Everything You Need to Know About CAT 2026

The CAT entrance exam 2026 is one of India's most popular MBA admission tests, accepted by more than 1,600 business schools, including the prestigious IIMs. 

Expected to be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026, the CAT entrance exam will be a 120-minute computer-based test comprising 68 questions across three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
 

Important Dates for CAT Entrance Exam 2026

• Official Notification Release: July 2026 (expected)
• Registration Period: August to mid-September 2026
• Admit Card Release: Early November 2026
• Exam Date: November 29, 2026
   

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CAT vs Other MBA Entrance Exams

The common admission test is not the only route into a management programme, but it is the most widely accepted one in India. Here is how it compares to the other major exams you might encounter in your MBA journey:

CAT scores are accepted by all 22 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India. This means you just need one exam and one score to be eligible for some of the top institutions on your list. XAT, GMAT, CMAT, and MAT each serve specific colleges or specific goals. CAT is the one that covers the most ground.
 

CAT Exam 2026: Key Highlights

The table below covers everything a first-time aspirant needs before going deeper, what the exam is, who conducts the CAT exam, when it happens, and what is a good score.

CAT Entrance Exam Eligibility

Candidates intending to appear for the CAT exam have to meet certain eligibility criteria.

• A candidate has to be a minimum of 20 years old to apply for CAT.
• The candidate must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or educational institution with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Candidates in the final year of their Bachelor's degree program can also apply for the CAT examination.
• Candidates who have completed professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI with a minimum of 50% marks can also apply for this exam.
   

A few things worth adding here. SC, ST, and PwD candidates need a minimum of 45% marks, not 50%. There is no age limit for CAT; working professionals in their 30s or 40s appear alongside fresh graduates every year. Lastly, there are no limits on the number of attempts, so you can sit for the CAT exam as many times as you need to.
 

Also Read: MBA Eligibility - Admission Criteria, Fees, Syllabus
 

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

Here is a section-wise overview of the exam pattern and duration for the CAT exam.

Note: Sections must be attempted in the fixed order - VARC first, then DILR, then QA. You cannot switch between sections or carry over unused time. An on-screen calculator is provided; no physical calculator is allowed.

CAT exam subjects mix MCQs and TITA questions. TITA questions carry no negative marking, making them safe to attempt even when unsure. For MCQs, a wrong answer costs 1 mark, so blind guessing hurts more than it helps.

Section-Wise CAT Syllabus 2026

The IIMs do not publish an official CAT exam syllabus. What is listed below is based on consistent patterns across the last several years of CAT papers. 

VARC - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension dominates this section, roughly 16 of the 24 questions come from RC passages. The remaining 8 are Verbal Ability questions.

RC passages are typically 400-600 words, drawn from business, philosophy, science, and social issues. In recent years, inference-based questions have grown more common than direct factual ones. So, you have to read very actively because that’s the only way to crack this section.

DILR - Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

This section works in sets. You either crack a full set or lose time on it. Setting the selection at the start of the 40-minute window is more important than speed.

CAT 2025 had particularly difficult Venn Diagram and puzzle-based sets. Hybrid sets combining two concept types in one have been appearing more frequently since 2024.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

This is the most formula-heavy section, but the base knowledge required is at a Class 10 level. Arithmetic alone accounts for nearly half the questions.

How to Register for the CAT Entrance Exam?

Registration for the CAT exam takes place online. The registration form is available on the IIMCAT website from a scheduled date. Candidates have to register for the exam by filling out the form and paying the requisite CAT exam fees.

Here is a point-by-point guide on how to register for the CAT examination:

• Go to the official website of the CAT entrance exam at https://iimcat.ac.in/
• Click on 'New Registration'.
• Enter required details like name, nationality, date of birth, phone number, and e-mail ID.
• Fill in the captcha code correctly. Verify your registration with the OTP that you receive on your phone number.
• You will receive your CAT ID in your email. Use this ID to log into the CAT portal and complete the form.
• Enter all the required personal and academic details. Make sure there are no errors.
• Upload your scanned signature and a recent passport-sized photograph.
• Select from your preferred IIMs, test cities, and courses.
• Once done, you can pay your CAT exam fees via net banking, debit card, or credit card.
• Once the payment is made, you will be notified of successful registration for the CAT exam.
   

One practical Note: CAT lets you select up to five preferred test cities. You will be allotted one from that list. The allotted city and centre are printed on your admit card.

CAT Exam Fees

Candidates have to pay CAT exam fees during registration.

The fee is INR 2400 for general category candidates and INR 1200 for SC, ST, and PwD category candidates.

Candidates pay this registration fee only once, regardless of the number of institutes they apply to. The CAT exam fees are non-refundable.
 

Note: The fees above are from the most recently available notification. The final CAT 2026 fee will be confirmed when the official notification is released in July 2026 at iimcat.ac.in - check the official site before registering.

CAT Exam Day Process

Three sessions run on the same day, and each candidate is assigned exactly one slot. Session timings are:

• Session 1 - 08:30 am to 10:30 am
• Session 2 - 12:30 pm to 02:30 pm
• Session 3 - 04:30 pm to 06:30 pm

Reporting time is typically 45-60 minutes before your slot starts. Carry your admit card and a valid photo ID; both are mandatory. No physical calculator is allowed; one is available on-screen during the exam. PwD candidates get 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section instead of 40, making the total duration 160 minutes.

Within a section, you can revisit and change answers using the "Mark for Review" option. Once the section timer runs out, the screen moves automatically to the next section - you cannot go back.
 

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

The CAT exam process does not end with a score but with an admission offer. Over 1,200 institutions across India accept CAT scores, but the ones that matter most are listed below.

Cut-offs above are approximate, based on previous years, and will vary by category and programme. Always check the official admissions page of each institution.
 

Stages of the CAT Selection Process

The selection process for the CAT examination is categorized into three stages. These are as follows:

• Stage 1 - Shortlisting of the candidates based on their CAT score, work experience, and past academic scores.
• Stage 2 - Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI)
• Stage 3 - Final shortlisting or admission offer based on performance in Stage 1 and Stage 2
   

Each IIM runs its own shortlisting formula: the weightage given to CAT percentile versus academics versus work experience varies significantly between institutions. A 99th percentile does not guarantee a call from every IIM, just as an 85th percentile at a newer IIM can still result in an offer if the rest of the profile is strong.
 

CAT Preparation Strategy for Beginners

The CAT exam's full details make more sense once you know where to focus first. Here is a phase-wise approach that can help you ace the exam, considering you start preparing in advance.

Months 1-3: Build the base

• Start with Arithmetic (QA) as it forms the foundation for most other QA topics.
• Begin RC practice daily, even 1-2 passages a day, to build reading stamina faster than any shortcut.
• Get comfortable with basic DILR set types: arrangements, tables, bar graphs.

Months 4-5: Go section-deep

• Move to Algebra, Geometry, and Number System in QA.
• Practise VA question types: para jumbles, summaries, and odd sentence out.
• Attempt full DILR sets under timed conditions - 40 minutes, no breaks.

Month 6: Mock-test phase

• Take full mocks every 3-4 days.
• Analyse each mock more than you took it - where did time go, which sets were skippable, where did negative marking cost you?
• Most aspirants aim to complete the syllabus by September, leaving October and November for mock analysis and weak-area revision.
   

One consistent principle across all three sections: accuracy matters more than attempts. Attempting 46-54 questions with 85-90% accuracy produces better results than rushing through 60+ with avoidable errors.
 

Why Choose Amity University for Your MBA Career?

Appearing for CAT, however, is not the only option to fulfill your dream of an MBA. You can go the online route as well. Amity University Online is the first UGC-approved institute offering online degrees. You can sign up for a range of online MBA specialisations to live your dream without the intense preparation required to crack the CAT.

Meanwhile, explore various courses across different verticals and domains at Amity University Online.