CAT Results 2026 - Download CAT Scorecard PDF @iimcat.ac.in, Check Score vs Percentile

CAT 2026 Results: Overview

The table below shows the time for CAT exam result 2026 along with a few important highlights for your reference:

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CAT Exam Results Dates 2026

Here are the important dates for the CAT 2026 exam listed below, keeping in mind the timeline, and start altering your preparations accordingly.

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CAT Result 2026 - Previous Year Trends

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How To Download CAT Result 2026?

The CAT result 2026 will be released in the first week of January 2027. Candidates can download their CAT scorecard from the official website, once the results are out. In order to download your CAT result, you must follow the given steps:

• Go to the Official CAT Website
• Click on “CAT 2026 Scorecard Download”
• Use your registration details to login
• Click on the “Scorecard” tab
• Download the CAT result from the link

How To Check CAT 2026 Result On Mobile?

Candidates should download their CAT exam result from a laptop or a desktop only. However, CAT result and CAT scorecard can also be checked on a smartphone. Here are the steps to download CAT result 2026 on mobile:

• Open a web browser on your smartphone
• Type in the URL of the official CAT website - iimcat.ac.in
• Click on ‘CAT 2026 Scorecard Download'
• Enter your application number and password
• Click on the scorecard tab to open the document

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Details Mentioned on CAT Exam Results Scorecard 2026

All the CAT takers must ensure that the following details are mentioned on their CAT 2026 scorecard:

• CAT 2026 Registration Number
• Name, Gender and Category
• DOB (Date of Birth)
• Contact Details
• Email
• Date and Time of Exam
• Overall CAT scaled score
• Section-wise CAT score
• Section-wise CAT percentile
• Overall CAT Percentile

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What is CAT 2026 Results Normalisation Process?

The normalisation process is applied to adjust any scale differences in the scores distributed across the three slots of CAT 2026. The normalisation of scores has been practised regularly over the past years to bring equity to the scores. Multiple parameters are kept in mind when applying the normalisation process in CAT, some of them are:

• Highest scores
• Lowest scores
• Top 10 percentiles
• Lowest 10 percentiles
• Mean Score

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How Is CAT Percentile Calculated?

In CAT, the percentile represents the position of a candidate compared to the rest of the candidates based on their scores. The CAT percentile calculation is a rigorous process, which begins with taking the raw scores of each test taker while considering the CAT marking scheme, which awards three marks for each correct answer and deducts one mark for each incorrect MCQ answer. No marks are deducted for wrong answers in TITA questions. Once the raw scores are determined, the CAT percentile is calculated.

The CAT percentile calculation is a detailed process, which is not a manual task, especially as the number of test takers increases every year. Thanks to technology nowadays, it is completed within a short time using automated systems. The following steps are involved in CAT 2026 result calculation, as given below:

• Each candidate is given marks as per the number of correct and incorrect attempts,
• Total score is calculated by adding +3 for every correct attempt and deducting -1 for every incorrect attempt.
• These section-wise and overall scores (raw scores) are normalised to arrive at a scaled CAT score.
• The normalised scores are converted into percentiles reported in the CAT scorecard.

Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2026

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Difference Between CAT 2026 Result & CAT Scorecard 2026

Often, candidates get confused between CAT result and the CAT scorecard. They think that both terms imply the same; however, this is not the case. Let's dive deep into some of the major differences between the two, as follows:

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What After CAT 2026 Result?

After the CAT 2026 results have been released, it is essential to start preparing for the next rounds of admissions. Candidates will need to review the admissions process for the colleges they apply to, as most institutions have a separate selection procedure.

The admission process across the IIMs also varies. The older, established IIMs generally conduct their own individual WAT and PI rounds. The newer IIMs, on the other hand, have moved to combined, multi-institute selection processes, split into two groups from the 2026 admissions cycle onward:

• Common Admission Process (CAP): covers IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya, and IIM Sirmaur, with a single registration, one WAT-PI round, and one composite score used for shortlisting across all three.
• Joint Admission Process (JAP): covers IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Tiruchirappalli, combining shortlisting, WAT, and PI into one common round across all four institutes.

A few new IIMs, including IIM Nagpur and IIM Udaipur, now run independent admission processes of their own rather than joining either group.

Institutes such as FMS Delhi have a two-step selection procedure of extempore followed by a personal interview for admissions. MDI Gurgaon follows the traditional admission process of WAT-GD-PI, while IMT Ghaziabad conducts a Critical Thinking Test followed by a Personal Interview.

Since each institute has a system of cut-offs and selection procedures, here is a basic outline of the most common steps, including personal interviews, written ability tests, and group discussions.

Written Ability Test (WAT)

The WAT round is conducted before the personal interview. It is a 15-30 minute long written exam that focuses on your writing skills and how you structure your thoughts. As there is no particular topic for this selection round, candidates should stay well-versed in common and diverse topics.

Also Check: CAT WAT Preparation

Group Discussion (GD)

As the name suggests, group discussions involve a group of candidates partaking in a conversation, the aim of which is to analyze the candidate's communication skills, ability to think on their feet, leadership skills, etc. Thus, composing yourself well in front of the panel can greatly enhance your chances of success.

Also Check: CAT GD Preparation

Personal Interview (PI)

This is the final selection process for most colleges. It is the process where the candidates and the panel have a one-to-one interaction. This is the most unpredictable selection round as it is quite subjective in nature. Some topics that are generally suggested in terms of preparation for the personal interview are past work experience, graduation subjects and projects (especially for freshers), achievements, and other pointers mentioned in the CV.

Also Check: CAT PI Preparation

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CAT Result 2026: Number of Candidates Over the Years

CAT 2025 had 2.95 lakh candidates registered while 2.58 lakh appeared for the exam. Here’s a year-wise comparison of CAT applicants and actual test-takers to help you understand the trend in participation: