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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
Last Week of July 2026
Last Week of July 2026
First Week of August 2026
First Week of August 2026
Third Week of September 2026
Third Week of September 2026
First Week of November 2026
First Week of November 2026
29 Nov 2026
29 Nov 2026
Second Week of December 2026
Second Week of December 2026
Last Week of December 2026
Last Week of December 2026
Dates β€” Full Table
EventTypeSessionDateDetails
Registration -2026 Last Week of July 2026 Official Notification Release 2026
Registration -2026 First Week of August 2026 Registration Start Date 2026
Registration -2026 Third Week of September 2026 Registration Last Date 2026
Admit Card -2026 First Week of November 2026 Admit Card Download
Exam -2026 29 Nov 2026 Exam Date
β€” -2026 Second Week of December 2026 Answer Key Release
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 guidelines: -Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. -General, EWS, and OBC candidates must secure at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. -SC, ST, and PwD candidates require a minimum of 45% marks. -Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.

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

Cutoff Data Not Yet Available

CAT 2026 cutoff scores will be published after results are declared.

22 IIMs
Total
Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2026

College List Not Yet Available

Check back soon for top colleges accepting CAT.

CAT Preparation Tips
CAT Counselling Process

-Counselling & Mentorship at CATMock- Personalized MBA Entrance Counselling At CATMock, we believe that cracking CAT is not only about solving questions β€” it is about having the right strategy, guidance, and mentorship throughout the journey. That is why we provide dedicated counselling and mentorship support to help students prepare smarter and make better career decisions. Whether you are just starting your CAT preparation or aiming to improve your percentile, our expert mentors help you at every stage of the MBA entrance journey. Our Counselling Process: Step 1 β€” Understanding the Student Profile We begin with a one-to-one counselling session where we understand: β€’ Academic background β€’ Current preparation level β€’ Strengths & weaknesses β€’ Target colleges and goals β€’ Available preparation time β€’ Past mock performance (if any) This helps us create a preparation approach tailored specifically for the student. Step 2 β€” Personalized Preparation Strategy Based on the student’s profile, our mentors create a customized roadmap that includes: β€’ Section-wise preparation strategy β€’ Daily and weekly study planning β€’ Mock test schedule β€’ Time management guidance β€’ Topic prioritization β€’ Accuracy improvement techniques The goal is to make preparation structured, focused, and efficient. Step 3 β€” Mock Analysis & Performance Improvement Mocks are the most important part of CAT preparation. At CATMock, we guide students on: β€’ How to analyze mocks properly β€’ Identifying weak areas β€’ Improving attempt strategy β€’ Section selection during exams β€’ Speed vs accuracy balance β€’ Percentile improvement planning Our detailed analytics and mentor feedback help students continuously improve their performance. Step 4 β€” Regular Mentorship & Doubt Support Students receive continuous support throughout their preparation journey through: β€’ Strategy discussions β€’ Preparation guidance β€’ Motivation and consistency tracking β€’ Doubt-solving sessions β€’ Study routine optimization Our mentors include experienced CAT educators and MBA experts who understand the real exam pattern and preparation challenges. GDPI & MBA Admission Counselling CATMock also provides guidance beyond the written exam. We help students prepare for: β€’ GD (Group Discussion) β€’ PI (Personal Interview) β€’ WAT (Written Ability Test) β€’ SOP Guidance β€’ MBA college selection β€’ Profile evaluation β€’ Final admission strategy Our GDPI faculty includes experienced mentors from top institutes and industry backgrounds. Why Students Choose CATMock Counselling β€’ Personalized mentorship instead of generic advice β€’ Structured preparation planning β€’ Realistic mock test guidance β€’ Affordable and student-focused learning β€’ Expert faculty and experienced mentors β€’ Continuous performance tracking β€’ Support for CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and other MBA exams Thousands of aspirants use CATMock for mock tests, analytics, and mentorship support during their MBA preparation journey. Start Your MBA Journey with Expert Guidance Success in CAT is not just about studying harder β€” it is about studying in the right direction. With CATMock counselling and mentorship, students receive clarity, strategy, and expert support at every step. Book your counselling session today and take the first step toward your dream B-school.

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