IIM Entrance Exam (CAT 2025) Expected to See Record Applicants: STUDYRISERR Report

3 min read

Aparna Das

Senior Content Manager | Updated on - Oct 24, 2025

A StudyRiserr Report projects a record-breaking year for the IIM entrance exam (CAT 2025), with over 3.5 lakh aspirants expected to register. You can expect the success rate of CAT 2025 to be around 2%.

iim-entrance-exam-cat-2025-expected-to-see-record-applicants

The IIM entrance exam, officially known as the Common Admission Test (CAT), is projected to see a significant surge in the number of applications for the 2025 cycle. This trend continues the high-level interest seen in recent years, despite some conflicting reports about a potential dip in initial registrations.

Based on our expert analysis and past trends, over 3.5 lakh aspirants are likely to register for CAT 2025, which would mark a record high. Check CAT Year-wise Exam Analysis to understand the difficulty level of the examination.

CAT 2024 Performance Sets the Stage

To understand the current projections, it's essential to look at the official figures from the previous year. The CAT 2024 exam, conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024, saw robust participation.

Total Registered Candidates: 3.29 lakh
Total Appeared Candidates: 2.93 lakh
100 Percentilers: 14 candidates
Overall Success Rate: Approximately 2% (This is the estimated percentage of candidates who appear for the exam and successfully gain admission to an IIM)
Admission Percentile: For the most sought-after IIMs, the final admission cutoff for the General category is around 98-99+ percentile, much higher than the minimum qualifying percentile.

The following table, based on IIM official releases, compares the registration and appearance numbers for CAT 2023 and 2024:

CAT Year	Registered Candidates	Appeared Candidates	Attendance Rate	Official Source
2024	3.29 lakh	2.93 lakh	~89%	IIM Calcutta
2023	3.30 lakh	2.88 lakh	~87%	IIM Lucknow

Download: CAT PYQ PDFs (2019-2024)

Key Factors Driving the Applicant Surge for CAT 2025

Several dynamic trends are contributing to the projected rise in applications for the IIM entrance exam in 2025:

Growing demand for management education: An MBA from a top-tier IIM continues to be a highly sought-after qualification for career progression and robust earning potential.
Focus on diversity and inclusion: IIMs have actively promoted gender and academic diversity, encouraging more female and non-engineering candidates to apply. Recent batches show an increase in female participation and a slight dip in the dominance of engineering backgrounds.
Influence of online resources and social media: The accessibility of online coaching and preparation platforms has widened the aspirant pool. One recent you tube post highlighting the end of CAT 2025 registration periods commented on the high competition, stating: "3.4 lakh or 3.5 Lakh! CAT 2025 Form Closed | Competition increased?".

What Does This Mean for CAT Aspirants?

With a clear data on a record number of applicants for the IIM entrance exam in 2025, the competition for limited IIM seats will be fiercer than ever. As the success rate for securing a place at a top IIM remains extremely low (around 2%), strategic and disciplined preparation will be critical for aspirants.

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