CAT 2026: Official Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Important Details
CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on 29th November 2026. Get updates on registration, revised syllabus, exam pattern, and prep tips.
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📚 Explore CAT 2026 Sections
📌 CAT 2026 Highlights
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📅 Important Dates
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📢 CAT 2026 Notification
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✅ Eligibility Criteria
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📝 Registration Process
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📊 Exam Pattern
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📘 Syllabus
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🎯 Preparation Strategy
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🎟️ Admit Card
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📈 Exam Analysis
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🏁 Results
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❓ FAQs
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CAT 2026 Overview
CAT Notification Out! The CAT 2026 Exam will be conducted on 29th November 2026. Applications start from 3rd August 2026 at 10:00 AM (IST) and the registration ends on 15th September 2026 at 5:00 PM (IST). The Admit Card can be downloaded from 4th November to 29th November 2026 via the official CAT website.
Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 must know all exam-related details such as important dates, syllabus, eligibility, exam pattern, and previous year question papers.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India's most prestigious management entrance exams for admission into IIMs and other top MBA institutes.
📌 CAT 2026 Highlights
Key details about the CAT 2026 exam at a glance.
| 📘 Name of Exam | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
|---|---|
| 🏫 Conducting Body | IIM Indore |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| 📅 Frequency | Once every year |
| 📝 Application Process | Online |
| 💸 Application Fees | INR 2700 (General/EWS/OBC-NCL) INR 1350 (SC/ST/PwD) |
| 🎓 Eligibility | 50% (General) 45% (Reserved) in Graduation |
| ⏱️ Duration | 2 hours |
| 🧩 Sections | Quantitative Ability (QA) Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| ❓ Questions | ≈66 (varies by year) |
| 🗣️ Medium | English (CBT Mode) |
| 🏛️ Admission | IIMs + Other B-Schools |
| 🎯 Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM in Various Streams |
| 📞 Helpdesk (as per previous years) | cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in 1800-2090-830 |
📘 Name of Exam
CAT (Common Admission Test)
🏫 Conducting Body
IIM Indore
🌐 Official Website
https://iimcat.ac.in
📅 Frequency
Once every year
📝 Application Process
Online
💸 Application Fees
INR 2700 (General/EWS/OBC-NCL)
INR 1350 (SC/ST/PwD)
🎓 Eligibility
50% (General)
45% (Reserved) in Graduation
⏱️ Duration
2 hours
🧩 Sections
QA, VARC, DILR
❓ Questions
≈66 (varies)
🗣️ Medium
English (CBT)
🏛️ Admission
IIMs + B-Schools
🎯 Courses Offered
MBA / PGDM
📞 Helpdesk (as per previous years)
cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in
1800-2090-830
📅 Important Dates For CAT 2026
CAT 2026 will be held on 29th November 2026 (Sunday). Registration begins on 3rd August 2026 (10:00 AM IST) and ends on 15th September 2026 (5:00 PM IST).
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Date | Out Now |
| CAT 2026 Registration Form Starts | 3rd August 2026 (10:00 AM IST) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | 15th September 2026 (5:00 PM IST) |
| CAT Form Correction Date | Expected 24th-27th September 2026 (To be confirmed on iimcat.ac.in) |
| CAT Official Tutorial Release Date | 1st week of November 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Admit Card Download | 4th November to 29th November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29th November 2026 (Sunday) |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release | 1st week of December 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Result Date | Third week of December 2026 (Tentative) |
CAT 2026 Notification Date
Out Now
CAT 2026 Registration Form Starts
3rd August 2026 (10:00 AM IST)
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
15th September 2026 (5:00 PM IST)
CAT Form Correction Date
Expected 24th-27th September 2026 (To be confirmed on iimcat.ac.in)
CAT Official Tutorial Release Date
1st week of November 2026 (Expected)
CAT Admit Card Download
4th November to 29th November 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date
29th November 2026 (Sunday)
CAT 2026 Answer Key Release
1st week of December 2026 (Expected)
CAT 2026 Result Date
Third week of December 2026 (Tentative)
📢 CAT 2026 Notification
IIM Indore will conduct the CAT 2026 exam on 29th November 2026. Registrations will open on 3rd August 2026 at 10:00 AM (IST).
🕒 Exam Structure
The duration of CAT 2026 will be 2 hours, divided into 3 sections:
- VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA: Quantitative Ability
📚 Know More About CAT 2026:
📝 CAT 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT), candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria as defined by the exam conducting IIM.
✅ CAT Eligibility 2026
- Must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university.
- Minimum 50% marks in graduation (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories).
- Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible.
⚠️ New Eligibility Rules
In 2021, the minimum graduation percentage requirement was temporarily waived for certain candidates (historical context only; not applicable to 2026 unless stated on the official site).
🧾 CAT 2026 Reservation Policy
CAT follows the Government of India's reservation guidelines:
- 27% – OBC-NCL
- 15% – Scheduled Caste (SC)
- 7.5% – Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- 10% – Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- 5% – Persons with Disability (PwD) — horizontal reservation
🖊️ CAT 2026 Registration Process
CAT 2026 registrations will begin on 3rd August 2026 at 10:00 AM (IST).
📋 Step-by-Step: How To Apply
- Create your user profile on the CAT official website.
- Enter personal, academic, and work experience details.
- Select IIMs and programs of interest.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates).
- Pay the application fee securely online.
- Download confirmation PDF after final submission.
📎 Documents Checklist
- 10th, 12th, Graduation marksheets (scanned copies).
- Valid caste/ category certificate (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS).
- Clear scanned passport-size photo & signature.
| 📄 Scanned Document | ✅ Correct Dimensions | 📐 File Format |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 45 mm x 30 mm | JPEG/JPG, Max 80 KB |
| Signature | 35 mm x 80 mm | JPEG/JPG, Max 80 KB |
📝 How To Fill The CAT Application Form 2026?
Follow this step-by-step guide to register for CAT 2026. Ensure you have all required documents and accurate information before starting the application.
Step 1: CAT 2026 Registration
- Visit the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
- Click on “Register” under the ‘New Candidate Registration’ tab.
- Enter the following details:
- Full Name (as per academic records)
- Date of Birth
- Email ID & Mobile Number
- Nationality
- Click “Generate OTP” and verify using the received OTP.
- After successful registration, you’ll receive your CAT 2026 User ID & Password.
Step 2: Fill Out CAT Application Form
Login using your CAT 2026 credentials to access the application form, which has 6 major sections:
1. Personal Details
- Full Name, DOB, Gender, Nationality
- Category & Communication Address
- Email ID & Mobile Number
2. Academic Details
- 10th & 12th marks
- Graduation details & mark sheets
- Professional course details (if any)
3. Work Experience
- Company name(s)
- Start & end dates
- Total duration of experience
4. Programmes
- Select IIMs of your choice
- Choose preferred MBA/PGP programs
5. Test City
Choose up to 5 preferred cities in order of priority.
6. Fee Payment
Pay the application fee via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit card.
📍 CAT 2026 Exam Centers
CAT 2026 will be conducted across numerous cities in India. Candidates can select up to 5 preferred cities while registering. Below is the reference list of CAT 2023 test cities:
💳 Step 3: Payment of CAT 2026 Application Fee
Once you’ve completed all the previous sections of the form, proceed to pay the CAT registration cum application fee.
- Click on “Save & Continue” after completing the form to proceed to the payment gateway.
- You can pay the fee using Credit/Debit Cards, Net Banking, UPI, or other listed payment methods.
- After successful payment, an official CAT confirmation email and PDF will be sent to your registered email ID.
💰 CAT 2026 Application Fee
The official CAT 2026 application fee has been revised. Candidates can make payments online via UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit cards, and other approved methods.
Based on the official 2026 notification:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1350 |
✏️ How To Make Corrections in CAT 2026 Application?
The CAT 2026 correction window timeline will be announced on the official website.
- Log in using your Registered Candidate Login credentials (User ID and Password).
- You will be able to upload new photographs or signatures if the earlier ones were incorrect.
- You can also change your preferred test city during this window.
- Other fields such as name, category, and academic details may not be editable.
*Changes are only allowed during the official correction window timeline.
📝 CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test (CBT) of 120 minutes (2 hours) conducted in English. Since 2020, the test structure has changed from 180 to 120 minutes, with each section timed at 40 minutes.
Candidates will attempt both MCQ and Non-MCQ (TITA) questions. There is negative marking only for MCQs.
⏱️ Exam Duration
120 minutes (2 hours), 40 minutes per section
📚 Sections
VARC, DILR, QA
💬 Language
English only
❌ Negative Marking
-1 for wrong MCQ; No negative for Non-MCQ
📊 Section-Wise Distribution (Recent Pattern)
| Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | Non-MCQs |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| DILR | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| QA | 22 | 14 | 8 |
| Total | 66 | 48 | 18 |
🕒 CAT Exam Slot Timings
| Slot | Timing |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
📐 CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
| Type of Question | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | +3 | -1 |
| Non-MCQ (TITA) | +3 | 0 |
📚 CAT 2026 Syllabus
The CAT exam comprises three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). While there's no official syllabus, here's a curated list based on trends and past year papers.
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📘 How To Prepare For CAT Exam 2026?
The CAT entrance exam is divided into three major sections: VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude). Effective preparation involves mastering concepts, building speed and accuracy, and refining test-taking strategies.
🧠 Phase 1: Conceptual Clarity
This is the foundation-building stage. Focus on:
- Understanding concepts across VARC, DILR, and QA
- Improving speed in mental calculations
- Learning vocabulary, comprehension techniques, and puzzle logic
- Creating a daily or weekly prep plan
⏱️ Phase 2: Regular Practice & Shortcuts
Build comfort with question types by:
- Solving topic-wise practice sets regularly
- Learning and applying shortcuts for quant and logic
- Tracking weak areas and revisiting them
- Developing stamina and accuracy for time-bound tests
📊 Phase 3: Mocks & Deep Analysis
This is the most critical phase leading up to the exam:
- Take full-length CAT mock tests regularly
- Analyze performance after each mock — section-wise and question-wise
- Identify recurring mistakes and blind spots
- Refine your exam-day strategy and time allocation
✨ Remember: Mock test analysis is as important as solving the test. Spend 2x the time analyzing a mock as you do attempting it.
📝 Mock Tests for CAT 2026
| Topic | Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 | Test 4 | Test 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
| DILR | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
| Quant | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
🎯 Section-wise Preparation Strategy For CAT 2026
- How to ace the VARC section?
- How to ace the DILR section?
- How to ace the QA section?
- How to analyse a Mock most effectively?
- Things to keep in mind on the day before CAT
- An ultimate resource list for CAT preparation
- Preparation strategy for working professionals
📘 Quantitative Books For CAT
- NCERT Mathematics Books (6–10)
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT – Sarvesh Verma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Nishit Sinha
📘 Verbal Books For CAT
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and RC – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
- Verbal Ability and RC for CAT – Nishit Sinha
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- High School Grammar and Composition – Wren and Martin
- Read books from different genres
📘 DILR Books For CAT
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning – R.S. Agarwal
- How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT – Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT – Arun Sharma
- Logical Reasoning and DI for CAT – Nishit Sinha
📘 GK Books For CAT
- The Hindu, Financial Express, The Economist
- Manorama Yearbook
- Current Affairs Yearly – Arihant
- Static GK – A.P. Bhardwaj
- Advanced Objective GK – S. Chand
📄 CAT Previous Year Question Papers
- CAT 2025 Question Paper
- CAT 2024 Question Paper
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2020 Question Paper
- CAT 2019, 2018, 2017 Question Papers
Reviewing past CAT papers helps you understand the question patterns and difficulty levels. Use them as mocks and analyze your performance for better preparation.
🧠 Free Mock Tests For CAT – Mini Mocks
The most important part of your CAT prep journey! InsideIIM's Mini Mocks are short, timed quizzes designed to help you benchmark, revise, and master CAT-level questions across all 3 sections.
- Daily tests with CAT-level VARC, DILR, and QA questions
- Access to 90+ mini mocks with detailed solutions
- Free, 20-min timed quizzes that mimic CAT interface
- Performance analytics – percentile, leaderboard, avg. time
- 25+ hours of free practice content
- Join 6000+ serious aspirants & get ranking insights
🎫 CAT 2026 Admit Card
The CAT 2026 admit card is available for download on the official IIMCAT website from 4th November to 29th November 2026. Only registered candidates will be able to access their admit card.
📥 How To Download CAT 2026 Admit Card:
- Visit the official IIMCAT website
- Click on “CAT 2026 Admit Card”
- Login using your CAT User ID and Password
- Navigate to the ‘Admit Card’ tab
- Download and save the PDF of your CAT 2026 admit card
✅ Things To Carry On CAT 2026 Exam Day
- CAT Admit Card (printed copy)
- Valid government-issued photo ID proof
- One passport-size photograph (same as application form)
- Self-declaration form (if specified in admit card instructions)
- Sanitizer and face mask (as per centre guidelines)
- Name change proof (if applicable)
- Medical certificate and scribe affidavit (if applicable)
❌ Things Not Allowed On CAT 2026 Exam Day
- Electronic gadgets: mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, iPads
- Eatables and drinks (except water in a transparent bottle)
- Bags, purses, wallets
- Metallic jewelry, accessories
- Jackets or clothing with pockets (as per frisking rules)
- Footwear with thick soles or high heels
📊 CAT 2026 Exam Analysis
The CAT 2026 exam analysis will be released slot-wise immediately after the exam is conducted. CAT experts and mentors will provide a detailed breakdown of the exam pattern, difficulty level across all three sections (VARC, DILR, QA), and expected percentiles based on performance trends.
These insights are extremely valuable for CAT aspirants preparing for upcoming exams, helping them understand question trends and improve strategy for mocks and future attempts.
📌 CAT 2024 Slot-Wise Analysis (reference):
- Slot 1: Moderate difficulty, tougher DILR sets
- Slot 2: QA was lengthy, VARC was moderate
- Slot 3: DILR eased up, but VARC was trickier
Use the 2024 benchmarks to estimate percentile cut-offs and evaluate your performance when appearing for mocks.
📌 CAT 2025 Analysis
- CAT 2025 Full Exam Analysis - Difficulty Level, Section Insights, Good Attempts, and Expected Scores vs Percentiles
- CAT 2025 Slot 1 Analysis: Exam Pattern, Difficulty Level, Key Insights
- CAT 2025 Slot 2 Analysis: Exam Pattern, Difficulty Level, Key Insights
- CAT 2025 Slot 3 Analysis: Exam Pattern, Difficulty Level, Key Insights
📊 CAT 2026 Results
From result date to what comes next, everything you need to know in one place.
📅 Result Date
The CAT 2026 results are likely to be declared by the first week of January 2027. Candidates can download their scorecards from the official IIMCAT website.
📈 Scorecard Details
Your CAT scorecard will display sectional scaled scores and percentiles. These are calculated by normalizing raw scores across different slots.
🧾 CAT 2026 Response Key
The response sheet is expected to be available in early December 2026 at iimcat.ac.in. It includes:
- All questions attempted
- Your responses
- Official answer key
Use it to estimate your raw score and projected percentile.
📝 What Happens After Results?
- Shortlists will be available on individual IIM websites.
- IIMs will send interview invites to selected candidates via email.
- Shortlisting criteria vary across IIMs.
- Check the official selection policies here:IIM Selection Criteria
🔗 Explore More Resources:
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CAT 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
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