CAT Participating Colleges 2025: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission into top business schools in India. CAT participating colleges 2025 play an important role in shaping the academic and professional future of thousands of aspiring management students.
These colleges are known for their rigorous selection process and academic excellence, making them highly sought after by candidates looking to pursue a career in management.
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is an entrance exam for MBA programs in India, accepted by over 100 colleges, including top institutes like the IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, SJMSoM IIT Mumbai, and DoMS IIT Delhi.
Most top MBA colleges accept CAT scores between the 90th–100th percentiles.
The CAT exam for 2025 is scheduled for November 24.
Candidates can register on the CAT 2025 website to create a login ID.
Graduates from any stream are eligible for CAT 2025, and detailed eligibility criteria are on the official website.
The CAT cutoff for IIMs is expected to be in the 98th–100th percentile range.
CAT Participating Colleges 2025 Highlights |
|
Aspect |
Details |
Purpose |
Entrance exam for MBA programs in India |
Accepted by |
100+ MBA colleges, including IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, SJMSoM IIT Mumbai, and DoMS IIT Delhi |
Score Acceptance |
CAT scores between 90 and 100 percentiles are generally accepted by top MBA colleges |
Exam Date |
November 30, 2025 |
Registration |
Candidates can access the CAT exam website and create a login ID through the CAT 2025 registration process |
Eligibility |
Graduates in any stream are eligible; detailed criteria are available on the CAT exam website |
Cutoff for IIMs |
Predicted to be in the 98–100 percentile range |
Here is a list of CAT participating colleges in India. It includes information about the courses they offer and the number of available seats. The colleges that accept the CAT exam, along with the universities they are affiliated with, are as follows:
List of CAT Participating Colleges 2025 |
||
Colleges Through CAT Exam |
PGP/MBA seats |
PGP Courses |
IIM Ahmedabad |
385 |
PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics) |
IIM Bangalore |
430 |
MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA |
IIM Calcutta |
210 |
MBA |
IIM Lucknow |
436 |
PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM, PGPWE |
IIM Kozhikode |
375 |
PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP Kochi |
IIM Raipur |
210 |
PGP |
IIM Udaipur |
260 |
MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, PGDBAWE |
IIM Rohtak |
240 |
PGP, EPGDSM |
IIM Visakhapatnam |
60 |
PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM |
IIM Trichy |
180 |
PGPM & PGPM-HR |
IIM Sambalpur |
120 |
MBA, Executive MBA |
IIM Ranchi |
240 |
PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics) |
IIM Bodhgaya |
120 |
PGP |
IIM Sirmaur |
60 |
MBA, MBA (T&HM), ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics) |
IIM Jammu |
120 |
MBA |
IIM Amritsar |
60 |
MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA |
IIM Shillong |
120 |
PGP, PGPEX, MBA (WE) |
IIM Kashipur |
210 |
MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics) |
IIM Nagpur |
130 |
MBA, MBA (Executive) |
IIM Indore |
451 |
PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management) |
Here's a list of the best MBA colleges that accept CAT scores, along with their minimum required scores (cut-off).
Private Universities Accepting CAT Scores 2025 |
|
Serial Number |
CAT Exam Top Colleges 2025 |
1 |
Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad |
2 |
SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai |
3 |
TAPMI Manipal |
4 |
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon |
5 |
Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar (XIMB) |
6 |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai |
7 |
LIBA Chennai |
8 |
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai |
9 |
Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development, Mysore |
10 |
Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai |
Look for MBA programs at government colleges after taking the CAT exam. Also, explore the best colleges that accept CAT scores.
Top Government Colleges Accepting CAT Scores 2025 |
|
Serial Number |
Top CAT Exam College List |
1 |
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi |
2 |
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar |
3 |
NITIE Mumbai |
4 |
Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi |
5 |
MNNIT Allahabad |
6 |
Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal |
7 |
Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (DMS, IIT Delhi) |
8 |
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad |
9 |
Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management, Kolkata |
You can get into top MBA colleges in India even without taking the CAT exam. Some prestigious B-schools like XLRI Jamshedpur, SIBM Pune, NMIMS Mumbai, and SP Jain Institute of Management & Research offer direct admissions based on other exam scores or merit and work experience. Note: These exams include XAT , MAT, GMAT , NMAT , SNAP , and more. The criteria for direct admission vary, usually requiring a minimum undergraduate score of 50%-65%, with some differences for reserved categories. Before choosing a college without CAT, consider factors like UGC or AICTE approval, infrastructure, offered specializations, and placement opportunities.
MBA College Without CAT Exam |
||
MBA Colleges without CAT |
Entrance Exams Accepted |
Eligibility Criteria |
XLRI Jamshedpur |
XAT, GMAT |
Generally 50%-65% at the undergraduate level |
SIBM Pune |
SNAP |
Typically a minimum aggregate score is required |
NMIMS Mumbai |
NMAT |
Usually minimum aggregate score required |
SP Jain Institute of Management & Research |
CAT, XAT, GMAT, others |
Consider work experience and academic performance |
To apply for CAT participating colleges in 2025, candidates need to meet some admission requirements:
They must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 50% total marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) or an equivalent CGPA.
There is no age limit, so candidates of any age can apply.
The MBA admission process through CAT 2025 has three stages:
CAT Exam: This is a computer-based test with three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
Written Ability Test (WAT): This stage checks writing skills by asking candidates to write on a given topic.
Personal Interview (PI): This stage evaluates communication skills, personality, and whether the candidate is a good fit for the MBA program.
After the CAT results are out, the organizing IIM uses these three stages to select candidates. In the first stage, candidates are shortlisted based on their CAT scores, followed by the WAT and PI rounds.
The importance of CAT scores in MBA admission through CAT 202 differs among colleges. It's typically just one aspect considered in the overall selection process. The CAT score is used to shortlist candidates for subsequent rounds like the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The final decision considers the candidate's performance in all three rounds, alongside their academic record, work experience, and other factors. Although the weightage of CAT scores can vary by college, it generally makes up around 30%-40% of the total evaluation.
Weightage of CAT score in MBA admission through CAT 2025 |
||
MBA Admission Selection Process (CAT 2025) |
Component |
Importance |
Round 1 - CAT Exam |
Computer-Based Test (CAT) Sections |
Typically, only one of several factors |
Round 2 - WAT (Written Ability Test) |
Assessing Writing Skills |
Part of the selection process after the CAT |
Round 3 - PI (Personal Interview) |
Evaluating Communication & Personality |
Considered along with the CAT score and academic/work records |
Final Selection |
Aggregate Performance in All Rounds |
CAT score, WAT, and PI performance, along with other factors |
Weightage of CAT Score |
Varies by College |
Generally, around 30%-40% of the total evaluation |
Candidates aiming to secure admission to top B-schools in India must clear MBA entrance exams with commendable scores. PW MBA Online Coaching offers regular live classes with separate doubt clarification sessions to strengthen candidates’ conceptual understanding. Additionally, faculties of PW MBA Coaching Classes follow a strategic study plan to enhance candidates' exam preparation and help them excel with flying colours.