CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026. Registration closed on September 22, 2026 (fee payment till September 24 for already registered candidates). The official site is
iimcat.ac.in. With over two lakh candidates preparing to appear for the test, there are a number of CAT FAQs they are seeking answers for. This article by Hitbullseye aims to answer the most frequently asked questions on CAT 2026.
Most of the students’ doubts are not about the exam date. Majority of the frequently asked questions or CAT FAQs are about the application form: which marks to enter, who is eligible with 49%, what a final-year student should fill, whether CA/CS counts, what can be edited after submit, and what happens after the scorecard.
This article on CAT FAQ answers those questions in short. Each answer below is based on the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin. For IIM-wise PI dates and cut-offs, check that institute’s website after the result.
CAT FAQs
Read the FAQs regarding CAT regarding multiple aspects of CAT, such as notification, registration, pattern, exam day, result, admission process, and more.
Q. When was the CAT 2026 notification released?
A. The CAT 2026 notification was released on July 26, 2026. The CAT application form was released on August 3, 2026, and the application window closed on September 22, following a one-week extension from the original date of September 15, 2026. The last date for payment was extended to September 24, 2026, until 5 PM. The correction window is scheduled from October 5, 2026, 10:00 AM to October 6, 2026, at 6 PM. The CAT entrance exam will be held on November 29, 2026.
Q. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
A. IIM Indore is conducting the application-to-admission process for the CAT 2026 Entrance exam. The details regarding the exam is available on the official website at https://iimcat.ac.in/.
Q. Should I enter overall graduation marks or my university’s conversion in the CAT form?
A. Enter the percentage as per your university or institute, not a figure you calculate on your own.
- If the marksheet already shows a percentage, enter that official aggregate.
- If you have only CGPA or grades, use the conversion formula given by your university.
- If the university states in writing that it has no conversion formula, use
(obtained CGPA ÷ maximum CGPA) × 100.
Do not use best-of-subjects, do not drop back papers, and do not mix bachelor’s and master’s marks.
Q. Which marks should a final-year student enter in the CAT 2026 form?
A. Final-year students should enter the aggregate percentage of all semesters or years completed so far, based on the latest marksheet issued while filling out the CAT form.
Do not enter an expected final percentage. If the university issues CGPA, convert it as the university directs. Admission remains provisional until you complete the degree with the required 50% or 45% aggregate marks criteria before the IIM admission deadline.
Q. Can I appear for CAT 2026 without a bachelor’s degree or with a professional degree such as CA, CS, or CMA?
A. Yes, you can appear for CAT 2026 if you're in the final year of your bachelor's degree program. However, if you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you must have completed a professional qualification such as CA, CS, or ICWA (CMA) before applying for CAT.
Q. Can I take CAT 2026 only for practice if I am not eligible?
A. There is no “practice only” category. You can register only if you fulfil the CAT eligibility criteria. You should either have a Bachelor’s degree with 50% (General/EWS/NC-OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PwBD), or have completed a professional qualification (CA/CS/ICWA-CMA/FIAI) with the same percentages, or be in the final year of graduation.
Q. I am in the final year of a professional course and do not have a bachelor’s degree. Am I eligible?
A. No, you must have completed the professional degree such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) before applying for CAT exam. Unlike candidates pursuing Bachelor’s degree, final year professional degree candidates are not eligible to register for CAT.
Q. I have 49% in graduation and 51% in my master’s. Am I eligible?
A. No, if you are General/EWS/NC-OBC, CAT uses bachelor's marks (or the equivalent CGPA as your university calculates it), not a Master’s. You need 50% in graduation (45% for SC/ST/PwBD). A higher PG percentage does not compensate, and the rule applies to every category.
Q. I finished my degree in 2026 but have a backlog. Can I apply?
A. You may apply only if you are treated as a final-year / awaiting-results candidate and you will complete all degree requirements by the date the admitting IIM sets. An uncleared backlog usually means the degree is not complete. If selected, you must submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar that every requirement was finished on or before that date. If the backlog remains, the provisional offer can be withdrawn. State the facts honestly on the form.
Q. How do I fill integrated, dual-degree or two bachelor’s marks in the CAT form?
A. Follow the CAT 2026 Registration Guide and your university’s official split. Do not create your own formula.
If you have an integrated or dual degree that includes Bachelor’s plus Master’s (B.Tech + M.Tech, B.Tech + M.Sc, BS + MS), enter the undergraduate-equivalent years and aggregate under the first bachelor's Degree. Enter the remaining postgraduate years and aggregate under Master’s Degree. If the university already states a split—for example, the first 3.5 years as B.Tech and last 1.5 years as MBA/M.Tech—use that split only. If no split is published, use a logical split you can support with marksheets, usually 3+2 or 4+1 years. Tick the dual/integrated option if the form asks for it.
If you have two separate Bachelor’s degrees (B.Com + LLB, BBA + LLB, B.Pharm + B.Tech), fill the first programme under First Bachelor’s Degree. Then tick “Click here if you are currently in the final year of, or have already completed, another Bachelor’s Degree” and fill Second Bachelor’s Degree.
Calculate percentage only as your university calculates it. Academic fields cannot be changed in the correction window, so enter them carefully and keep all marksheets ready.
Q. Does one CAT form cover FMS, SPJIMR and MDI as well?
A. No, CAT registration allows you to appear for CAT and application to the 22 IIMs. FMS, SPJIMR, MDI and other non-IIM schools conduct their own applications and admission process. IIMs have no role in those processes. After CAT, apply separately on each school’s portal within their deadlines. Selecting IIMs on the CAT form does not mean you are applying to FMS, SPJIMR, or MDI.
Q. Can I register with a coaching or friend’s email ID?
A. No. Use a personal, unique, functional email and mobile number that you will have complete access to until admission ends. All User ID, password, admit card and result communication will be sent there. Sharing a coaching institute or someone else’s email id causes missed emails and login disputes. You must maintain the same contacts throughout.
Q. My university name is not in the drop-down. What should I do?
A. Select Other (or the equivalent option) and type the full official name as on your degree/marksheet. Keep the same spelling everywhere. Do not pick a similar-sounding university.
Q. What photo and signature size is required for CAT 2026?
A. Upload JPG/JPEG, usually up to 80 KB each.
Photo: recent (not older than six months), colour, white background, face clear (about 70–80% of frame), typically around 1200×1200 pixels or passport size.
Signature: black/blue ink on white paper, about 80 mm × 35 mm, running handwriting, not block letters. Carry printouts of the same photo on exam day. Check the live Registration Guide if the portal shows a slightly different pixel limit.
Q. How do I correct a mistake after I have submitted the CAT form?
A. Use the official correction window from October 5, 2026 (10:00 hrs) to October 6, 2026 (17:00 hrs). Only photograph, signature and test-city preferences fields can be edited by registered candidates. Name, date of birth, category, email, academics and gender fields will remain locked. No fee will be charged for availing the application correction facility. Download the revised application PDF. Do not use unofficial sites or agents.
Q. What if I forget my CAT password or user ID?
A. If you are unable to fetch your CAT password or user ID, use the Forgot User ID / Forgot Password links on iimcat.ac.in with your registered email/mobile. Check the spam folder of your email. You may also contact the Helpdesk at 1800 210 0175 (have any transaction ID ready) during working hours or send emails to cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in. Do not create a second registration.
Q. I changed my name after my degree. Which name should I enter?
A. Enter the name that will match the exam-day photo ID. If the degree is in the old name, carry a gazette/affidavit/marriage certificate plus both IDs when institutes verify documents. Inconsistency between form, admit card and ID can stop you at the gate or at admission.
Q. Is an EWS or NC-OBC certificate issued before April 1, 2026 valid?
A. Usually no. NC-OBC and EWS certificates for CAT 2026 are expected to be issued on or after April 1, 2026 (EWS is typically for FY 2025–26 and valid for 2026–27). An older certificate might get rejected. Get a fresh certificate in the central government format before verification.
Q. What can I edit in the CAT 2026 correction window?
A. Candidates can only update their photo, signature, and the five test-city preferences (scheduled for 5–6 October 2026) if they have completed the paid registration. Other details such as name, date of birth, gender, category, email, mobile number, and academic information cannot be modified in this window. Candidates should carefully select their category and personal data before making the payment.
Q. What information will the CAT admit card contain?
- The CAT 2026 admit cards are expected to be released on November 4, 2026. It is crucial document which must be carried to the exam centre. The admit card will carry important information such as candidate name, photograph, signature, exam date and slot or schedule exam centre address and exam day advisory or guidelines.
Q. What if my name or photo is wrong on the CAT 2026 admit card?
A. If the photo/name is wrong or unreadable, contact the helpdesk immediately with your User ID. Minor photo issues that you could have fixed in the correction window may not be reopened. Name must match ID.
I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
Q. In how many cities will the CAT 2026 exam be conducted?
A: CAT 2026 will be conducted in 170 cities across India. Candidates could select five cities in preferential order, based on which the exam authorities will allot the exam centre. However, in case the exam centre capacity at their preferred city is exhausted or any other scenario, the conducting authorities reserve the right to allot the test centre in their second, third or subsequent preferred cities.
Q. Which ID proof is allowed on CAT exam day?
A. A valid original photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, driving license, or other IDs listed on the admit card. Your name must match the application form. Carry the admit card printout and the same photograph. PwBD/scribe candidates carry those certificates too.
Q. Can I choose my CAT slot or appear in two slots?
A. No. CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions, and IIM Indore will assign you a slot which will be informed on the admit card. You cannot select or sit in two slots. Appearing twice is malpractice.
Q. What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
A. CAT is a computer-based test of two-hour duration carrying three sections of varying weightage, namely, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section is time-bound for 40 minutes. The section-wise number of questions is given below.
|
Section
|
Number of Questions
|
|
VARC
|
24
|
|
DILR
|
22
|
|
QA
|
22
|
|
Total
|
68
|
The questions are a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer Type (TITA). While the total number of questions is fixed, the ratio of the MCQs and TITA questions is not fixed.
Q. Can I switch sections during CAT?
A. No. The test has three sections, each lasting for 40 minutes (longer for eligible PwBD). The test moves automatically. You cannot go back to a previous section or choose the order of attempting the sections, which are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Q. What is the CAT 2026 marking scheme?
A. CAT 2026 has +3 marks for a correct answer, -1 negative marking for the wrong answer and 0 for an unattempted question. No negative marking is applicable for TITA (type-in-the-answer).
Q. Is a calculator allowed in CAT?
A. A physical calculator is not allowed inside the exam centres. An on-screen calculator will be provided which can be used by test-takers.
Q. Can I take my own rough paper to the CAT exam centre, and can I take the scribble pad home?
A. No personal paper is allowed for rough work. The centre provides a scribble pad. You have to submit the rough sheet to the invigilator before leaving the exam hall. Taking it outside the CAT exam centre may disqualify your exam or cancel your candidature.
Q. Can I carry medicine into the exam hall?
A. It can be allowed only if it is medically necessary and permitted after a security check. Carry a prescription or a doctor’s note or an IIM Authorization Form. Do not carry boxes that look like electronic devices. Ask at the centre or contact the Helpdesk in advance if you are unsure.
Q. If the computer hangs, will I get the lost time back?
A. If the computer hangs, inform the invigilators or IT support immediately and log the incident. The exam will pause immediately if the computer stops functioning, and once it is restored, the timer will restart from the same duration when the test had stopped. Hence, you will not lose any time.
Q. How do visually impaired candidates view charts in CAT?
A. Eligible PwBD candidates get compensatory time, optional scribe, and accessibility support (e.g. magnification where allowed). IIMs modify the question paper for the visually impaired candidates for their convenience.
Q. Who can apply under PwBD category for CAT 2026?
A. Candidates with a benchmark disability (typically 40% or more) under the RPwD Act must upload a valid certificate from a notified medical authority in the format specified by CAT. Upload the PDF. Providing false information can result in candidature cancellation.
Q. Is the PwBD extra time split across all three sections?
A. Yes, compensatory time is 20 minutes per hour, which means 40 extra minutes on the 120-minute test, distributed across the three sections (about 13 minutes and 20 seconds extra per section). Extra time applies with or without a scribe.
Q. Who arranges the CAT scribe, and is a separate form required?
A. Candidates will arrange their scribe and indicate scribe use on the CAT form. Carry the Scribe Affidavit available on the CAT website. The scribe's qualification is typically one level below yours, and they must bring ID, a photo, and sign a declaration. Usually, there is no separate online scribe form beyond the application declaration.
Q. How do I object to the CAT 2026 answer key?
A. The CAT provisional answer key is expected to be released in the first week of December 2026. The process will be completely online. Test takers have to visit the official website, login to view the answer keys, follow the procedure and pay the requisite fee within the deadline. After the review, IIMs will release the final answer keys and CAT 2026 result tentatively in the first week of January 2027.
Q. Is there a central IIM counselling after CAT?
A. There is no single counselling process for all 22 IIMs. Each IIM follows its own admission criteria. Some newer IIMs use CAP or JAP for WAT-PI. Older IIMs run their own PI. Check each IIM website after results for its shortlisting and selection criteria.
Q. Does 99 percentile guarantee an IIM call?
A. No, a 99th percentile has a high chance, but it doesn't guarantee admission to every IIM. Calls depend on overall and sectional percentiles, category, academics, work experience, diversity, and that IIM’s specific formula.
Q. Is CAP 2026 the admission process for CAT 2026?
A. CAP is the shared WAT-PI process for participating (mostly newer) IIMs, not for all IIMs. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode etc. conduct their own admission process. Confirm the CAP notice after CAT 2026 results. While baby IIMs like IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Sirmaur conduct admission through CAP, newer IIMs like IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Kashipur and IIM Trichy conduct JAP.
Q. Can I hold two IIM or B-School offers at the same time?
A. You may receive multiple offers. Each school has its own acceptance fee and deadline. Hence, you can hold the seats till the fee payment deadline. After that, you should confirm one and withdraw the other after weighing both offers. In case you
Q. What if document verification fails after I pay the offer fee?
A. The offer can be cancelled. Fees may be forfeited as per that IIM’s rules. Eligibility, category certificate, marksheets and name must match what you declared.
Q. What is JAP counselling after CAT?
A. JAP, or Joint Admission Process, is a common shortlisting and interview route used by a few IIMs after CAT. Candidates who get an invite complete one registration and attend one shared Personal Interview for all participating campuses. In the 2026 cycle (based on CAT 2025), IIM Raipur coordinated JAP for IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Trichy.
Q. Is JAP the same as IIM counselling or CAP?
A. No. IIMs do not run one central counselling for all campuses. CAP is a different common WAT-PI used by some other IIMs. JAP is a separate joint process for a smaller set of institutes.
Most older IIMs conduct their own interviews. Colleges such as FMS, SPJIMR and MDI are not part of JAP or CAP and require separate applications. If you skip JAP registration or miss the deadline, the JAP IIMs will not consider your candidature, regardless of your CAT percentile. Use only the official JAP website and your registered email for updates.
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