While filling out the IIM CAT application form, choosing the proper management courses and IIM programs is an important step that has a direct impact on the chances of getting admitted through CAT 2025. After entering personal and educational information, students will come to the point where they need to select the programs of various IIMs, including PGP, MBA, PGDM, EPGP, etc. Aspirants can opt for many courses in all the IIMs but to pursue the admission, they are required to meet the CAT eligibility criteria norms for the current year.
It is important to meet the minimum eligibility criteria while choosing the programs or else students will not be considered eligible for the admission by exam conducting committee. Every chosen program is taken into account while shortlisting applicants after the CAT 2025 based on the student's CAT score, academic record, and category. Also, be sure to choose desired cities for interviews for every IIM while program selection.
The CAT program choosing process is absolutely free of cost and needs to be done prior to final submission of the CAT application form. Selecting the optimum combination of IIM courses at the time of registration will help candidates achieve maximum interview call possibilities. Double-check filled choices prior to CAT application form submission, since changes might not be permitted once the deadline is over.
How to Register & Select Programs for CAT 2025
Students can follow the below listed steps to know how to register for the CAT exam and how to select the desired course during the procedure.
- Visit the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in)
- Click on “Register” to create a user ID and password
- Log in using the credentials sent via email and SMS
- Provide all the required personal information like DOB, gender, category and more
- Upload scanned photograph and signature in the required format
- Enter academic details including marks and qualifications for Class 10, 12, and graduation
- Provide details of work experience, if applicable
- Select IIM programs and courses based on eligibility and preference
- Choose interview cities for each selected IIM program
- Select up to six preferred CAT exam cities
- Review the entire application form carefully
- Pay the application fee through debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI
- Submit the completed application form
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference
Recommended: List of documents required to apply for CAT Exam 2025
CAT 2025 Important Dates
The IIM Kozhikode will conduct the CAT 2025 on November 30, 2025 . The important dates of the exam along with the other dates such as cat registration date 2025, the final date to fill cat application form, and the schedule of the exam have been mentioned below in the table.
CAT Exam Events | Dates (Tentative) |
CAT 2025 official notification release | August 1, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Registration Date | August 1, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Registration Last Date | September 13, 2025 |
CAT Application Form Correction Window | September 2025 |
CAT 2025 Admit Card Date | November 10, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 (OUT) |
CAT Answer Key Release Date | 1st Week of December 2025 |
CAT Answer Key Objection Raising Window | 1st Week of December 2025 |
CAT Result Declaration | 1st Week of January 2026 |
IIM Counselling Process | February 2026 |
Factors to Consider While Choosing IIM Programs in CAT 2025
Eligibility: Students need to view the corresponding eligibility of each program since it differs from program to program (e.g. graduation percentage, work experience, area of study)
Career Ambitions: The option should align with students long-term career ambitions - if they wish to go into general management, consulting, analytics, entrepreneurship, or leadership positions
Work Experience: The EPGP or PGPX courses are designed for those with meaningful work experience in contrast to the flagship PGP that is designed for freshers or 0-3 years of work experience candidates
Academic background: Certain IIMs and programs are location-specific including IIM Ahmedabad - (PGP-FABM), IIM Bangalore - (PGPEM) for candidates with specific academic backgrounds like engineering or agriculture or economics
Geography/interview cities: The students can also opt to make convenience, proximity and personal preference considerations when choosing interview cities in programs they opt for.
Profile and diversity match: Students must select courses in which their professional and academic profile matches the eligibility requirements or diversity requirements of the institute.
Rank and ROI: Higher-ranked IIMs and those with good placement track and a strong alumni base offer increased ROI.
List of Programs Offered by IIMs
Candidates can check out the table given below to find out what all courses are offered by IIMs through CAT examination. Students must select the programs carefully keeping their career goals in mind.
Course Name | Full Form | Eligibility |
PGP / MBA | Post Graduate Programme in Management | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) |
PGDM | Post Graduate Diploma in Management | Bachelor’s degree; same eligibility as PGP |
EPGP / PGPX | Executive Post Graduate Programme | Bachelor’s degree + minimum 5 years of full-time work exp. |
PGP-FABM | PGP in Food and Agribusiness Management | Bachelor's in agriculture, life sciences, or related field |
PGPEM | Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Mgmt | Bachelor’s degree + minimum 3 years of work experience |
PGP-HRM | PGP in Human Resource Management | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
PGPBA / MBA-BA | MBA in Business Analytics | Bachelor’s degree + strong math/stats background preferred |
PGPWE | PGP for Working Executives | Bachelor’s degree + 3 to 5 years of work experience |
PGDM (B & FS) | PGDM in Banking & Financial Services | Bachelor’s degree; background in finance preferred |
Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing IIM Program in CAT Registration
- Selecting programs without checking the eligibility criteria
- Missing programs that fit your academic or professional experience
- Missing specialized programs (FABM, HRM, Business Analytics)
- Selecting only a few IIM programs rather than all eligible programs
- Not researching programs expectations structure, length, and placement outcomes
- Selecting executive programs (EPGP/PGPX) without obligatory work experience
- Not selecting cities to take interviews for IIMs
- Believing program selection influences CAT score as it does not
- Rushing through the choice process without reading the information of the program
- Not checking out your choices before you click the submit option
Also Check: Is it Possible to Select Your Preferred IIM During the CAT Registration Process?
