CAT 2026: Syllabus, Exam Date, Eligibility Criteria, Pattern, Registration, Eligibility

CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted on 29th November 2026. The official notification for the exam is expected to be released by July 2026. Each year, the number of students appearing for the CAT exam increases. For 2026, it is expected that around 4.5 lakh candidates will take this exam. CAT 2026 is the gateway to the prestigious 21 IIMs and other top b schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, IIFT, and GLIM etc.
CAT 2026: Key Highlights
CAT is the exam conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). IIMs conducts this exam only once a year. CAT has three sections VARC (Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension, DILR( Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning) &  QA (Quantitative Ability). Every detail of CAT exam will be provided to candidates in the notification, where candidates can check date of registration, exam date, release of admit cards, etc . This article will provide all the important details required by the candidates.
Category
Details
Exam Name
Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body
Any of the Top IIMs
Official Website
www.iimcat.ac.in
Medium of exam
English
Exam Level
National
Frequency
Annual
Exam Mode
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Number of Questions
68
Question Types
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & Type in The Answer (TITA)
Selection Process
CAT scores, Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) for some IIMs
Score Validity
1 year
Number of IIMs Participating
21 IIMs
Other Institutes Accepting CAT Scores
1000+ Prestigious management institutes and business schools in India
CAT 2026  Important Dates
Aspirants should know about the CAT 2026 dates. According to these dates students can start their preparation. 
Events
Dates 2026 (Tentative)
Notification release of CAT 2026
Last week of July 2026
Release of CAT 2026 application form
1st week of August 2026
Last date to fill CAT 2026 registration form
3rd week of September 2026
CAT 2026 Application Correction
4th week of September 2026
Availability of CAT 2026 admit card
4th week of October 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date
4th week of November 2026
CAT 2026 Answer key
1st week of December 2026
CAT 2026 Last date to submit objection against answer key
1st week of December 2026
Announcement of CAT 2026 result
4th week of December 2026
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria is provided below for candidates to go and check their eligibility. 
  • Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized institute with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Engineering Degree Holders:B.Tech/B.E. from AICTE/MHRD-recognized university with 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Final Year Students: Eligible if they meet the 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) criteria.
  • Age Limit: No upper or lower age limit.
  • Attempt Limit: No restriction on the number of attempts.
Reserved Seats
Category
Reservation Percentage
OBC
27%
SC
15%
ST
7.50%
PwD
3%
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CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Aspirants aiming for the the CAT 2026 exam must familiarize themselves with the CAT 2026 Exam Pattern to better understand the topics and type of questions that will be asked in the exam. Below is the tentative CAT 2026 exam pattern based on previous CAT exams.
Mode of Examination
Computer-based
Medium of Examination
English
Slots for Exam
3
Total Questions
68
Questions Per Section
VARC: 24
DILR: 22
QA: 22
Time Allotted
120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
Type of Questions
MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer)
Marks Awarded for Correct Answer
+3 for every right answer
Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer
-1 for every wrong answer
No negative marking for TITA
CAT 2026 Syllabus
IIMs don't provide any official syllabus. But according to the previous year patterns we have provided comprehensive syllabus  the There is no official CAT 2026 Syllabus prescribed by the test conducting authorities of CAT 2026. An aspirant is suggested to follow the class X syllabus for English & Math. However, based on the trends of the CAT exam in previous years, the tentative topics asked in  CAT 2026 syllabus is mentioned below. The aspirants must take note of the topics mentioned below and continue their preparation accordingly.
CAT 2026 Application Form
There are some important points for candidates to consider before filling out the CAT 2026 application form.
Steps to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form
1. Accessing the Application Form
  • Visit the official CAT website.
  • Click on the ‘Go to Application Form’ link.
2. Filling in Personal and Academic Details
  • The candidate’s name and date of birth (DOB) will be auto-filled based on registration details.
  • Enter father’s/husband’s/guardian’s name and gender.
  • Select category and nationality.
  • Provide a valid postal address and an alternate email ID (if applicable).
  • Fill in academic qualifications, including:
    • Total marks obtained in 10th, 12th/Diploma, Bachelor’s degree (pursuing or completed), Master’s degree, or any professional degree.
  • Enter work experience details (if applicable).
  • Choose preferred programs and select four preferred exam cities.
  • Candidates must select six exam cities in order of preference, as test centers will be allotted based on availability.
3. Uploading Documents
  • Upload scanned images of:
    • Recent passport-size photograph
    • Signature
    • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Ensure the documents meet the prescribed format and size requirements.
4. Final Submission
  • Click on Save & Continue to review the entered details.
  • Once verified, submit the application form.
  • No hard copy of the registration form needs to be sent via post or offline mode.
  • Keep a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.
Application Fee Details
Candidates must pay the registration fee online only using credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
Category
Registration Fee
SC/ST/PWD candidates
Rs. 1200/-
All other category candidates
Rs. 2400/-
Candidates must ensure that all details entered are accurate, as incorrect details may lead to rejection of the application form.
CAT 2026 Admit Card
Students can download this admit card through the official website. Students should put right credentials during the login process to get the admit card. Along with the CAT Admit card 2026, candidates will need to bring one photo identity proof.
Students should keep in mind that they are not allowed in the examination hall if they dont have CAT admit card. Candidates must check details carefully printed on the admit card. In case of any discrepancy in details, contact to the authority immediately
CAT 2026 Answer Key.
The CAT 2026 answer key will be released a few days after the exam on the official website. Candidates can download it using their CAT ID and password. Initially, a provisional answer key will be provided, allowing candidates to raise objections within a specified period by paying ₹1200 per question. After reviewing objections, the final answer key will be published along with the CAT 2026 results, helping candidates estimate their scores accurately.
CAT 2026 Result
The CAT Result 2026 is expected to be published on the official website around December 2026. Following the release of results and cut-offs the IIMs and other B-schools will commence their interview and discussion rounds for admissions to the 2026-28 cohort.

CAT 2026 Selection Procedure
  • No centralized counselling; each IIM conducts its own admission process.
  • Admission process starts after result declaration.
  • Candidates must apply separately to different IIMs and institutes.
  • Selection is based on:
    • Academic performance
    • Work experience
    • Written test, interview, or group discussion (varies by institute)
  • Shortlisted candidates must report for document verification.
  • Final admission is granted after document verification and fee submission.
CAT 2026 Expected Cut-offs for IIMs
IIMs
CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff (%ile)
IIM Ahmedabad
99-100 %ile
IIM Bangalore
99-100 %ile
IIM Calcutta
99 %ile
IIMLucknow
97-99 %ile
IIM Indore
97-99 %ile
IIM Kozhikode
97-98 %ile
IIM Amritsar
95-99 %ile
IIM Nagpur
95-99 %ile
IIMSambalpur
95-99 %ile
IIMTrichy
93-94 %ile
IIM Raipur
92-94 %ile
IIM Ranchi
93-94 %ile
IIMKashipur
92-94 %ile
IIMVizag
92-93 %ile
IIM Udaipur
92-93 %ile
IIM Bodhgaya
90-92 %ile
IIMShillong
90-92 %ile
IIMSirmaur
93-95 %ile
IIMRohtak
90-95 %ile
IIM Mumbai
97+ %ile
CAT 2026 Expected Cut-off for Non-IIM Colleges
CAT Colleges
Expected Cutoff (%ile)
FMS, Delhi
98.20 %ile
BITSOM
94 %ile
DMS, IIT Delhi
98-99 %ile
Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai
90-95 %ile
SJMSOM, IIT Bombay
99-100 %ile
Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad
90-99 %ile
MDI Gurgaon
95-97 %ile
IIM Mumbai
95-99 %ile
SPJIMR
85-90 %ile
XIMB
90-99 %ile
Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras
95-99 %ile
TAPMI, Manipal
85-90 %ile
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CAT 2026 Test Centres
The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted in over 500 CAT exam centers across the country. Candidates can select their preferred location and center for the exam while completing the examination form. Below is a list of the tentative CAT exam centers for 2026, based on data from the previous year.
State/UT
Test Cities
Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, Nellore, Kakinada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada
Assam
Silchar, Guwahati, Jorhat, Tezpur, Dibrugarh
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Port Blair
Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar
Bihar
Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Aurangabad, Arrah, Bhagalpur
Chhattisgarh
Raipur, Bhilai, Bilaspur
Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Mohali
Delhi-NCR
Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Meerut, New Delhi, Noida
Haryana
Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Rohtak
Gujarat
Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Anand
Goa
Panaji
Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Hamirpur
Jharkhand
Bokaro, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu
Karnataka
Belagavi, Bengaluru, Dharwad, Hubbali, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi
Kerala
Trivandrum, Kannur, Kollam, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thrissur
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati, Pune, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad-Maharashtra, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Nanded, Nashik, Satara, Solapur, Ulhasnagar, Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Navi Mumbai, Vasai
Mizoram
Aizawl
Meghalaya
Shillong
Nagaland
Kohima
Odisha
Sambalpur, Cuttack, Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, Rourkela
Puducherry
Puducherry
Punjab
Amritsar, Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Sangrur
Rajasthan
Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Sikar, Kota
Telangana
Hyderabad, Karim Nagar, Warangal
Tamil Nadu
Madurai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli, Vellore
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi, Agra, Jhansi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar
Uttarakhand
Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
West Bengal
Siliguri, Asansol, Bankura, Burdwan, Kolkata, Durgapur, Hooghly, Kalyani
CAT 2026 FAQs
Q. What is CAT 2026?
A. CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the IIMs for admission to MBA and PGDM programs at IIMs and other top B-schools in India.
Q. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
A. CAT 2026 is expected to be held on November 29, 2026 (last Sunday of November).
Q. How many candidates appear for CAT every year?
A. Around 3-4 lakh aspirants are expected to appear for CAT 2026.
Q. What is the validity of CAT scores?
A. CAT scores are valid for one year, i.e., valid till December 2027 for admissions.
Q. What is the official website for CAT 2026?
A. The official website iswww.iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 Eligibility FAQs
Q. Who is eligible for CAT 2026?
A. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
Q. Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?
A. Yes, final-year students can apply, provided they meet the minimum percentage requirement upon graduation.
Q. Is there an age limit for CAT 2026?
A. No, there is no age limit to appear for CAT.
Q. Can diploma holders apply for CAT?
A. No, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Q. Can I take CAT if I have a backlog in my degree?
A. Yes, as long as you clear your backlog before the admission process begins.
Q. Are there any reservation criteria for CAT 2026?
A. Yes, as per government norms:
  • OBC-NCL – 27%
  • SC – 15%
  • ST – 7.5%
  • PwD – 3%
CAT 2026 Registration & Application FAQs
Q. When will CAT 2026 registration start?
A. The registration process will start in the first week of August 2026.
Q. How can I apply for CAT 2026?
A. Visit www.iimcat.ac.in, register, fill the application form, upload required documents, and pay the fee.
Q. What is the application fee for CAT 2026?
A.
  • General/OBC – ₹2400
  • SC/ST/PwD – ₹1200
Q. What documents are required for CAT registration?
A.
  • Scanned passport-size photo & signature
  • Class 10 & 12 mark sheets
  • Graduation certificate/mark sheet
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
Q. Can I edit my CAT 2026 application form after submission?
A. Yes, IIMs provide a correction window for limited fields.
Q. Can I apply for CAT offline?
A. No, CAT applications are only online.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus FAQs
Q. What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
A.
  • Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Sections: VARC, DILR, QA
  • Duration: 2 hours (40 minutes per section)
  • Questions: 66 (MCQs&TITA)
Q. What is the syllabus for CAT 2026?
A. CAT does not have a fixed syllabus, but it includes:
  • VARC – Reading comprehension, grammar, para jumbles
  • DILR – Data interpretation, logical reasoning
  • QA – Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math
Q. How many times can I take CAT?
A. There is no limit on the number of attempts.
Q. Is there negative marking in CAT 2026?
A. Yes, -1 for MCQs, no negative marks for TITA questions.
CAT 2026 Admit Card & Exam Day FAQs
Q. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
A. The admit card will be released in October 2026.
Q. What documents should I carry to the CAT exam center?
A.
  • Admit card
  • Photo ID proof (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
Q. Can I take CAT from home?
A. No, CAT is an offline exam conducted in test centers.
CAT 2026 Answer Key & Result FAQs
Q. When will the CAT 2026 answer key be released?
A. The provisional answer key will be released a few days after the exam.
Q. Can I challenge the CAT answer key?
A. Yes, candidates can raise objections by paying ₹1200 per question.
Q. When will CAT 2026 results be announced?
A. CAT 2026 results will be declared in January 2027.
CAT 2026 Selection & Admission FAQs
Q. How is CAT 2026 selection done?
A. Selection is based on:
  • CAT score
  • Academic record
  • Work experience
  • Written Ability Test (WAT), GD, PI
Q. Is there centralized counseling for CAT?
A. No, each IIM conducts its own admission process.
Q. What are the expected CAT 2026 cut-offs for IIMs?
A.
  • Top IIMs (A, B, C) – 99-100%ile
  • Mid-tier IIMs – 95-99%ile
  • New IIMs – 90-94%ile
Q. What are the top B-schools accepting CAT scores apart from IIMs?
A.
  • FMS Delhi – 98.2%ile
  • MDI Gurgaon – 95-97%ile
  • IITs (DMS, SJMSOM, etc.) – 98-99%ile
  • IMT Ghaziabad – 90-99%ile
  • SPJIMR, XIMB, TAPMI – 85-99%ile
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