official links & image guidelines. By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

11th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration Deadline Tomorrow! Register Now & Apply CAT registration closes tomorrow! Don't miss your last chance to apply. Get step-by-step guidance, official website link (iimcat.ac.in), and essential document upload tips. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

13th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration 2025 Extended, Dates, How to Apply & Docs CAT 2025 registration date extended till September 2025! Get a step-by-step guide to fill the CAT application form, check all important dates & required documents. Apply online now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

31st July, 2025 , 3 min read

CAT Registration 2025 LIVE Now: How to Fill IIM CAT Application Form? he CAT registration for 2025 has now been officially launched, and thus the window to submit the application for one of India's most sought-after MBA entrance exams has also opened. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

31st December, 2024 , 2 min read

CAT 2024 Result Controversy - Petition Filed in Delhi High Court, CAT Final Answer Key To Be Released Again? Delhi High Court has received a petition filed against CAT 2024 Result. Candidates claim that IIM Calcutta has released the answer key without considering the objections raised by them. By - Avantika Bhardwaj Read More >
More News

Latest Articles on CAT 2025

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA

19th September, 2025

Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more!

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in

19th September, 2025

Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here.

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam

10th September, 2025

Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now!

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List

10th September, 2025

Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now!

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do

23rd September, 2025

CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now!

More Articles

Other MBA / PGDM Exams

CAT logo
CAT CAT | 30th November, 2025
XAT logo
XAT XAT | 04th January, 2026
MAT logo
MAT MAT | 28th September, 2025
TS ICET logo
TS ICET TS ICET | 08th June, 2025
GMAT logo
GMAT GMAT | Date not available
View All