The CAT exam pattern has changed alot from 2019 to 2025. The exam time duration was reduced from 3 hours to 120 minutes, while the number of questions also decreased from 100 to as low as 66. These changes affect exam strategy, preparation plans, and IIM shortlisting trends. Moreover, IIM admissions 2025 have become more tougher due to high CAT cut-offs, strict sectional percentiles, and increased weightage to academics and work experience.
Year-wise CAT Exam Pattern
| Year | Duration | Total Questions | Section Split | Marking Scheme |
| Before 2020 | 3 hours | 100 | VARC 34, QA 34, DILR 32 | +3 for correct, -1 for MCQ incorrect, No negative for non-MCQ |
| 2020 | 120 min | 76 | VARC 26, DILR 24, QA 26 | Same |
| 2021 | 120 min | 66 | 24 / 20 / 22 approx. | Same |
| 2022 | 120 min | 66 | Same | Same |
| 2023 | 120 min | 66 | Same | Same |
| 2024 | 120 min | 68 | Slight rise in DILR | Same |
| 2025 | 120 min | 66–68 | Same | Same |
Top Management Institutes as per NIRF 2025
As per NIRF Rankings 2025, the top five management institutes are:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIT Delhi
- IIM Lucknow
Two other IIMs—Calcutta and Indore—are also ranked in the top 10.
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Through CAT – Know the Tier 1, 2, and 3 Colleges Along With Old, New, and Baby IIMs
IIM-wise Admissions Selection Criteria 2020 vs 2025
| IIM | 2020 Final Selection | 2025 Final Selection | Major Change |
| IIM Ahmedabad | CAT 25%, PI 50%, WAT 10%, Academics 15% | Same weightage | Sectional cut-offs increased (overall cut-off 80→95; sectionals 70→85). Shortlisting is now stricter. |
| IIM Bangalore | CAT 25%, PI 30%, WAT 10%, Class 10 10%, Class 12 5%, Work 10%, Diversity 2% | CAT 25%, PI 40%, WAT 10%, Class 10 5%, Class 12 5%, UG 5%, Work 10% | PI weightage increased. Small changes across academics. |
| IIM Kozhikode | CAT 44%, PI 44%, Resume/Academic/Work 12%, No WAT | CAT 35%, PI 35%, WAT 20%, Resume 10% | WAT reintroduced. CAT weightage reduced. |
| IIM Lucknow | CAT 30%, PI 40%, WAT 10%, Class 12 5%, Graduation 5%, Diversity 5%, Work 5% | CAT 30%, PI 40%, WAT 10%, Academics 10%, Diversity 5%, Work 5% | No major change. |
