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CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 states that any candidate with a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent from a recognized university with 50% marks for general candidates can apply for it. On the other hand, according to the CAT 2025 Reservation for SC/ ST/ PwD, 45% marks in any Bachelor's Degree must be obtained to apply for the CAT 2025 exam.
CAT 2025 Eligibility is released along with the reservation policy on the official website. The eligibility criteria have been established by IIM Ahmedabad, which does not specify any age limit for applicants. Candidates with work experience will have an added advantage in the interview phase, but it is not an essential eligibility requirement.
During the selection process at IIMs, the concerned authorities verify the candidate's eligibility at various stages. Candidates must remember that meeting the minimum CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 is the primary stage of clearing the CAT exam.
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025
According to CAT Exam Eligibility 2025, candidates who have earned any Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university with 50% of the total marks (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) can apply for the CAT exam 2025.
- Candidates hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or its equivalent.
- Candidates should possess a minimum score of 45% for the SC/ST/PWD category and 50% for the open category.
- Candidates who are in their final year of undergraduate study. However, such candidates must submit the completion certificate from the university or institution's principal on or before the deadline set by the relevant IIMs.
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 will be published along with the official notification. Since the MBA is a postgraduate program, graduation is the primary CAT exam eligibility.
Did You Know?
CAT exam eligibility for IIM Admission 2025 does not allow students to seek admission based on an age restriction. Instead, they must meet the requirements of 'No Age restriction' in order to appear in the CAT exam.
The key facts related to CAT eligibility criteria are given below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Attempts | No Limit |
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Required Marks in Graduate | 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) |
| CAT Eligibility for Final Year Students | Admitted on a Provisional basis if Qualified |
| Age Limit for CAT 2025 | No Age Restriction |
| Work Experience | Not Mandatory |
| Reservation | Based on Category |
Did You Know?
The main difference between CAT and GMAT is that CAT is a domestic entrance exam for MBA admissions in India, while GMAT is a global exam accepted by business schools worldwide. Indian B-schools usually accept GMAT scores for NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and foreign student.
CAT Educational Qualification
The IIM Bangalore will outline the CAT academic qualification and marks that the applicants must possess to appear for the exam. CAT exam eligibility 2025 with the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, has acknowledged the following qualification as equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
Here is the list of the academic qualifications which will be taken under consideration:
- A 4-year bachelor's degree in engineering or technology earned after completing 10+2 or a post-B.Sc. or post-diploma course of study.
- A diploma from a professional society recognized by the MHRD, UPSC, or AICTE that is equal to a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology, such as AMIE from the Institution of Engineers, India, or AMICE from the Institute of Civil Engineers of India
- Candidates with degrees in CA/CS/ICWA (Gen: 50%; SC/ST/PWD: 45%) are also eligible to apply for CAT 2025 exam.
Note: Any candidate who meets the CAT exam eligibility 2025 and whose degree is not listed here may still apply if they can provide an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi.
CAT Category-wise CGPA
MHRD/AICTE: The University shall be considered as a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or shall be declared annexed by an Act of the Parliament or the State Legislature of India.
| Qualification | Affiliation | CGPA/Percentage |
| Bachelor’s Degree from any University/Institute | UGC | 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) |
| Engineering Degree - B.Tech/ B.E. from any University/Institute | MHRD/ AICTE | 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) |
| Final year of degree examination | MHRD/ AICTE/ UGC | 50% (45% for SC/ ST/ PwD) |
| CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) | Recognized by MHRD/ UPSC/AICTE | 50% (45% for SC, ST, and PWDs) |
Note: Candidates who took the degree exam in their final year should provide a certificate from the institution or university. The degree certificate must specify that the applicant has satisfied all conditions for equivalent qualification on the date the certificate is issued.
Important:
Downloadable Resources for CATs
- CAT
- CMAT
- MAH CET
- ATMA
- XAT
- IIFT
- SNAP
- TS ICET
- TISSNET
- MAT
- MICAT
- NMAT
- IBSAT
- UPESMET
- SET
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- AP ICET
- IGNOU OPENMAT
- UPTU
- IRMA
- KMAT
- JUET
- GNDU GMET
- KMAT Kerala
- GSIB Entrance Test
- IPMAT
- GRE
- JEMAT
CAT Marks Calculation
CAT eligibility criteria where marks will be converted into percentages for CGPA and grades under a procedure approved by the relevant institution or university. Alternatively, suppose no institution or university offers any improvement plans.
In that case, the percentage will be determined by dividing the student's CGPA by the highest CGPA possible and multiplying the result by 100.
For instance,
- If a candidate has a minimum CGPA requirement of 10 and a maximum CGPA of 8.8, then 8.8/10 = 0.88, and multiplying that number by 100 gives us 0.88 X 100, or 88%.
- Candidate’s CGPA/Maximum CGPA) X 100 = Equivalent Percentage.
CAT Age Limit
There is no upper CAT age limit for any category of applicants for age. In other words, the candidate's age is not considered in the CAT eligibility criteria 2025. CAT eligibility criteria degrees are given first preference.
| CAT Eligibility Criteria Age | Details |
| Upper Age Limit | Not Applicable |
| Lower Age Limit | Not Applicable |
Practice Now:
CAT Eligibility for Final Year Students
In CAT Exam Eligibility 2025, graduation is a requirement for taking the CAT exam, but students in their last year of a variety of bachelor's degree programs are also permitted to take the CAT exam. An applicant must graduate with a 50% grade point average to be admitted into a course.
At several points during the screening process, IIMs and other management institutions check candidates' CAT eligibility and syllabus. Shortlisted candidates must adhere to the following guidelines after taking CAT 2025 exam:
- They must present an official certificate from the principal, department head, dean, or director of the university or institution attesting that they received 50% or an equivalent grade (45% in the case of a reserved category student), based on the most recent grades or marks available.
- At the time of the interview, they must also provide a set of photocopies of the original certificates.
Selected candidates for CAT exam eligibility for IIM PGP will only be permitted to enrol in the program provisionally if they produce a certificate saying.
- When the certificate is issued, they had finished all CAT exam criteria for getting a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification (results could still be waiting, though).
- When they produce the original mark sheet and degree certificate proving they have earned the bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification as specified in the certificate issued by the Principal/Registrar of their college/institute, their admission will only be confirmed.
- The minimum grade they must receive is 50% or an equivalent. The mark-sheet and degree certificate must be submitted in photocopy.
- The provisional admission will be automatically cancelled if this requirement is not met.
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CAT Eligibility for Final Year Students: Documents Required
Here is a list of required documents that must be produced to the conducting authorities at the time of the CAT Interview process:
- They must also provide a set of photocopies of the CAT eligibility 12th marks, graduation degrees, and original certificates.
- They produce the original mark sheet and degree certificate proving they have earned the bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification as specified in the certificate issued by the Principal/Registrar of their college/institute, their admission will only be confirmed.
- The mark sheets and degree certificate must be submitted in photocopy.
CAT 2025 Number of Seats in IIMs
There are currently 21 IIMs in India, essentially divided into three categories: Old, New, and Baby IIMs. The IIMs' Common Admission Test, or CAT, is considered by all IIMs.
For international students, certain IIMs also accept the GMAT 2025. IIMs are offering roughly 5100 seats in 2021
IIM CAT 2025 Reservation Criteria
The admissions selection criteria for IIMs will vary from institution to institution. They adhere to the restrictions on reservations imposed by the Indian government.
See the table below to learn about the CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 requirements for OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and general:
| Category | Percentage of Seat Reserved |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% of the total seats. |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% of the total seats. |
| Physically Disabled | 5% of the total seats. |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | up to 10% of seats |
| NC-OBC | 27% of the total seats. |
CAT Reservation Policy for Person with Disability (PwD)
Candidates in the PwD category must have a PwD certificate issued by an appropriate authority. Candidates can only take advantage of the PwD benefit after submitting the PwD certification issued by a legitimate authority.
The following provides information on the many sorts of disabilities recognized under the PwD reservation:
- Low vision and blind
- Hearing loss and deafness
- Cerebral palsy, leprosy treatment, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy are examples of locomotor impairment.
- Mental illness, intellectual disability, autism, and certain learning disabilities.
- Other "specified disabilities" included in "The Schedule" of the RPwD Act 2016 Multiple disabilities among those covered by sections (1) to (4)
Caste-Based CAT Reservation Policy
CAT exam caste-based reservation policy applies to applicants under the SC, ST, or NC-OBC categories. The following guidelines apply to these categories:
- CAT eligibility for SC or ST candidates must have received an overall grade of 45% on their Bachelor's degree program.
- CAT eligibility criteria for reserved candidates under the NC-OBC category must have received an overall grade in their Bachelor's program of 50% or higher.
- Eligibility for CAT exam in reservation the allocation of caste-based seat reservations.
Reservation Policy for EWS Category
According to the CAT EWS quota, 10% of the seats will be reserved for EWS applicants who fall within the General quota.
Who is Considered to be an EWS?
People who do not qualify for the SC, ST, or OBC quota program and whose family makes less than Rs 8 lakh in total annual income are classified as EWS for the reservation. Upon presentation of an Income and Asset Certificate issued by a Competent Authority, the benefit of reservation under the EWS can be accessed.
Who is Not Eligible for the EWS Quota?
Regardless of the family income, candidates who fall within any of the following categories are not eligible for the EWS quota benefits:
- Candidates whose families own at least 5 acres of farmland.
- Candidates who own residential properties with 1,000 square feet or more.
- Candidates whose parents own a home site in a designated municipality 100 square yards or larger.
- Candidates whose parents reside outside of the notified towns and own a residential plot of 200 square yards or more
Also Read:
CAT Essential Certificates
When applying, those who fall under the Differently Abled group must upload a PwD/DA certificate. At the time of the interview, they must additionally present the original certificate in the preferred format:
- NC-OBC Certificate
- SC-ST Certificate
- DA/PwD Certificate
- Format for Final Year Certificate
- Format for Candidate Identification Affidavit
Who is Ineligible for CAT 2025?
- If the individual is working towards a professional degree (CS, CA, or ICWA) without taking the bachelor's degree examination.
- The applicant is working toward earning both a bachelor's and a professional degree but has not yet finished both.
- The candidate is ineligible to apply for the CAT exam if their degree score is less than 50% (45% for SC/ST/PWT candidates).
- The candidate shall not be regarded as eligible for the CAT exam if MHRD, AICTE, or UGC do not acknowledge the degree.
CAT Eligibility vs IIM Eligibility: What is the Difference?
Candidates who will take the CAT exam need to be aware of the distinctions between the CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 criteria and CAT eligibility standards for IIMs.
- The IIMs' and CAT's eligibility requirements do not include an age restriction.
- Although IIMs do not accept a two-year bachelor's degree, it is allowed to take the CAT exam under the previous education system.
- Apart from this, unless specifically stated by IIMs, there are no significant distinctions.
- In addition to the variety of academic and extracurricular activities that are not required to take the CAT exam, work experience is preferred by IIMs.
- CAT exam eligibility and IIM eligibility are equivalent in all other respects.
CAT Exam Eligibility for IIM - Work Experience Requirements
- There is no CAT exam eligibility for IIM for prior work experience for candidates.
- There is no requirement to meet it, even if the CAT Application Form 2025 asks for it.
- It should be mentioned that IIMs may give this work experience considerable weight during the final test. The actual proportion, however, has never been released publicly and will differ from one IIM to another IIM.
- The bottom line is that work experience does not become a deciding factor until the end of the final selection process.
- IIMs are noted for having a mixed batch of students, including both recent graduates and those with work experience.
FAQs on CAT Eligibility Criteria
Q: Can a 12th pass apply for the CAT Exam?
Q: Can a 3rd-year student take the CAT Exam?
Q: Can anyone apply for the CAT Exam?
Q: How many CAT attempts are allowed?
