CAT 2026 Exam: Complete Guide to Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Registration & Cut Offs

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is tentatively scheduled for 29th November 2026, the last Sunday of the month, and is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore as part of the rotational system followed by the six older IIMs. With the official notification expected in the last week of July 2026, this guide covers every detail an MBA aspirant needs: eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, registration process, application fee, admit card, answer key, result, cut offs, selection process, and a month-by-month preparation strategy.

If you are targeting an MBA or PGDM seat at an IIM or any of the 1,200+ business schools that accept CAT scores, bookmark this page. It will be updated continuously as official information is released by the conducting institute.

1. CAT 2026 Exam Highlights

Here is a quick snapshot of all the key facts about CAT 2026 before we go into the detailed breakdown of each.

2. CAT 2026 Important Dates

Below is the expected timeline of every event between the notification release and the declaration of the CAT 2026 result.

For reference, CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode on 30 November 2025, with around 2.95 lakh candidates registering and about 2.58 lakh appearing for the test.

3. Who Conducts CAT 2026?

CAT is conducted every year by one of six older IIMs on a rotational basis: Kozhikode, Indore, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, and Calcutta. The rotation generally follows this order, though the exact sequence can vary slightly depending on each institute's administrative readiness.

IIM Indore last conducted the CAT exam in 2020, when the duration was first reduced to 120 minutes with a total of 76 questions. Official confirmation of the conducting institute for 2026 will be made in the notification released in late July.

4. CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you begin preparation, it is worth confirming you meet the basic eligibility requirements laid down by the IIMs.

Academic Qualification

• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognised university.
• The minimum requirement is relaxed to 45% aggregate marks for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
• The degree must be of at least three years' duration after completing higher secondary schooling.

Final-Year & Result-Awaited Candidates

• Candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree, or those awaiting results, are also eligible to apply.
• Such candidates must submit proof of passing the qualifying exam by the date specified by the respective institute.

Professional Degree Holders

• Candidates holding a professional degree such as CA, CS, ICWA, CMA, or FCAI, with the required percentage, are also eligible to apply for CAT.

Age Limit & Nationality

• There is no upper age limit to appear for the CAT exam.
• Indian nationals, NRIs, PIO, and foreign nationals are all eligible to apply, subject to institute-specific admission rules.

5. CAT 2026 Syllabus

The IIMs do not officially publish a fixed CAT syllabus. Instead, the syllabus is inferred from recurring topics seen in CAT papers over the last several years.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Reading Comprehension
• Para Jumbles
• Para Summary
• Odd Sentence Out / Misfit Sentence
• Sentence Correction and Vocabulary-based questions

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Set theory-based puzzles
• Caselets and data sets
• Tables, graphs, and charts
• Arrangement-based puzzles
• Coding-Decoding
• Series completion and pattern recognition

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Number System
• Algebra
• Arithmetic
• Geometry & Mensuration
• Modern Mathematics

6. CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

CAT is a computer-based test conducted in three sessions in a single day. Each session runs for 120 minutes, with a strict sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section.

Marking Scheme

• +3 marks are awarded for every correct answer.
• -1 mark is deducted for every incorrect MCQ answer.
• There is no negative marking for TITA questions or skipped questions.
• Accuracy is generally rewarded over raw attempts.

7. CAT 2026 Registration Process

The CAT 2026 application form will be hosted on the official IIMCAT website once the notification is released.

1. Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on the New Registration link.
3. Enter your full name, date of birth, nationality, mobile number, and email ID.
4. Verify your mobile number and email through OTP.
5. Log in using the CAT ID and password.
6. Fill personal, academic, and work experience details.
7. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature.
8. Select preferred IIMs, programmes, and test city preferences.
9. Review the form and pay the application fee online.
10. Download and save the confirmation page and payment receipt.

A correction window is typically opened for about a week after registration closes, allowing candidates to edit certain fields such as test city preference, category, or photograph.

8. Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Category certificate, if applicable
• Class 10, Class 12, and graduation mark sheets
• Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or voter ID
• Work experience certificate, if applicable
• Valid email ID and mobile number

9. CAT 2026 Admit Card

The CAT admit card is mandatory for entry into the exam centre and is issued only to candidates who successfully complete the registration process.

1. Open the official website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on the Login tab.
3. Enter your CAT 2026 application number/user ID and password.
4. Navigate to the Admit Card section.
5. Click Download and take a clear printout.

The admit card carries essential information including name, roll number, photograph, exam date, time slot, and venue address. Carrying it with a valid original photo ID is compulsory.

10. CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines & Dress Code

• Reach the test centre at least 60-90 minutes before the reporting time.
• Wear comfortable, light clothing and avoid clothes with large pockets.
• Avoid thick-soled footwear.
• Female candidates are generally advised against heavy jewellery, mehendi, or elaborate makeup.
• Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators are prohibited.
• Carry only the admit card, valid photo ID, and required certificate documents if applicable.
• A basic on-screen calculator is provided during the exam.

11. CAT 2026 Answer Key & Response Sheet

The provisional CAT answer key, along with individual candidate response sheets, is typically released within three to four days of the exam.

1. Visit the official CAT 2026 website.
2. Click on the Login tab and enter your CAT credentials.
3. Click on CAT 2026 Answer Key once it appears on your dashboard.
4. Download and save it as a PDF for your records.

The answer key objection window usually stays open for three to four days. If you believe there is an error, you can challenge it by filling out an online objection form with supporting justification.

12. CAT 2026 Result & Scorecard

The CAT 2026 result is expected to be declared within three to four weeks of the exam, typically in the last week of December or the first half of January.

1. Log on to the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on the CAT 2026 Result/Scorecard tab.
3. Enter your application number and password.
4. Navigate to the scorecard section.
5. Download your CAT 2026 scorecard as a PDF.

13. CAT Cut Offs Previous Year Trend

CAT 2026 cut offs will only be known after the result is declared. Until then, here is the previous year's qualifying percentile trend across IIMs.

As a broad rule, older IIMs shortlist at 99+ percentile, mid-tier IIMs fall in the 95-99 percentile band, and newer IIMs shortlist between 90-95 percentile.

14. CAT 2026 Selection Process

Scoring well in CAT is only the first hurdle. The admission process unfolds in three broad stages.

Stage 1: Shortlisting

Institutes shortlist candidates based primarily on CAT percentile, academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, graduation, and sometimes diversity factors.

Stage 2: Written Ability Test & Personal Interview

Shortlisted candidates are called for a Written Ability Test and Personal Interview, generally between January and April. Some institutes also include a Group Discussion round.

Stage 3: Final Selection

The final merit list is prepared using a composite score that combines CAT percentile, academic record, work experience, and WAT-PI/GD performance.

15. Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2026 Scores

CAT scores are accepted by 21+ IIMs along with several prestigious institutes such as FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi & Kolkata, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and select MBA programmes at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kharagpur.

If you are also exploring flexible or online MBA pathways, you may find these CareerHike guides useful:

16. CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy & Study Plan

CAT is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India, with roughly 3 lakh candidates competing for a few thousand IIM seats each year. Most successful candidates begin serious preparation 8-9 months in advance.

Self-Study vs. Coaching

There is no universally correct choice between self-study and coaching. It depends on your discipline, current aptitude level, and availability of time.

A Broad Month-wise Roadmap

Section-wise Tips

• VARC: Build a daily reading habit across varied topics.
• DILR: Practice a wide variety of set types regularly.
• QA: Strengthen calculation speed and revisit Class 9-10 mathematics fundamentals.

Use the CAT Percentile Calculator after every mock test to track how your raw score is likely to translate into a percentile.

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17. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When will CAT 2026 be held?

CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on 29 November 2026, the last Sunday of the month, in three sessions.

Q2. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?

Based on the rotation pattern, CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore.

Q3. When will CAT 2026 registration start?

Registration is expected to open in the first week of August 2026 and close around mid-September 2026.

Q4. What is the eligibility for CAT 2026?

A bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks, or 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates, from a recognised university.

Q5. How many questions are there in CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 is expected to have 66-68 questions across VARC, DILR, and QA.

Q6. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?

The expected fee is ₹2,600 for General category candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD category candidates.

Q7. Is there negative marking in CAT 2026?

Yes. For MCQs, +3 marks are awarded for a correct answer and -1 mark is deducted for an incorrect answer.

Q8. How many times can I attempt CAT?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts, and there is no upper age limit.

Q9. Is self-study sufficient for CAT?

Yes, self-study can be sufficient if you are disciplined and consistent. Coaching can help candidates who need structure and guidance.

Q10. How is CAT 2026 expected to differ from previous years?

The core structure is expected to remain similar, with three sections, a 40-minute sectional time limit, and the +3/-1 marking scheme.

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This page will be updated continuously as the official CAT 2026 notification, registration dates, and other details are released by IIM Indore.