CAT 2026: Registration (Started), Exam Date (Nov 30), Syllabus, Pattern, Previous Year Papers, Prep Tips

What is a CAT Exam?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level test of management aptitude, organised by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for getting admission into its 21 campuses (NITIE Mumbai has been included in the cluster and renamed as IIM Mumbai) for MBA and other postgraduate programs. CAT exam is a time-based test with questions in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). The level of difficulty for the exam is moderate to high.

More than two lakh candidates take the CAT exam annually. In CAT 2025, applications reached an all-time high of 3.30 lakh. The number of CAT 2026 registrations stood at 3.29 lakh. Candidates clearing the CAT exam get admission to more than 1300 MBA colleges in India, a part of the IIMs.

CAT 2026 Exam Overview

CAT 2026 notification shares important information related to exam slots, timings, eligibility, fees and courses. Here are the key highlights of CAT 2026 for reference:

CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2026 exam:

CAT 2026 Exam Timings

Check the table below for exam timings of CAT 2026. Candidates are required to reach the exam centre as per the reporting time to be able to appear for the exam:

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

CAT is an entrance exam for admission to PG courses, thus the minimum qualification has to be graduation. Read below detailed breakdown of minimum eligibilty critera for CAT 2026 exam:

1. Possession of a bachelor's degree with a minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) is required to appear in CAT 2026.
2. Applicants for final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent or waiting for final result may also appear for CAT 2026 exam. But their first and second year marks aggregate should fulfill the minimum score requirement.
3. Candidates who possess a professional degree such as CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with the prescribed percentage can also sit for CAT.
4. The mode of education of the bachelor's degree can be regular or distance learning but must be a 3-year programme and from a UGC recognised university.
5. Final year or result awaiting students will be asked to provide passing certificate or marksheet to MBA college within a specified time frame for confirming admission. Their admission will be provisional until then.
6. There is no maximum age limit to take CAT. Anyone at any stage of their life can give CAT since the exam is also accepted for EPGP, Doctorate and FPM courses.

CAT 2026 Exam Syllabus

The CAT exam syllabus is widely categorised into three segments - VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. See below the core areas of the CAT syllabus 2026. Most of the questions are asked from below topics discussed below. Aspirants must give special attention to these topics while preparing for the exam:

CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2026

The CAT 2026 question paper will have MCQs and TITA questions. There will be negative marking for incorrect attempts. Check the highlights of the CAT 2026 exam pattern below:

CAT 2026 Exam Registration

Registration: 01 Aug ' 26 - 13 Sep ' 26

The CAT 2026 registration process link is available on the iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates will be required to make a login ID to fill out the CAT application form 2026. See below to learn about how to apply for CAT 2026:

Step 1: Visit the official site: iimcat.ac.in

Step 2: Click on 'new registration'.

Step 3: Fill in your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID for registration.

Step 4: Log in with the ID obtained in the registered email to complete the CAT 2026 application form.

Step 5: Provide personal and academic information (academic information, parents' information, etc.).

Step 6: Upload a new passport-size photo and scanned signature.

Step 7: Choose preferred courses and IIMs.

Step 8: Choose test city preference from the dropdown.

CAT 2026 Exam Registration Here

Step 9: Pay the CAT application fee through credit/debit card or net banking.

Candidates can select up to five cities for the allotment of the CAT exam centre in the application form. Test centre allotment will be done on a first-come first first-served basis. Therefore, candidate should submit the CAT application form as early as possible to obtain their desired test city. The examination board makes an effort to allot the test centre in the first preference city. If all the seats then the allotment is made in the second preference city.

CAT Registration Trend Over the Years

Every year, CAT sees the largest number of registrations among all MBA entrance exams in India. In the last 10 years, the number of applicants has increased from under 2 lakh to over 3 lakh. In 2024, CAT recorded the highest ever registration of over 3.30 lakhs, out of which about 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The total number of students enrolled for CAT 2026 was also 3 lakh plus. IIM Calcutta received a total of 3.29 lakh applications. See below how many students enrolled for CAT 2026 and earlier years.

CAT Exam Application Fee

The CAT application fee is an important part of the CAT exam process. The CAT 2026 Application fee is different for all categories, with benefits for candidates which belongs to the reserved categories. The application fee for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates amounts to INR 2,200/-. and SC, ST, and PwD candidates have to pay INR 1,100/-. Payment is to be made online only. After the Successful Submission of the payment, the confirmation email will be sent to the candidate within a few minutes, which will mark the completion of the registration process. Candidates should be aware that the CAT application fee is non-refundable and keep a copy of the payment receipt for assistance from the CAT Exam helpdesk in case of any issues. Also, it is an essential step for the Students. By being well-informed about the CAT application fee, candidates can check their application process easily.

CAT 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

Here are some key tips for effective CAT 2026 exam preparation:

1. Create a Study Plan: It is a very important step for students; they must make a well-structured study plan that covers all the topics included in the CAT 2026 syllabus. Distribute sufficient time for each subject based on their ability and the weightage of each topic in the exam.
2. Understand the Exam Pattern: Candidates must familiarise themselves with the exam pattern, including the marking scheme, number of sections, and types of questions. CAT typically includes sections on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
3. Study Material: Choosing the right study material is important for effective preparation. There are many books, online resources, and coaching materials available specifically designed for CAT preparation. Select study material that is comprehensive and aligns with the CAT 2026 syllabus.
4. CAT Mock Tests: After completing their syllabus, students take regular mock tests to assess their progress and improve their time management skills. Analyse the results of mock tests to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your study plan accordingly.
5. Stay updated: Read newspapers daily and keep yourself updated with current affairs, general knowledge, and business-related newspapers and online sources that can help improve your performance in the reading comprehension and general awareness sections.
6. Time Management: Time management is an essential Step in the exam. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time to improve your speed and accuracy.

CAT Sample Papers & Mock Test

Practice a free CAT mock test to determine your preparation level. These mock tests are equivalent in difficulty level to official CAT mock test. You can practice the CAT mock tests below by just clicking on the link. The CAT mock tests have solutions and answers provided along with them.

CAT Admit Card 2026

Admit Card: 05 Nov ' 26 - 30 Nov ' 26

The CAT 2026 admit card is a compulsory document to be taken to the exam centre. Candidates who will register for the exam will be given a soft copy of the admit card. They will have to download it from the website of the exam and take a printout to be carried on the day of the exam. The process to download the CAT admit card 2026 is given below:

1. Log on to the CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on the 'login' tab.
3. Enter the CAT 2026 application number and password.
4. Go to the 'admit card' section.
5. Click on 'download'.
6. Take a printout for the CAT 2026 exam day.

Download CAT 2026 Admit Card Here

CAT Exam 2026 Answer Key

Answer Key: Dec ' 26

The CAT 2026 answer key will be available 2-3 days after the exam. The candidates need to adhere to the steps below to download the CAT 2026 answer key and response sheet from the official website:

1. Visit the official website of CAT 2026 (iimcat.ac.in).
2. Click on the 'login' tab.
3. Enter the CAT login ID and password.
4. Click on 'CAT 2026 answer key' will see it on the screen.
5. Click on the 'download' icon to save it as a PDF.

The provisional CAT 2026 answer key and response sheet will enable candidates to know the correct and wrong attempts made by them and estimate their CAT score. A chance to challenge the official CAT answer key 2026 will also be provided to candidates. Candidates will have to submit a document in support of their objection against the specific question/answer while challenging the provisional answer key. The objection fee per question is INR 1200. The fee amount will be refunded only to those candidates whose objection will be treated as valid. The CAT 2026 result will be made up based on the answer key objection analysis outcome.

CAT Exam Analysis

CAT 2026 candidates should refer to the CAT 2026 analysis to understand the new paper pattern and difficulty level:

1. In CAT 2026, there were 68 questions rather than 66.
2. The DILR section consisted of 22 questions rather than 20.
3. The VARC and Quant weightage remained unchanged.
4. RC dominated the VARC section, and arithmetic dominated the QA section.
5. DILR consists of 11 questions from both Data Interpretation and Reasoning.

CAT 2026 Exam Analysis: Difficulty Level

Overall, the CAT 2026 question paper was of a moderate difficulty level, as it has been in the past. There were a few calculation-based questions in QA, whereas there were no parajumble questions in VARC.

CAT 2026 Exam Analysis

The CAT exam of the previous year was generally moderately difficult. Among its sections, Quantitative Ability (QA) posed the greatest challenge, while Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) showed a surprisingly easier trend compared to the last two years.

The Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Data Interpretation section remained time-intensive for many participants. For an in-depth understanding of the CAT exams from 2014 to 2026, including insights on various time slots, you can explore the comprehensive Slot-wise CAT Exam Analysis.

CAT 2026 Result and Scorecard PDF

Result: Dec ' 26

The CAT 2026 scorecard PDF will be out on iimcat.ac.in website approximately three weeks from the date of the test. The testing agency does not declare the CAT result date in advance, but it publishes the scorecards by December 20 of every year. Candidates will be required to download their results using their login ID and password. Check the steps below to download the CAT 2026 result:

1. Log on to the CAT website iimcat.ac.in
2. Click on the 'login' tab.
3. Enter the CAT application number and password.
4. Click on the scorecard section.
5. Click on the download option and save the PDF of the CAT 2026 scorecard.

The CAT 2026 score is effective only for admission for 1 year in IIMs and all the top B Schools. Top MBA colleges and IIMs have the provision of deferment of admission, where candidates who have cleared the selection round defer their admission by one year. Those who wish to drop a year have to appear for CAT again.

Download CAT 2026 Result Here

CAT Exam 2026 Selection Process

Students who pass the CAT exam and fulfil the cutoff requirements will receive invitations to engage in the CAT selection process. It’s important to remember that the selection process can differ among IIMs and other MBA colleges, each having its own distinct admission methods.

The value of CAT scores is important, as they are accepted by all participating institutions, including the prestigious IIMs as well as other respected non-IIMs. Prominent non-IIM institutions like 6 IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, JNU, IMT Ghaziabad, IPU, MDI Gurgaon, and SPJIMR Mumbai also consider CAT scores for admissions.

CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

The CAT 2026 exam will be held at the allotted exam centres in various parts of India. The address of the test centre will be printed on each candidate's admit card, and he/she will have to report to the centre according to the reporting time. The exam will be held under CCTV supervision and with some guidelines to avoid cheating or paper leaks. The exam day rules will be stated on the CAT admit card 2026. Read below the vital CAT 2026 exam day rules, documents to bring and items banned at the exam centre.

Items to Carry on CAT Exam Day 2026

Candidates will have to carry the following documents to the CAT exam centre to gain entry: 

1. CAT admit card 2026: Two photocopies of their admit card with their photograph pasted on it (ideally, the same as that uploaded along with the application form). Admission without the CAT admit card and photo identity will not be allowed.
2. Photo identity proof: In addition to the admit card, candidates must produce a photo ID proof like College ID, employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhaar card.
3. Name change document: If a candidate has changed their name at a later stage of life and their photo ID does not show the same name, they will be required to carry a certificate/document of name change.
4. PwD/Scribe Certificate: PwD candidates shall be required to carry a certificate reflecting the same and the scribe certificate attested by the competent authority, if they want to take benefit of scribe services.
5. Ball Point Pen: A Blue/black ball point pen will have to be brought by candidates to the exam centre for signing the attendance sheet.

Items Not to Carry on CAT Exam Day:

The following items will be prohibited inside the CAT 2026 exam hall. Candidates must ensure they are not carrying any of the following items at the time of entry to the CAT test centre:

1. Calculator, watch, mobile phone, iPad, Bluetooth device, earphones, etc.
2. Bags and purses
3. Eatables and beverages (Diabetic candidates will be allowed to carry fruits)
4. Jewellery and accessories that contain metal
5. Jackets and clothes with pockets
6. Caps, headgear and goggles
7. Closed footwear and boots
8. Books, notebooks, loose paper

Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc., in their body will be required to carry a medical certificate of the same to the CAT test centre.

Take a look at the CAT exam day workflow:

MBA Admission Through CAT Exam Score

IIM selection procedure and admission involves shortlisting of applicants based on CAT score and Written Ability Test (WAT) /Group Discussion (GD) /Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM determines a minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist applicants for appearing in the next round of the intake process. The following is an overview of the selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:

IIM Admission Process

The IIMs release admission criteria and selection process for PGP/MBA before the CAT result declaration. The documents provide cutoffs, parameters, process, etc., for MBA admission. The selection process through CAT for all the IIMs involves the following:

1. Screening of candidates based on their CAT score
2. Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
3. Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Other than IIMs, institutes also accept the CAT score for admission to their MBA/PGDM course and conduct GD/WAGT-PI. However, there are a few colleges that do not conduct a personality assessment round and admit students based on the CAT score only. 

CAT 2026 Exam Score vs Percentile

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

Apart from MBA programs, the CAT rating is valid for admission to the Executive MBA, PhD, and FPM programs of IIMs and different B-Schools. This examination is open not only to the simplest graduates but also to post-graduates and running professionals. Check beneath the listing of publications supplied through the IIMs for the CAT exam 2026.

CAT Cut Off for MBA Admission in IIMs

The CAT cut-off marks vary from year to year depending on factors like exam difficulty, the number of applicants, and the performance of candidates. While the exact cut-offs for the CAT exam 2026 have not been announced yet, candidates can estimate them based on previous years' trends and expert predictions. It's important to note that a high CAT score is just one factor in the selection process, and candidates will also need to excel in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds conducted by individual institutes.

The CAT cut-off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of the General category. For the SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories, the cut CAT cut-offs are lower.

IIMCAT Contact Information

Queries regarding CAT Registration, Application and Payment Processing, Document uploading:

-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

Call on the toll-free number, Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (excluding National holidays).

cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in

Academic queries like eligibility, category and PwD certificate contact the  CAT Centre office with the following details.

Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (excluding holidays)

Ph: 033-7121 1104
email: cat2025_helpdesk@iimcal.ac.in