CAT 2026: Exam Date (Nov 29), Registration (Started), Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers, Preparation Tips

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted for admission ot PG management courses. BLACKI IIMs conduct the CAT exam on a rotationary basis; this year IIM Indore is conducting CAT. IIMs started conducting CAT for PG admission in 1977. With several changes across these years, IIMs transitioned to an online exam in 2009. CAT exam is conducted to test candidates across three different sections, namely Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). CAT exam is conducted yearly as a computer-based test.

This national-level exam is accepted by over 1600 colleges, including 22 IIMs, making it a highly competitive exam.

Also Check: Colleges Accepting CAT Scores in India

IIM Courses Offered via CAT 2026

Check the table below for IIM courses offered via the CAT exam. Candidates need to provide IIM Programme preference while filling CAT application form: 

CAT vs Other MBA Exams

IIM CAT is among the top MBA entrance exams in India. Other prominent entrance exams include

• NMAT, which is conducted for admission to over 50+ bschools in India, including NMIMS, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and more.
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), conducted for admission to constituent colleges of Symbiosis International University.
• Xavier's Aptitude Test (XAT), conducted for admission to Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), along with 200+ B-schools in India.

All MBA exams test candidates on almost similar levels, the difference between CAT and other MBA exams lies in the exam pattern, syllabus, and difficulty level. In contrast with CAT, XAT has unique decision-making sections, SNAP focuses on speed with a short 60-minute format, and NMAT offers student-friendly flexibility with three attempts and no negative marking.

NOTE: IIMs only accept CAT for MBA admissions. While other B-schools have distinct selection criteria, which may include acceptance for CAT, XAT, XNAP, NMAT, among other MBA entrance exams.

Also Read:

• Is XAT Tougher Than CAT Exam?
• Difference Between CAT and NMAT
• Is SNAP Tougher Than CAT Exam?

CAT Notification 2026 Details

The IIM CAT 2026 notification was released on July 26. The official notification informs candidates about all aspects of the exam, such as the test date, application schedule, admit card, and result announcement. Candidates can refer to the CAT exam notification 2026 to know the following details:

• Eligibility criteria
• Reservation policy
• Courses offered by IIMs through CAT
• Application details
• CAT exam pattern
• Exam timings
• Number of test cities

Also Read: 

• Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score in India 2026
• Top 30 Non IIMs Colleges Accepting CAT Score

On average, around 2.5 lakh candidates appear for the CAT examination every year, out of which only 20-25 score between the 99.99 and 100 percentile. This indicates that the CAT is a high difficulty level exam. Check the table below for the CAT exam snapshot:

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CAT Registration Numbers vs Appeared Candidates

Since 2005, CAT registration numbers increased by 93.5%, i.e. a growth from 1,70,000 in 2005 to an all time high of 3,29,000 in 2024. The average candidate attendance rate across these years was 88.6%. Check the table below for an analysis of CAT registration numbers and appeared candidates:

CAT eligibility criteria are defined in line with AICTE guidelines for PG-level professional courses. Given below are the main criteria that candidates have to meet to be eligible for the CAT entrance exam:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a with a minimum of 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
  • Final-year bachelor's degree candidates are also eligible to apply for CAT. Such candidates must ensure that the scores of the first two years of their programme meet the minimum requirement.
  • Professional degree holders such as CAs, CSs, CMAs, or Fellows of the Institute of Actuaries of India can also apply
• Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for CAT exam.
• CAT Attempt Limit: There is no limit to appear for CAT exam.

Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

IIM Reservation Policy 2026

Find the reservation policy at IIMs for admissions via CAT exam:

IIM Indore hosts the CAT registration cum application form online. To know how to fill CAT application form, check the registration process below:

• Visit the CAT exam official website: iimcat.ac.in.
• Click on 'CAT 2026 New Registration'.
• Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID to register.
• Log in with the User ID received on your registered email to fill out the CAT 2026 application form.
• Enter personal and academic details (parents' details, contact info, etc.).
• Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature.
• Select your preferred courses and IIMs.
• Select CAT exam city preferences from the drop-down menu.
• Pay the CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking.

Also Read: CAT Application Form 2026 

Details to Fill in CAT Exam Form 2026

Candidates will have to provide the following details while filling the CAT 2026 application form:

• Personal details

• Communication address

• Emergency contact details

• Document upload, including passport-size photo, signature, and category certificate)

• Academic details

• SSC/Class 10 details

• HSC/Class 12/Diploma details

• Bachelor’s degree details

• Master’s degree details

• Other professional degree details

• Work experience

• Programmes and interview city preference

• Up to five test city preferences

CAT Application Fee 2026

The CAT registration fee varies based on the candidate's category. Check the table for CAT 2026 exam fees below: 

Common Mistakes to Avoid while Filling CAT Exam Form

Candidates must avoid the following mistakes while filling the CAT application form:

• Incorrect personal details, like name, date of birth, category, gender, nationality, etc.
• Entering incorrect academic marks or making mistakes while converting CGPA to percentage
• Not following document upload specifications for Photograph and Signature
• Choosing exam city preferences that are far from your residence
• Choosing IIM programme preferences carelessly
• Making duplicate payment

NOTE: Candidates filling CAT exam form must click on the 'Preview' button after adding details. One must cross check these details before proceeding to registration fee payment.

The CAT 2026 question paper will have MCQs and TITA questions. There will be negative marking for incorrect attempts. Check the highlights of the CAT 2026 exam pattern below:

CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Key Points to Note

• All three CAT exam sections will have a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The computer screen will move to the next section as soon as the time is up for a section.
• Questions will be in MCQ as well as TITA (Type In The Answer) format. For MCQs, candidates will have to mark only one option as the correct answer.
• For TITA questions, they will have to enter the answer using the keyboard.
• In the CAT examination, candidates will be allowed to use an on-screen calculator. They will also be given a loose sheet to do rough work.
• The total marks for the CAT exam 2026 will be 204.

CAT 2026 Sectional Breakup

VARC has the maximum weightage in CAT and is also the lengthiest. Given below is the sectional breakup of the CAT question paper:

Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years

Last major change in CAT exam pattern happened during the COVID-19 pandemic with a change in exam duration. The number of questions had also been decreased. IIM Indore has not announced any change in the CAT 2026 exam pattern in the notification. Check the table below for CAT exam pattern changes over the years:

The CAT exam syllabus is broadly divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Check below for the main topics of the CAT syllabus 2026. 

NOTE: The conducting IIM does not publish CAT syllabus. The topics mentioned above are inferred from past papers.

Also Read:

• CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
• Logical Reasoning Topics for CAT

Obtaining a good score in CAT exam requires candidates to follow a structured approach with section wise preparation and effective time management on the day of the exam. Check complete details on CAT 2026 preparation below

Phase-Wise CAT 2026 Study Plan

Organise CAT 2026 preparation into three phases to ensure complete syllabus coverage and sufficient mock practice.

Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips 2026

Each section of the CAT exam requires a different attempt strategy and mindset. Check section wise CAT preparation tips below:

CAT VARC Preparation Tips

• Build a daily reading habit to improve speed and adapt to complex topics and unfamiliar genres.
• Focus on Reading Comprehension as RC passages account to 80 per cent of the VARC section. Practice to identify the main idea, central theme, and tone of the author.
• Master verbal ability types, such as Parajumbles, Para-Summary, and Odd-One-Out questions. Questions from verbal ability are likely to be in TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) formats.
• Focus on understanding why incorrect options are wrong during practice rather than just finding the correct answer.

CAT DILR Preparation Tips

• Practice scanning all sets in the first 3 to 5 minutes to identify easy and moderate sets before solving.
• Solve a wide range of logical arrangements, games and tournaments, matrix grids, and complex data charts to handle unpredictable CAT patterns.
• Keep your representations, tables, and working notes organised to avoid calculation errors or repeating steps mid-way.
• If a set stalls for more than 8 to 10 minutes without progress, move immediately to another set.

CAT Quant Preparation Tips

• Prioritise high-weightage topics like Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio, TSD, Work) and Algebra before moving to Geometry and Modern Math.
• Keep a dedicated notebook for shortcuts, theorems, and important formulas for daily quick revision.
• Prioritise getting questions right over attempting a high volume. Aim for round-based attempts: easy questions in round 1, moderate questions in round 2.
• Improve basic speed-math, square roots, cubes, and fraction-to-percentage conversions to save time on basic calculations.

Best Books for CAT 2026 Preparation

Refer to these standard prep titles to build concepts and practice graded exercise sets:

• NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
• A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
• 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis

CAT 2026 Mock Test Strategy: When to Start and How Many to Take?

Practising CAT mock tests is among the primary preparation techniques to build speed as well as accuracy. Check CAT mock test strategy below:

• When to Start?: Begin taking full-length mock tests once 50 to 60 per cent of the CAT syllabus is covered.
• Frequency: Take 1 mock per week initially. Increase frequency to 2 to 3 mocks per week in the last month before CAT exam.
• How many mocks to practice?: Aim to complete at least 40 full-length mocks and 20 sectional tests overall before exam day.
• Analysis Method: Spend 2 to 3 hours analysing every mock test. Categorise errors into conceptual mistakes, calculation errors, and poor question choices.

For additional details on test series, sectional tests, and scoring benchmarks, refer to the detailed CAT mock test article.

Time Management Tips for CAT Exam Day

• Follow a Round-Based Attempt Strategy: In each 40-minute sectional slot, divide time into two rounds. Solve easy and direct questions in Round 1, then return to moderate or lengthy questions in Round 2.
• Strict Time Allocation Per Question: Do not spend more than 2 to 3 minutes on a single QA question or more than 10 to 12 minutes on a single DILR set without progress.
• Ignore External Pressure: Focus entirely on your screen and maintain your individual pacing throughout all three 40-minute windows.
• Utilise the On-Screen Calculator Wisely: Use the digital calculator strictly for complex divisions or multi-step operations; rely on mental math for basic calculations to save time.

CAT Preparation via Free vs Paid Prep Resources

Check the space below to know free vs paid CAT preparation below: 

Important Articles on CAT 2026 Preparation

• CAT Preparation Plan: Ultimate Tips from Experts
• Strategies to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT Exam
• CAT 2026 DILR Strategy to Score 26 Marks and Get 95 Percentile
• CAT 2026 VARC Strategy to Score 30 Marks and Get 95 Percentile
• CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Score 25 Marks and Get 95 Percentile

CAT Topper Strategies and Insights

Learning from past CAT toppers can help you build an efficient daily schedule and avoid common preparation mistakes.