If you’re planning to take the CAT exam this year, you need to act fast. The CAT 2025 registration window is closing soon, and there’s a lot more to the process than just filling out a form and paying the fee. With lakhs of students competing for limited seats in India’s top business schools, missing the registration deadline could cost you an entire year.
The buzz around CAT 2025 registration has been building since August, but many students are still confused about the process, required documents, and fees. What makes this year different is that IIM Kozhikode is conducting the exam, and they’ve made some specific announcements that every aspirant should know about.
But here’s what most people don’t realize – the CAT 2025 registration deadline isn’t just about submitting your application. There are strategic decisions you need to make during registration that could affect your exam experience and even your chances of getting into your preferred IIM.
The Final Countdown: CAT 2025 Registration Deadline Details
The CAT 2025 registration process started on August 1, 2025, and it’s set to close on September 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM sharp. That means you have just a few days left to complete your application at iimcat.ac.in, the official website for CAT registration.
What many students don’t know is that the CAT 2025 registration deadline isn’t flexible – there are no extensions, no last-minute grace periods, and definitely no exceptions. IIM Kozhikode has made it clear that late submissions won’t be entertained under any circumstances.
The timing of the CAT 2025 registration closure is particularly important because it affects exam center allocation. The registration process works on a first-come, first-served basis for test cities, so waiting until the last minute could mean you don’t get your preferred location.
Here’s something crucial about the CAT 2025 registration deadline that most coaching centers don’t tell you – technical issues tend to spike in the final 24-48 hours as thousands of students rush to complete their applications. The official website can become slow or even temporarily inaccessible due to heavy traffic.
Breaking Down the CAT 2025 Registration Process Step by Step
The CAT 2025 registration isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. You can’t just log in and fill out a quick form – the entire process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on how prepared you are.
First, you need to visit iimcat.ac.in and click on “New Candidate Registration.” This creates your basic profile with an email ID and mobile number that you’ll use throughout the CAT 2025 registration and admission process. Choose these carefully because all official communications will happen through these contacts.
The CAT 2025 registration form has three main sections that you need to complete carefully. The personal information section requires your basic details, educational background, and category information. The academic section needs details about your graduation, including marks and university information.
One critical part of CAT 2025 registration is choosing your test cities. You can select up to five cities in order of preference, and this decision is really important. IIM Kozhikode will try to allot your first preference, but if that’s full, they’ll move to your second choice, and so on.
The document upload section of CAT 2025 registration requires high-quality scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant certificates. The specifications are strict – photos must be recent passport-size images, and signatures should be clear and match what you’ll use on exam day.
What You Need to Pay for CAT 2025 Registration
The CAT 2025 registration fees vary based on your category, and you need to know the exact amount before starting the process. For General, OBC, and EWS category candidates, the CAT 2025 registration fee is Rs. 2,600. If you belong to SC, ST, or PwD categories, you’ll pay Rs. 1,300 for CAT 2025 registration.
Payment for CAT 2025 registration can be made through multiple methods including debit cards, credit cards, net banking, and UPI. The system generates a transaction ID after successful payment, which you should save as proof of your CAT 2025 registration completion.
What many students miss during CAT 2025 registration is the payment confirmation step. After making the payment, you need to wait for the confirmation page and email. If you close the browser too early or lose internet connectivity, your CAT 2025 registration might not be complete even if the money has been deducted.
The CAT 2025 registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. Even if you decide not to take the exam or can’t appear due to personal reasons, IIM Kozhikode won’t return the money. This makes it important to be absolutely sure before completing your CAT 2025 registration.
CAT 2025 Registration Eligibility: Who Can Apply
Before you start the CAT 2025 registration process, you need to check if you meet the eligibility criteria. The basic requirement is a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with specific minimum marks based on your category.
For CAT 2025 registration, General, OBC, and EWS category students need at least 50% marks in their graduation. SC, ST, and PwD category students can apply for CAT 2025 registration with 45% marks. The percentage is calculated based on the university’s grading system, not CGPA conversion.
Students in their final year of graduation can also complete CAT 2025 registration, but there’s a catch. You need to ensure that your degree will be completed by June 2026, and you’ll need to provide a certificate from your college’s Head of Department or Principal during CAT 2025 registration.
Professional degree holders like CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI are also eligible for CAT 2025 registration. There’s no age limit for the CAT exam, so whether you’re a fresh graduate or a working professional, you can complete CAT 2025 registration as long as you meet the educational requirements.
Documents Required for CAT 2025 Registration
Getting your documents ready before starting CAT 2025 registration can save you a lot of time and prevent technical timeouts. You’ll need recent passport-size photographs, preferably taken within the last six months, in JPEG format with specific size requirements.
Your signature for CAT 2025 registration should be scanned clearly in JPEG format. This signature will be used for verification purposes throughout the admission process, so make sure it’s your usual signature that you can reproduce consistently.
Educational documents for CAT 2025 registration include mark sheets from Class X, XII, and graduation. If you’re a final-year student, you’ll need mark sheets from all completed semesters plus a certificate from your college authorities stating your expected graduation date.
Category certificates are crucial for CAT 2025 registration if you’re applying under reserved categories. These should be issued by competent authorities and must be valid as per government norms. PWD candidates need a recent disability certificate for CAT 2025 registration.
Why CAT 2025 Registration Timing Matters for Exam Centers
Here’s something most students don’t consider during CAT 2025 registration – when you register affects where you’ll take the exam. The CAT 2025 exam will be held across 170+ cities, but popular centers in metro cities fill up quickly.
If you complete your CAT 2025 registration early, you’re more likely to get your preferred test city. Students who wait until the CAT 2025 registration deadline often end up with their third or fourth choice, or sometimes even cities they didn’t select at all.
The importance of test city selection during CAT 2025 registration can’t be overstated. Taking the exam in an unfamiliar city means additional travel, accommodation costs, and the stress of being in an unknown location on exam day. This can affect your performance significantly.
IIM Kozhikode has announced that CAT 2025 will be conducted in three sessions on November 30, 2025. Your session will be randomly assigned and mentioned on your admit card – you can’t choose this during CAT 2025 registration, but your test city choice is crucial.
What Happens After CAT 2025 Registration Closes
Once the CAT 2025 registration deadline passes on September 13, IIM Kozhikode will start processing applications and preparing for admit card release. The CAT 2025 admit card is expected to be available for download from November 5, 2025.
After completing CAT 2025 registration, you should regularly check the official website for updates about mock tests, exam instructions, and admit card release. IIM Kozhikode typically releases detailed instructions for exam day procedures closer to the exam date.
The period between CAT 2025 registration closure and the exam is crucial for preparation. You’ll have about 2.5 months to fine-tune your preparation, take mock tests, and work on your weak areas. This time should be used strategically to maximize your CAT score.
Results for CAT 2025 are expected in the first week of January 2026. Your score will be valid for one year, and various IIMs and business schools will use it for their admission processes starting immediately after result announcement.
Last-Minute Tips for CAT 2025 Registration
If you’re planning to complete your CAT 2025 registration in the final days, avoid doing it during peak hours (6 PM to 10 PM) when the website experiences maximum traffic. Early morning or late night slots usually work better for smooth CAT 2025 registration.
Keep all your documents ready in soft copy format before starting CAT 2025 registration. Having to scan documents in the middle of the process can lead to timeouts and incomplete applications. Use a stable internet connection and avoid mobile phones for CAT 2025 registration.
Double-check all information before submitting your CAT 2025 registration. Spelling mistakes in names, incorrect dates, or wrong category selection can create problems later. Once submitted, most details in CAT 2025 registration cannot be changed.
Save the confirmation email and payment details from your CAT 2025 registration immediately. Take screenshots of the final submission page as backup proof. These will be useful if you face any issues with admit card download or exam-related queries.
Complete your CAT 2025 registration before September 13, 2025, 5:00 PM at iimcat.ac.in. The exam will be held on November 30, 2025. Don’t wait until the last minute – technical issues and website slowdowns are common during peak registration periods.
