CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (tentatively), in line with the consistent schedule followed over the past two decades. The official CAT 2026 notification will be released in July 2026, confirming details such as registration, eligibility, and exam pattern. Conducted annually by one of the top six IIMs on a rotational basis, the Common Admission Test (CAT) remains the most competitive MBA entrance exam in India. With scores accepted by over 1600 MBA colleges, including the IIMs and leading B-Schools, CAT 2026 will serve as a crucial gateway for aspirants aiming to secure admission into MBA, PGDM, and other management programs.
The CAT 2026 exam is regarded as the toughest MBA entrance test in India, attracting nearly 3 lakh aspirants every year. The exam pattern covers three core sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Those who may not achieve their desired results in CAT 2025 should begin their CAT 2026 preparation strategy to maximize performance. With its reputation as the most competitive gateway to the IIMs and 1600+ MBA colleges across India, CAT 2026 demands early planning, consistent practice, and a focused approach.
CAT 2026 Highlights
Check all the key details of the CAT 2026 exam in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the Exam | Common Admission Test |
| Objective | For admission into IIMs and B-Schools |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Sessions / Slots | 3 Sessions |
| Type of Exam | National Level Exam |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore (for 2026) |
| Convener | TBA |
| Syllabus | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Quantitative Aptitude |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Result Validity | For an Academic Year |
| Question Type | MCQs & TITA |
| No. of Questions | 68 |
| Test Duration | 2 Hours |
| Mode of Conduct | CBT |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in/ |
CAT 2026 Exam Dates
CAT 2026 exam will be held in a single day across three shifts, following its annual schedule. For aspirants targeting admission into the IIMs and 1600+ MBA colleges in India, keeping track of the CAT 2026 key dates and events is essential to plan preparation effectively:
| CAT 2026 Events | Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | First week of August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | Third week of September 2026 |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 | First week of November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| CAT Result 2026 | Second week of December 2026 |
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
For the CAT 2026 exam, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any stream (B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., etc.). A minimum of 50% marks is required for General/OBC, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates need at least 45% marks.
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD students).
- Students in the final year of college or waiting for results are also eligible to apply. But they have to produce their degree certificate later.
- Candidates who have completed CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI are also eligible to apply.
- There is no age limit restriction and no attempt limit.
CAT 2026 Registration Process
CAT registration for 2026 is expected to start from the first week of August 2026. You will be able to register for the CAT exam 2026 by following these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the official CAT exam portal https://iimcat.ac.in/.
- Create User Profile: Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Log in to Portal: Use the provided User ID and password to access the CAT application form.
- Fill Application Form: Provide your personal details, academic qualifications, and work experience (if any).
- Select Exam Preferences: Choose preferred test cities and exam slots.
- Upload Documents: Attach scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category certificate (if required).
- Pay Application Fee: Complete payment online through debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit & Download Confirmation: Review details and submit the application form.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees
CAT 2026 registration fee must be paid at the final stage of registration. The fee amount is category-specific as mentioned in the table below:
| Category | CAT Registration Fee |
| GEN/EWS/OBC | INR 2,600 |
| SC/ST/PwD | INR 1,300 |
CAT Syllabus 2026
Each section of the CAT 2026 exam is structured to evaluate the essential skills needed for management studies, including analytical ability, logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and verbal proficiency.
| Sections | Topics |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Paragraph Summary, Paragraph Completion, Vocabulary and One-Word Substitution, Idioms and Phrases, Spotting Errors, Critical Reasoning, and Analogies and Antonyms. |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Data Interpretation:
Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Tables and Data Sets, Venn Diagrams, Data Sufficiency, Caselets and Analytical Data Sets. Logical Reasoning: Seating Arrangements (Linear and Circular), Puzzles and Scheduling, Blood Relations and Family Trees, Direction Sense, Clocks and Calendars, Games and Tournaments, Logical Matching and Binary Logic. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Percentages, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Time, Speed, and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Mixtures and Allegations, Linear and Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Geometry and Mensuration, Permutations and Combinations, Probability and Progressions. |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
In the CAT 2026 exam, the number of questions in VARC, DILR, and QA is not fixed and may vary each year. However, you should prepare according to the usual exam pattern followed in recent editions:
| Sections | MCQs | TITA | No. of Total Questions |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 14 | 6 | 22 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 15 | 7 | 22 |
| Total | 49 | 17 | 68 |
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
Check out the table below for the CAT 2026 marking scheme:
| Parameters | Marks |
| For Each Correct Answer | +3 |
| Negative Marking for MCQ | -1 |
| Negative Marking TITA | No Negative Marking |
| Un-attempted Questions | 0 |
CAT 2026 Admit Card
CAT admit card 2026 will be released on the official CAT website before the exam. You must log in with your credentials to download it and carry a printed copy to the exam centre on test day.
- The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on the official website about 18–20 days before the exam, based on past trends. Candidates must log in, download it, and carry a printed copy to the test centre.
- Candidates can expect the CAT 2026 admit card to be released around November 10 or 11, 2026, based on the usual schedule followed in previous years.
- The CAT 2026 admit card will stay available on the official website until exam day, giving candidates time to download and print it before the test.
CAT Answer Key 2026
The CAT 2026 response sheet and answer key will be released about 2–3 days after the exam. You can then check your recorded answers and estimate your performance:
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Log in with your CAT ID and password.
- Click on the link for Response Sheet/Answer Key.
- Download the PDF to view your responses and correct answers.
- Use it to calculate your estimated score before the official CAT result.
CAT Result 2026
After the CAT 2026 exam, candidates eagerly await the results, which determine their chances of securing admission into the IIMs and other top B-schools.
- The CAT 2026 results are expected to be announced in the fourth week of December 2026 or the first week of January 2027.
- The exact CAT 2026 result date and time will be officially announced by IIM Indore, but the expected window gives candidates a reliable timeline to anticipate their results.
- CAT 2026 results will be released in a single announcement on the official website and also shared with candidates via SMS and email.
- Candidates are advised to check the official CAT website regularly for the latest updates on the CAT 2026 results and other important announcements.
Expected CAT Cutoffs 2026 for IIMs
The CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to be announced in the last week of December 2026 or the first week of January 2027, based on previous trends.
| IIMs | Gen | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
| Ahmedabad | 95+ | 95+ | 90+ | 85+ | 75+ | 85+ |
| Bangalore | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ | 60+ |
| Calcutta | 75+ | 65+ | 65+ | 60+ | 55+ | 45+ |
| Lucknow | 90+ | 82+ | 82+ | 65+ | 60+ | 60+ |
| Mumbai | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ | 65+ |
| Indore | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 60+ | 45+ | 45+ |
| Kozhikode | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 65+ | 65+ | 55+ |
| Shillong | 75 | 75 | 75 | 60 | 50 | – |
| Udaipur | 95 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 | 42 |
| Tiruchirapalli | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 | 30 |
CAT 2026 Counselling Process
The CAT 2026 counselling process starts after the results are declared. Shortlisted candidates go through the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Older IIMs conduct their own process, while newer IIMs use the Centralized Admission Process (CAP). Final merit lists are released by April–May 2027, based on CAT scores, WAT-PI performance, academics, work experience, and diversity factors.
CAT 2026 Preparation Tips
CAT 2026 preparation requires about 9 months, so aspirants should begin around February 2026. Start by reviewing the syllabus: Quant, VARC, Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. Identify easy and tough topics, revise the easier ones quickly, and then focus on strengthening the difficult areas while keeping the exam’s difficulty level in mind.
- Know the Syllabus: Before anything else, understand what’s covered (Quant, VARC, DILR). This gives direction to your study plan.
- Daily study (6–8 hrs): Divide time across all three sections so none gets neglected. Consistency matters more than cramming.
- Revise basics first: Strengthen fundamentals, then move to tougher topics. This ensures you don’t get stuck later.
- Solve sample questions: After learning a topic, practice questions to apply the theory and this bridges the gap between learning and exam performance.
- Mock tests: Weekly mocks test speed, accuracy, and stamina. Analyzing mistakes is key to improvement.
Best Books for CAT 2026 Preparation
Check out the table below for the best books for CAT 2026 preparation:
| Section | Recommended Books | Purpose |
| Quantitative Aptitude | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Arun Sharma | Covers the basics to advance with graded difficulty |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT – Sarvesh Verma | Advanced-level practice for high scorers | |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT – Arun Sharma | Focused DI practice with increasing difficulty |
| Previous Years’ CAT Papers | Understand exam pattern & difficulty. | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis | Vocabulary building |
| Novels, newspapers, editorials | Improve reading speed & comprehension. |
FAQs – CAT 2026
Ques: How should I prepare for VARC in CAT 2026?
Ans: For VARC preparation, candidates should:
- Read novels, newspapers, and editorials daily to improve comprehension.
- Practice RC passages and para-jumbles regularly.
- Strengthen grammar using books like Wren & Martin and vocabulary with Word Power Made Easy.
Ques: Are mock tests important for CAT 2026 preparation?
Ans: Yes, mock tests are crucial for CAT 2026. They help aspirants understand the difficulty level, improve time management, and identify weak areas. Analyzing mistakes after each mock test is as important as attempting them.
Ques: How many attempts are allowed for CAT?
Ans: There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT. Aspirants can take the exam every year as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
