CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is the national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by IIM Indore this year, for PGP admissions to all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India. Registration for CAT 2026 closed on September 22, 2026, and candidates are now waiting for the admit card, which will be available for download on November 4, 2026. The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026 in a computer-based format across approximately 170 cities in India.
- Admit Card: CAT 2026 admit card will be available for download on November 4, 2026 from iimcat.ac.in. In CAT 2024, the admit card was released on November 5, 2024 — approximately 3 weeks before the exam date.
- Exam Date: CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three time slots across approximately 170 cities. The exam has 68 questions spread across 3 sections and lasts 2 hours.
- Answer Key: The provisional CAT 2026 answer key is expected in the first week of December 2026. In CAT 2025, the answer key was released within 4 to 5 days of the exam by IIM Kozhikode.
- Result: CAT 2026 result is expected in the second week of January 2027. The CAT 2025 result was declared on December 24, 2025 by IIM Kozhikode.
What is CAT 2026?
CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is India’s most popular MBA entrance exam, conducted every year by one of the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. This year, IIM Indore is the convener for CAT 2026, with Prof. Aditya Billore, Professor of Marketing, serving as the official convener.
The exam is a gateway not just to the 21 IIMs but also to over 1,200 B-schools across India that accept CAT scores for their MBA and PGDM programmes. More than 2.5 lakh candidates appear for CAT every year, making it one of the most competitive management entrance exams in the country.
CAT 2026 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 68 questions across three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA. The total duration is 120 minutes, with each section having a separate time limit of 40 minutes.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body (2026) | IIM Indore |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Sections | VARC (24), DILR (22), QA (22) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Application Fee (General) | INR 2,700 |
| Admissions to | 21 IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
The CAT 2026 official notification was released on July 25–26, 2026, and registration closed on September 22, 2026. Candidates who have completed registration are now in the waiting phase before the admit card release on November 4, 2026.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
You should keep track of all CAT 2026 important dates to avoid missing any deadline. The table below lists all key events — upcoming dates appear first (in chronological order), followed by completed milestones.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 | Upcoming |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) | Upcoming |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | First week of December 2026 | Expected |
| Answer Key Objection Window | Second week of December 2026 | Expected |
| CAT 2026 Result Declaration | Second week of January 2027 | Expected |
| Official Notification Released | July 25–26, 2026 | (Out) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Opens | August 3, 2026 | (Over) |
| Registration Closes (Extended Date) | September 22, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) | (Over) |
| Fee Payment Window Closes | September 24, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) | (Over) |
Source: iimcat.ac.in — Official CAT 2026 Notification
Note: Answer key and result dates are based on previous year trends. IIM Indore will publish exact dates on iimcat.ac.in after the exam.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
CAT 2026 eligibility is set by IIM Indore for the 2026 cycle. You must meet these requirements to register for the exam. If you do not fulfil the criteria, your application can be rejected at any stage of the admission process.
Educational Qualification
- You must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution.
- Minimum aggregate marks required: 50% for General, EWS, and OBC-NC candidates.
- For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum aggregate is 45%.
- If your institution uses a CGPA or GPA system, the equivalent percentage is calculated by each IIM individually during the admission process.
Final-Year Students
You can apply for CAT 2026 even if you are currently in the final year of your undergraduate degree. However, you must complete graduation with the required percentage before joining an IIM programme. If selected and your final marks fall below the required threshold, the admission offer may be withdrawn.
Age and Number of Attempts
- There is no upper age limit to appear in CAT 2026.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts. You can appear in CAT every year as long as you are eligible.
Professional Degree Holders
- Candidates with professional degrees such as CA, CS, or ICWA with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) are also eligible to apply.
Note: Individual IIMs may set additional eligibility norms beyond the basic CAT requirements — for example, some IIMs require minimum work experience for certain programmes. Check each IIM’s official admission notification after the January 2027 result.
How to Register for CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 registration is now closed. The registration window was open from August 3 to September 22, 2026. IIM Indore had extended the last date from September 15 to September 22, 2026, and clearly stated that no further extension would be given. If you have already registered, you can log in to iimcat.ac.in to verify your application status.
CAT 2026 registration is closed. Candidates who missed it will need to wait for CAT 2027, which typically opens for registration in August of the following year.
Steps to Register for CAT (For Reference)
- Step 1: Visit iimcat.ac.in and click the registration link.
- Step 2: Enter your name, email ID, and mobile number to create a login ID.
- Step 3: Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details in the application form.
- Step 4: Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature in the prescribed format.
- Step 5: Choose up to 3 preferred test cities in order of preference.
- Step 6: Select the IIM programmes you want to apply to as part of registration.
- Step 7: Pay the registration fee online and submit the completed form.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NC | INR 2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | INR 1,350 |
Note: The CAT 2026 registration fee was non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal of application.
How Many Candidates Registered for CAT 2026?
IIM Indore has not released the official CAT 2026 registration statistics yet. Based on recent year trends, more than 2.8–3 lakh candidates are expected to have registered this cycle. In CAT 2025 (conducted by IIM Kozhikode), approximately 2.95 lakh candidates registered, of which around 2.58 lakh appeared on exam day — an attendance rate of about 87%. Registration numbers have remained stable in the 2.5–3 lakh range for the last several years, reflecting consistent demand for top-tier MBA seats.
CAT 2026 Admit Card
The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on November 4, 2026 on iimcat.ac.in. You can download it using your CAT 2026 User ID and password. The admit card is a mandatory document — without it, you will not be permitted inside the exam centre on November 29, 2026.
How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card
- Visit iimcat.ac.in on or after November 4, 2026.
- Click on the "Download Admit Card" link on the homepage.
- Log in using your registered email ID and password.
- Your CAT 2026 admit card will appear — download it and take a printout.
Details on the CAT 2026 Admit Card
- Candidate’s name, registration number, and photograph
- Exam date: November 29, 2026
- Assigned time slot (Slot 1, 2, or 3)
- Test centre name and full address
- Reporting time and gate closing time
- Exam day rules and instructions
Documents to Carry on Exam Day Along with the Admit Card
- Printed CAT 2026 admit card
- Original government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
- One passport-size photograph matching the one uploaded during registration
Important: Do not carry mobile phones, smartwatches, bags, books, or any electronic devices to the exam centre. Only a transparent water bottle is generally permitted. Violations may lead to disqualification.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 has 3 sections with a total of 68 questions and a total duration of 120 minutes. Each section has a separate 40-minute timer — you cannot go back to a previous section or skip ahead before the timer runs out.
| Section | Total Questions | MCQ (approx.) | TITA Non-MCQ (approx.) | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | ~18 | ~6 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | ~16 | ~6 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | ~15 | ~7 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | ~49 | ~19 | 120 minutes |
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
| Question Type | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer | Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) | +3 marks | -1 mark | 0 |
| TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) | +3 marks | 0 (no penalty) | 0 |
Key Rules About CAT 2026
- The exam is fully computer-based. Rough work must be done on scratch paper provided at the centre — you cannot remove it after the exam.
- Each section has a dedicated timer. Once time is up, you move automatically to the next section and cannot revisit the previous one.
- TITA questions have no answer options — you must type the answer. No negative marking on TITA, which makes them safer to attempt even when unsure.
- A basic on-screen calculator is available in the QA section. No external calculator is allowed.
- The fixed section order is: VARC → DILR → QA.
- The maximum raw score is 204 marks (68 × 3).
CAT 2026 Syllabus
IIM Indore has not released a formal CAT 2026 syllabus — this is standard for all IIMs. The exam tests skills rather than a fixed curriculum. Based on the last several years of CAT question papers, the section-wise syllabus is well established.
VARC — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Questions)
VARC is the first section of CAT 2026. It has two parts: Reading Comprehension (RC) typically accounts for 16–18 questions through 4–5 passages, while the remaining questions test verbal ability skills.
- Reading Comprehension (RC): Long passages (400–600 words) on topics like business, economics, science, philosophy, arts, and culture. Questions test inference, tone, and argument structure — not just factual recall.
- Para Jumbles: Arrange 4–5 given sentences in the correct logical order. Usually TITA — no options given.
- Para Summary: Choose the best one-line summary for a paragraph from 4 MCQ options.
- Odd Sentence Out: Identify the sentence among 5 that does not logically fit the paragraph. Usually TITA.
DILR — Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 Questions)
DILR is often the most unpredictable section in CAT. Questions come in sets of 4–6, where all questions share a common dataset or scenario. Choosing the right sets to attempt in 40 minutes is a critical strategy.
- Data Interpretation (DI): Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Venn Diagrams, Network Diagrams, Caselets
- Logical Reasoning (LR): Arrangement Puzzles (Linear and Circular), Games and Tournaments, Scheduling Problems, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Truth-Tellers and Liars, Grid-Based Puzzles
QA — Quantitative Ability (22 Questions)
QA covers Class 10–12 level mathematics. About 30–40% of QA questions are TITA type. Arithmetic and Algebra together account for more than 50% of QA questions in most CAT years.
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, Averages
- Algebra: Linear & Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities, Sequences & Series (AP/GP)
- Number System: Divisibility, Remainders, HCF & LCM, Prime Numbers, Surds & Indices, Factorials
- Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, Solid Geometry
- Modern Mathematics: Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory, Progressions
CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026 in three slots. Your specific slot and reporting time will be printed on your admit card (available from November 4, 2026). Here is what you need to know for exam day.
Expected Slot Timings
- Slot 1 (Morning): Typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM. Reporting time: around 7:00 AM.
- Slot 2 (Afternoon): Typically 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Reporting time: around 11:00 AM.
- Slot 3 (Evening): Typically 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Reporting time: around 3:00 PM.
Exact slot timings will be confirmed on your admit card. Gates close approximately 15–20 minutes before the exam starts. Late entry is not permitted under any circumstances.
What to Carry
- Printed CAT 2026 admit card
- Original government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License)
- One passport-size photograph matching the one uploaded during registration
- A transparent water bottle (if permitted by your specific centre)
What NOT to Carry
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, or any electronic device
- Bags, wallets, or pouches
- Books, notes, or any printed study material
- External calculators (an on-screen calculator is available for QA)
- Any stationery item with writing on it
Rough work: Scratch paper and a pencil are provided at the exam centre. You must not remove them from the premises after the exam.
CAT 2026 Answer Key
The CAT 2026 provisional answer key is expected in the first week of December 2026, a few days after the November 29 exam. IIM Indore will release it on iimcat.ac.in along with the question paper from all three slots. Candidates can review the key and raise objections for any answer they believe is incorrect.
How to Challenge the CAT 2026 Answer Key
- Log in to iimcat.ac.in with your credentials after the provisional key is published.
- Go to the Answer Key Challenge section.
- Select the question you want to dispute and submit your objection with supporting reasoning or evidence.
- A fee (typically non-refundable if the objection is rejected) may be charged per challenge.
After reviewing all objections, IIM Indore will release a final answer key before the result is declared. If a question is found to be wrong or ambiguous, it may be deleted — all candidates who attempted it get full marks regardless of which option they chose.
In CAT 2025, the provisional answer key was released by IIM Kozhikode within 4 days of the exam. The challenge window stayed open for 4 days. CAT 2026 is expected to follow a similar timeline, with a two-to-three week gap between the exam (November 29) and the result (January 2027).
CAT 2026 Result
The CAT 2026 result is expected in the second week of January 2027. IIM Indore will declare the result on iimcat.ac.in. Your result will show your Overall Percentile as well as Sectional Percentiles for VARC, DILR, and QA separately.
How CAT 2026 Scores Are Calculated
CAT 2026 is held in 3 slots in a single day. Since different slots may vary slightly in difficulty, a normalization process is applied so that all candidates are compared fairly regardless of which slot they appeared in.
- Your raw score in each section is first scaled to account for difficulty differences between slots.
- The scaled scores across all three sections combine into your total scaled score.
- Your Overall Percentile is based on your total scaled score compared to all other candidates who appeared for CAT 2026.
- Each section also has its own Sectional Percentile, which most IIMs use as a minimum threshold alongside the overall percentile.
The CAT scorecard shows both Raw Score and Scaled Score for each section, plus the corresponding percentile. CAT does not release an All-India Rank (AIR) — only percentile scores are given.
How to Download CAT 2026 Scorecard
- Visit iimcat.ac.in after the result is declared in January 2027.
- Log in with your CAT 2026 User ID and Password.
- Download and save your scorecard — the website gets very heavy traffic right after result declaration.
The CAT 2025 result was declared by IIM Kozhikode on December 24, 2025 — about 3.5 weeks after the exam. Based on this pattern, CAT 2026 result could come out anywhere between the second and fourth week of January 2027, depending on how long the answer key objection review takes.
CAT 2026 Marks vs Percentile
CAT does not release a fixed marks-to-percentile chart because scores are normalized across three exam slots and the conversion varies year to year. Based on CAT 2024 and CAT 2025 data, the table below gives a general idea of what scaled score range corresponds to which percentile band.
Expected CAT 2026 Scaled Score vs Percentile (Based on Previous Year Trends)
| Expected Scaled Score Range (out of 204) | Expected Overall Percentile | Shortlist Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| 170 and above | 99.5–100 | IIM A, B, C shortlist likely |
| 155–170 | 99–99.5 | IIM A, B, C possible (strong academics needed) |
| 135–155 | 97–99 | IIM L, K, I, M shortlist possible |
| 115–135 | 93–97 | New IIMs shortlist likely |
| 95–115 | 85–93 | Newer IIMs and top non-IIM B-schools |
| 75–95 | 75–85 | B-schools with 75–85 percentile cutoffs |
| Below 75 | Below 75 | Non-IIM B-schools accepting lower percentiles |
Note: These are indicative ranges based on CAT 2024 and CAT 2025 trends. Actual percentile will depend on the difficulty of the CAT 2026 paper and the combined performance of all test-takers. Sectional percentiles matter equally — a strong overall score will not help if you fall below any IIM’s section-level minimum cutoff.
The maximum possible raw score in CAT 2026 is 204 marks (68 questions × 3 marks). Most high scorers at the 99+ percentile level attempt 50–55 of the 68 questions with very high accuracy, rather than attempting all 68. Accuracy matters far more than attempt count in CAT.
CAT 2026 Cutoff for Top IIMs
CAT 2026 cutoffs will be released by each IIM independently after the result in January 2027. These cutoffs are used to shortlist candidates for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The table below shows expected overall percentile cutoffs for CAT 2026, based on CAT 2025 trends for the General category.
CAT 2026 Expected Overall Percentile Cutoff — General Category
| IIM | Expected Cutoff — CAT 2026 (General) | CAT 2025 Cutoff (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) | 99–100 percentile | 99–100 percentile |
| IIM Bangalore (IIM-B) | 99–100 percentile | 99–100 percentile |
| IIM Calcutta (IIM-C) | 99–100 percentile | 99–100 percentile |
| IIM Lucknow (IIM-L) | 96–98 percentile | 96–98 percentile |
| IIM Indore (IIM-I) | 94–96 percentile | 94–95 percentile |
| IIM Kozhikode (IIM-K) | 94–96 percentile | 94–96 percentile |
| IIM Mumbai | 94–95 percentile | 94–95 percentile |
| IIM Shillong | 90–92 percentile | 90–92 percentile |
| IIM Raipur / Ranchi / Rohtak / Trichy / Kashipur / Udaipur / Visakhapatnam | 85–90 percentile | 85–90 percentile |
| IIM Bodh Gaya / Amritsar / Sirmaur / Nagpur / Sambalpur / Jammu | 80–85 percentile | 80–85 percentile |
Note: These are projected ranges based on historical data. Official CAT 2026 cutoffs for 2027–29 batch admissions will be declared by each IIM individually after the January 2027 result.
CAT 2026 Sectional Cutoffs
Most IIMs also set minimum sectional percentile requirements in addition to the overall cutoff. You must meet both the overall and all sectional cutoffs to be shortlisted for WAT-PI. Based on CAT 2025 trends:
- IIM A, B, C (Older IIMs): Sectional cutoff around 70–80 percentile per section for General category.
- IIM L, K, I, M (Second-generation IIMs): Sectional cutoff around 70–75 percentile per section.
- Newer IIMs: Sectional cutoff around 60–70 percentile per section for General category.
These thresholds may change slightly for CAT 2026. Each IIM publishes its own official cutoff matrix after the result — check the individual IIM website in January–February 2027.
CAT 2026 Selection and Admission Process
CAT does not have a centralized counselling process like JEE or NEET. Each IIM conducts its own independent selection process after the CAT result. The CAT 2026 admission cycle — for the 2027–29 batch — will start after the January 2027 result declaration.
Typical IIM Selection Process Stages
- Stage 1 – CAT Score Shortlisting: IIMs use the CAT Overall Percentile and Sectional Percentiles to create a shortlist. Only candidates above both cutoffs get a call for the next stage.
- Stage 2 – WAT and PI: Shortlisted candidates appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). Some IIMs — notably IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta — use an Analytical Writing Test (AWT) instead of WAT. WAT/PI rounds are typically held between February and April 2027.
- Stage 3 – Composite Score: Each IIM calculates a final composite score that combines CAT score, WAT/AWT score, PI performance, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors. The exact weightage differs by IIM.
- Stage 4 – Offer Letter: Candidates on the final merit list receive an offer letter. They must pay the seat acceptance fee within the given deadline to confirm their seat.
Typical IIM Selection Weightage Factors
| Factor | Typical Weightage Range |
|---|---|
| CAT Score (Overall Percentile) | 35–50% |
| Personal Interview (PI) | 30–40% |
| WAT / Analytical Writing Test | 5–10% |
| Academic Profile (10th, 12th, Graduation marks) | 10–20% |
| Work Experience | 5–10% |
| Gender / Academic Discipline Diversity | As applicable per IIM |
Weightages vary across IIMs. Check each IIM’s official admission policy after the January 2027 result for the exact criteria applicable to your profile.
Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2026 Score
CAT 2026 score is accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India. Here are the top institutions using CAT scores for MBA and PGP admissions.
All 21 IIMs Accepting CAT 2026
| IIM | Location | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Bangalore | Bengaluru, Karnataka | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Calcutta | Kolkata, West Bengal | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Lucknow | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Indore | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Kozhikode | Kozhikode, Kerala | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Shillong | Shillong, Meghalaya | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Rohtak | Rohtak, Haryana | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Raipur | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Ranchi | Ranchi, Jharkhand | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Trichy | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Kashipur | Kashipur, Uttarakhand | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Udaipur | Udaipur, Rajasthan | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | Bodh Gaya, Bihar | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Amritsar | Amritsar, Punjab | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Sirmaur | Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Nagpur | Nagpur, Maharashtra | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Sambalpur | Sambalpur, Odisha | PGP (2-year MBA) |
| IIM Jammu | Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir | PGP (2-year MBA) |
Other Top B-Schools Accepting CAT 2026 Score
| College | Location | Min. CAT Percentile (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) | New Delhi | 98+ percentile |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 85+ percentile |
| MDI Gurgaon | Gurugram, Haryana | 85+ percentile |
| IMT Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | 80+ percentile |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | Chennai / Gurugram | 75+ percentile |
| TAPMI Manipal | Manipal, Karnataka | 70+ percentile |
CAT 2026 Preparation Tips
With CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026, you have around 8 weeks from now to sharpen your performance. This is the consolidation phase — most of your new learning should be complete, and the focus should shift to full-length mocks, pattern recognition, and error analysis.
VARC Preparation Tips
- Read long-form articles from The Hindu, The Economist, and Harvard Business Review daily to build reading speed and comprehension of dense text.
- In RC, focus on inference-based questions — the correct answer is always supported by the passage, even if not stated explicitly. Never pick an option that goes beyond what the passage says.
- For Para Jumbles, find mandatory pairs first — sentences that must follow each other due to pronouns, conjunctions, or cause-effect links. Eliminate any option that breaks these pairs.
- For Para Summary, always pick the answer that captures the main argument, not just a supporting detail.
- CAT does not test vocabulary or grammar directly — do not spend preparation time on word lists.
DILR Preparation Tips
- Practice 2–3 DI/LR sets daily from CAT 2017 to 2025 papers — the standalone DILR section started in 2017, making those years the most relevant.
- In the exam, spend the first 3–5 minutes scanning all DILR sets before solving any. Pick the 2 most approachable sets and commit to those completely.
- Games and Tournaments, Arrangement Puzzles, and Scheduling problems appear most often in CAT DILR. Build strong speed with these types.
- Two complete sets with high accuracy score better than three partially-attempted sets with errors.
QA Preparation Tips
- If you have gaps in basics, go back to Class 10 and 12 NCERT Mathematics — especially Arithmetic and Algebra, which cover more than 50% of QA questions.
- Practice TITA questions without answer options — the ability to arrive at an exact answer (not just eliminate choices) is essential for non-MCQ items.
- For Number System and Geometry, learn standard shortcut methods. These topics reward pattern recognition more than brute-force calculation.
- Use the on-screen calculator only for the final step — computing every sub-step with it wastes too much time.
Overall Strategy for the Final 8 Weeks
- Take at least 10–15 full-length CAT mock tests over the remaining weeks. Simulate the real exam: same time of day as your expected slot, no interruptions.
- Spend as much time on post-mock analysis as on the test itself. Categorize errors: wrong concept, silly mistake, or missed strategy.
- Focus on accuracy over attempt count. A 70% attempt rate with 90% accuracy consistently outperforms 90% attempt rate at 70% accuracy in the CAT scoring system.
- In the final two weeks before November 29, stop adding new topics. Work only on revision and mock analysis.
- Download your admit card on November 4, 2026, verify all details (photo, centre address, slot timing), and do a centre route recce a day before the exam.
FAQs
Ques. What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
Ans. CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026 (Sunday). The exam is conducted in three time slots across approximately 170 cities in India. IIM Indore is the official conducting authority for CAT 2026.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
Ans. The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on November 4, 2026 on iimcat.ac.in. Download it by logging in with your CAT 2026 User ID and password. Carry the printed admit card along with an original photo ID to the exam centre on November 29, 2026.
Ques. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
Ans. IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026. The official CAT 2026 convener is Prof. Aditya Billore, Professor of Marketing at IIM Indore. IIMs take turns conducting CAT each year — IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025 and IIM Calcutta conducted CAT 2024.
Ques. How many questions are there in CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 has 68 questions in total — 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR, and 22 in QA. The total duration is 120 minutes with a separate 40-minute timer per section. The maximum raw score is 204 marks (68 × 3).
Ques. What is the eligibility for CAT 2026?
Ans. You need a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year undergraduate students can also apply. There is no age limit and no cap on the number of CAT attempts. Holders of professional degrees (CA, CS, ICWA) with 50% marks are also eligible.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
Ans. CAT 2026 result is expected in the second week of January 2027. CAT 2025 result was declared on December 24, 2025 by IIM Kozhikode. The result will be on iimcat.ac.in and will show your Overall Percentile and Sectional Percentiles for VARC, DILR, and QA.
Ques. What percentile is needed for IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. IIM Ahmedabad typically requires a 99–100 Overall Percentile for shortlisting General category candidates for WAT-PI. In addition to the overall cutoff, IIM-A also sets sectional cutoffs — approximately 70 percentile per section for General category based on CAT 2025 data. You must meet both to get a shortlist call.
Ques. Is there negative marking in CAT 2026?
Ans. Negative marking applies only to MCQ questions — a wrong MCQ answer carries a -1 mark penalty. For TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions, there is no negative marking — a wrong answer scores zero. Unattempted questions of any type also score zero.
Ques. How many IIMs accept the CAT 2026 score?
Ans. All 21 IIMs in India accept CAT 2026 scores for PGP (MBA) admissions. Beyond the IIMs, more than 1,200 B-schools also accept CAT scores, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IMT Ghaziabad.
Ques. What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?
Ans. The CAT 2026 registration fee was INR 2,700 for General, EWS, and OBC-NC candidates, and INR 1,350 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. CAT 2026 registration has already closed on September 22, 2026. The fee was non-refundable.
Ques. What is TITA in CAT 2026?
Ans. TITA stands for Type-In-The-Answer. These are non-MCQ questions where no options are given — you must type the answer directly. CAT 2026 has approximately 19 TITA questions across the three sections. TITA questions carry +3 for a correct answer and zero for a wrong one (no negative marking), making them strategically valuable to attempt even when not 100% certain.
Ques. Can final-year students appear for CAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree were eligible to register for CAT 2026. They must complete graduation with the required percentage (50% for General; 45% for SC/ST/PwD) before joining an IIM programme. If selected but final marks fall below the threshold, the admission offer may be withdrawn by the IIM.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page about CAT 2026 is based on official announcements from iimcat.ac.in and historical trends from previous CAT cycles. Dates marked as "Expected" are indicative estimates based on previous year timelines and have not been officially confirmed by IIM Indore. Candidates should regularly check iimcat.ac.in for official updates. Collegedunia does not take responsibility for any discrepancy in the information provided.
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Yes, Collegedunia offers free mock tests. You can check here for the CAT Mock Test 2025: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Yes, you can register and log in to attempt the mocks at collegedunia. You can check here for the CAT Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
With a VARC 47th percentile, chances of getting an MBA call from IITs are very low. Most IITs (like IIT Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur) require sectional cutoffs around the 60-70 percentile in each section, along with a strong overall percentile. Despite excellent Quants (97.43) and DILR (94.48), the low VARC score is a major constraint.
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You can check here for the CAT Question Paper (Available): Download CAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions PDF (2025-1988).The CAT question paper comprises of 68 questions carrying 204 marks.
You can check here for the Top MBA Colleges in India: Fees 2026, Ranking, Admission, Placement, Cutoff
You can check here for the CAT Mock Test 2025: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Yes, you can check here for the CAT VARC Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests. The CAT question paper comprises 68 questions carrying 204 marks.
For admission to the best MBA colleges in India, a high entrance-exam percentile is very important in CAT. Top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta require 95-99+ percentile, while good Tier-1 colleges such as FMS Delhi, IITs, and SPJIMR prefer 90-98 percentile, depending on category. The admission process includes CAT/GMAT score evaluation, followed by WAT/GD/PI rounds, academic record assessment, work-experience points, and overall profile review.
Scoring 90 percentile in CAT for IIFT Delhi needs focused preparation, smart strategy, and disciplined practice. Start with building strong basics in Quant, DILR, and VARC through NCERTs, editorials, and daily problem-solving. Practice 2-3 VARC RCs daily, solve DILR sets with time limits, and revise important Quant chapters. Take full mock tests weekly, analyse your mistakes, and improve accuracy rather than speed alone. Follow a fixed study timetable for at least 4-6 months to reach 90 percentile.
The CAT registration date was open from August 1, 2025 to September 20, 2025 (5 PM). The CAT 2025 will be held on 30th November by IIM Kozhikode in CBT mode for 2 hours in 3 shifts. The CAT Admit card are available for download on the official website
The conducting body Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has released the official CAT mock test link on its website. You can also take mocks there. You can check here for the CAT Mock Test 2025: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests.
You can check here for the CAT Mock Test 2025: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Go to the Collegedunia website and search for the CAT Mock Test page. Click on any mock or chapter-wise test, and the site will ask you to sign up for free using your mobile number or email. Once you log in, you will get access to multiple free CAT mocks, including VARC, DILR, and Quant topic tests.
Yes, you can take free CAT mock tests on Collegedunia. You just need to register on the site, and then you can access topic-wise, sectional, and full-length mocks for free.
The NEET exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is India’s national-level entrance exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, Veterinary, and other medical courses. Conducted by the NTA once a year, it tests Physics, Chemistry, and Biology based on the Class 11-12 syllabus. The exam is offline, with 200 questions (180 to attempt) and a total of 720 marks. NEET eligibility requires a 12th pass with PCB, and admissions are offered through All India and State counselling.
The CAT Admit card are available for download on the official website – iimcat.ac.in. The candidates can download the admit card by using their login Id and password.
You can download the CAT admit card by visiting the official website iimcat.ac.in and logging in with your registered email ID and password. After logging in, go to the “Admit Card” section inside the candidate dashboard and click on the download option. The admit card will open as a PDF, which you can save and print. Make sure to check details like your exam date, time, test centre, and photo before the exam to avoid any issues on the exam day.