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CAT

Common Admission Test

Conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

Mode
Online
Duration
2 Hours
Total Marks
204
Colleges
22 IIMs
CAT 2026 β€” Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s 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.

About CAT

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s 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.

CAT Application Fee
CategoryApplication Fee
General / EWS / NC-OBCβ‚Ή2,600
SC / ST / PwDβ‚Ή1,300
CAT Important Dates
Official Notification Release 2026
Last Week of July 2026
Tentative
Registration Start Date 2026
First Week of August 2026
Tentative
Registration Last Date 2026
Third Week of September 2026
Tentative
Admit Card Download
First Week of November 2026
Tentative
29
Nov
Exam Date
29 Nov 2026
Tentative
Answer Key Release
Second Week of December 2026
Tentative
Result Declaration
Last Week of December 2026
Tentative
Dates β€” Full Table
EventTypeSessionDateDetails
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
Level
National
Frequency
Once a year
Mode
Online
Conducted By
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the CAT exam, candidates must understand the official eligibility criteria set by the conducting Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The CAT eligibility rules mainly focus on academic qualifications, minimum graduation marks, and category-wise requirements. Although the exam is open to students from all academic backgrounds, applicants must satisfy the minimum educational conditions to complete the registration process successfully. Final-year graduation students and professionally qualified candidates are also eligible to apply under specific guidelines.

As per the official CAT eligibility criteria, candidates must hold a bachelor’s 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.

CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is a 120-minute computer-based management entrance test consisting of three sectionsβ€”VARC, DILR, and QAβ€”designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning, analytical, and verbal skills.
SectionQuestionsMarks Duration Type
VARC 24 72 40 Minutes MCQ
DILR 22 66 40 Minutes MCQ
QA 22 66 40 Minutes MCQ
Total68204 2 Hours β€”
CAT Syllabus
Reading Comprehension (RC)
Passage-based questions
Main idea and theme
Inference-based questions
Author’s tone and opinion
Fact vs opinion
Vocabulary in context
Para-based critical reasoning
Verbal Ability (VA)
Para Jumbles
Para Completion
Para Summary
Odd One Out
Sentence Rearrangement
Grammar Usage
Vocabulary-based questions
Critical Reasoning
Data Interpretation (DI)
Tables
Bar Graphs
Pie Charts
Line Graphs
Caselets
Mixed Graphs
Data Sufficiency
Venn Diagrams
Logical Reasoning (LR)
Seating Arrangement
Blood Relations
Team Formation
Distribution Puzzles
Games & Tournaments
Coding-Decoding
Scheduling
Logical Sequences
Binary Logic
Ranking & Ordering
Clocks & Calendars
Routes & Networks
Arithmetic
Percentages
Profit & Loss
Ratio & Proportion
Average
Time & Work
Time, Speed & Distance
Simple & Compound Interest
Mixtures & Alligations
Pipes & Cisterns
Algebra
Linear Equations
Quadratic Equations
Inequalities
Functions
Logarithms
Surds & Indices
Progressions (AP, GP, HP)
Polynomials
Geometry & Mensuration
Lines & Angles
Triangles
Circles
Polygons
Coordinate Geometry
Mensuration
Area & Volume
Number System
Divisibility Rules
HCF & LCM
Remainders
Factors
Base Systems
Unit Digit
Cyclicity
Modern Mathematics
Probability
Permutation & Combination
Set Theory
Statistics
Venn Diagrams
Status
Coming Soon
Total Marks
204
Level
National
Neg. Marking
Yes
CAT 2026 Cutoff Scores

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 (2025–26)

CollegeGeneralOBCSCST
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad99–100 %ile97+85–9075–80
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore99–100 %ile90–9580–8575–80
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta99+ %ile90–9580–8575–80
Faculty of Management Studies98–99 %ile90–9580–8570–75
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow97–99 %ile90+75–8065–70
Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode97–98 %ile80–8570–7560–65
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research92–95 %ile85+75+65+
Indian Institute of Management Indore97–98 %ile85–9070–7560–65
Management Development Institute Gurgaon95–97 %ile85+70–7560–65
Indian Institute of Management Mumbai98–99 %ile90+75–8065–70
22 IIMs
Total
Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2026

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 India’s top management institutes.

#CollegeLocationTypeRating
1 IIM Ahmedabad #IIMA #TOPMBA #CONSULTING #FINANCE #LEADERSHIP Ahmedabad, Gujarat Government β˜… ⭐ 5/5 β€’ Tier-1 Elite View β†’
2 IIM Bangalore #IIMB #CONSULTING #PRODUCTMANAGEMENT #STRATEGY Bengaluru, Karnataka Government β˜… ⭐ 5/5 β€’ Tier-1 Elite View β†’
3 IIM Calcutta #IIMC #FINANCEHUB #INVESTMENTBANKING #ANALYTICS Kolkata, West Bengal Government β˜… ⭐ 5/5 β€’ Tier-1 Elite View β†’
4 Faculty of Management Studies Delhi #FMSDELHI #ROIKING #LOWFEESHIGHPACKAGE #MBA New Delhi Government β˜… ⭐ 4.9/5 β€’ Tier-1 View β†’
5 IIM Lucknow #IIML #GENERALMANAGEMENT #CONSULTING #MARKETING Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Government β˜… ⭐ 4.8/5 β€’ Tier-1 View β†’
6 IIM Kozhikode #IIMK #ANALYTICS #CONSULTING #DIVERSECAMPUS Kozhikode, Kerala Government β˜… ⭐ 4.7/5 β€’ Tier-1 View β†’
7 SPJIMR #SPJIMR #MARKETING #PROFILEBASED #INDUSTRYCONNECT Mumbai, Maharashtra Private β˜… ⭐ 4.7/5 β€’ Tier-1 Private View β†’
8 IIM Indore #IIMI #MARKETING #CONSULTING #LARGECAMPUS Indore, Madhya Pradesh Government β˜… ⭐ 4.6/5 β€’ Tier-1 View β†’
9 MDI #MDI #HR #MARKETING #CORPORATECONNECT Gurgaon, Haryana Private β˜… ⭐ 4.5/5 β€’ Tier-1 Private View β†’
10 IIM Mumbai #IIMMUMBAI #OPERATIONS #SUPPLYCHAIN #ANALYTICS Mumbai, Maharashtra Government β˜… ⭐ 4.6/5 β€’ Tier-1 View β†’
CAT Preparation Tips
Study Schedule
A balanced CAT preparation schedule should include around 2–3 hours daily for Quantitative Aptitude (QA), 1.5–2 hours for VARC, and 1.5–2 hours for DILR. Along with subject preparation, students should spend 30–60 minutes every day on revision and mock test analysis to improve accuracy, speed, and overall performance.
Mock Test Strategy
A phase-wise mock test strategy is essential for effective CAT preparation. In the beginner phase (6–8 months before CAT), students should take 1 mock test every two weeks to build familiarity with the exam pattern. During the intermediate phase (4–6 months before CAT), the frequency should increase to 1 mock per week to improve speed and accuracy. In the advanced phase (2–3 months before CAT), aspirants should attempt 2–3 mocks every week for intensive practice and performance tracking. In the final month before CAT, taking 3–4 mock tests per week along with detailed analysis helps maximize exam readiness and confidence.
Negative Marking Awareness
Understanding negative marking is extremely important because careless attempts can drastically reduce your percentile. -1 mark for every wrong answer of MCQ.
Exam-Day Tips
On the CAT exam day, reach the exam center early and carry your admit card, original ID proof, and two passport-size photographs. Avoid studying new topics and stay calm even if the paper feels difficult. Start with easy questions first, skip lengthy or confusing ones, and focus more on accuracy than maximum attempts. Avoid blind guessing in MCQs, but try TITA questions since they have no negative marking. Manage your time wisely in every section, do not panic after one tough section, and trust the strategy you practiced during mock tests. Before leaving home, keep water and other essentials ready, read every question carefully, and maintain confidence throughout the exam.
CAT Counselling Process

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 student’s 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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