The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based exam for admission to postgraduate management programs in India.
Understanding the CAT 2026 timeline is crucial so you can plan preparation, form filling, and college applications without last-minute panic. While the official notification is yet to be released, the schedule follows a very stable pattern each year.
Based on past years and current 2026 updates, the tentative CAT 2026 dates are:
The exam, admit card, and result all fall in 2026, while interviews, WAT/PI, and final admissions run through early–mid 2027 for the 2027–29 MBA batch.
The CAT exam (Common Admission Test) is India’s flagship national-level MBA entrance test conducted once a year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. CAT 2026 will be the gateway to flagship MBA/PGP, PGP-FABM, and related management programmes at 20+ IIMs and hundreds of top non-IIM business schools across the country.
The CAT exam 2026 is expected to be held on 29 November 2026 (last Sunday of November), in three computer-based slots across test centres in over 150 cities. Although the exam is conducted in November/December 2026 and results are released in late December 2026, the admissions and academic session will mostly start in 2027, which is why some students informally refer to this cycle as the “2027 intake”.
For serious MBA aspirants in 2026, the CAT exam is the single most important test because a strong CAT 2026 score not only opens doors to IIMs but also to other reputed institutes offering high-ROI management programmes.
The CAT 2026 notification is an official public announcement released on the CAT website, detailing the exam date, application schedule, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and important policies. For CAT 2026, the notification is expected in the last week of July 2026, continuing the pattern of a late-July release that has been followed in recent cycles.
The CAT exam 2026 notification will typically include:
Name of the coordinating IIM and exam date (expected 29 November 2026).
Registration start and end dates, including correction window timelines.
Detailed CAT exam eligibility rules for 2026, including academic criteria and reservation norms.
Current CAT exam pattern: sections, duration, marking scheme, and test cities.
Official helpdesk email and phone numbers for technical or form-related queries.
Since all further details (application form link, FAQs, test city list, and syllabus overview) stem from this notification, aspirants should download the PDF and read it thoroughly as soon as it is released.
CAT 2026 eligibility criteria determine who can appear for the exam and apply to IIMs and other participating institutes. The rules are broad enough to accommodate graduates from diverse streams and backgrounds.
Latest CAT exam eligibility details for 2026 indicate:
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institution.
Minimum aggregate marks required in graduation are 50% (or equivalent CGPA) for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates.
For SC, ST, and PwD categories, a relaxation applies, and the minimum required is 45% aggregate or equivalent CGPA.
Candidates who have completed professional degrees such as CA/CS/ICWA with the required percentage are also eligible to appear for CAT 2026.
Students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are eligible to apply for CAT 2026, provided they complete their degree with the required percentage and produce proof within the deadline set by the IIMs.
Provisional admission may be granted subject to submission of a certificate from the institution’s head confirming that degree requirements have been completed.
There is no minimum or maximum age limit for CAT 2026.
There is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates may appear for the CAT exam multiple times as long as they meet academic eligibility.
Category-based relaxation in minimum marks and reserved seats applies as per prevailing government and IIM policies, benefiting SC, ST, OBC (NC), EWS, and PwD candidates.
Candidates must ensure that their category certificates are valid and in the format specified; otherwise they will be treated as General category for admission.
Note that IIM admission criteria can be stricter than the basic CAT exam eligibility, since institutes consider academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors along with CAT 2026 score.
CAT 2026 registration will be conducted online only through the official CAT portal. The registration window is expected to run from around 1 August 2026 to 20 September 2026, with a short form correction period afterward.
A typical CAT exam 2026 registration workflow looks like this:
Create User Profile
Visit the official CAT website once the CAT 2026 notification is live.
Click on “New Candidate Registration” and enter your name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, and create a password.
On successful registration, you receive a User ID and password on your registered email and mobile.
Fill Personal Details
Log in using your CAT 2026 credentials.
Enter personal information such as address, category, nationality, parents’ details, and emergency contact.
Enter Academic Details
Add Class 10, Class 12 (or equivalent), and graduation details: board/university, year of passing, total marks/CGPA, and percentage.
Include post-graduation or professional qualification details (CA/CS/ICWA etc.) if applicable.
Work Experience (If Any)
Working professionals can enter total full-time work experience in months, broken by sector or role as asked in the CAT exam form.
Programme & Test City Selection
Select the IIM programmes you wish to apply for (e.g., PGP, PGP-FABM, etc.).
Choose your preferred CAT exam test cities (usually up to 6 options) in order of preference.
Upload Documents
Upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the specified format and size.
Upload category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) in PDF format if applicable.
Pay CAT Exam Fees
Pay the CAT 2026 registration fee online via credit/debit card, net banking, UPI, or other supported gateways.
After successful payment, download and save the confirmation page and payment receipt.
Final Review & Submission
Review the entire application carefully, check declarations, and submit the form.
Take a printout or PDF copy of the completed CAT exam 2026 application for future reference.
Candidates should keep the following handy before starting the CAT exam form:
Valid email ID and mobile number.
Scanned passport-size photograph and signature (JPG/JPEG, as per size specifications).
Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates.
Graduation mark sheets/degree certificates; for final-year students, latest semester mark sheets and a provisional/bonafide letter.
Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) in the prescribed format, if applicable.
Valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence, or Voter ID).
Completing CAT 2026 registration well before the last date helps avoid server congestion and payment failures during the final week.
The CAT exam pattern 2026 is expected to remain consistent with the structure used in recent years.
Recent updates indicate the following key features:
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) with on-screen timer.
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes) total.
Sections: 3 – VARC, DILR, QA.
Sectional time limit: 40 minutes per section; you cannot switch between sections during the exam.
Total questions: Around 66 questions (exact numbers may vary slightly year-to-year).
Question types: MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer, non-MCQ) questions.
Based on the latest analysis of the current pattern:
| Section | Approx. Questions | Time Limit | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes | 3 | 72 |
| DILR | 20–22 | 40 minutes | 3 | ~60–66 |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes | 3 | 66 |
| Total | ~66 | 120 minutes | ~198–204 |
Recent information on CAT marking rules shows:
Correct answer (MCQ or TITA): +3 marks.
Incorrect MCQ: −1 mark (negative marking).
Incorrect TITA question: 0 marks (no negative marking).
Unattempted question: 0 marks.
This means smart attempt selection and high accuracy are crucial; blind guessing on MCQs can hurt the overall CAT score, while TITA questions are safer to attempt if you have a reasonable estimate.
The CAT syllabus 2026 is not prescribed as a chapter-wise list by the IIMs, but can be inferred from recent question papers and official exam pattern details. CAT exam 2026 will test candidates in three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Key CAT exam 2026 VARC topics include:
Reading Comprehension: Passages from current affairs, business, sociology, philosophy, history, science, etc., followed by inference and fact-based questions.
Paragraph-based questions: parajumbles, para-summary, odd-sentence-out.
Verbal logic: critical reasoning, assumptions, conclusions.
Basic grammar, vocabulary-in-context, and sentence usage occasionally.
The emphasis has been on comprehension and reasoning over pure vocabulary, making regular reading and practice of RCs critical.
This section combines numerical analysis and logical puzzles:
Data Interpretation: tables, line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, mixed graphs, caselets.
Logical Reasoning: seating arrangements, puzzles, tournaments, distributions, networks, and constraints-based reasoning.
Sets often blend DI and LR, requiring multi-step reasoning and careful selection of solvable sets under time pressure.
Recent years have seen fewer but denser sets, so high accuracy on selected sets is more important than attempting everything.
CAT exam 2026 QA focuses on conceptual clarity rather than rote formulae:
Arithmetic: percentages, profit & loss, SI/CI, ratio–proportion, averages, mixtures, time–speed–distance, time & work.
Algebra: linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, sequences and series, functions, logarithms.
Geometry & Mensuration: lines and angles, triangles, circles, polygons, coordinate geometry, areas and volumes.
Number Systems: divisibility, factors, remainders, LCM/HCF, base systems.
Modern Math (occasional): permutations, combinations, probability, set theory.
The QA section often determines the overall difficulty of the CAT exam and can range from moderate to challenging depending on the year.
CAT exam fees have steadily increased over the years, and CAT 2026 is expected to follow the revised structure introduced for recent cycles.
Recent data for 2025 shows the following fee structure, which is expected to continue for CAT 2026 unless officially revised:
| Category | CAT Exam Fee (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,300 |
Key points about CAT 2026 exam fee:
Fee is non-refundable under normal circumstances.
Payment is accepted only through online modes (credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, and supported wallets).
Additional bank or gateway charges may apply depending on the payment method.
Candidates should confirm the exact category-wise fee when the CAT 2026 notification releases, as even small changes are officially announced there.
The CAT 2026 admit card is an essential document for entry into the exam centre and contains important exam-day information. It is expected to be released in late October or early November 2026, once the registration window has closed and applications are processed.
To download the CAT exam 2026 admit card:
Visit the official CAT website.
Click the “Login” button for registered candidates.
Enter your User ID and password.
Navigate to the Admit Card or Hall Ticket section.
Download the CAT 2026 admit card PDF and print multiple copies.
The admit card typically mentions your name, photograph, CAT registration number, exam date and slot, reporting time, test centre address, and important instructions.
Key CAT exam day guidelines include:
Reach the centre at least 60–90 minutes before the reporting time to complete verification.
Carry a printed CAT admit card, a valid government photo ID, and any other documents specified in the instructions (e.g., PwD certificates if applicable).
Do not carry calculators, mobile phones, watches, or any electronic devices; only allowed items like pens or water bottles are mentioned in the guidelines.
Follow the seating plan, biometric verification, and invigilator instructions carefully; misconduct can lead to disqualification.
Reading exam-day instructions on the admit card thoroughly beforehand helps avoid unnecessary stress and potential rule violations.
A focused and structured CAT 2026 preparation plan is essential because the CAT exam is concept-heavy, time-bound, and highly competitive. Preparation strategies should be tailored to your current level, time availability, and target percentile.
Start by understanding the latest CAT exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
Take a diagnostic mock test to assess your starting level in VARC, DILR, and QA.
Build a study plan of 6–12 months, depending on your starting point, balancing concept learning, practice, and mock tests.
1. VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
Develop a daily reading habit, focusing on newspapers, long-form articles, and non-fiction to build comprehension and inference skills.
Practice RCs from diverse topics and analyse each passage in terms of main idea, tone, structure, and traps.
Regularly solve parajumbles, para-summaries, and odd-sentence-out questions to build verbal reasoning familiarity.
2. DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
Practice a variety of sets and puzzles across difficulty levels—arrangements, games, distributions, and DI caselets.
Focus on set selection: learn to quickly identify which sets to attempt and which to skip in a 40-minute window.
Revise frequently by re-attempting earlier sets to improve speed and pattern recognition.
3. QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
Strengthen Arithmetic and Algebra first, since they contribute a significant portion of CAT QA questions.
Keep a concept notebook for formulas, properties, and solved example types, revisiting it weekly.
Practise chapter-wise tests first, then mixed-section tests to simulate CAT exam conditions.
Start with 1 mock every 2–3 weeks, then move to weekly mocks, and finally 2+ mocks per week in the last 2–3 months before CAT 2026.
Analyse each mock in depth: accuracy by section, average time per question, types of mistakes, and unattempted but easy questions.
Adapt your strategy (order of questions, set selection, time allocation) based on mock feedback; do not just chase raw scores.
Aspirants can combine self-study with online courses, test series, and doubt-solving support to create a comprehensive CAT exam 2026 preparation ecosystem.
Understanding CAT cut-offs helps you set realistic percentile targets for different IIMs and other top institutes. It is important to distinguish between:
Qualifying (minimum) cut-offs mentioned in official policies – basic eligibility to be considered.
Actual call cut-offs – the higher percentiles at which interview calls are typically issued.
Recent admission cycles show trends roughly along these lines:
Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta):
Qualifying cut-offs for General category often around 80–85 percentile overall with 70–80 sectional.
Actual interview call cut-offs often in the 98–99+ percentile range, depending on profile.
Next tier IIMs (Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, etc.):
Qualifying cut-offs around 85–90 percentile overall.
Effective call cut-offs typically in the 95–97 percentile band for General category.
New and baby IIMs:
Qualifying cut-offs around 80–85 percentile, sometimes lower for reserved categories.
Interview calls often in the 85–92 percentile range for General category.
Reserved category candidates (OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD) usually have lower required percentiles, often 5–15 percentile points below General category for the same institute. Beyond IIMs, many top non-IIM institutes also use CAT scores with their own cut-off policies, typically ranging from 85 to 97 percentile depending on brand, location, and intake.
CAT score vs percentile is one of the most frequently discussed topics among aspirants, as it helps define what raw score might be needed to reach a particular percentile bracket. While the mapping changes every year based on the paper’s difficulty and scaling process, recent data offers a general idea.
With the current pattern of around 66 questions and a maximum score around 198–204, recent analyses broadly indicate:
99–100 percentile: Typically corresponds to a very high scaled score, often equivalent to roughly 90+ raw marks, depending on paper difficulty.
97–98 percentile: Often seen at raw scores in the 75–85 range.
95 percentile: Around the 65–75 raw score bracket.
90 percentile: Usually around 50–60 raw marks.
These are approximate ranges; actual CAT 2026 score vs percentile will depend heavily on difficulty level and normalisation across slots.
Because IIMs also consider sectional percentiles, understanding section-wise thresholds is important:
For top IIM calls, many profiles require sectional percentiles in the 85–90+ range in VARC, DILR, and QA for General category.
In raw marks, this typically implies:
Strong performance in VARC (often 30+ marks on a tough paper),
Solid DILR set selection (e.g., cracking 2 good sets fully),
Consistent QA accuracy at moderate difficulty.
Because scaling and normalisation are applied, the safest approach is to aim for balanced strength across all three sections rather than relying on one exceptionally strong area.
General CAT Exam Doubts
Q1. What is the CAT exam and who conducts CAT 2026?
The CAT exam is a national-level computer-based management entrance test conducted by the IIMs on a rotation basis; CAT 2026 will also be organised by one of the IIMs for admission to MBA/PGP and related programmes.
Q2. When will the CAT 2026 exam be held?
CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on 29 November 2026 (Sunday), following the tradition of holding the exam on the last Sunday of November.
Q3. What is the CAT 2026 registration window?
The CAT exam 2026 registration is expected to open around 1 August 2026 and close in the third week of September 2026, with a short correction window soon after.
Q4. Who is eligible for CAT 2026?
Any candidate with a bachelor’s degree and at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD)or equivalent CGPA from a recognised institution, including final-year students, is eligible to appear for CAT 2026.
Q5. Is there any age limit or attempt limit for CAT 2026?
There is no minimum or maximum age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates can take the CAT exam multiple times as long as they meet academic eligibility.
Q6. What is the exam pattern of CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 will be a 2-hour CBT with three sections (VARC, DILR, QA), about 66 questions, and a marking scheme of +3 for correct answers, −1 for incorrect MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA questions.
Q7. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The CAT exam fee is expected to be ₹2,600 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates, payable only online and non-refundable.
Q8. How do I download the CAT 2026 admit card?
Once released, you can log in to the CAT portal with your User ID and password, navigate to the admit card section, download the hall ticket PDF, and print it for the exam day.
Q9. What percentile do I need for top IIMs?
For General category candidates, recent trends suggest 99–100 percentile for the most competitive IIMs, while 95–98 percentiles may be sufficient for other IIMs and top non-IIMs depending on profile.
Q10. Can I clear CAT 2026 in 6–8 months of preparation?
Yes, many aspirants crack the CAT exam in 6–8 months with focused preparation, strong fundamentals, regular mock tests, and disciplined analysis, especially if they already have a reasonable base in English and math.
