Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in November 2026 by one of the IIMs, based on which aspirants will be granted admission into IIMs and other private and government B-schools. Besides B-Schools, some institutes, like IITs and IISc, may also use CAT results as a criterion to grant admission to students in their management programs. The CAT results are usually declared in December 2026 or January 2027, and candidates can access and download their scorecards from the official website once announced.
CAT 2026
CAT is a computer-based standardized test that assesses a candidate’s ability in various domains of Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). The CAT exam is typically held in November 2026, with 3 sections: VARC, DILR, and QA, for a total duration of 120 minutes (40 minutes per section). The question types include MCQs and TITA, with a marking scheme of +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA. The CAT results are generally released in December 2026 or January 2027. Aspirants can download the official scorecard to confirm their performance once declared.
CAT 2026 Result: Important Things to Know
- After the results are declared, the link for 'CAT Score card' will be live on the official website.
- The CAT result will be available, and you can download the scorecard directly from the website.
- Your CAT score will be sent to you via SMS once the result is declared.
- Only candidates who take the CAT will be entitled to receive the CAT scorecard.
- The scorecard is not sent by email or post.
- The overall scaled score is calculated as the sum of the scaled scores from the three sections. The CAT percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored less than or equal to your score.
- IIMs and Non-IIM member institutions independently decide how to use CAT scores in their respective selection processes.
- Any process violation or inaccurate information provided at any stage may lead to candidate disqualification.
- The CAT score is valid for one year, so the CAT 2026 score will be valid until December 2027, subject to meeting the minimum eligibility marks in the qualifying examination.
CAT exam dates are usually announced in July 2026, with registration expected in August-September 2026 and admit cards available in October-November 2026.
How to Check Your CAT 2026 Result
The official CAT result is typically released in December 2026 or January 2027. Follow these steps to download your scorecard once available:
Step 1: Visit the official website (iimcat.ac.in)
Step 2: Click on 'CAT scorecard download'
Step 3: Enter your CAT ID and password
Step 4: Click on the 'scorecard' tab
Step 5: Download the CAT result PDF
Candidates are advised to keep a printout of the scorecard for future reference.
What to Do After Receiving Your CAT Result?
After accessing your CAT 2026 result, you will need to prepare for the next phase of the selection process. Consider these key points as you move forward:
- Organize and self-attest copies of your academic documents, including degree certificates and mark sheets. Complete this early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Explore colleges that match your CAT score and submit applications to those still accepting applicants.
- Keep track of your submitted college applications and note deadlines for upcoming rounds.
- Understand the unique selection and counselling processes of different B-schools.
- Prepare for the selection rounds, which typically include group discussions, personal interviews, and writing ability tests.
- Review each college’s admission requirements to ensure you meet document and other criteria.
Remember, your CAT result does not guarantee admission. Preparation for the remaining selection rounds is essential to secure a seat in a reputed college.
FAQs about CAT 2026 Result
1. When is the CAT 2026 result expected to be declared?
The CAT 2026 result is tentatively expected in December 2026 or January 2027.
2. What was the highest CAT score in recent years?
In previous years, multiple candidates achieved a 100 percentile, with top scores often reaching above 180 out of 198 marks.
3. How can I check my CAT 2026 result?
Once announced, log in on the official website to access and download your CAT scorecard.
4. What happens after the CAT 2026 result?
After the result, candidates will receive calls from the B-schools they applied to, based on the respective shortlisting criteria. The next rounds typically involve GD, interviews, and WAT.
5. What is considered a good CAT score?
This depends on the B-school you aim for. For top-tier schools, a percentile of 95+ is generally desirable, with most reputed schools having cut-offs of 90 and above.
E-305, Industrial Area, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 160055, IN
.jpg?null)
