The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most important entrance examinations for students aspiring to pursue an MBA or other management programmes at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several leading business schools in India. A good CAT percentile can help candidates compete for admission to reputed management institutes and build a strong foundation for a career in business and management.
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026, by IIM Indore. Candidates preparing for MBA admission in 2027 should understand the examination schedule, syllabus, marking scheme and preparation strategy to maximise their performance.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about the CAT exam date 2026, admit card, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria and preparation tips.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Institute | IIM Indore |
| Exam Level | National-level entrance examination |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based test |
| Exam Sessions | Three slots |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Total Sections | 3 |
| Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| Admission Target | MBA/PGDM and other management programmes, primarily for the 2027 admission cycle |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in/ |
Candidates should refer to the official CAT website for the latest announcements and instructions.
Knowing the important dates helps candidates plan their revision, mock tests and admission preparations effectively.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification | July 25, 2026 |
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | September 22, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | September 24, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Examination | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key and Response Sheet | Expected in December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result | Expected after the examination, subject to official announcement |
Important: CAT 2026 registration has closed. Candidates who have successfully registered should focus on downloading their admit cards, practising mock tests and revising important topics. Answer key and result dates should be confirmed through official announcements.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026, on the official CAT website. Registered candidates should download it using their login credentials.
Follow these steps to access your admit card:
Visit the official website at https://iimcat.ac.in/.
Log in using your CAT registration credentials.
Find the admit card or hall ticket download option.
Open the admit card and verify your personal details.
Download the document and print a copy for examination day.
Candidates should carefully verify the following information:
Candidate's name and registration number
Photograph and signature
Examination date and session
Test centre name and address
Reporting time and examination instructions
If you find any discrepancy, contact the examination authorities through the official communication channels.
Candidates should carry a printed copy of their admit card and a valid original photo identity document accepted under the official CAT instructions. Read the admit card carefully for restrictions on personal belongings, permitted documents and reporting time.
Understanding the CAT 2026 exam pattern is essential for developing an effective preparation strategy. The examination evaluates candidates on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation and quantitative aptitude.
The test is divided into three sections.
| Section | Full Form | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Reading comprehension, verbal reasoning and paragraph-based questions |
| DILR | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Data analysis, arrangements, puzzles and logical reasoning |
| QA | Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and other mathematical topics |
The CAT examination has a total duration of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated to each section for general-category candidates. Candidates must follow the sectional time limits and cannot freely move between sections.
PwD candidates who qualify for applicable accommodations should check the official examination instructions for any additional time or other permitted facilities.
The standard CAT marking scheme is as follows:
Correct answer: +3 marks
Incorrect answer to an MCQ: -1 mark
Incorrect answer to a non-MCQ/TITA question: Generally, no negative marking
Unattempted question: No marks awarded or deducted
Candidates should verify the final instructions and question formats for CAT 2026. The examination may contain both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions.
Preparation tip: Avoid random guessing in MCQs because incorrect answers attract negative marking. Attempt questions strategically based on your accuracy and confidence.
The CAT syllabus is not always published as a fixed, exhaustive topic-by-topic list. However, previous examination patterns provide a useful guide to the major topics candidates should prepare.
VARC assesses English comprehension, interpretation and verbal reasoning skills.
Important topics include:
Reading comprehension passages
Main idea and central theme
Author's tone, purpose and viewpoint
Inference-based questions
Para jumbles
Para summary
Odd sentence out
Paragraph completion and sentence arrangement
Preparation tips for VARC:
Read quality editorials, business articles and non-fiction regularly. Practise reading comprehension passages under timed conditions. Focus on understanding the author's argument instead of relying on assumptions or outside knowledge.
DILR tests the ability to analyse information, identify patterns and solve complex problems logically.
Important topics include:
Tables and charts
Bar graphs and line graphs
Pie charts
Caselets and data-based sets
Seating arrangements
Scheduling and grouping
Games and tournaments
Routes and networks
Venn diagrams
Logical puzzles and arrangements
Preparation tips for DILR:
Practise different types of sets rather than repeatedly solving only familiar questions. Learn to identify the information provided, organise it clearly and select sets that can be solved accurately within the available time.
Quantitative Aptitude evaluates mathematical understanding, numerical ability and problem-solving skills.
Important topics include:
Arithmetic: Percentages, profit and loss, ratios, averages, mixtures, time and work, time, speed and distance, simple and compound interest
Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, functions and sequences
Geometry: Triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, coordinate geometry and mensuration
Number System: Divisibility, factors, multiples, remainders and properties of numbers
Modern Mathematics: Permutations and combinations, probability and set theory
Preparation tips for QA:
Build conceptual clarity before attempting difficult questions. Revise formulas regularly, solve topic-wise practice sets and maintain an error notebook to track calculation mistakes and weak concepts.
With the CAT exam scheduled for November 29, candidates should follow a focused revision strategy instead of trying to learn every topic from scratch.
Take a full-length mock test to identify your strengths and weaknesses in VARC, DILR and QA. Use the results to prioritise topics that can improve your score.
Allocate daily time to all three sections, with extra attention to your weakest area. Include time for revision, sectional tests and mock-test analysis.
A sample daily schedule is provided below:
| Activity | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| VARC practice | 45 minutes |
| DILR practice | 60 minutes |
| QA revision and questions | 60 minutes |
| Mock-test analysis or revision | 45 minutes |
Adjust the schedule according to your preparation level and available study hours.
Mock tests help candidates understand the exam interface, practise time management and develop an effective question-selection strategy.
Try to take mocks under examination-like conditions. After each test, review incorrect answers, missed easy questions and the amount of time spent on difficult problems.
A high number of attempts does not automatically translate into a high percentile. Prioritise questions you can solve correctly and avoid spending excessive time on a single difficult problem.
Maintain concise notes for arithmetic formulas, algebraic identities, geometry concepts and common logical reasoning approaches. Review these notes frequently during the final preparation phase.
Read English articles daily and practise summarising their central arguments. This can help improve reading efficiency, comprehension and the ability to identify relevant information.
Mock-test analysis is as important as taking the test itself. Identify whether mistakes occurred due to conceptual gaps, calculation errors, poor question selection or time pressure. Work on these issues before attempting the next mock.
Candidates planning to pursue MBA admission through CAT should check the official eligibility requirements.
The general eligibility criteria include:
A bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
At least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, subject to the official rules.
At least 45% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA for SC, ST and PwD candidates, subject to the official rules.
Final-year bachelor's degree students may also be eligible, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Candidates with professional qualifications recognised under the CAT eligibility rules should review the official notification for applicable requirements.
Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission. Individual IIMs and other business schools may apply additional selection criteria involving CAT percentile, academic performance, work experience, interviews and other assessment components.
CAT 2026 registration took place online through the official CAT website. The registration deadline was extended to September 22, 2026, and the final fee-payment deadline was September 24, 2026.
The announced application fee was:
General category candidates: ₹2,700
SC, ST and PwD candidates: ₹1,350
Since registration has closed, candidates who did not submit an application should check the official website for any further announcement rather than assuming that another registration window will open.
Candidates who registered successfully should ensure their application details and examination information are correct.
After CAT 2026, candidates can expect the following stages, subject to the official schedule:
Answer key and response sheet: Candidates may be able to review their recorded responses and the provisional answer key.
Objection window: The examination authority may allow candidates to submit objections according to the prescribed process.
Final answer key: The final key is published after the review process, where applicable.
CAT result: Candidates can check their scorecards online once results are announced.
Shortlisting: IIMs and other participating institutions prepare their shortlists using their individual admission policies.
Further selection rounds: Depending on the institution, candidates may need to participate in a personal interview, written assessment or other selection stages.
Candidates should remember that the CAT percentile is only one component of the admission process. Each institution determines its own shortlisting and final selection criteria.
CAT 2026 is an important entrance examination for candidates targeting MBA admission in 2027. A strong CAT performance can help applicants compete for seats in the IIMs and other participating management institutes.
However, students should research each institution's eligibility requirements, application deadlines, programme fees, placement reports and selection process. Some colleges may require a separate application even after a candidate has registered for CAT.
Candidates should also prepare for interviews and other selection stages by reviewing their academic background, work experience, career goals and reasons for pursuing an MBA.
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026. Candidates should verify the latest information on the official CAT website.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2026. Registered candidates can access it through the official website.
The standard examination duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each of the three sections.
The three sections are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
Under the standard CAT marking scheme, incorrect MCQ answers attract a deduction of one mark. TITA questions generally do not carry negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates should confirm the applicable instructions for CAT 2026.
Yes, final-year bachelor's degree students may be eligible, provided they satisfy the prescribed conditions.
CAT is the primary entrance examination used for admission to the regular MBA/PGP programmes at IIMs. Candidates should check the specific programme requirements because admission routes can vary across institutions and programmes.
Focus on mock tests, revision, accuracy, time management and analysis of mistakes. Prioritise familiar high-value topics instead of attempting to learn the entire syllabus at the last minute.
The result date should be confirmed through official announcements after the examination. Candidates should regularly check the CAT website for updates.
Yes. CAT 2026 is intended for the relevant management admission cycle, including MBA/PGP admissions in 2027 at participating institutions, subject to each institution's admission policy.
CAT 2026 is an important opportunity for students aiming to pursue an MBA from the IIMs and other leading management institutes in India. With the examination scheduled for November 29, 2026, registered candidates should focus on revision, mock-test analysis, accuracy and time management.
Understanding the CAT 2026 exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme and admission process can help candidates prepare more confidently. Aspirants should also monitor official announcements for admit cards, answer keys and results while preparing for the next stages of MBA admission.
Start your final preparation today, practise consistently and make informed decisions about your MBA admission goals for 2027.