CAT 2026 - Common Admission Test
The CAT 2026 entrance exam will be conducted by IIM Indore for admission into MBA, PGDM, and other management programs in IIMs, IITs, and over 1,300 top B-schools across India . The official notification is expected to be released in July 2026, and the entrance exam will be held in November 2026 .
The CAT 2026 application form will start in August 2026, and candidates will be able to apply until September 2026 . The complete process will be online through the official IIM CAT portal iimcat.ac.in. After registration closes, the same portal will be used for admit cards, answer keys, results, scorecards, and further admission processes.
CAT 2026 Overview
CAT stands for Common Admission Test. This national-level exam is conducted for admission to MBA and management programs at the 22 IIMs and more than 1,000 other business schools across India . CAT 2026 is expected to be held in November 2026, with a total of 68 questions to be completed in 120 minutes .
For students planning to appear, the CAT exam date, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and exam pattern are important points to understand in advance. The exam plays a key role in management education and career opportunities, and performance in CAT directly affects admission chances at premier institutes.
CAT 2026 Key Dates
Students preparing for CAT 2026 should know the important dates in advance. The notification, application form, last date, exam date, answer key, and result are essential for every candidate. Below is the expected schedule for CAT 2026 .
CAT 2026 Exam Eligibility
The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria are set by the exam authority for candidates wishing to appear in the Common Admission Test. Candidates must meet the academic requirements before applying :
General Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories) from a recognized university .
Final-year students in eligible degree programs can also apply provisionally .
There is no age limit to appear for CAT .
Candidates with professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA are also eligible .
There is no limit on the number of attempts .
These rules determine who can appear for the CAT 2026 exam. Applicants should check their qualifications carefully before filling out the online application form.
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Section Wise
The CAT 2026 syllabus covers major topics across three sections. The exam includes Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) . The paper is conducted for a total of 204 marks in 120 minutes .
VARC – Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Correction, Odd One Out, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning .
DILR – Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Tables, Charts, Graphs, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Blood Relations, Syllogism .
Quantitative Aptitude – Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Maths .
CAT 2026 Exam Paper Formet
The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in English, with a total duration of 120 minutes and 204 marks. The paper includes 68 questions from different sections designed to test candidates’ language comprehension, analytical reasoning, and mathematical ability .
Key Points:
All questions are compulsory within each section.
Candidates cannot switch between sections once the timer starts .
TITA questions carry no negative marking, making them relatively safer to attempt .
This pattern helps candidates plan their preparation and manage time effectively during the exam.
How to Apply for CAT 2026
The CAT 2026 application form can be filled through the official IIM CAT portal. The application process is expected to begin in August 2026, and the last date to apply will be in September 2026 .
Steps to Apply :
Visit the official CAT 2026 website iimcat.ac.in.
Click on “New Registration” and enter your name, email ID, and mobile number.
Verify the registration using the OTP received on your email or mobile.
Login using the CAT ID and Password generated after registration.
Fill in personal, academic, and communication details.
Select the preferred test cities (up to 6), IIMs, and courses .
Upload the scanned photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable).
Enter work experience details, if applicable .
Pay the application fee (₹2,600 for General/EWS/NC-OBC; ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD) .
Submit the application form.
Save or print the confirmation page for future reference.
CAT 2026 Exam Application Required Documents
Candidates must keep the following documents ready while filling the CAT 2026 application form through the official portal :
Recent passport-size photograph (as per given format)
Scanned signature
Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.)
Category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
PwD certificate (if applicable)
Graduation mark sheets or provisional certificate
Final year certificate (for appearing candidates, if required)
CAT ID and password details after registration
Payment proof or transaction receipt (after fee submission)
CAT 2026 Official Website
Candidates must keep the following documents ready while filling the CAT 2026 application form through the official portal :
Recent passport-size photograph (as per given format)
Scanned signature
Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.)
Category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
PwD certificate (if applicable)
Graduation mark sheets or provisional certificate
Final year certificate (for appearing candidates, if required)
CAT ID and password details after registration
Payment proof or transaction receipt (after fee submission)
