The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 exam took place on November 30, 2025 . About 2.95 lakh students appeared for this important management entrance test across India. Many students found the exam paper challenging, and some might be worried about their performance.
It is normal to feel unsure after a tough exam. However, it is not the time to stress about what is over. Instead, focus on the next steps in your journey to study management (MBA or PGDM). There are several paths you can take if you feel you did not perform as well as you hoped in CAT 2025.
Focus on Other MBA Entrance Exams
If you are worried about your CAT 2025 score, remember that it is not your only chance. Many other important exams are coming up. These exams also lead to admissions in good management colleges across India. The experience you gained from taking CAT 2025 can help you prepare better for these upcoming tests. Most students would have already registered for these exams. If you missed registering for some, check the deadlines.
Here are some other key MBA entrance exams and their important dates:
| Exam Name | Important Dates |
| SNAP 2025 | Will be held on December 6, 14, and 20 |
| XAT 2026 | Will be held on January 4, 2026 |
| CMAT 2026 | Exam dates are not yet announced, giving you good time to prepare |
| MAT 2025 | If you missed registering, you can still register by December 15, 2025 |
Choose Colleges Based on Your Estimated Score
After the exam, you might have an idea of how you performed. You can use this estimated score to find suitable colleges. It is important to know that not all MBA colleges require very high scores, like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). There are many excellent institutions across India that accept a wide range of CAT scores.
According to Shiksha, about 1600 business schools in India consider CAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programs. These colleges often have different score requirements:
- For Tier 1 colleges (top institutions, not IIMs), the CAT cutoff might be around 80 to 90 percentile .
- Tier 2 colleges (reputable institutions) often accept candidates with scores in the range of 70 to 80 percentile .
- Tier 3 colleges (good institutions) may accept candidates with CAT scores between 60 to 70 percentile .
You can use online tools, like Shiksha's CAT college predictor, to check which institutes fall within your estimated score range. This will help you make a list of colleges to apply to.
Prepare for CAT Exam Again (CAT 2026)
Many students choose to take the CAT exam more than once. There is no limit to how many times you can attempt the CAT exam. If CAT 2025 did not go as planned, you can consider it a practice run for your next attempt. Many successful candidates improve their scores by appearing again.
You can start preparing for CAT 2026 . Use the experience from this year's exam to understand your weak areas and improve your study plan. With continued focus and hard work, you can perform much better next time.
Do not let one exam define your future. Focus on the opportunities ahead and plan your next steps wisely for a successful career in management.
