The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 — the national MBA entrance exam conducted by IIM Kozhikode — recorded an attendance of about 86% this year. According to official statistics, around 2.58 lakh candidates appeared for the test out of 2.95 lakh registered candidates. The exam was held on 30 November 2025, across 339 test centres in 170 cities. This marks a reduction in the number of test centres compared with last year, when there were 389 centres.
Exam Format, Slots and Candidate Statistics
CAT 2025 was conducted in three slots on the same day:
- Slot 1: 08:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Slot 2: 12:30 PM – 02:30 PM
- Slot 3: 04:30 PM – 06:30 PM
The exam pattern remained unchanged: three sections — Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Ability (QA). A total of 68 questions were asked, with standard time-allocation across slots. According to the official release, candidates with disabilities (PwD) were allotted 160 minutes (versus 120 minutes for general candidates), which aligns with earlier norms.
What the Attendance Drop Means?
Last year, CAT recorded around 89% attendance; however this year’s turnout saw a drop to 86%. Alongside, the number of test centres decreased significantly — from 389 to 339. Exam analysts suggest that fewer test centres, possible city-change difficulties, and slot scheduling might have contributed to lower turnout. Reduced attendance could also influence the normalization curve and expected cut-offs.
Next Steps: Answer Key, Results and What Candidates Should Do
The official CAT 2025 Answer Key and response sheet are expected to be released soon via the CAT portal. This will allow candidates to cross-check their responses and estimate their raw scores. Final results are likely to be declared between 19–21 December 2025, as per usual timelines, after normalization and result processing. Candidates are advised to:
- Download the response sheet and answer key when released
- Calculate probable percentile using previous years’ trends
- Keep documents ready for further admission processes
What This Means for MBA Aspirants?
With 2.58 lakh candidates having appeared, competition remains intense. Lower attendance might shift cutoff ranges slightly — a silver lining for some — but high competition among serious aspirants means performance will remain key. Candidates are advised to stay alert for official updates on answer key release, normalisation and result dates, and use this time to explore backup entrance exams or alternative institutions if needed.
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