CAT Exam is For Which Stream: Check Exam Pattern, Subjects and Eligibility

Overview: The CAT exam is for which stream? If you are looking for the answer to the same question, scroll down to learn more!

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• The CAT exam is for everyone, irrespective of their particular stream.
• The Common Admission Test is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams conducted online annually.
• The 2025 CAT exam will be conducted in November 2025 across various centres in India.
• The last date to apply for the CAT entrance exam is September 2025.

To know about the CAT exam subjects or what CAT exam is for which stream, scroll down!

CAT Exam is For Which Stream?

A common misconception is that the CAT entrance exam is only for students from a particular stream, such as commerce or engineering. However, it is open to students from all educational backgrounds.

You can take the CAT exam regardless of your educational background in engineering, arts, commerce, or science. This flexibility in eligibility criteria ensures that the exam is accessible to many students.

But what are the primary requirements for appearing for the CAT exam? Let's look into the CAT eligibility criteria briefly.

• The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from any recognized university or educational institution, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories]. 
• Candidates who have finished degree prerequisites, are awaiting results, and are taking the last year of the Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification test are both eligible to apply.

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Note: Applicants should note that mere fulfilment of the minimum CAT entrance exam criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs.

Also check: CAT Exam Quantitative aptitude questions

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CAT Exam Highlights - CAT Exam is For Which Stream?

Here’s a brief overview of the CAT Exam 2025:

Particulars	Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute	Indian Institute of Management
Exam Level	National
Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2025	Sunday, November 30, 2024 (tentative)
Registration Fees	SC/ST/PwD - INR 1250/- GEN - INR 2500/-
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST)
Number of Applications (2023)	3.28 lakh
Exam Purpose	Admission to over 1,200 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered Through CAT Exam	MBA/ PGDM
CAT Exam Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Mode	Online Computer Based Test (CBT)
No. of Test Cities for CAT 2025 Exam	150
Website	iimcat.ac.in

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Which Stream is Best for CAT Exam?

The CAT exam is designed to test a wide range of skills that are relevant to a career in management. The CAT exam pattern includes quantitative skills, verbal skills, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. Therefore, it is suitable for students from any stream who have developed these skills during their undergraduate education or through additional preparation.

Check | CAT Exam for Commerce Students

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CAT Exam Pattern 2025

The CAT exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The test is a 120-minute online computer-based exam.

Here is an overview of the expected CAT paper pattern for 2025

Sections	Number of MCQs	Number of Non-MCQs	Total Questions
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	21	3	24
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	14	6	20
Quantitative Ability (QA)	14	8	22
Total	49	17	66

Also check: Is CAT compulsory for MBA

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Conclusion

To sum up, you must understand that the CAT exam is not confined to students from a particular stream. Many often ask which CAT exam is for which stream. The answer is that it is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and the ambition to pursue a management career.

By understanding the exam pattern and having a proper CAT preparation strategy, students from any educational background can succeed in the CAT exam and gain admission to a top B-school.

Also Check | Start preparing your CAT Exam Preparation with SuperGrads CAT Online Coaching.

Prepare well, stay focused, and follow the right strategy to help you achieve your goal of acing the CAT exam and securing a place in your dream college.

Check: CAT Exam Reasoning Syllabus