The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, conducted by IIM Indore. Registration is open from August 3 to September 15, 2026 on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. CAT 2026 remains the primary gateway to MBA/PGP programmes at the 21 IIMs and over 1,000 other B-schools across India.
This page is your starting point for CAT 2026 — a quick, verified answer to every major question, with links to CatMock’s in-depth guide on each topic so you never have to leave the site to go deeper.
CAT 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore |
| Exam date | Sunday, November 29, 2026 |
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT), 3 sessions |
| Registration window | August 3 – September 15, 2026 |
| Application fee (Gen/EWS/NC-OBC) | ₹2,700 |
| Application fee (SC/ST/PwD) | ₹1,350 |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Ability |
| Exam duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Accepting institutes | 21 IIMs + 1,000+ B-schools |
What Is CAT 2026?
CAT is a national-level, computer-based management entrance exam that tests Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). It is conducted every year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis, and CAT 2026 is being organised by IIM Indore. A valid CAT score is accepted by all 21 IIMs and a large number of other reputed institutes for admission to MBA/PGDM and related management programmes.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration closes | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Admit card release | Expected early November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result declaration | Expected late December 2026 |
For the full timeline, fee breakup, and what to do if you’re close to the deadline, see CatMock’s dedicated CAT Last Date to Apply 2026 guide.
CAT 2026 Eligibility (Quick Check)
You need a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), and final-year students can also apply. That’s the baseline — but category-wise reservation rules, CGPA conversion, and document requirements have real nuance that trips people up.
👉 For the complete rulebook — category-wise relaxation, PwBD reservation, required documents, and common mistakes — read CatMock’s full CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Complete Guide.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Marking Scheme (Quick Answer)
CAT 2026 has 3 sections — VARC, DILR, QA — 40 minutes each, 120 minutes total, with a mix of MCQs (+3 correct / −1 wrong) and TITA questions (no negative marking). Sections are attempted strictly in sequence with no switching.
👉 For the full section-wise topic breakdown, weightage table, and detailed marking-scheme strategy, see CatMock’s CAT Syllabus 2026: Section-Wise Topics, Pattern & Marking guide.
CAT 2026 Cutoff & Percentile (Quick Answer)
Cutoffs vary sharply by institute and category — top IIMs have historically called candidates around 97–100 percentile in the General category, while newer IIMs and non-IIM colleges are typically more accessible in the 85–95 percentile range.
👉 For the full IIM-wise, category-wise, and sectional cutoff breakdown, see CatMock’s CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIMs guide, and for how your raw score converts to a percentile, see CAT Score vs Percentile 2026.
IIM Admission Process After CAT 2026
Scoring well in CAT is only the first stage. The full selection process typically includes: CAT score-based shortlisting by each IIM → Written Ability Test (WAT) → Group Discussion (GD) at some institutes → Personal Interview (PI) → a final composite score combining CAT percentile, academics, work experience, and WAT-GD-PI performance, weighted differently by each IIM.
How to Prepare for CAT 2026 (Quick Start)
The short version: diagnose your baseline with a sectional test, build fundamentals before speed, follow a realistic (not aggressive) study routine, and treat every mock as a learning tool rather than a scorecard.
👉 For the complete month-by-month strategy, section-wise focus (VARC/DILR/QA), and mock-test roadmap, see CatMock’s How to Prepare for CAT 2026 Effectively guide, and for a shorter runway, the CAT 4-Month Preparation Plan.
Role of PYQs and Mock Tests
Previous Year Questions reveal CAT’s real difficulty and phrasing, and help you identify high-weightage topics fast. Pair them with full-length, sectional-timed mocks — and analyse every mock in depth — to convert practice into a rising percentile.
👉 See CatMock’s When to Start CAT Mock Tests 2026 and Mocks for Passing CAT 2026 for a detailed timing and practice strategy, or jump straight into CatMock’s free CAT PYQs and free mock tests.
Exam Day: What to Carry, Wear, and Expect
CAT 2026 enforces strict exam-day rules — admit card, original photo ID, a plain dress code, biometric verification, and zero tolerance for late arrival after gate closure.
👉 See CatMock’s full CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Checklist & Rules before November 29.
Common Mistakes CAT 2026 Aspirants Should Avoid
- Treating CAT as a speed test — accuracy and smart question selection matter more than attempting everything.
- Skipping mock analysis — a mock you don’t review teaches you almost nothing.
- Ignoring one section — sectional cutoffs mean a weak DILR or VARC score can offset a strong overall percentile.
- Applying at the last minute — server load and document errors spike right before the deadline.
FAQs on CAT 2026
Q1. When is the CAT 2026 exam? CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, conducted by IIM Indore.
Q2. What is the last date to register for CAT 2026? The CAT 2026 registration window closes on September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM). Full timeline: CAT Last Date to Apply 2026.
Q3. What is the CAT 2026 application fee? ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Q4. Am I eligible for CAT 2026 if I’m in my final year of graduation? Yes. Final-year students can apply. Full rules: CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria.
Q5. Is there negative marking in CAT 2026? Yes, for MCQs — 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
Q6. Is CAT 2026 tough? It’s more about time-pressure decision-making than raw difficulty. See CatMock’s Is CAT Exam Tough? Real Difficulty Level Explained for a detailed breakdown.
Q7. What percentile do I need for an IIM? It varies widely by institute and category. See the full CAT Cutoff 2026 guide.
Conclusion
CAT 2026 follows a familiar, well-established structure — one exam day, three timed sections, and a selection process that rewards accuracy over raw speed. With registration open until September 15 and the exam set for November 29, use this page as your map: check the dates, confirm your eligibility, understand the pattern, and then dive into CatMock’s dedicated guides — syllabus, cutoff, preparation strategy, and mocks — linked throughout, to go as deep as you need on each topic.
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