Updated on 2nd May 2026 | 10:33 am | #CAT2026
CAT 2026 exam date is expected to be November 29, 2026, based on the last-Sunday trend. The official date will be confirmed in the CAT 2026 notification. The CAT 2026 Notification will likely be released in July 2026 on the official website iimcat.ac.in where candidates can find details about the exam date, registration process, and other important updates.
In this article, you will get an overview of CAT 2026, including the expected exam schedule, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, registration process, list of documents required for CAT registration and a few preparation tips to help you get started early.
CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a management entrance test conducted by the Indian Institute of Management. Candidates who successfully pass the CAT exam 2026 will be admitted to the top MBA colleges in India. A basic overview of CAT 2026 is given below:
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CAT 2026 Highlights |
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CAT Exam Particulars |
Description |
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Exam Name |
Common Admission Test |
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CAT 2026 Official Website |
www.iimcat.ac.in |
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CAT Conducting Body |
The Indian Institute of Management |
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Frequency |
Annually |
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CAT Registration 2026 Mode |
Online |
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CAT Exam Mode |
Computer-based (online) |
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CAT Exam Medium |
English |
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CAT Syllabus |
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CAT Exam Pattern (Expected) |
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CAT Total Marks |
204 |
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CAT Exam Timings |
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CAT Exam Fees (Expected) |
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CAT Helpdesk |
Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in Phone: 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free) |
Based on the important announcements for previous year CAT exams, we have curated the table below representing the tentative timeline for the CAT 2026 exam dates for your reference. Keep this timeline in mind and kickstart your CAT 2026 preparation at the earliest.
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CAT 2026 Exam Date & Schedule |
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CAT 2026 Important Events |
CAT Exam Dates (Tentative Timeline) |
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CAT 2026 Notification Release |
Last week of July 2026 |
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CAT 2026 Registration Start Date |
First week of August 2026 |
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CAT 2026 Registration Last Date |
Third/Fourth week of September 2026 |
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CAT Form Correction Window Opening |
Third/Fourth week of September 2026 |
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CAT Admit Card 2026 Release |
First week of November 2026 |
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CAT 2026 Exam Date |
November 29, 2026 (Tentative) |
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CAT Results Announcement |
Third/Fourth week of December 2026 |
The CAT 2026 Notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026 as per previous year, announcing the official exam date and all key details such as the registration window, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and application fee.
Every year, one of the IIMs conducts the CAT exam and releases the official notification with all the important guidelines for aspirants.
To apply for CAT 2026, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements based on previous year's trends:
The CAT registration process 2026 will be conducted online through the official website- iimcat.ac.in. Based on the previous year’s process, here’s what candidates can expect, including the steps, fees, and documents required for registration.
While filling out the CAT application form 2026, you must also upload the required documents in the given format-
Note: Candidates will be required to present their mark sheets and degrees in person.
The application fee for CAT 2025 was revised, and it is expected that this new fee will also apply to CAT 2026. Below are the details for your reference:
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CAT Exam Application Fee 2026 |
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Category |
CAT Application Fee |
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General, EWS, and NC-OBC |
INR 2600/- |
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SC, ST, and PwD |
INR 1300/- |
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Related Links |
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Yes, candidates with academic or career gaps are eligible to apply for CAT 2026, provided they meet the basic graduation criteria. While gaps do not affect CAT registration directly, aspirants should be prepared to explain them clearly during MBA interviews.
CAT registration plays an important role in MBA admissions because the information you enter, such as academic scores, category, and work experience, is used by IIMs during shortlisting. Errors in the CAT exam form can impact call chances, so candidates must fill in details carefully and verify documents before submission.
No, fulfilling CAT Eligibility 2026 only makes you eligible to appear for the exam. Final admission to IIMs depends on multiple factors, including CAT score, academic profile, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in GD-PI-WAT rounds.
The CAT 2026 syllabus is not officially defined by the IIMs. However, based on previous years’ exam patterns, the syllabus is divided into three main sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.
The CAT 2026 syllabus includes:
Since there is no fixed syllabus, CAT preparation is based on Class 10–12 level Mathematics and English concepts, along with logical reasoning and data interpretation skills.
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CAT Syllabus 2026 |
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CAT Exam Sections |
CAT Syllabus Important Topics |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Para Completion, Odd One Out, etc. |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
Graphs, Charts, and topics such as Arrangements, Games and Tournaments, Set Theory, etc. |
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
Algebra, Arithmetic, Probability, Geometry, and Modern Math. |
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Related Links |
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The CAT exam pattern outlines the overall structure, section-wise division, and marking scheme. While the official format for CAT 2026 will be confirmed later, we can refer to recent years’ patterns to understand what to expect. The CAT exam pattern is given in a tabular format below.
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CAT Paper Pattern 2026 |
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CAT Exam Sections |
Total Questions |
Total Time (in minutes) |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
40 |
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
40 |
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Total |
68 |
120 |
Similar to the previous year's exam pattern, the CAT 2026 marking scheme for both MCQ and TITA questions is different. Here is an overview of the CAT marking scheme 2026-
CAT 2026 preparation requires a clear strategy, consistent practice, and regular performance analysis. With over 3 lakh candidates appearing for the exam every year, a structured approach is essential to stay competitive.
The most frequent question that comes into the mind of the majority of CAT aspirants is, “How To Start Preparing For CAT?”. Here are some preparation tips to help you score well in CAT 2026:
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CAT Section-wise Preparation Tips 2026 |
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To cover the CAT exam syllabus effectively, aspirants should divide the CAT syllabus into weekly and monthly targets based on their strengths and weaknesses. Prioritising high-weightage topics first and combining study with regular mock tests helps ensure steady and balanced preparation.
The CAT exam pattern has remained largely consistent with three sections and sectional time limits, but minor changes in question distribution and difficulty levels are common. Recent exams have seen variations in DILR and VARC formats. Aspirants preparing for CAT 2026 should stay updated and practice through mocks that reflect the latest pattern.
Yes, CAT preparation online can be highly effective when it includes structured learning, live classes, full-length mocks, and detailed performance analysis. A good online program aligns preparation with the CAT syllabus and exam pattern, helping aspirants improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making throughout their preparation journey.
Selecting the right study material for CAT preparation is significant and critical for top performance. We have curated a CAT section-wise list of books which will help you prepare better.
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CAT Exam Sections |
Recommended Books |
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VARC |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT - Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis Past Year CAT VARC Questions - G.K. Publications |
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DILR |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT - Arun Sharma Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT - Nishit Sinha DILR Workbook - Gautam Puri |
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QA |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT - Arun Sharma Quantitative Aptitude for CAT - Nishit Sinha NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 -10) |
Once the CAT admit card is released, candidates can download it by following the steps given below:
The CAT 2026 answer key is released once the CAT response sheet is released. It comes out around 8-10 days after the exam. It contains the correct answers and helps candidates estimate their probable score before the official result is declared.
Candidates can log in to the official CAT portal to download their response sheet and question paper. Using the official answer key and response sheet, they can compare their responses, calculate their approximate scores, and get an early idea of their performance in the exam.
The CAT 2026 results are expected to be announced in December 2026 on the official CAT website. Once the results and cut-off scores are declared, the IIMs and other top B-schools will begin their shortlisting process for the 2026-28 MBA batch, which includes interviews and further selection rounds.
Unlike other exams, CAT does not have a centralized counseling process. Each IIM conducts its own admission procedure, which may include a Personal Interview (PI), Written Ability Test (WAT), or Group Discussion (GD).
The IIMs will select candidates based on their CAT 2026 scores for the MBA admission batch of 2026. The admission process includes a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). Below are the stages of the IIM admission process through CAT:
Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates based on their CAT score
Stage 2: Candidate evaluation in the WAT-GD-PI round
Stage 3: Final selection and offer for MBA/PGDM admission
Note: Most of the B-schools will also consider candidates' marks from Class 10, Class 12, and their undergraduate degree, as well as their work experience, when making selection decisions.
In case of any discrepancies in your admit card details, contact the CAT exam authorities immediately through the official helpdesk:
CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test of 120 minutes with 3 sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. It is expected to have 68 questions as per the previous year, including MCQs and TITA. Each correct answer carries +3 marks, with -1 for incorrect MCQs, while TITA questions have no negative marking.
Yes, one year can be enough for CAT preparation, but it largely depends on your current level of knowledge, study habits, and commitment. If you start early and create a structured study plan, you can cover all the necessary topics effectively.
There is no set limit on how many times a candidate can take the CAT exam. The CAT is held once a year by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The scores from the CAT are accepted by different IIMs and many other top management schools across India.
Yes, the CAT exam is generally compulsory for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a key entrance exam for candidates who wish to pursue postgraduate management programs at these prestigious B-schools.
CAT scores are used by IIMs to assess candidates' aptitude for business studies. However, some specific programs or alternative pathways may not require CAT exam, so it's important to check the eligibility requirements of each IIM and preferred programs beforehand.
Based on past trends, the CAT 2026 notification is expected in July 2026, along with details about registration dates, eligibility, and exam schedule.