The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), which is conducting the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025, has announced that exam slots for all registered candidates have been allotted. However, confusion erupted among aspirants on November 5 when the official website briefly displayed that “CAT 2025 Admit Card Download Begins on November 5” — prompting many to rush online expecting access to their hall tickets.
IIM Kozhikode later confirmed to indianexpress.com that the message was due to a technical glitch, clarifying that the official release of the admit cards has been postponed to November 12, 2025.
“It was a technical error which will be sorted out soon,” an IIM Kozhikode official stated, assuring that the website will be updated to reflect the correct release date.
Candidates Can Check Exam Slot and Centre Details
Even though the admit cards are yet to be issued, candidates can already log in to the official CAT portal — iimcat.ac.in — to check key details such as exam date, session (slot), and test centre city. These details are now visible on candidate dashboards under the login section.
Once released, the 2025 admit card can be downloaded using the same login credentials (User ID and Password). Candidates must print and carry the admit card, along with valid photo ID proof, to their test centres on exam day.
CAT 2025 Admit Card: Revised Release Date
As per the official schedule, the CAT 2025 admit card will now be available for download starting November 12, 2025 (Wednesday). The updated timeline will soon be visible on the official website.
Last year, the admit card was released 23 days before the exam. The delay this year has been attributed to “technical reasons,” though IIM Kozhikode has assured that no other aspect of the examination schedule will be affected.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official CAT portal and their registered email for further announcements or updates.
CAT 2025 Exam Date, Sessions, and Pattern
The CAT 2025 examination will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, across three sessions in computer-based mode at designated centres throughout India.
Each session will have a duration of two hours, testing candidates across three core sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
As per tradition, the question paper will have a mix of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.
The test interface will allow candidates to switch between sections only after the set time for each has elapsed — maintaining fairness across sessions.
CAT 2025: Key Statistics
According to IIM Kozhikode, approximately 2.95 lakh candidates have successfully registered for CAT 2025 — a slight increase from last year’s 2.93 lakh applicants.
The institute noted a steady rise in participation from female candidates and working professionals. Last year, among the test-takers:
- 1.07 lakh were female candidates
- 1.86 lakh were male candidates
- 5 candidates identified as transgender
CAT 2024 was held on November 24, with the provisional answer key released on December 3, the final answer key on December 17, and the results declared on December 19, 2024.
Mock Test and Candidate Resources
IIM Kozhikode has announced that a mock test link will go live on the official CAT website from November 12, 2025, the same day the admit card is released.
This mock test will include sample questions, on-screen tools, and timer features to help aspirants familiarise themselves with the CAT exam interface.
“The mock test is a crucial resource for first-time CAT takers,” said an IIM faculty member. “It helps candidates understand navigation, time management, and question type distribution before the actual test day.”
Candidates are encouraged to attempt the mock exam multiple times and analyse their approach for each section.
CAT 2025: Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Every year, IIMs release advisories highlighting common mistakes that aspirants make during the exam process. For 2025, experts have reiterated the following:
- Double-check your admit card for details such as photograph, signature, exam slot, and test centre address.
- Avoid last-minute logins — download the admit card early to prevent technical issues.
- Reach the centre early, at least 90 minutes before the reporting time.
- Carry only allowed items — admit card, photo ID, and required documents; electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited.
- Manage your time smartly — don’t get stuck on one question; move on and return later if possible.
CAT 2025 Preparation Trends
With less than a month left for the exam, many aspirants have shifted from learning new concepts to intensive mock test practice and revision.
Coaching experts suggest a 60:40 approach — focusing 60% of the time on full-length mocks and 40% on topic-wise analysis.
Digital tools, adaptive learning platforms, and AI-based performance trackers are also gaining popularity among candidates preparing independently.
“AI-driven mock analysis helps identify weak zones faster,” said an educator from a Delhi-based coaching institute. “The trend shows that self-paced online learners are now performing at par with classroom candidates.”
CAT 2025: What’s Next
Following the release of the admit card and mock test, the next major events in the CAT 2025 timeline are:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Release | November 12, 2025 |
| Mock Test Activation | November 12, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Provisional Answer Key | December 2025 (tentative) |
| Final Answer Key | Mid-December 2025 |
| Result Declaration | Late December 2025 or Early January 2026 |
After results are announced, the IIM admission process will begin, including the shortlisting of candidates based on sectional and overall percentiles, followed by Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and Group Discussion (GD) rounds.
Final Word
With 2.95 lakh aspirants vying for seats across the country’s premier management institutes, CAT 2025 is set to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
Candidates are advised to remain patient as IIM Kozhikode resolves technical issues and updates the official portal with the revised admit card schedule.
For now, the focus should remain on mock tests, sectional balance, and stress management — the three pillars of a strong CAT performance.
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