Exam Name
CAT
Conducting IIM
IIM Indore
Exam Mode
CBT
Total Questions
68*
Total Duration
120 minutes
Sectional Time
40 minutes
CAT 2026: CAT Exam 2026 Date, Preparation, Registration & All Details
If you are planning to pursue an MBA from the Indian Institutes of Management or another leading business school in India, the CAT Exam 2026 date is one of the most important dates to keep on your calendar. The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities in India.
The CAT 2026 registration process has already started. Candidates could begin submitting their applications from August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and the registration window will remain open until September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The admit card is scheduled to become available from November 4, 2026, while the CAT 2026 result is expected to be declared by the first week of January 2027.
For the 2026 examination cycle, IIM Indore is conducting CAT. The exam remains a computer-based test with three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The paper has 68 questions and a total testing time of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section.
The biggest practical point for aspirants is that CAT is not simply an eligibility exam. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria only allows you to appear for the test. Admission decisions are made separately by individual IIMs and other participating institutions, and they may consider CAT performance along with academics, work experience, interview performance and other profile-related factors.
This article covers the CAT Exam 2026 date, registration, fees, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, preparation strategy, documents, important deadlines, expected result timeline and what you should do after the examination.
Here is a quick overview of the CAT 2026 examination cycle.
| Particular | CAT 2026 Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test 2026 |
| Commonly Known As | CAT 2026 |
| Conducting IIM | IIM Indore |
| CAT Exam 2026 Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Exam Sessions | Three sessions |
| Test Cities | Approximately 170 |
| Registration Start | August 3, 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Admit Card | November 4 to November 29, 2026 |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Sections | 3 |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes |
| VARC | 24 questions |
| DILR | 22 questions |
| QA | 22 questions |
| Sectional Time | 40 minutes |
| General/EWS/NC-OBC Fee | ₹2,700 |
| SC/ST/PwD Fee | ₹1,350 |
| Expected Result | First week of January 2027 |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
The dates and fee figures above reflect the 2026 notification and current reporting based on the official CAT schedule.
The CAT Exam 2026 date is November 29, 2026. The examination will be conducted on a single day in three sessions. The registration window has already opened and candidates should not wait until the final day to complete the application.
The complete CAT 2026 timeline is as follows:
| CAT 2026 Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification | July 2026 |
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Time | 10:00 AM |
| Registration Ends | September 15, 2026 |
| Registration Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Admit Card Download Begins | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT Exam 2026 Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Result | First week of January 2027, tentatively |
| Score Validity | December 31, 2027 |
The registration and examination dates have been confirmed in the 2026 notification. The result timeline is stated as the first week of January 2027 on the basis of the notification, although CAT results in recent years have sometimes been released earlier than the stated window.
The CAT Exam 2026 date is November 29, 2026, Sunday.
Unlike an exam where students can select any date, CAT is conducted on a common examination day. Candidates are allotted one of the available sessions at their assigned test centre.
Since CAT is conducted in multiple sessions, candidates should not assume that everyone will receive the same question paper. The examination authority uses a normalization process to account for differences in difficulty between sessions.
CAT 2026 registration closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates should ideally complete the application well before the deadline. Waiting until the final few hours can create unnecessary problems if there are payment issues, document-upload problems, incorrect information or heavy website traffic.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026. Candidates can download it through the official CAT portal using their login credentials. The download window runs until the examination date.
The CAT 2026 notification indicates that the result is expected by the first week of January 2027. However, the actual release can happen earlier depending on the examination authority's evaluation and normalization process.
CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the IIMs for admission to postgraduate and other management programmes offered by the IIMs and for use by participating non-IIM institutions.
CAT scores are used by the IIMs as part of their admission processes, while several non-IIM business schools also accept CAT scores. Importantly, non-IIM institutions conduct their own admission and selection processes; the IIMs do not control those institutions' final selection decisions.
The examination tests three broad abilities:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
The exam is designed to test how effectively a candidate can understand information, identify relationships, solve problems, interpret data and make decisions under strict time constraints.
That is why CAT preparation should not be treated like a conventional syllabus-completion exercise. A student may understand every topic but still struggle to achieve a high percentile if they cannot select questions intelligently or manage the sectional time limit.
The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria are relatively broad.
A candidate can apply if they have completed a recognised bachelor's degree with the required percentage, are in the final year of a bachelor's degree, or hold certain recognised professional qualifications.
For the 2026 examination:
General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates generally need at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in the qualifying bachelor's degree.
SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates generally need at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
Final-year bachelor's degree students can apply.
Candidates who have completed the degree requirements but are awaiting results can also apply subject to the conditions specified by the IIMs.
Candidates holding recognised professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA/CMA or FIAI may also be eligible under the prescribed conditions.
There is no upper age limit specified for appearing in CAT.
| Candidate Category | Minimum Graduation Requirement |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwD/PwBD | 45% |
The percentage requirement is based on the applicable CAT rules and the manner in which marks or CGPA are calculated by the candidate's university or institution. Candidates should not create their own conversion formula if their university already specifies one.
Yes. Students who are currently in the final year of their bachelor's degree can apply for CAT 2026.
However, eligibility to sit for CAT and eligibility to finally join an IIM are not exactly the same thing. Final-year candidates who receive admission may have to provide documentation confirming that they have completed all degree requirements within the prescribed timeline.
This is particularly important for students whose university results are released after the CAT examination.
No. Work experience is not compulsory for appearing in CAT 2026.
Fresh graduates and final-year students can apply. However, candidates should understand that work experience may be considered as part of the individual selection policies of particular IIMs.
Therefore, a fresher and an experienced candidate may both be eligible for CAT, but their admission evaluation can differ depending on the institute's selection criteria.
Yes. Engineering graduates, including eligible B.E. and B.Tech graduates, can apply.
CAT does not restrict applicants to a particular undergraduate stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering, computer applications and other recognised disciplines can appear if they meet the eligibility conditions.
Yes. BBA graduates can apply for CAT 2026 if they satisfy the prescribed graduation percentage requirement.
The same applies to students from B.Com, BA, B.Sc, BCA, B.Tech and other recognised bachelor's programmes.
The CAT 2026 registration process is conducted online through the official CAT website.
Registration opened on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates should use their own active email address and mobile number because these details are important throughout the examination and admission process.
The application process generally involves creating a candidate account, entering personal and academic details, selecting programmes and test-city preferences, uploading the required information and paying the application fee.
A practical way to approach the form is:
Create your registration account
Visit the official CAT website and complete the initial registration using your personal details and active contact information.
Fill in personal information
Enter your name, date of birth, category, gender, nationality and other information exactly as required.
Enter academic details
Provide details related to Class 10, Class 12, graduation and any other qualifying or professional qualifications applicable to you.
Add work experience
If you have eligible work experience, enter the details carefully according to the instructions in the application form.
Select programmes
Review the IIM programmes available through the CAT application and select the ones relevant to your goals.
Choose test-city preferences
Select your preferred test cities according to the options and instructions available in the application portal.
Upload required documents
Upload the photograph, signature and applicable category or disability documentation in the prescribed format.
Review the form
This is one of the most important stages. Check spelling, category, academic information, marks, programme selections, test-city preferences and uploaded documents before final submission.
Pay the registration fee
Complete the online payment using the available payment options.
Submit and save the application
After successful submission, retain the confirmation details and login credentials for future use.
The exact fields and available editing options should always be checked on the live CAT 2026 application portal rather than relying on screenshots from previous years.
The CAT 2026 application fee has increased compared with the previous cycle.
The current fee structure is:
| Category | CAT 2026 Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹2,700 |
| EWS | ₹2,700 |
| NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC | ₹1,350 |
| ST | ₹1,350 |
| PwD/PwBD | ₹1,350 |
The fee is paid during the application process and is non-refundable.
The fee is for the CAT application itself. It should not be confused with application charges that individual business schools may require separately.
For example, a candidate may use the CAT score for admission consideration at several institutions, but some institutions can have their own application procedures and charges.
Before starting the form, candidates should keep their academic and personal information organised.
Depending on the candidate's circumstances and the requirements shown in the live application portal, commonly relevant information includes:
Class 10 academic details
Class 12 academic details
Graduation details
Graduation marks or CGPA
Final-year academic information, if applicable
Professional qualification details, if applicable
Work-experience information, if applicable
Recent photograph
Scanned signature
Category-related documentation, if applicable
PwD/PwBD documentation, if applicable
Valid contact details
Payment facility
The photograph and signature requirements should be checked directly against the 2026 registration guide before uploading because technical specifications can change from one examination cycle to another. Current application guidance reports a recent photograph and prescribed signature format among the required uploads.
A large part of registration-related stress comes from preventable mistakes.
Check these areas carefully:
Name mismatch: Use the name exactly as required by the CAT application instructions and supporting records.
Incorrect category: Do not select a category simply because you expect to receive a certificate later. Make sure you understand the documentation requirements.
Wrong academic percentage: Do not estimate your graduation percentage casually. Follow your university's official conversion method where applicable.
Blurry photograph: Upload a clear photograph that complies with the specified requirements.
Incorrect signature: Make sure the signature is properly scanned and readable.
Wrong programme selection: Review the programme choices before submitting.
Last-minute payment: Avoid waiting until the final few hours to pay the fee.
Saving the wrong credentials: Store your CAT login information securely because it will be required later for the admit card and scorecard.
The CAT 2026 paper follows the three-section structure used in recent CAT examinations.
There are 68 questions in total:
| Section | Questions | Time | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes | 72 |
| DILR | 22 | 40 minutes | 66 |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes | 204 |
The structure and marking scheme reported for CAT 2026 are based on the official notification and the established examination format.
VARC contains 24 questions and receives 40 minutes.
The section primarily tests:
Reading comprehension
Para-summary
Para-jumbles
Odd-sentence questions
Other verbal reasoning formats that may be used by the examination authority
Reading comprehension is especially important because the section is not simply about grammar or vocabulary. Candidates need to understand arguments, identify the author's position, interpret information and distinguish between directly stated and inferred ideas.
DILR contains 22 questions and receives 40 minutes.
The section combines two broad abilities:
Data Interpretation: Working with tables, charts, graphs, numerical information and other data representations.
Logical Reasoning: Solving arrangements, selections, distributions, networks, games, conditions and other reasoning-based problems.
DILR is often different from a chapter-based subject because students may not know exactly what kind of set will appear. The practical skill is therefore not just knowing a particular formula but being able to recognise a workable set quickly.
QA contains 22 questions and receives 40 minutes.
The commonly prepared areas include:
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Number system
Modern mathematics
Mensuration
Ratios and proportions
Percentages
Profit and loss
Averages
Time, speed and distance
Time and work
Simple and compound interest
Equations
Functions
Inequalities
The exact distribution of topics can vary. CAT does not publish a chapter-by-chapter syllabus guaranteeing a fixed number of questions from each topic.
The CAT marking system rewards correct answers while penalising incorrect MCQ responses.
The standard structure for CAT 2026 is:
Correct answer: +3 marks
Incorrect MCQ: -1 mark
Unanswered question: 0 marks
Incorrect TITA/non-MCQ: no negative marking
The examination therefore requires more than simply maximising attempts.
If you randomly guess an MCQ, you risk losing a mark. A TITA question, on the other hand, does not carry the same negative-marking risk.
However, "no negative marking" does not mean every TITA should be answered blindly. A candidate still needs to judge whether enough information is available to produce a reasonable answer.
The reported CAT 2026 structure contains both MCQs and TITA-type questions.
One of the most important aspects of CAT is that candidates do not receive a free 120-minute pool.
Each section has its own 40-minute limit.
That means:
You cannot take 50 minutes in VARC and compensate by spending only 30 minutes in QA.
You cannot move backward to a previous section after its time expires.
You cannot save unused time from one section for another.
Your preparation must include sectional time management.
This changes the way you should practise.
A student who regularly solves questions without a timer may feel comfortable during preparation but struggle on the actual examination.
The 40-minute limit should therefore become a normal part of practice as the examination approaches.
There is an important distinction between a CAT "syllabus" and the syllabus of a conventional board or university examination.
CAT does not provide a rigid chapter-wise syllabus that guarantees which topics will appear or how many questions will be asked from each chapter. Preparation is therefore generally based on the three sections, previous CAT papers and recurring topic areas.
For VARC, preparation should cover:
Reading Comprehension
Main idea
Central argument
Author's viewpoint
Tone
Inference
Supporting evidence
Passage structure
Purpose of a statement
Application of information
Verbal Ability
Para-jumbles
Para-summary
Odd sentence out
Sentence-based reasoning
Logical sequencing
The most useful preparation habit is regular reading combined with deliberate analysis.
Reading without thinking about the argument is not enough. After reading an editorial or long-form article, ask yourself what the central argument was, what evidence was used and what conclusion the writer reached.
DILR preparation can include:
Data Interpretation
Tables
Bar graphs
Line graphs
Pie charts
Caselets
Data comparison
Percentage-based data
Ratios
Averages
Data sufficiency-style reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Seating arrangements
Scheduling
Distribution
Selection
Grouping
Rankings
Games and tournaments
Routes and networks
Binary logic
Conditional arrangements
Venn diagrams
Puzzles
The objective should not be to memorise hundreds of set types.
Instead, candidates should learn how to identify the structure of a set, estimate the amount of work required and decide whether it is worth attempting under a 40-minute sectional clock.
Quantitative Aptitude preparation usually revolves around:
Arithmetic
Percentages
Profit and loss
Simple and compound interest
Ratio and proportion
Averages
Mixtures and allegations
Time, speed and distance
Time and work
Algebra
Linear equations
Quadratic equations
Inequalities
Functions
Progressions
Algebraic expressions
Geometry
Lines and angles
Triangles
Circles
Quadrilaterals
Coordinate geometry
Mensuration
Number System
Divisibility
Factors and multiples
Remainders
Units digit
Number properties
Modern Mathematics
Permutation and combination
Probability
Set theory
The relative importance of individual topics can change from one CAT paper to another, so students should avoid building their entire preparation around predictions of a single "high-weightage" topic.
With the CAT Exam 2026 date on November 29, candidates preparing from August 12 have roughly three and a half months remaining.
That is enough time for meaningful improvement, but it is not enough time to study without a plan.
The preparation approach should depend on your current level.
A student who has already completed the syllabus should spend more time on mocks, sectionals and analysis.
A student who is starting from scratch should first build fundamentals while gradually introducing timed practice.
Do not begin by taking a full mock every day.
Start with fundamentals.
For QA, build the basics of arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
For VARC, begin regular reading and RC practice.
For DILR, solve manageable sets and focus on understanding how to structure information.
Once the fundamentals are stable, introduce timed sectional tests.
If you have already studied the majority of the syllabus, your focus should shift.
At this stage, simply reading more theory may not improve your percentile significantly.
Instead, work on:
Question selection
Speed
Accuracy
Time management
Sectional strategy
Mock analysis
Weak-topic correction
The gap between a student who knows the syllabus and a student who scores well in CAT is often execution.
The exact plan should depend on your current mock performance, but the remaining preparation period can be divided into broad phases.
The immediate priority should be identifying your strengths and weaknesses.
Spend this phase on:
Revising concepts
Completing major topics
Building reading consistency
Practising DILR sets
Solving QA questions
Starting sectional tests
Maintaining an error log
Do not judge your preparation only by the number of chapters completed.
A better question is:
"Can I solve questions from this topic accurately under time pressure?"
That is a much closer representation of CAT performance.
By September, your preparation should become increasingly test-oriented.
Introduce:
Regular sectional tests
Mixed-topic QA practice
Mixed RC practice
DILR set selection
Full-length mocks at regular intervals
After every test, analyse more than your score.
Look at:
Questions you got wrong
Questions you should have attempted but skipped
Questions that consumed too much time
Easy questions you missed
Guessing mistakes
Conceptual mistakes
Calculation mistakes
Reading mistakes
This analysis is where much of the improvement comes from.
October should be heavily focused on performance.
By this stage, you should have enough familiarity with the syllabus to spend substantial time on mocks and sectionals.
A mock is useful only when you analyse it properly.
For example, suppose you score 85 percentile in a mock.
Do not simply take another mock hoping to score 90.
Find out why you scored 85.
Maybe your VARC accuracy is strong but you spend too long on difficult RC questions.
Maybe your DILR score is low because you spend 20 minutes on one difficult set.
Maybe your QA score is being reduced by avoidable calculation errors.
The next mock should be used to test whether you fixed those specific problems.
The final weeks should focus on consistency.
You do not want to discover a completely new strategy one week before the exam.
Your final preparation should include:
Full-length mocks
Sectional revision
Formula revision
Error-log revision
Previous CAT questions
Time-management practice
Sleep and exam-day routine
The goal is not to study every possible concept.
The goal is to enter the examination with a stable process.
VARC can become one of the highest-return sections if preparation is consistent.
Reading should be a daily habit rather than something you do only before a mock.
Read material from different areas such as:
Economics
Science
Psychology
Philosophy
History
Sociology
Business
Environment
Technology
Culture
The purpose is not to become an expert in every topic.
It is to become comfortable reading unfamiliar material.
When solving an RC, do not automatically treat every sentence as equally important.
Look for:
What is the passage mainly trying to establish?
What is the author's position?
How are the paragraphs connected?
Which claims are supported?
What is the role of an example?
Is the question asking for direct information or an inference?
Over time, this reduces the tendency to reread entire passages for every question.
Vocabulary can help, but CAT VARC is not simply a vocabulary test.
A student with moderate vocabulary but strong comprehension can perform better than a student who memorises thousands of words without improving reading ability.
DILR is often the section where question selection becomes extremely important.
You may see several sets in the section, but you are not necessarily expected to solve every set.
Your task is to identify the sets that offer the best return on your available time.
Do not ask:
"Can I solve this set?"
Ask:
"Can I solve enough of this set within the remaining time to make it worthwhile?"
That distinction matters.
Some sets may look familiar but require lengthy calculations.
Others may look complicated initially but become manageable once the data is structured correctly.
Practise different set types and train yourself to spend the first few minutes assessing the set before committing heavily.
QA preparation should be built around concepts first and speed later.
A good starting sequence for many students is:
Arithmetic → Algebra → Geometry → Number System → Modern Mathematics
This is not a rule that every candidate must follow. If you are already strong in one area, adjust the sequence according to your performance.
For every topic:
Understand the underlying concept.
Solve basic questions.
Move to CAT-level questions.
Practise under time pressure.
Review mistakes.
Revisit the concept if the same mistake appears repeatedly.
Avoid spending weeks learning obscure shortcuts if your fundamentals are still weak.
There is no universally correct number of mocks.
Taking 50 mocks does not automatically make someone better than a student who takes 25.
The important factor is the quality of analysis.
A mock should answer questions such as:
Which questions did I select?
Which questions should I have selected?
Where did I lose time?
Where did I make an avoidable mistake?
Which section became unstable under pressure?
Did my strategy work?
If you take another mock without addressing the problems identified in the previous one, you may simply repeat the same mistakes.
After every full-length mock, divide questions into categories.
These are questions where your approach was efficient.
You want to preserve this behaviour.
These questions require attention.
You may be getting the right answer but spending too much time.
Return to the underlying topic.
Work on accuracy rather than learning another shortcut.
This is particularly important.
If you spent five minutes on a difficult question that another question could have solved in two minutes, the problem may not be your mathematical ability. It may be your selection strategy.
These are some of the most valuable questions to review.
If a question was within your ability but you skipped it because of poor scanning or time management, that is a performance opportunity.
Working professionals often have less preparation time but one major advantage: they may already have stronger discipline and real-world decision-making experience.
A practical weekday schedule could involve:
45–60 minutes of QA or DILR
30–45 minutes of VARC/RC
Short revision sessions during breaks
Longer sectional or mock sessions on weekends
The exact hours matter less than consistency.
If you have only two hours per weekday, do not waste those two hours worrying about candidates studying eight hours.
Build the best two-hour routine you can execute consistently.
College students can use their greater flexibility to build preparation around their academic schedule.
A balanced weekly structure could include:
Daily reading
Daily QA practice
Three to five DILR sets per week
Regular sectional tests
Weekly mock analysis
Revision of weak areas
The advantage of starting early is not that you can study endlessly.
It is that you can make mistakes early enough to fix them.
There is no single CAT percentile that guarantees admission to every IIM.
A percentile that may be sufficient for one programme or category may not be sufficient for another.
IIM admission is not based solely on the CAT percentile.
Individual IIMs can consider factors such as:
CAT performance
Academic record
Work experience
Category
Diversity factors
Written ability or analytical performance
Personal interview
Other institute-specific criteria
Therefore, students should be careful with claims such as "99 percentile guarantees IIM admission."
It does not.
Likewise, a lower percentile does not automatically mean that every good management institute is out of reach.
The correct approach is to build a target percentile based on your preferred colleges, category and profile.
A CAT score and CAT percentile are not the same thing.
Your raw performance is converted into scaled scores because CAT is conducted across multiple sessions.
The percentile then indicates your relative standing among candidates.
For example, a percentile is not simply "the percentage of questions you answered correctly."
It represents your position relative to other test-takers after the relevant scoring and normalization process.
This is why students should not compare raw scores from different years as if the same score always produces the same percentile.
Because CAT is conducted in multiple sessions, the difficulty of different question papers can vary.
The examination authority therefore uses a normalization/equating process to make scores comparable across sessions.
The final scorecard includes scaled scores and percentiles.
Candidates should therefore avoid making overly precise percentile predictions based only on raw marks immediately after the exam.
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted across approximately 170 test cities in India and in three sessions.
The exact centre allocation depends on availability and the preferences submitted during registration.
Candidates should select their test-city preferences carefully.
If you live in a city with multiple nearby options, consider travel time, accommodation and exam-day convenience before selecting preferences.
Do not assume that choosing a particular city guarantees a specific centre.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to become available from November 4, 2026.
Candidates should download it as soon as it becomes available rather than waiting until the examination day.
After downloading the admit card, check:
Candidate name
Registration details
Photograph
Examination date
Session
Reporting instructions
Test-centre address
Other exam-day instructions
If there is an error, contact the official CAT helpdesk rather than relying on informal advice from social media.
The exact exam-day instructions should be checked on the 2026 admit card and official CAT portal.
Candidates should generally prepare in advance with the permitted documents and identification required by the examination authority.
Do not assume that an item allowed in another entrance exam will automatically be permitted in CAT.
Read the admit-card instructions carefully.
Also plan the practical side of the day:
Check the centre location beforehand.
Estimate travel time.
Keep your documents ready.
Sleep properly the night before.
Avoid unnecessary last-minute studying.
Reach the centre according to the reporting instructions.
The CAT examination is only one part of the MBA admission journey.
After the CAT result, individual IIMs and other institutions use their own admission processes.
A candidate may receive a shortlist from one institute but not another even with the same CAT percentile.
That is because each institution can use different criteria and weightages.
The exact process differs by IIM.
Depending on the institute and programme, selection may consider:
CAT score
Academic performance
Work experience
Diversity
Personal interview
Written assessment
Other institute-specific factors
Candidates should therefore read the individual admission policies rather than assuming that all IIMs follow the same formula.
CAT is not limited to IIM admissions.
Several non-IIM institutions accept CAT scores.
Examples include institutions such as:
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR
MDI Gurgaon
IIFT
Several IIT management departments
Other CAT-participating business schools
The exact participating institutions and their application requirements should be checked individually.
A CAT score may be accepted by a college, but that does not mean the college uses exactly the same admission criteria as an IIM.
One common mistake is preparing for CAT first and thinking about colleges only after the result.
That can create unnecessary pressure.
Some business schools may have application deadlines or processes that operate independently of the CAT result.
Therefore, aspirants should create a college shortlist before the examination.
Divide colleges into:
Dream options: Institutions where admission would require an exceptionally strong CAT performance and profile.
Target options: Colleges where your expected percentile and profile could make you competitive.
Safety options: Institutions where your expected score gives you a more realistic chance.
The exact categories will differ for every student.
More applications do not automatically create better outcomes.
Before applying to a B-school, look at:
Programme quality
Placement outcomes
Fees
Location
Alumni network
Curriculum
Career outcomes
Industry exposure
Your career goals
Admission criteria
An MBA is a significant financial and time commitment.
A college should therefore be evaluated as a career decision, not only by its popularity on social media.
Previous CAT papers are among the most useful preparation resources because they show how concepts are actually tested.
Use them to understand:
Question style
Difficulty
Reading complexity
DILR set structure
QA framing
Time pressure
Question-selection decisions
Do not use previous papers only as a source of questions.
Use them as a source of information about the examination itself.
When solving a previous paper, ask:
"Why did the exam setter make this question difficult?"
That question often teaches more than simply checking whether your answer was correct.
A strong mock-test routine has three stages.
Decide what you are testing.
For example:
VARC question selection
DILR set selection
QA speed
Overall time management
Follow the same routine you intend to use on the actual examination.
Do not pause unnecessarily.
Do not check answers.
Treat the test as an actual CAT session.
Spend meaningful time analysing it.
Your analysis can take as much time as the test itself, especially during the early mock phase.
Over time, this process should make your strategy more automatic.
You may know the theory but still struggle with execution.
Mocks are diagnostic tools, not trophies.
DILR requires set-selection practice, which takes time to develop.
Reading ability improves through consistent exposure.
Shortcuts cannot compensate for weak concepts.
CAT rewards overall performance, not the number of difficult questions you solve.
Another candidate's mock score does not change your question paper.
Your useful benchmark is your own trend.
A strategy needs enough testing before you decide whether it works.
A strong overall score can hide a weak section, and some institutes apply sectional considerations.
Once you enter the final month, avoid major experimentation.
Your preparation should focus on:
Full-length mocks
Sectional tests
Revision
Previous-year questions
Error logs
Formula review
Time management
Sleep routine
Do not suddenly attempt to complete ten new books.
Do not change your entire attempt strategy because one mock went badly.
Instead, identify the specific problem and fix it.
The final week should be about stability.
Revise concepts you already know.
Review your mistakes.
Look at your mock strategy.
Make sure you understand the examination instructions.
Do not turn the final few days into a marathon of new material.
Your goal is to arrive at the examination mentally fresh.
With the CAT Exam 2026 date set for November 29, candidates currently have a little over 100 days from August 12 to the examination.
That is enough time to make meaningful progress if you use it correctly.
If you have not registered yet, take care of the application before the deadline.
If you have registered, move your attention back to preparation.
Your immediate priorities should be:
Check your eligibility.
Complete CAT registration.
Verify your application information.
Organise required documents.
Take a diagnostic mock.
Identify your weakest section.
Create a realistic weekly schedule.
Start timed sectional practice.
Begin regular full-length mocks as your preparation develops.
Track mistakes rather than simply tracking scores.
The most useful question at this stage is not "How many days are left?"
It is:
"What can I improve before November 29?"
The CAT Exam 2026 date is November 29, 2026, Sunday. The exam will be conducted in three sessions.
CAT 2026 registration started on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
The last date to submit the CAT 2026 application is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026.
CAT 2026 has 68 questions divided among VARC, DILR and QA. The section-wise split is 24, 22 and 22 questions respectively.
The total examination duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes for each section.
No. CAT uses a sectional time limit. Once the time allotted to a section ends, candidates cannot return to that section.
The three sections are:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
Yes. Wrong MCQ responses carry a one-mark penalty. TITA/non-MCQ questions do not carry negative marking for an incorrect response. Correct answers receive three marks.
General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates generally require 50%, while SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates require 45% in the qualifying degree.
Yes. Final-year bachelor's degree students can apply subject to the conditions specified by the IIMs.
There is no upper age limit specified for appearing in CAT 2026.
No. Work experience is not required to appear for CAT. However, individual IIMs may consider work experience as part of their admission criteria.
Yes. BBA graduates can apply if they satisfy the applicable eligibility criteria.
Yes. Engineering graduates are eligible if they meet the required graduation criteria.
CAT does not provide a rigid chapter-by-chapter syllabus guaranteeing specific questions. Candidates generally prepare around the three sections and recurring topic areas identified through previous CAT papers.
With 68 questions and three marks for each correct response, the maximum raw score under the stated structure is 204 marks.
The result is expected to be declared by the first week of January 2027, according to the announced schedule. The actual release may occur earlier.
The CAT 2026 score is reported as valid until December 31, 2027.
CAT serves as the entrance examination for the IIMs, and the 2026 notification is described as serving 21 IIMs, along with participating non-IIM institutions. Individual IIM programmes and admission requirements vary.
The CAT Exam 2026 date is November 29, 2026, but knowing the date is only the starting point. The more important question for an aspirant is how effectively the remaining preparation time is used.
The 2026 cycle has a clearly defined timeline: registration began on August 3, the application deadline is September 15, the admit card is scheduled for November 4, and the examination will take place on November 29. The paper consists of 68 questions across VARC, DILR and QA, with 40 minutes available for each section.
For students who have already started preparing, the priority should now be execution: timed practice, mock analysis, question selection and accuracy.
For students who are starting late, there is still time to build a competitive preparation plan, but every week needs to have a clear purpose.
And for students who are yet to register, the first task is simple: complete the application carefully before the September 15 deadline.
CAT is a competitive examination, but preparation does not need to become complicated. Build the fundamentals, practise consistently, learn from your mistakes and gradually make your performance more reliable under the 40-minute sectional clock.
Most importantly, do not prepare only for a date on the calendar. Prepare for the performance you want to deliver on that date.
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