The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to MBA and other management programs at top B-schools in India, including the IIMs. The exam is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2026, with the official notification likely to be released in July 2026.
To be eligible, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories). The CAT 2026 will test a candidate's skills in areas such as Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. Preparation typically involves a mix of self-study, coaching, mock tests, and regular practice. Proper understanding of the syllabus, exam pattern, and time management strategies is essential for success.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
To help candidates prepare effectively for CAT 2026, it is important to stay informed about all the key dates related to the exam. The timeline includes important events such as notification release, registration, admit card availability, exam date, and result declaration. The table below outlines the tentative schedule for CAT 2026, based on trends from previous years.
| CAT 2026 Important Events | CAT Exam Dates (Tentative Timeline) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | First week of August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | Third/Fourth week of September 2026 |
| CAT Form Correction Window Opening | Third/Fourth week of September 2026 |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 Release | First week of November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 28, 2026 (Tentative) |
| CAT Results Announcement | Third/Fourth week of December 2026 |
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the CAT 2026 exam, candidates must ensure they meet the basic eligibility criteria. The requirements include educational qualification, minimum marks, and category-based relaxations. The table below provides a clear summary of who can apply for CAT 2026.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in any stream from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks (General/NC-OBC) | 50% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 45% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply; must complete degree with required marks before admission |
| Professional Degrees | CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI holders are also eligible if they meet the marks criteria |
| Age Limit | No upper or lower age limit |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory; beneficial for IIM selection |
CAT 2026 Registration Process
The CAT 2026 registration will take place online through the official website – iimcat.ac.in. Based on previous years, here's a simplified version of the expected registration process and steps involved:
- Begin by visiting the official website and selecting the option ‘New Candidate Registration’.
- Fill in the basic information as prompted in the form.
- An OTP will be sent for verification, which must be entered to confirm the registration.
- Once verified, a unique User ID and Password will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number.
- Use these credentials to log in and access the complete application form.
- Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details as required.
- Select the preferred management programs and choose the interview city.
- Candidates can select up to six preferred test cities for appearing in the CAT 2026 exam.
CAT 2026 Syllabus
The CAT 2026 exam syllabus is divided into three main sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section evaluates different skill sets required for management studies. The table below outlines key topics under each section to help guide adequate preparation.
| Sections | CAT Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Sentence Completion, Grammar, Subject-verb-agreement, Parajumbles, Idioms, Antonyms, Prepositions, Reading Comprehension, etc. |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Blood Relations, Clocks and Calendars, Tables, Data Structures, Family Tree, Binary Logic, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Pie Charts, etc. |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Probability, Profit & Loss, Percentages, Ratios & Proportion, Time-Speed-Distance, etc. |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the CAT 2026 exam pattern is important for effective preparation. The exam will be conducted in computer-based mode and divided into three slots. It features a mix of MCQs and TITA-type questions. The table below outlines the key components of the CAT 2026 paper structure.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of CAT Exam 2026 | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes for each section) |
| CAT Exam Slots | Slot 1: Morning- 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Slot 2: Afternoon- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Slot 3: Evening- 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| Total Number of Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Question Type | Both MCQs and TITA |
| Number of Answer Choices in MCQs | 4 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 marks for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
CAT 2026 Preparation Tips
The CAT is one of the toughest exams in India, so students should follow a well-planned and clear study strategy to score well. Good preparation includes completing the syllabus, revising key topics, practising mock tests, solving previous papers, and managing time effectively. Here are five simple tips for CAT 2026 preparation:
- Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Start by understanding how the CAT 2026 exam will be held and what subjects will be covered. Make sure every topic is studied.
- Practice Mock Tests: Solve many mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. This also helps in understanding the exam format.
- Revise Regularly: Set aside time to review and revise what was previously studied. This helps in remembering the topics better.
- Solve Previous Year Questions: Practice old CAT question papers, especially for maths and logic questions. This will give an idea of the type of questions asked.
- Use Online Resources: Learn short tricks and tips from online platforms to solve questions faster and with better accuracy.
CAT 2026 Admit Card
CAT admit card is an important document that students will require to carry to the examination centre. The admit card includes information, such as the candidate’s name, date and time of the test, exam centre details, and exam day guidelines. Candidates who complete the registration process successfully can download their CAT admit card directly from the official CAT website.
How to Download the CAT 2026 Admit Card?
The CAT admit card for 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of November. Once the exam authorities release the admit card, students can download it to check all the details regarding CAT exam 2026. Candidates can follow the step-by-step process to download the CAT Admit Card 2026:
- Visit the CAT official website
- Log in using credentials like User ID and password
- Find the link to download the admit card and click on it
- The screen will display the CAT 2026 Admit Card
- Download it and take a printout for future reference.
CAT 2026 Answer Key
After the CAT 2026 exams are over, the IIM conducting body will release the answer key along with the response sheet of the CAT aspirants. This answer key will help students know the number of correct and incorrect answers they have marked in the exam. This way, they will also be able to calculate the estimated score they will obtain. In case of any discrepancy, candidates can raise objections to the answer key. It should be done within a limited timeframe of 1-2 days. The fee for objecting to the answer key is INR 1200 for each question.
How to Download the CAT 2026 Answer Key?
The CAT answer key 2026 is expected to be out on the official website by the 1st week of December 2026. Check out the steps mentioned below to download the answer key of CAT 2026:
- Go to the CAT official website.
- Click on the ‘Log in’ tab and enter CAT login ID and password.
- Next, click on ‘CAT 2026 Answer Key’ and the answer key will be displayed on the screen.
- Click on the download option and save it in a PDF format.
CAT 2026 Result
The exam conducting authorities will publish the results on the official website for the CAT aspirants. This result will include sectional scores, percentile scores, and overall scaled scores and percentiles. Using the CAT Result 2026, students can gain admission to IIMs, top B-schools, and other management institutes. The result is considered valid only for 1 year.
How to Download the CAT 2026 Result?
CAT aspirants can access the results for CAT 2026 once they are made available by the authorities. It is expected that the CAT result 2026 will be out between the last week of December 2026 and 1st week of January 2026. Follow the steps mentioned below to download the results for CAT 2026 successfully:
- Visit the CAT official website.
- Enter the CAT application number and password to log in.
- Click on the ‘Scorecard section’ to view the results.
- The CAT results for 2026 will appear on the screen.
- Download the result and print it out.
CAT 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is CAT 2026 and who conducts it?
Ans. CAT 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to MBA and management programs at top B-schools in India, including the IIMs.
Ques. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
Ans. CAT 2026 is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2026, tentatively on November 28, 2026.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
Ans. The official CAT 2026 notification is likely to be released in the last week of July 2026.
Ques. Who is eligible to apply for CAT 2026?
Ans. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible. Final-year students and those with professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA are also eligible.
Ques. Is there any age limit or work experience required for CAT 2026?
Ans. There is no age limit or mandatory work experience required to apply for CAT 2026.
Ques. How can one register for CAT 2026?
Ans. Registration must be done online at iimcat.ac.in by creating a new login, filling in personal and academic details, and selecting preferred programs and test cities.
Ques. What are the main sections in the CAT 2026 syllabus?
Ans. CAT 2026 includes three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Ques. What is the exam pattern of CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test with a total of 68 questions across three sections. The exam duration is 120 minutes with a +3/-1 marking scheme for MCQs and no negative marking for TITA questions.
Ques. How can the CAT 2026 admit card be downloaded?
Ans. The admit card can be downloaded from the official website by logging in with the CAT ID and password. It is expected to be available in the first week of November 2026.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 result be announced?
Ans. The CAT 2026 result is expected to be released between the last week of December 2026 and the first week of January 2027. It will include sectional and overall percentile scores.