How is the CAT exam conducted - Online or Offline?

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Exam Date
30th November, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

The registration process for the CAT 2025 exam began on 1st August 2025. While the exam’s registration may be conducted in the online mode, students may question in what mode is the CAT exam itself being conducted in this year. This article highlights key details about the CAT 2025 exam mode and the registration process for the CAT 2025 examination for students’ reference.

How is the CAT Exam Conducted?

To be straight forward, no, the CAT examination is conducted in the offline mode. Students will be required to physically go to their selected CAT exam centers. There is no option for students to be able to take the CAT online from their homes.

The CAT examination is conducted through the Computer-Based Test mode where students will be required to visit their designated CAT exam centers physically. However, in this mode of exam, students will also be required to fill-in their answers on a designated computer. Students must choose their answers on the computer provided. No physical form of filling-in answers is required in this mode of the exam. However, students will have the option to use rough sheets in case they need to do rough work or calculation. The rough sheets will be provided by the CAT exam center itself.

While the CAT exam’s registration may be conducted in the online mode, the exam will require students to physically go to their chosen exam centers.

Since When Has CAT Been a CBT Exam?

The CAT examination has been conducted in the Computer-Based mode since 2009. Until 2009 the exam was conducted in the traditional pen and paper mode.

The CAT exam has always been a paper which requires students to physically go to the exam center. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, students were required to physically go to their allotted CAT exam centers to give the paper in 2020. Though there were other measures taken such as social distancing, reduction in exam time and the paper being conducted in multiple slots.

Students Can Also Read: Why Does the CAT Exam Difficulty Vary?

CAT 2025 Registration Process Explained

Provided below is a step-by-step overview of how students can register for the CAT 2025 examination. Following these steps can ensure students face a minimum number of problems when registering for the exam.

The CAT 2025 registration process is as follows:

  1. Visit the Website: First, students must visit the official website for the CAT 2025 examination at www.iimcat.ac.in.
  2. Find the Registration Button: On the homepage, students should find an option for new users to register for the examination under the ‘New Candidate Registration’ button.
  3. Register: Students will be required to enter various personal details about themselves as part of the registration process. These details include a student’s name, email address, phone number and date of birth. Upon completing this, students will receive their registration number and password.
  4. Application Form: Upon doing so, students will be required to fill the CAT application form. It is crucial students submit updated and accurate information on the CAT application form. The details required for the form include a student’s personal details, academic details and work-experience details.
  5. Document Uploading: After filling the form, students must ensure they upload scanned copies of the required documents. The documents required include a passport-sized photograph, a scanned copy of a student’s signature and any caste/ disability certificates if applicable.
  6. Registration Fee: Once students finish the document uploading process, they will be required to make the fee payment. Only after the payment of the registration fees will students be able to complete their registration process.
  7. Submit the Form: After making the fee payment, students will be able to submit and download their CAT application forms. It is recommended for students to download and print their application forms for future reference.

CAT 2025 Registration Fees

As part of the registration process for the CAT examination, it is mandatory that students pay their registration fees. If students do not pay their registration fee on time, they will not be considered as a candidate for the CAT exam.

Provided below is an overview of the category-wise details about the CAT 2025 registration fees:

Category

CAT Registration Fees

General, EWS and OBC-NC

INR 2500

SC, ST and PwD

INR 1250

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