The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 has seen a slight dip in registrations this year. Around 2.95 lakh candidates have registered for the exam, which is a decrease from the 3.29 lakh registrations in 2024. The CAT 2025 exam will be held by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025 . It will take place in three sessions across 160 cities in India. Results for CAT 2025 are expected in January 2026 .
CAT 2025 Registrations Decline to 2.95 Lakh
Official numbers from IIM Kozhikode confirm that about 2.95 lakh eligible candidates have registered for CAT 2025. Admit cards have already been prepared for these candidates. This number shows a drop in registrations compared to the previous year. In 2024, a total of 3.29 lakh candidates had registered for the exam, which was conducted by IIM Lucknow .
This year’s figure marks the first decline in CAT registrations in the last three years. Before this, the number of candidates applying for the exam had been steadily increasing since 2022 . The CAT exam is an important step for students looking to join Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other management programs at India's prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools.
CAT Registrations Over Four Years
Here is a look at the registration trend for the CAT exam over the past four years:
| Year | Registered Candidates | Appeared Candidates | Conducting IIM |
| 2025 | 2.95 lakh* (provisional) | Not Applicable (exam not held yet) | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2024 | 3.29 lakh | 2.93 lakh | IIM Lucknow |
| 2023 | 3.28 lakh | 2.88 lakh | IIM Lucknow |
| 2022 | 2.55 lakh | 2.22 lakh | IIM Bangalore |
*The 2025 registration number is based on media reports and IIM Kozhikode's confirmation of admit card generation.
Why the Dip is Not a Worry for IIMs
Even with the drop in registrations, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are not very concerned. Professor Bharat Bhaskar , Director of IIM Ahmedabad , shared his views on this trend. He explained that a small decrease in CAT registrations does not mean less interest in management education overall.
Professor Bhaskar mentioned that today's students have many more choices. They are exploring different study paths, including international exams and specialized courses focused on specific industries. Despite these varied interests, the quality of students applying to the top IIMs remains high. Also, the success rates of students finding good jobs after completing their courses at these IIMs are still strong.
This means that while fewer students might be taking CAT, those who do are still highly capable, and the IIMs continue to attract top talent. The focus for IIMs is more on the quality of candidates rather than just the total number of applicants.
Important Dates and Details for CAT 2025
Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 should remember the key dates and details:
- The exam date is fixed for November 30, 2025 .
- The exam will be conducted in three separate sessions during the day.
- Test centres are located in 160 cities across India, making it accessible for candidates from various regions.
- Admit cards have been generated for all registered candidates. Students should check the official website for updates on when they can download their admit cards.
- Results for CAT 2025 are expected to be announced in the first week of January 2026 . Candidates should regularly check the official IIM CAT website for the exact date.
CAT is a computer-based test that evaluates a candidate's skills in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). A good score in CAT is essential for gaining admission to MBA and Post Graduate Programme (PGP) courses in the IIMs and many other leading business schools across India.
