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National LevelComputer Based Test (CBT)

CAT 2026

Common Admission Test

Conducted by: Indian Institutes of Management (by rotation) (IIMs)Exam Date: 24 November 2026
MBAPGDMPGPExecutive MBAPhD (Management)
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OverviewImportant DatesEligibilityExam PatternSyllabusCutoffPreparationFAQ
Exam Date
24 November 2026
Total Marks
228
Duration
2 hours
Frequency
Once a year

About CAT 2026

Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) is the single national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (by rotation) (IIMs), it is mandatory for admissions to MBA, PGDM, PGP, Executive MBA, PhD (Management) and other medical/dental programs across all government and private colleges in India.

The exam is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) format and is available in English. The total duration is 2 hours with a maximum score of 228 marks. The syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Every year, over 20 lakh students register for NEET making it one of the most competitive exams in India. The exam score is used for admission to approximately 1,10,000+ MBBS and BDS seats across the country, including AIIMS and JIPMER institutes.

Last updated: March 2026Reviewed by: AdmissionMilega Counseling Team
Sources:National Testing Agency
Conducted By
IIMs
Mode
Computer & Paper
Frequency
Once a year
Total Marks
228
Duration
2 hours
Courses
5+ programs

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Event
Date
Status
Registration Start
August 2026
Upcoming
Registration Last Date
September 2026
Upcoming
Admit Card Release
October 2026
Upcoming
Exam Date
24 November 2026
Upcoming
Answer Key Release
December 2026
Upcoming
Result Declaration
January 2027
Upcoming
IIM Interview Shortlists
January–February 2027
Upcoming
Final Admission Offers
March–April 2027
Upcoming

*Dates are tentative and subject to change. Check official website for confirmed dates.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

  • Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
  • Candidates in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply
  • Degrees obtained through distance learning or correspondence are also accepted
  • Professional qualifications like CA, CS, ICWA are also considered equivalent
Age Criteria
No age limit for CAT
Attempts
No limit on number of attempts
Nationality
Indian Nationals only. For NRIs and foreign nationals, IIMs have separate admission processes
Application Fee
General / EWS / OBC-NCL₹2,400
SC / ST / PwD₹1,200
Additional Test Centres₹800 per centre
Transgender₹1,200

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Subject
Questions
Marks
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
24
72
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
24
72
Quantitative Ability (QA)
24
72
Total
72
228

Marking Scheme

+3 for correct MCQ, -1 for incorrect MCQ. No negative marking for non-MCQ (TITA) questions. Approximately 15-17 MCQs and 7-9 TITA questions per section.

+4
Correct Answer
-1
Wrong Answer
0
Unanswered
Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes) — 40 minutes per section

CAT 2026 Syllabus

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension (3-5 passages, ~16 questions)
Para Jumbles
Para Summary
Odd Sentence Out
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Completion
Vocabulary-based questions
Grammar & Usage
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Tables & Charts
Bar Graphs & Pie Charts
Line Graphs
Caselets
Data Sufficiency
Seating Arrangements
Blood Relations
Syllogisms
Binary Logic
Puzzles & Games
Network Diagrams
Venn Diagrams
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Number Systems
Percentages & Profit-Loss
Ratio & Proportion
Time, Speed & Distance
Time & Work
Averages & Mixtures
Algebra (Linear & Quadratic Equations)
Geometry & Mensuration
Trigonometry
Permutations & Combinations
Probability
Set Theory
Logarithms
Inequalities
Progressions (AP & GP)

CAT 2026 Cutoff (Previous Years)

Year
General
OBC
SC
ST
2025
100-80
79-70
60-50
50-40
2024
100-80
80-70
62-52
52-42
2023
99-80
79-68
58-48
48-38
2022
99-78
78-66
56-46
46-36

*Cutoff shown as marks range (highest-lowest qualifying). Source: NTA official data.

CAT 2026 Preparation Tips

1
Build Reading Habits
Read editorials from The Hindu, Economic Times, and LiveMint daily. VARC carries one-third of the total marks and strong reading speed (250+ wpm) is essential.
2
Master Quant Fundamentals
Brush up on Class 8-10 math concepts. Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry — these topics account for nearly 70% of QA questions.
3
Practice DILR Sets Daily
Solve 2-3 DILR sets daily from previous CAT papers. DILR is the most unpredictable section — regular practice builds pattern recognition.
4
Take Sectional Mocks
Before full mocks, take sectional mocks to build speed in each area. Aim for 90%+ accuracy in your strong section.
5
Full Mock Tests
Start taking full-length CAT mocks 4 months before the exam. Analyze each mock thoroughly — spend 2-3 hours on analysis for every 2-hour mock.
6
Time Management Strategy
In each 40-minute section, spend first 2 minutes scanning all questions. Attempt easy questions first, mark difficult ones for review. Target 18-20 attempts per section with 85%+ accuracy.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2026 Score

1
IIM Ahmedabad
2
IIM Bangalore
3
IIM Calcutta
4
IIM Lucknow
5
IIM Kozhikode
6
IIM Indore
7
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) Delhi
8
MDI Gurgaon
9
SP Jain Institute Mumbai
10
XLRI Jamshedpur

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CAT 2026?
CAT (Common Admission Test) 2026 is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by IIMs on a rotational basis. CAT scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India for admission to MBA/PGDM programs.
When is CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November 2026 (24 November 2026). Registration typically opens in August 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
Who is eligible for CAT 2026?
Any candidate with a bachelor's degree (any discipline) with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university. Final year graduation students can also apply.
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
CAT 2026 has 3 sections — VARC, DILR, and QA — with 24 questions each (total 72 questions). Each correct MCQ gets +3 marks, incorrect MCQ gets -1. TITA questions have no negative marking. Total marks: 228. Duration: 2 hours (40 min/section).
Is there sectional cutoff in CAT?
Yes. IIMs have both overall and sectional percentile cutoffs. You must clear the cutoff in each section separately. This is why it's important to prepare all three sections equally.
What percentile is needed for top IIMs?
For IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, a 99+ percentile is typically needed. For other top IIMs (Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore), 95-98 percentile is competitive. For new IIMs, 85-90 percentile can secure calls.
Can working professionals take CAT?
Absolutely. There is no age limit or restriction on work experience. In fact, IIMs value work experience and it earns additional points in the selection process. Many IIMs also offer Executive MBA programs for experienced professionals.
How to apply for CAT 2026?
Visit iimcat.ac.in during the registration window (Aug-Sep 2026). Register with a valid email, fill the application form, upload documents, select test centres, and pay the fee online. For guidance on MBA admissions, contact AdmissionMilega.

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