CAT 2026

Complete Guide & Information

Get all the essential information about CAT 2026 including exam dates, eligibility criteria, application process, syllabus, and preparation strategies.

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CAT 2026

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

CAT 2026 Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into MBA and other postgraduate management programs at IIMs and other top B-schools in India. It assesses a candidate’s aptitude in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning.

Purpose

Admission into MBA/PGDM programs at IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India

Mode

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Language

English only

Duration

2 hours (40 minutes per section)

Important Dates 2026

Mark your calendar with these crucial CAT 2026 dates

Notification Release

July 2026

Official CAT 2026 notification released by IIM

Application Start

August 2026

Online registration begins on iimcat.ac.in

Application Deadline

September 2026

Last date to submit application form online

Admit Card Release

October 2026

Download admit card from official CAT portal

Exam Date

November 2026 (Tentative)

CAT 2026 conducted in 3 sessions across India

Result Announcement

January 2027

Scorecard and percentile released on CAT website

CAT 2026 Syllabus

Section-wise breakdown of topics in Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Reading Comprehension (RC Passages)
Para Jumbles
Sentence Completion
Para Summary
Odd One Out
Critical Reasoning
Vocabulary Usage (Contextual)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Tables & Charts Interpretation
Bar Graphs, Pie Charts
Line Graphs & Caselets
Seating Arrangement
Blood Relations
Venn Diagrams
Number Series & Coding-Decoding
Puzzles & Logical Sequences

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Number System
Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance
Algebra: Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities
Geometry & Mensuration
Modern Math: Permutation & Combination, Probability
Functions & Graphs
Set Theory
Logarithms & Surds

Eligibility Criteria

Check if you meet the requirements for CAT 2026

Educational Qualification

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Must have secured at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Final year students are also eligible to apply

Age Limit

No upper or lower age limit for CAT

Nationality

Indian citizens
NRIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can apply (may need GMAT + institute-specific process)

Additional Notes

Admission to IIMs depends on CAT score + academic record + PI/WAT performance
Reservations apply as per Government of India norms

CAT 2026 Downloads

Access official sample papers, previous year question papers, and mock tests for better CAT preparation

Sample Papers

Practice with CAT-style questions based on the latest exam pattern.

Download Sample Papers

Previous Year Papers

Get CAT question papers from the last 5 years to understand trends and difficulty level.

Download Previous Papers

Mock Tests

Take full-length CAT mock tests to enhance time management and accuracy.

Download Mock Tests

Exam Pattern

Understand the CAT 2026 exam structure and marking scheme

Section	Type of Questions	No. of Questions	Duration (Approx.)	Marks
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	MCQ + TITA	24	40 minutes	72
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	MCQ + TITA	20	40 minutes	60
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)	MCQ + TITA	22	40 minutes	66
Total	-	66	120 minutes	198
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect (MCQ only), no negative marking for TITA questions Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Application Process

Step-by-step guide to apply for CAT 2026

Registration

Go to the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) and register with a valid email ID and mobile number

Fill Application Form

Provide personal details, academic history, work experience (if any), and select program preferences

Upload Documents

Upload scanned passport photo, signature, and applicable certificates (NC-OBC, SC/ST, PwD)

Pay Application Fee

Make payment online using debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking

Download Confirmation

Save and print the application summary and payment receipt for your records

Application Fee

General/OBC

₹2400

Indian Nationals

SC/ST/PwD

₹1200

Indian Nationals

Preparation Strategy

Essential tips and strategies for CAT 2026 preparation

Study Plan

Create a daily routine with balanced study hours
Allocate time for VARC, DILR, and QA individually
Focus on conceptual clarity and practice
Include time for mock tests and analysis

Important Books

VARC: Arun Sharma, Word Power Made Easy
DILR: Nishit Sinha, Arun Sharma
QA: Arun Sharma, Sarvesh Verma
Previous year CAT papers & mock tests

Practice Tests

Attempt full-length mock tests weekly
Take sectional tests for each topic
Simulate exam conditions (3 hours, no breaks)
Review mistakes and improve weak areas

Exam Strategy

Attempt strong areas first in each section
Track time per question — don’t get stuck
Avoid blind guesses in MCQs (negative marking)
Stay calm and focus on accuracy

Online Resources

Use learning platforms like Unacademy, BYJU’S, 2IIM, TIME
Enroll in online test series (IMS, Career Launcher)
Watch concept videos and live classes
Follow CAT mentors on YouTube & Telegram

Revision Techniques

Make formula sheets for QA
Summarize key concepts in each topic
Revise frequently attempted questions
Maintain a log of recurring errors

CAT 2026 Admit Card

Download your CAT 2026 admit card and check important exam details

Steps to Download Admit Card:

Visit the official IIM CAT website (iimcat.ac.in)
Click on the "Download Admit Card" link on the homepage
Login using your User ID and Password
Verify your details and download the admit card PDF
Take a color printout and carry it on exam day along with valid ID proof

Download Admit Card

CAT 2026 Counselling & Admission Process

Understand the IIM selection process, CAP rounds, and admission steps after CAT

Conducting Body

CAT is conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. Admission to IIMs is done individually or via the Common Admission Process (CAP) for select IIMs.

Eligibility

Valid CAT 2026 score
Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Shortlisted by IIMs or other B-schools based on cut-offs

Selection Process

Shortlisting based on CAT score, academic record, work experience
WAT (Written Ability Test), GD, and/or PI rounds
Final selection based on composite score (CAT + PI + Academics)
CAP for new IIMs (conducted jointly)

Important Tips

Check individual IIM criteria on official websites
Prepare for WAT and PI well in advance
Keep documents and certificates ready
Apply to non-IIMs separately (e.g., FMS, MDI, SPJIMR)

Visit Official CAT Portal

CAT 2026 Results & Cut-Offs

Check result dates, scorecard details, and expected IIM cut-offs

Result Announcement

Expected Date: January 2027
Declared on the official IIM CAT website
Login using User ID and Password
Downloadable scorecard in PDF format

Scorecard Includes

Candidate's Name & Registration Number
Section-wise Scaled Scores & Percentiles
Total Scaled Score (Out of 198)
Overall Percentile
Category & Gender

Expected CAT 2026 Cut-Offs (Percentile)

Institute	General	OBC-NCL	SC	ST
IIM Ahmedabad	99–100	95+	80–85	75–80
IIM Bangalore	98.5–99.5	94–96	80+	75+
IIM Calcutta	98.5–99.5	92–95	80+	70+
IIM Lucknow	97–98.5	90–92	70–75	65–70
IIM Kozhikode	97–98	90–92	70+	65+

Check Official Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about CAT 2026

How many times can I appear for CAT?

You can appear for CAT as many times as you want. There is no restriction on the number of attempts, provided you meet the eligibility criteria each year.

Is there negative marking in CAT?

Yes. For MCQs, 3 marks are awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. There is no negative marking for non-MCQs (TITA questions).

Can I edit my CAT application after submission?

Yes, IIMs provide an application correction window where candidates can edit certain fields like photograph, signature, and test city preference.

What is the validity of CAT scores?

CAT scores are valid for one academic year only. You must apply to B-schools in the admission cycle immediately after the exam.

Can I get admission to non-IIMs through CAT?

Yes, many top non-IIM B-schools like FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, and IITs accept CAT scores for admission into their MBA/PGDM programs.