CAT
Common Admission Test
Conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is Indiaβs premier national-level MBA entrance examination conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The exam serves as the primary gateway for admission into MBA, PGP, and PGDM programmes offered by the IIMs and many other leading business schools across India.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is Indiaβs premier national-level MBA entrance examination conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The exam serves as the primary gateway for admission into MBA, PGP, and PGDM programmes offered by the IIMs and many other leading business schools across India. CAT is a computer-based test designed to evaluate candidates on analytical thinking, quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the examination to secure admission into top management institutes. According to the official CAT portal, the exam is conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. The test is usually held in November across multiple cities and examination centres in India.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | βΉ2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD | βΉ1,300 |
| Event | Type | Session | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Release 2026 Tentative |
Registration | -2026 | Last Week of July 2026 | Official Notification Release 2026 |
| Registration Start Date 2026 Tentative |
Registration | -2026 | First Week of August 2026 | Registration Start Date 2026 |
| Registration Last Date 2026 Tentative |
Registration | -2026 | Third Week of September 2026 | Registration Last Date 2026 |
| Admit Card Download Tentative |
Admit Card | -2026 | First Week of November 2026 | Admit Card Download |
| Exam Date Tentative |
Exam | -2026 | 29 Nov 2026 | Exam Date |
| Answer Key Release Tentative |
Result | -2026 | Second Week of December 2026 | Answer Key Release |
| Result Declaration Tentative |
Result | -2026 | Last Week of December 2026 | Result Declaration |
As per the official CAT eligibility criteria, candidates must hold a bachelorβs degree from a recognised university or institution. For General, EWS, and OBC category students, a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA is required, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates need at least 45% marks. Students who are currently in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam, provided they complete their degree requirements within the specified timeline. CATMock helps students understand the complete eligibility process, application requirements, and MBA admission guidelines so that aspirants can confidently begin their CAT preparation journey without confusion.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 40 Minutes | MCQ |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes | MCQ |
| QA | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes | MCQ |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 2 Hours | β |
The CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile required for shortlisting by IIMs and other MBA colleges. There are two important types: -Qualifying Cutoff β minimum percentile needed to be eligible. -Final/Actual Cutoff β percentile at which interview calls are realistically received. CUTOFF SCORES OF TOP COLLEGES (2025β26)
| College | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | 99β100 %ile | 97+ | 85β90 | 75β80 |
| Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | 99β100 %ile | 90β95 | 80β85 | 75β80 |
| Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | 99+ %ile | 90β95 | 80β85 | 75β80 |
| Faculty of Management Studies | 98β99 %ile | 90β95 | 80β85 | 70β75 |
| Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | 97β99 %ile | 90+ | 75β80 | 65β70 |
| Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode | 97β98 %ile | 80β85 | 70β75 | 60β65 |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research | 92β95 %ile | 85+ | 75+ | 65+ |
| Indian Institute of Management Indore | 97β98 %ile | 85β90 | 70β75 | 60β65 |
| Management Development Institute Gurgaon | 95β97 %ile | 85+ | 70β75 | 60β65 |
| Indian Institute of Management Mumbai | 98β99 %ile | 90+ | 75β80 | 65β70 |
MBA colleges accepting CAT scores offer some of the best management education opportunities in India. From prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to top private B-schools, these colleges provide world-class academic learning, industry exposure, strong alumni networks, and excellent placement opportunities. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) to secure admission into these leading institutions for MBA and PGDM programs. Choosing the right college depends on factors such as CAT cutoff, fees, placements, specialization, faculty, ROI, and career goals. Whether you aim for consulting, finance, marketing, analytics, or entrepreneurship, CAT opens the gateway to Indiaβs top management institutes.
| # | College | Location | Type | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad #IIMA #TOPMBA #CONSULTING #FINANCE #LEADERSHIP | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Government | β β 5/5 β’ Tier-1 Elite | View β |
| 2 | IIM Bangalore #IIMB #CONSULTING #PRODUCTMANAGEMENT #STRATEGY | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Government | β β 5/5 β’ Tier-1 Elite | View β |
| 3 | IIM Calcutta #IIMC #FINANCEHUB #INVESTMENTBANKING #ANALYTICS | Kolkata, West Bengal | Government | β β 5/5 β’ Tier-1 Elite | View β |
| 4 | Faculty of Management Studies Delhi #FMSDELHI #ROIKING #LOWFEESHIGHPACKAGE #MBA | New Delhi | Government | β β 4.9/5 β’ Tier-1 | View β |
| 5 | IIM Lucknow #IIML #GENERALMANAGEMENT #CONSULTING #MARKETING | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Government | β β 4.8/5 β’ Tier-1 | View β |
| 6 | IIM Kozhikode #IIMK #ANALYTICS #CONSULTING #DIVERSECAMPUS | Kozhikode, Kerala | Government | β β 4.7/5 β’ Tier-1 | View β |
| 7 | SPJIMR #SPJIMR #MARKETING #PROFILEBASED #INDUSTRYCONNECT | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Private | β β 4.7/5 β’ Tier-1 Private | View β |
| 8 | IIM Indore #IIMI #MARKETING #CONSULTING #LARGECAMPUS | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Government | β β 4.6/5 β’ Tier-1 | View β |
| 9 | MDI #MDI #HR #MARKETING #CORPORATECONNECT | Gurgaon, Haryana | Private | β β 4.5/5 β’ Tier-1 Private | View β |
| 10 | IIM Mumbai #IIMMUMBAI #OPERATIONS #SUPPLYCHAIN #ANALYTICS | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Government | β β 4.6/5 β’ Tier-1 | View β |
At CATMock, we believe that success in CAT preparation is not just about studying harder but studying smarter with the right guidance, mentorship, and strategy. That is why CATMock provides personalized MBA entrance counselling and mentorship support to help students prepare effectively and achieve their dream B-school goals. From beginners starting their CAT journey to repeat aspirants aiming for higher percentiles, our expert mentors guide students at every stage with structured preparation plans, section-wise strategies, mock test schedules, time management techniques, and performance improvement guidance. Our counselling process begins with understanding each studentβs academic background, strengths, weaknesses, target colleges, preparation level, and available study time so that we can create a customized roadmap designed specifically for them. One of the biggest strengths of CATMock is our detailed mock analysis and performance tracking system. We help students learn how to analyze mocks properly, improve attempt strategies, balance speed with accuracy, and identify weak areas for continuous improvement. Along with preparation strategy, students also receive regular mentorship support through doubt-solving sessions, consistency tracking, motivation guidance, and study routine optimization. Beyond CAT preparation, CATMock also supports students in GDPI preparation, MBA college selection, SOP guidance, profile evaluation, and final admission strategy. With experienced mentors, realistic preparation guidance, affordable learning, and continuous support for CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and other MBA entrance exams, CATMock has become a trusted platform for thousands of MBA aspirants. If you want expert mentorship, smart preparation strategies, and complete guidance throughout your MBA journey, CATMock is the right place to start. Contact CATMOCK For Free Counselling: Email - info@catmock.com | Phone NO. - +91 92596 73675
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