How Many Students Give CAT Exam? Data, Trends & What It Means for You

If you’re preparing for the CAT exam, you’ve probably wondered how many students give CAT exam every year and how tough the competition really is. The short answer: in recent years, close to three lakh candidates compete in the Common Admission Test (CAT) annually for admission to top MBA colleges and the prestigious IIMs across India.

According to data from the official CAT website and leading education portals, CAT registrations have touched around 3.28–3.29 lakh candidates in 2023 and CAT 2024, with about 2.88 lakh and roughly 293,000 candidates (≈2.93 lakh) appearing for the exam respectively.

Over the past years, the number of students registering for CAT has significantly increased, especially after the pandemic. In recent years, many students see CAT as the most reliable path to high-quality management education and high salary packages, so many students keep adding to the pool of CAT aspirants every single year. Most CAT aspirants hold a bachelor's degree, as it is a key eligibility requirement for the exam.

In this guide, we’ll break down how many students register and actually appear for the CAT exam, how many students clear CAT exam and reach top B schools, and what these numbers mean for your CAT preparation. We’ll also show you how Mockat’s online CAT coaching and mock tests can help you stay ahead of the competition.

Introduction to Common Admission Test

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most prestigious national-level entrance exam for management aspirants, conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). As the primary gateway to the country’s top B schools—including the prestigious IIMs and other leading management institutes—the CAT exam attracts a massive number of candidates every year. In fact, the number of students registering for the CAT exam has significantly increased in recent years, with around 3.35 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2025 alone.

The CAT exam is designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude for business management through three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. This exam pattern tests not only your reading comprehension and logical reasoning but also your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. The CAT is conducted in three sessions on a single day at hundreds of test centres across India, and features a computer-based format with negative marking for incorrect answers—making accuracy as important as speed.

What makes the CAT exam so competitive is the sheer number of test takers vying for limited seats in top MBA colleges. Every year, many students—including fresh graduates, working professionals, engineers, and non-engineers—register for the CAT exam with the goal of securing admission to a top MBA program. The CAT website provides detailed information on the exam pattern, syllabus, and registration process, helping candidates plan their CAT preparation effectively.

CAT scores are not only the key to admission at the IIMs but are also accepted by other top B schools and management institutes across India. This wide acceptability, combined with the promise of high salary packages and strong career growth, explains why so many students and MBA aspirants prioritize the Common Admission Test CAT over other MBA entrance exams. As a result, the competition has intensified, with the number of candidates registered for the CAT exam rising steadily over the past years.

To succeed in this challenging test, candidates need a solid preparation strategy, reliable study material, and regular practice with mock tests. Understanding the number of students who register and appear for the CAT exam each year is crucial for setting realistic goals and staying ahead of the competition. In the following sections, we’ll break down the data on CAT registrations and test takers, and explore what these trends mean for your own CAT preparation and MBA admission journey.

Why So Many Students Choose the CAT Exam

There are key reasons why so many students in India choose the Common Admission Test CAT over other options. CAT opens doors to the prestigious IIMs and other top B schools, as well as many leading private business school brands.

Strong CAT scores allow you to secure admission to flagship MBA program offerings at IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, and several top B schools such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, XLRI, MDI and other management institutes across India.

These institutes are known for rigorous management training, strong alumni networks, and excellent placement records. Naturally, many students and working professionals dream of converting a call from these campuses every year.

CAT Exam at a Glance – What Is the Common Admission Test?

The CAT exam is a national-level management entrance test conducted once a year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. Formally called the Common Admission Test, it is used by the IIMs and hundreds of MBA colleges and B schools across India to shortlist candidates for admission to postgraduate management courses.

The exam is fully computer‑based, held at multiple test centres in about 150–300 cities, and is typically conducted in three sessions (morning, afternoon and evening) on a single Sunday in November. Every year, lakhs of candidates compete in this exam hoping to study at a top business school.

The official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) publishes the notification, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, important dates and the official practice mock tests interface. As an aspirant, you must first check your eligibility, then register online, fill the form, and finally download your admit card before the exam.

How Many Students Register and Appear for CAT? (2020–CAT 2024)

Let’s look at the total number of candidates registered and those who appeared for CAT in the last five years. This will give you a realistic picture of how many candidates you compete with and how many students actually reach the exam hall.

Year-wise CAT registrations and test takers

CAT year	Candidates registered	Candidates who appeared	Attendance rate
2020	~2.28 lakh	~1.90 lakh	~83–84%
2021	~2.30 lakh	~1.92 lakh	~83–84%
2022	2.55 lakh	2.22 lakh	~87%
2023	3.28–3.30 lakh	2.88 lakh	~88%
2024	3.29 lakh	≈293,000	~89%

These figures are compiled from official CAT media releases and reputed education portals based on data shared by the IIMs.

You can see that CAT registrations have grown from around 2.3 lakh in 2020–21 to more than 3.2 lakh candidates registered for CAT in 2023 and CAT 2024. That means every year lakh candidates fill the form, but only about 85–89% of the students appeared as actual test takers on exam day.

On average, the total number of students who registered for CAT in recent years is around 3 lakh. If you want to estimate how many students actually sit in the exam, it’s slightly lower because some candidates skip the test for personal or academic reasons. Still, these are huge volumes, which is why many students feel the competition is intense.

Early reports for CAT 2025 indicate that again around three lakh candidates registered for CAT, with about 2.95 lakh candidates expected to appear, keeping the scale of the exam almost unchanged.

Has the Total Number of CAT Test Takers Really Increased?

If you compare 2020 with CAT 2024, the total number of candidates registered has jumped from about 2.28 lakh to 3.29 lakh. That’s an increase of more than 40%, showing how competition has grown as more aspirants aim for an MBA from reputed institutes.

So if you’re wondering how many students you’re competing against, the answer is: roughly three lakh students register each year, and close to three lakh candidates are likely to appear in the coming seasons too, as long as management education remains popular in India.

CAT 2025 Snapshot – Who Were the Test Takers?

For CAT 2025, official statistics indicate that approximately 3.35 lakh candidates registered for the exam. Out of these, around 3.00 lakh candidates appeared, resulting in an attendance rate of roughly 89–90%, consistent with recent high participation trends.

This continues the pattern of strong engagement among MBA aspirants across India.

Gender Diversity in CAT 2025

Among the candidates who appeared:

~1.90 lakh were male candidates
~1.10 lakh were female candidates
A small number (single digits) identified as transgender

The proportion of female candidates has remained steady, reflecting gradual and sustained improvement in gender representation in MBA entrance exams.

Gender-wise Breakup of CAT 2025 Candidates

Category	Number of Candidates (Approx.)
Total candidates registered	3.35 lakh
Total who appeared	≈3.00 lakh
Male candidates (appeared)	~1.90 lakh
Female candidates (appeared)	~1.10 lakh
Transgender candidates (appeared)	Single digits (approx.)

Based on official media release and consolidated reporting from major CAT analysis portals.

How Many Students Clear CAT Exam and Get Seats?

With lakh candidates writing the test, the next big question is: how many students clear CAT exam and convert it into admission offers from IIMs and other top B schools?

Across all IIMs together, there are a little over 5,500–8,000 MBA seats available in their flagship programmes, depending on the year and intake expansion.
Combined with seats in strong non‑IIM institutes such as FMS, IITs, MDI, SPJIMR and premium private MBA colleges, experts typically estimate that only 20,000–25,000 students clear CAT exam with scores high enough to land interviews at leading institutes.

So out of nearly three lakh candidates who take the test, only a small fraction manage to get admission to IIMs and other institutes. Many of the same MBA candidates also apply for other MBA entrance exams like XAT, NMAT and SNAP, but it is your CAT scores that matter most for IIMs and many elite colleges, which is why clearing CAT feels like such a high‑stakes challenge with limited seats.

Rough comparison: CAT exam takers vs seats in top institutes

Category	Approx. numbers per year
Total CAT exam takers	~2.9–3.0 lakh
Seats across all IIMs (MBA/PGP)	~5,500–8,000
Seats in non‑IIM institutes using CAT (tier‑1 & tier‑2)	~12,000–17,000 (varies by year)
Students finally admitted to top 30–40 B schools	~20,000–25,000

These are approximate figures, but they show that only about 1 in 10–12 candidates ends up in a top business school through CAT.

CAT Exam Pattern: What Are You Competing Against?

Understanding the CAT pattern is crucial to judge how tough the exam really is. The current structure typically has a three‑part layout and a total duration of 120 minutes, with sectional time limits.

The main sections are:

VARC – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
DILR – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
QA – Quantitative Aptitude

Together, they test your reading ability, logic and problem solving skills in a challenging test with multiple‑choice and TITA (type‑in‑the‑answer) questions. There is negative marking for most MCQs, which means you must balance speed and accuracy while attempting the exam.

The exam is conducted in three sessions at hundreds of test centres across India on a single day, and the entire test is online‑style and computer‑based, so you must be comfortable with navigating the on‑screen calculator, question palette and timer.

Summary of CAT exam structure

Section	Area tested	No. of questions*	Time limit
VARC	English usage & RC	~24	40 minutes
DILR	Data interpretation & logical reasoning	~20	40 minutes
QA	Quantitative aptitude	~22	40 minutes

*Exact numbers can vary slightly by year, but the overall structure of three sections in 120 minutes has remained similar in recent years.

Who Can Apply? Quick Note on CAT Exam Eligibility

To make sense of how many students appear, you also need to know who the eligible candidates are. In short, you must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories), or an equivalent qualification like CA/CS/ICWA, from a recognised college or university in India. Mockat

For detailed rules, categories, reservation percentages and edge cases (backlogs, final‑year college students, foreign nationals, etc.), read Mockat’s in‑depth guide on CAT exam eligibility criteria.This pillar page explains exactly which students are eligible candidates before they even registered for CAT. Mockat

Why Do So Many Students Still Prefer CAT Over Other Exams?

Despite the intense competition, many students still prioritise CAT over other exams for MBA admissions. Here are some key reasons:

Direct path to IIMs and top B schools – For many aspirants, CAT is the only exam that can get them into the top IIMs and elite government management institutes, as well as renowned IIT MBA program offerings.
Wide acceptability of CAT scores – Thousands of MBA colleges and B schools across India accept CAT scores, so one exam keeps multiple options open, from IIMs to reputed university departments and private business school brands.
Career growth and ROI – Top CAT‑accepting institutes often report excellent placements and strong alumni networks. This potential for career growth and attractive roles in consulting, finance, tech and product management motivates many students to work hard for CAT instead of relying only on state‑level tests or alternative entrance tests.
Strong ecosystem of guidance – From every big coaching institute to niche platforms like Mockat.com, CAT has a mature ecosystem of study material, mock tests, toppers’ strategies and personalised mentorship, which makes CAT preparation more structured compared with some newer MBA entrance exams. Mockat

What Do These Numbers Mean for Your CAT Preparation?

Looking at the data, it’s clear that many students and many aspirants aim for CAT every year, but only a fraction crack it. Instead of getting scared by the number of students, use these statistics to plan smarter preparation.

First, remember that clearing CAT is not about beating three lakh people. Many candidates are under‑prepared or treat the exam casually. Your real competition is the small subset of serious cat aspirants who consistently practise, analyse mocks and refine their strategy.

Second, note that the total number of candidates registered has grown, but so has information, digital resources and support. If you combine the right study material with focused practice, you can stay ahead of most aspirants even if you’re starting from a non‑metro college or are one of the many working professionals juggling job and prep.

Finally, see CAT as just one of several MBA pathways. While CAT gives access to IIMs and top B schools, you can—and should—also apply to good institutes through other exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT and GMAT. This diversifies your options and increases your chances of admission to a quality MBA program. Mockat

Use Mock Tests and Study Material to Stay Ahead

With nearly three lakh CAT exam test takers, differentiating yourself comes down to practice. High‑quality mock tests and sectional tests help you simulate the pressure of the actual exam, identify weak areas and track improvement over time.

On Mockat.com, you get carefully designed full‑length mocks, sectionals and speed‑based drills that mirror the real CAT exam pattern. Their analytics show you how you performed against thousands of other candidates, so you know where you truly stand and what to fix to stay ahead.

Combining strong study material, topic‑wise practice and timed mock tests is the single biggest lever most students can pull to move into the top percentile bracket, especially when competition is rising and set to remain high in future years.

How Mockat Helps You from Registration to Admission

Mockat specialises in online CAT coaching, with live classes, doubt‑solving and a structured preparation roadmap for aspirants at every level. Whether you’re in college or a mid‑career professional, the platform helps you plan your schedule, choose the right test series and stick to a weekly target. Mockat

You can start with free mock tests, then upgrade to advanced test series and study material that cover Quant, Verbal and DILR in depth. Their mentors—99.9+ percentilers from Indian Institute alumni networks—guide you on how to use mocks, analyse mistakes and prioritise topics. Mockat

More importantly, Mockat’s mentors pay attention to your profile, background and goals—whether you’re targeting only prestigious IIMs or also looking at strong non‑IIM management institutes. This ensures you are not just clearing CAT once, but actually using your CAT scores to secure admission into the right MBA program for you.

FAQs on How Many Students Give CAT Exam

1. On average, how many students appear for the CAT every year?

In the last few years, between 2.5 lakh and 3.3 lakh candidates registered for CAT annually, and around 2.2–2.93 lakh test takers appeared for the exam. This means roughly 2.8–3.0 lakh students take the CAT exam in a typical year.

2. How many candidates appeared for CAT 2024?

For CAT 2024, 2.93 lakh candidates appeared out of 3.29 lakh candidates registered. That’s an attendance rate of about 89%, higher than in most past years.

3. Do many students skip the exam after registering?

Yes. As you can see from the tables, every year a chunk of students register but do not appear—usually around 10–15% of the total number of candidates registered. Some fall ill, some are not ready with their preparation, and some choose other exams or decide to drop a year.

4. How many students clear CAT exam with 99+ percentile?

Typically, a few thousand candidates score 99+ percentile overall, and only a small group get 100 percentile. For example, in CAT 2024, just 14 students achieved a perfect 100 percentile out of roughly 2.9 lakh test takers.

5. Is CAT only for engineers, or do non engineers also crack it?

While engineers still form a major chunk of CAT aspirants and toppers, non engineers regularly crack the exam and get admission into IIMs and good private B schools. In fact, the IIMs and Indian Institute brands have been consciously improving academic diversity in their classrooms, with increasing numbers of women and non‑engineering graduates.