{"id":1431,"date":"2026-03-07T04:56:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T04:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.catmock.com\/?p=1431"},"modified":"2026-08-24T15:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T10:18:16","slug":"common-admission-test-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catmock.com\/blog\/common-admission-test-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT 2026: Complete Guide to Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility & Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026<\/strong> will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026<\/strong>, conducted by IIM Indore<\/strong>. Registration is open from August 3 to September 15, 2026<\/strong> on the official website, iimcat.ac.in<\/strong>. CAT 2026 remains the primary gateway to MBA\/PGP programmes at the 21 IIMs and over 1,000 other B-schools across India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This page is your starting point for CAT 2026 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/th>Information<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Exam name<\/td>Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Conducting body<\/td>Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore<\/td><\/tr>
Exam date<\/td>Sunday, November 29, 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Exam mode<\/td>Computer-Based Test (CBT), 3 sessions<\/td><\/tr>
Registration window<\/td>August 3 \u2013 September 15, 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Application fee (Gen\/EWS\/NC-OBC)<\/td>\u20b92,700<\/td><\/tr>
Application fee (SC\/ST\/PwD)<\/td>\u20b91,350<\/td><\/tr>
Sections<\/td>VARC, DILR, Quantitative Ability<\/td><\/tr>
Exam duration<\/td>120 minutes (40 minutes per section)<\/td><\/tr>
Eligibility<\/td>Bachelor’s degree, 50% marks (45% for SC\/ST\/PwD)<\/td><\/tr>
Official website<\/td>iimcat.ac.in<\/td><\/tr>
Accepting institutes<\/td>21 IIMs + 1,000+ B-schools<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is CAT 2026?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CAT is a national-level, computer-based management entrance exam that tests Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)<\/strong>, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)<\/strong>, and Quantitative Ability (QA)<\/strong>. It is conducted every year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis, and CAT 2026 is being organised by IIM Indore<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 Important Dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Event<\/th>Date<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Registration opens<\/td>August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM)<\/td><\/tr>
Registration closes<\/td>September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)<\/td><\/tr>
Admit card release<\/td>Expected early November 2026<\/td><\/tr>
CAT 2026 exam date<\/td>November 29, 2026 (Sunday)<\/td><\/tr>
Result declaration<\/td>Expected late December 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 Eligibility (Quick Check)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You need a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC\/ST\/PwD)<\/strong>, and final-year students can also apply. That’s the baseline \u2014 but category-wise reservation rules, CGPA conversion, and document requirements have real nuance that trips people up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 For the complete rulebook \u2014 category-wise relaxation, PwBD reservation, required documents, and common mistakes \u2014 read CatMock’s full CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Complete Guide<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Marking Scheme (Quick Answer)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 has 3 sections \u2014 VARC, DILR, QA \u2014 40 minutes each, 120 minutes total<\/strong>, with a mix of MCQs (+3 correct \/ \u22121 wrong) and TITA questions (no negative marking). Sections are attempted strictly in sequence with no switching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 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<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 Cutoff & Percentile (Quick Answer)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cutoffs vary sharply by institute and category \u2014 top IIMs have historically called candidates around 97\u2013100 percentile<\/strong> in the General category, while newer IIMs and non-IIM colleges are typically more accessible in the 85\u201395 percentile<\/strong> range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 For the full IIM-wise, category-wise, and sectional cutoff breakdown, see CatMock’s CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIMs<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> guide, and for how your raw score converts to a percentile, see CAT Score vs Percentile 2026<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IIM Admission Process After CAT 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scoring well in CAT is only the first stage. The full selection process typically includes: CAT score-based shortlisting<\/strong> by each IIM \u2192 Written Ability Test (WAT)<\/strong> \u2192 Group Discussion (GD)<\/strong> at some institutes \u2192 Personal Interview (PI)<\/strong> \u2192 a final composite score<\/strong> combining CAT percentile, academics, work experience, and WAT-GD-PI performance, weighted differently by each IIM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prepare for CAT 2026 (Quick Start)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 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<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> guide, and for a shorter runway, the CAT 4-Month Preparation Plan<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role of PYQs and Mock Tests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 and analyse every mock in depth \u2014 to convert practice into a rising percentile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 See CatMock’s When to Start CAT Mock Tests 2026<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> and Mocks for Passing CAT 2026<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> for a detailed timing and practice strategy, or jump straight into CatMock’s free CAT PYQs<\/mark><\/a> and free mock tests<\/mark><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exam Day: What to Carry, Wear, and Expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CAT 2026 enforces strict exam-day rules \u2014 admit card, original photo ID, a plain dress code, biometric verification, and zero tolerance for late arrival after gate closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 See CatMock’s full CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Checklist & Rules<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> before November 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Mistakes CAT 2026 Aspirants Should Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n