Which documents are required for filling CAT application form?

Candidates need the following documents while filling the CAT application form: A recent passport size photo (color against white background) Scanned signature with black pen on white paper Any photo ID card like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport Class 10 marksheet Class 12 marksheet Graduation marksheet Permanent address proof Work experience documents Reserved category students need to upload Category Certificate along with the CAT application form. The Certificate is available on the CAT website. Candidates can download, fill it, get it attested by competent authority and upload it as PDF with the CAT application form. The PwD category students also have to fill the PwD form and Scribe affidavit along with the exam application form. This is necessary for getting scribe facility and PwD facility at the test centre. The CAT application form is same for students from all categories. Those belonging to a particular category (SC/ST/PwD) will be required to mention it in the relevant field of the CAT form.

Is there any fee charged for CAT form correction?

No, the candidates do not have to pay any fee for CAT form correction. The facility is provided to candidates free of cost. However, if they have made an error in a field that will not be available for editing during form correction, then they will have to fill a fresh form before the submission deadline and pay the CAT application fee again. So, candidates must review the CAT application form before submitting to check whether they have filled all the information correctly or not. Once submitted, the form will not be editable but of photo, signature and test city.

What is the process to select CAT test city for exam centre allotment?

There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.

Who will conduct CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 may be conducted by IIM Indore. The institute had last conducted the exam in 2020, Since the top six IIMs - BLACKI are given the responsibility to convene on rotation basis exam every five year, this year, it could be IIM Indore. Official announcement will be made most likely in May.

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.

Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

There is no pattern to which CAT question paper can be the toughest. The CAT question paper of every slot has unique questions. The examination body strives to maintain the same difficulty level of the paper across all slots but it may happen that a question can be more difficult from another. It is seen that, to keep the uniqueness of the question paper intact, the examination authority also changes the topic wise weightage a little bit across the exam slots. In most of the previous years, it is seen that the morning slot of the CAT exam is tougher than the rest two. However, candidates must not worry about the difficulty level of the slots as, the scores of all the candidates are normalised on a common scale to root out the possibility of advantage or disadvantage to any student due to difference in difficulty level. To know how the CAT scores are normalised, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.

Which topics have the highest weightage in CAT exam?

In CAT Quantitative Aptitude, Arithmetic has the highest weightage with 7-8 questions in every shift. In VARC, Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage with about 16 questions. In DILR, the number of questions are equally distributed.

How many DI questions are asked in CAT?

Data Interpretation or DI is a sub part of CAT's second section DILR. This section has 20 -22 questions (until 2023, the totla number of DILR questions was 20, and in 2024 the number of questions was 22). Both Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning questions have equal number of questions. Candidates must make sure that they prepare for both topics well as the weightage is equal and if they are ill prepared for either of the two, their score will get affected.

What percentile is required for IIM Raipur?

The general category CAT percentile cutoff at IIM Raipur normally lies between 92 and 95%, though it could differ somewhat depending on the category (OBC, SC, ST) and applicant pool. At somewhat lower percentiles, candidates with a solid academic background and pertinent professional experience may be given consideration. A comprehensive review that takes into account the candidate's performance on the Written Ability Test (WAT), academic background, and personal interview (PI) is required for the ultimate selection. The likelihood of being shortlisted for the following round of the selection process increases with higher scores.

Why is CAT considered a difficult MBA entrance exam?

The CAT is conducted as a difficult MBA entrance exam because it is the main national level test for MBA Admission in India. Over 2 Lacs candidates appear for it every year. Thus, the competition is high. The question paper is set by the IIM. Even though the score is accepted by over 1300 colleges the top colleges accept above 90 percentile. The Iims have cut offs above 95 percentile. It has been seen that out of the total number of test takers which is usually around 2 Lacs, only about 20 candidates are able to score 99-100 percentile. The difficulty level of CAT is the highest among all the MBA entrance exams in India. It is conducted for 2 hours and has 66 questions in total to solve. However, the difficulty level of all the questions from VARC DILR and Quantitative Aptitude is high. The VARC has tough and long Reading Comprehension passages. The Data Interpretation tables and charts are dense and calculation intensive. Logical Reasoning questions are also on the tougher side. Moreover, there is sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section. Candidates have to complete a section in the given time limit only.

What are the best resources for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation?

The best resources for Quantitative Aptitude preparation is sample papers and previous years' CAT question papers. Since both Quantitative Aptitude is all about Mathematics, it can only be mastered by having enough practice. But only solving question papers and practice papers will not be enough. You will need to first be thorough with the topics and their concepts/formulae. For that refer to books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha, Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha and Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma. Sectional mock tests for Quants are also very important for preparation.

How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?

Experts recommend that aspirants must practice at least 40 CAT mock tests to score above 99 percentile well in the exam. Most of the CAT test takers take up to 50 mock tests of various types and difficulty level. CAT toppers in previous years have practiced even up to 80 mock tests during their preparation. However, candidates must decide the number of CAT mock tests depending on their control and confidence on topics as the exam day comes closer. Mock tests are the best way to judge your performance viz. The important topics of CAT. The more one practices CAT mock tests, the more accurate they get in solving questions from all subjects. It is very important to know which formula to apply to which type question to solve the problem accurately. Mock tests help candidates in this aspect which is why practicing mock tests is most important in CAT preparation.

How can I check my PI status in IIM shortlist for MBA?

The candidates can check their admission status in IIM shortlist of each institute on their respective websites. The IIMs releases their shortlist on different days in the month of January. Once the shortlist is announced, candidates can check their status on the institute's website by using their CAT login ID. Such candidates can fill the PI form for participating in the WAT-PI round. If shortlisted, they are invited by the institute via email.

Is CAT cutoff higher for non-IIMs?

CAT cut offs for non-IIMs is usually lower than IIMs. Top MBA College CAT Cut Offs (percentile) FMS, Delhi 98-99 IIFT Delhi 95-99 SPJIMR, Mumbai 95-99 IMT, Ghaziabad 95-97 JBIMS, Mumbai 96 MDI, Gurgaon 97-99 IMI, New Delhi 90 XIM, Bhubaneshwar 91 GIM Goa 85 K J Somaiya, Mumbai 86 TAPMI, Manipal 80 FORE, New Delhi 85 IFMR, Chennai 80 IRMA, Anand 80 MICA, Ahmedabad 80 LIBA, Chennai 70 XIME, Bangalore 70

How are CAT toppers determined?

CAT toppers are determined on the basis of candidate percentiles. Those whose overall percentiles are 100 and 99.99, they are declared the toppers of CAT exam. To calculate CAT percentiles, raw scores of every CAT candidate is normalized on the same scale and the following formula is applied: P = (R/N) * 100 where, P= Percentile score R= Rank of the candidate arrived at on the basis of scaled CAT score or the total number of test takers ranking below a particular candidate. N= Number of candidates who appeared in CAT exam (all three sessions)

What after CAT result declaration?

After the declaration of CAT results, IIMs and other top MBA colleges start the candidate shortlisting process. The institutes fix CAT cut offs category wise and invite applicants to appear for Written Ability Test, Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI rounds for MBA Admission. In case of IIMs, the institutes release PI shortlist form which the candidates have to fill before a certain deadline. In the PI form, candidates have to mention their personal, academic and professional details along with CAT score. Depending on the application received and the range of CAT scores the institutes the shortlist candidates for What-GD-PI. The What-GD-PI round is conducted by the institutes individually in March and April in online or offline mode. With the result of What-GD-PI and candidates' overall profile, the institutes finalise the list of students for admission. Offer of admission letters to selected candidates are sent via email in May.

I appeared for CAT exam in the second slot. Will my result be declared on the same day as that of the first slot?

Yes, the CAT results for all the exam slots are announced on the same day.

What is the validity of CAT score?

CAT score is valid for one year at the IIMs and top B-Schools. In some tier 3 and government institutions, CAT score of previous two years are also acceptable. Many B-schools including IIMs have an option of deferment of admission, wherein you can confirm your admission and pay the nominal fee but join the batch in the next year. It is advised that candidates take admission in the same year as their CAT attempt so that they don't have to reappear next year. Given the competition in MBA space, it is difficult to get a good college whether you have a low score or average score. So, incase one is getting a good college, they should take admission and not drop a year to appear for CAT again.

I have done BCom from correspondence college. Can I apply for CAT?

Yes, you can apply for CAT. The main criteria of eligibility for CAT is graduation from a recognised university. So, whether the education mode is full-time or correspondence, if the university is recognised by the UGC, the candidates will be eligible to appear for the CAT exam.

How important is it to have a good academic profile for IIM admission through CAT?

Having a good academic profile for IIM admission is very critical. The top 6 IIMs lay a lot of emphasis on Class 10 and Class 12 score for selection of candidates for WAT-PI round. The academic profile is evaluated again at the time of preparation of final merit list. It has been seen in the past that some candidates despite having 99+ percentile, were not selected for PI round due to low score in Class 12. The academic profile is assessed for academic as well as gender diversity. Which means a candidate who studied Arts in Class 12 may be selected for PI with lower marks than a candidate who studied Science in Class 12. Candidates aiming for IIMs must know that while the importance of academic profile is very important for top IIMs, it is moderately important for rest of the IIMs. For, other top MBA colleges, overall profile matters more than academic score. So, if you do not have superlative scores in Class 10 and 12, build a good profile with work experience and extra curricular activities to increase your chances of selection.

What is the CAT 2026 exam date?

CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026. Official announcement of the exam and registration schedule will be announced in the last week of July 2026.

When is IIM Shortlist released?

IIM shortlist of top IIMs is released in the first week of January soon after CAT result declaration. All IIMs release their shortlist one by one after that in the same month. By the end of January, all 21 IIMs release their MBA/PGP shortlist. The WAT-PI shortlists for admission is released individually by the institutes but for the CAP participating IIMs. For them, the CAP conducting IIM releases the PI shortlist form and guidelines on behalf of rest of them.

How much weightage does CAT score have in IIM shortlist?

CAT exam score has the weightage of about 40-60 per cent in IIM shortlist. The weightage varies for each IIM but is in the range of 40-60 per cent. Rest of the weightage is divided between academics, gender and work experience. However, in the final shortlist, weightage of CAT score is less than that of WAT-PI.

When is the final result of IIM admission announced?

The final IIM admission result after IIM shortlist and WAT-PI is announced in April and May for all 20 IIMs. All the institutes release the final list of selected candidates individually and send admission letters to candidates via email. When the candidates receive the selection letter, they confirm admission by accepting the offer of admission letter and paying the admission fee.

Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?

CAT cutoffs are usually not announced with the CAT result. The CAT cutoffs are also not released to the public. They are published after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs opens their shortlisting window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.

How would I know my CAT exam centre?

CAT exam centre address and location is mentioned on the admit card. The test centre is allotted in the city of first preference as mentioned in the CAT application form.

What are the details mentioned on CAT admit card?

The CAT admit card is a main document of identification of the candidate. It is the proof that the candidate has fill the examination form and is eligible to appear in the exam. To help in candidate identification, the following details are mentioned on every candidate's CAT admit card. Candidate's name Candidate's roll number Candidate's gender Candidate's category Candidate's date of birth Candidate's signature Candidate's photo Candidate's address Examination year Examination date Examination slot Examination timings Reporting time Test centre address Google link to locate test centre Along with these details, other information such as exam day guidelines, examination process in the test lab, items to carry, items not to carry, activities prohibited, dress code and entry process are also mentioned on the CAT admit card.

Do IIMs send CAT admit card by post?

CAT admit card is not sent to any candidate by post. Every candidate has to download their CAT hall ticket from the IIMCAT website by using their login credentials created at the time of exam registration. The announcement of release of CAT admit card is done by the exam convening IIM about 10-15 days before the exam. The CAT admit card release date is also shared beforehand so that candidates can download their admit cards in time.

What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?

Scribe facility is available for PwD candidates in the CAT exam. They are given 13 minutes extra per section to complete the test.

What is the minimum CAT cut off for IIM ABC?

Minimum qualifying cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 95 percentile whereas for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, it is 85. However final cut offs for these three top IIMs are between 99 to 100 percentile.

What is IIM Shortlist?

IIM shortlist is the list of CAT test takers who make it to the second phase of IIM admission process, which is Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The IIM shortlist is the list of candidates who are eligible to participate in the WAT-PI rounds of IIMs for MBA admission.

What is waitlist in IIM admission through CAT?

IIM waitlist means the number students who are kept waiting for the second shortlist. The institutes select a number of students for admission out of which some miss the first list due to a few points. Such students are kept in waitlist incase any candidate from the first list chooses to not appear for WAT-PI. Those who are kept in the waitlist are invited for WAT-PI if there are seats remaining to be filled after WAT-PI round of the first batch of the students. Also read: IIM Waitlist Movement - Meaning and Past Trends

I have not completed graduation but I am pursuing CA. Am I eligible to apply for CAT exam?

No, you are not eligible to apply for CAT exam until you complete your CA course and clear ICAI CA exams . In case of absence of graduation degree, candidates are required to complete the professional degree before applying. The minimum score for applying for CAT on the basis of professional degree course in 50 per cent ( 45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD candidates).

What should be the last month preparation strategy for CAT?

In the last month of CAT preparation, focus on revision with sample papers, previous years' question papers and practice sessions.

How can I check my PI status in IIM shortlist for MBA?

The candidates can check their admission status in IIM shortlist of each institute on their respective websites. The IIMs releases their shortlist on different days in the month of January. Once the shortlist is announced, candidates can check their status on the institute's website by using their CAT login ID. Such candidates can fill the PI form for participating in the WAT-PI round. If shortlisted, they are invited by the institute via email.

Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?

CAT cutoffs are usually not announced with the CAT result. The CAT cutoffs are also not released to the public. They are published after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs opens their shortlisting window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.

How to challenge CAT answer key?

The CAT examination body allows candidates to challenge the official answer key. In case a candidate feels any answer shared by the examination body is incorrect, they can challenge it by filling an objection form which is released on the same day as release of the CAT answer key and candidate response sheet. The candidates can fill the objection form by using their CAT login ID and password. Check below: 1. Visit the official website of CAT exam 2. Click on 'Login' 3. Enter CAT login ID and password to sign in 4. Go to 'Objection' tab 5. Click on plus sign to add an objection 6. Check the question number from the PDF of the question paper 7. Enter relevant details 8. Upload supporting document 9. Pay objection fee through credit/debit card or net banking The objection fee is INR 1,200 per objection. Candidates can raise any number of objections. The CAT answer key objection fee will be refunded to only those candidates whose objections will be accepted. Objections that have been submitted once cannot be edited.

What if I have a very good CAT score but poor academic record?

If you have a very good CAT score but poor academic record it is quite likely that you may not be shortlisted for top IIMs as the institutes prefer candidates with overall consistency in academics. Class 12 scores holds a lot of importance in shortlisting of candidates for WAT-PI.

How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2025?

In CAT 2025, the number of 100 percentilers was 12. Check state wise data: Overall Percentile Total Gender and Discipline State wise distribution 100 12 Female - 2 Male - 10 Engineering - 3 Non-Engineering - 9 Uttar Pradesh 1 Karnataka 1 Maharashtra 1 Delhi 3 Haryana 2 Gujarat 2 Jharkhand 1 Odisha 1

CAT 2026: Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Paper

13.1K Students Q&A

Registration - To be notified

Updated on Mar 30, 2026 15:16 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026. Official announcement will be made by the conducting institute in the last week of July 2026. This year, IIM Indore is expected to conduct the CAT exam. Registration process for the same will begin in the first week of August and will go on till the third week of September 2026. CAT 2026 application form will be available at the iimcat.ac.in website. No changes are expected this year, except for the fee amount, as it has been seen in the past five years, that the examination authority have increased CAT fee every year. Read here all about CAT 2026 exam, including syllabus, pattern, preparation,eligibility, fees, cut offs, admission criteria.

Table of contents

CAT 2026 Exam Highlights
CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
What is CAT Exam?
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
CAT Registration 2026
CAT 2026 Syllabus and Pattern
CAT Exam Preparation 2026
CAT 2026 Admit Card
CAT Answer Key 2026
CAT Exam Result and Scorecard 2026
IIM CAT Cut Offs
IIMCAT Contact Information
Important FAQs on CAT 2026

CAT 2026 Exam Highlights

Candidates planning to appear for the exam can check in the below table, key CAT 2026 highlights:

CAT Exam Particulars	CAT 2026 Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute for 2026	To be announced
Exam Level	National
CAT Entrance Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2026	November 29, 2026
CAT Result Date 2025	Third week of December 2026
CAT Exam Timings	Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Fees	INR 2,600 (General category) and INR 1,300 (Reserved category)
Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD students)
Number of Applications	2.95 lakh (in 2025)
Number of Test Takers	2.58 lakh (in 2025)
Exam Purpose	Admission to IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT and over 1,300 B-Schools in India
Courses Offered	MBA/PGDM
CAT syllabus	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT exam mode	Computer Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
No. of test cities	170
CAT exam website	https://iimcat.ac.in
Exam helpdesk no.	1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
To Be Notified	CAT 2026 application
29 Nov ' 26	CAT 2026 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
24 Dec ' 25	CAT 2025 result announcement
08 Dec ' 25 - 10 Dec ' 25	CAT 2025 answer key challenge
30 Nov ' 25	CAT 2025 exam
View More Past Events (2)

What is CAT Exam?

CAT is a business aptitude test conducted by the IIM for admission to MBA and other postgraduate courses offered by its 22 campuses (IIM Guwahati is the newest campus launched this year). CAT is a high difficulty level exam and requires extensive preparation. The examination is a test of candidate's Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA) skills. Other than the IIMs, top B-Schools such as FMS, MDI, IIFT, SPJIMR, GIM, BIMTECH, IIT-DoMs accept CAT score for MBA admission. According to Shiksha, over 1300 MBA colleges in India, accept CAT score.

Courses Offered Through CAT at IIMs

CAT score is valid for admission to not only full time MBA but also for Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes at IIMs. Check below the list of courses offered by the IIMs through CAT and MBA seats offered.

IIM	Courses Offered Through CAT
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics), PhD
IIM Amritsar	MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA, M.Sc. in Data Science (MSDSM) jointly offered with IIT Ropar, PhD
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD
IIM Bodh Gaya	MBA, MBA (Digital Business Management), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management), PhD
IIM Calcutta	MBA, PhD
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management)
IIM Jammu	MBA, MBA (Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management), Executive MBA, PhD, PhD (Working Professionals)
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics), PhD
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi, PhD, Fellow Programmes in Management PhD (PT)
IIM Lucknow	MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE, PhD
IIM Mumbai	MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management), PhD, PhD (Executive)
IIM Nagpur	MBA, E-MBA, PhD, E-PhD
IIM Raipur	MBA, PhD, PhD (Practice Track)
IIM Ranchi	MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics), PhD, EPhD
IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx, PhD
IIM Sambalpur	MBA, Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals, PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGP (WE), Doctoral Program, Doctoral Program (WP)
IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality), ExMBA, ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics), MBA (Family Business), PhD, PhD (Executive)
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM (MBA for Working Executives in Chennai), PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Udaipur	MBA, MBA- DEM (Digital Enterprise Management), MBAGSCM (Global Supply Chain Management), Executive MBA (Online), PhD
IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP, EMBA, PGPMCI, PhD, Executive PhD

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

CAT is an entrance exam for admission to PG courses, thus the minimum qualification required is graduation. Read below detailed breakdown of minimum eligibilty critera for CAT exam:

Having bachelor's degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) is mandatory to appear in CAT 2026.
Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree/equivalent or awaiting final result are also eligible to appear for CAT 2026 exam. However, the aggregate of their first and second year marks must meet the minimum score requirement.
Candidates who have completed a professional degree like CA/CS/ICWA/FCAI with minimum 50 per cent can also appear for CAT.
Those in final year or awaiting result will be required to submit passing certificate or marksheet to the MBA college by a certain deadline for confirmation of admission. Until then, their admission will remain provisional.
There is no age limit to appear for CAT. Anybody at any phase of their career appear for it as the score is accepted for EPGP, Doctorate and FPM courses too.

Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria 2026

CAT Registration 2026

DeskCalendar Registration: To be notified

CAT 2026 registration process will be online. Check below how to apply for CAT 2026:

Visit iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'new registration'
Enter name, date of birth, nationality, phone number and email ID to register
Log in with the ID received in registered email to fill the CAT 2026 application form
Enter personal and academic details (academic details, parents details, etc.)
Upload a recent passport size photo and scanned signature
Select preferred courses and IIMs
Select test city preference from the drop down
Pay CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

Note: Candidates will be allowed to select upto 5 cities for allotment of CAT exam centre. CAT test city and centre location will be mentioned on the CAT admit card. Check the list of CAT Test Cities Here

CAT Registration Trend Over the Years

Every year, CAT sees the largest number of registrations among all MBA entrance exams in India. In the last 10 years, the number of applicants has increased from under 2 lakh to over 3 lakh. In 2023, CAT recorded the highest ever registration of over 3.30 lakhs out of which about 2.88 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The number of students registered for CAT 2024 was also 3 lakh plus. IIM Calcutta received a total of 3.29 lakh applications. In CAT 2025, the number, however, dipped to 2.95 lakh. As per the data released by IIM Kozhikode, the number of application received for CAT 2025 was 2.95 lakh, out of which 2.58 lakh candidates appeared in the exam. Check below a comparison of number of applicants over the last 10 years.

CAT 2026 Syllabus and Pattern

CAT exam syllabus is broadly divided into three sections - VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Check below the main topics of CAT syllabus 2026. Maximum questions are asked from the following topics. Candidates are advised to pay special attention on these topics during exam preparation:

CAT Syllabus sections	CAT Syllabus topics
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd Sentence Out
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Set Theory (Variables), Set Theory + Puzzles, Puzzles with Additional Data, Coding-Decoding and Series
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Mensuration

Also Read:

CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

Download Free PDF of CAT Exam Syllabus by Clicking on the Link Below

CAT 2026 syllabus PDF

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

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

CAT Paper Pattern 2026
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test
Duration of exam	120 minutes 40 minutes per section
Marking scheme	3 marks for correct attempt -1 for incorrect attempt (MCQs) 0 for incorrect attempt (TITA) 0 for unanswered question
Number of questions	68
CAT total marks	204
Language of question paper	English
Number of answer choices	4
Question Type	MCQ and non-MCQ

CAT Exam Preparation 2026

The preparation for CAT exam 2026 should start at least 6 months in advance. Candidates planning to appear for the exam this year, must start preparing from May onwards. They should check the CAT syllabus for topics, previous years' question papers for difficulty level and then make a preparation plan. Here are a few things they should do during CAT 2026 exam preparation.

Attempt a good number of CAT mock tests to gain control on the syllabus.
Dedicate time on regular revision so that you're prepared for every topic.
Practice mental maths for quick calculation.
For Quantitative Aptitude be thorough with important CAT formulas
DILR syllabus coverage is to be done with practice papers and sectional mocks.
Develop short cuts and learn tricks to solve questions quickly and accurately.
Practice a good number of RC passage from previous years' CAT question papers.
Opt for online problem solving sessions to learn new tricks and techniques.

Check the below list of important articles on CAT 2026 exam preparation.

CAT Topper Tips

Learn tips and tricks for optimising performance in the exam from CAT toppers. Check below CAT topper tips and know how the previous year toppers prepared for the exam

Anmol Gupta, CAT 2025, 99.96 percentile	Amaan Hussain, CAT 2025, 99.94 percentile
Aishiki Sen, CAT 2025, 99.18 percentile	Harsh Khudania, CAT 2025, 99.93 percentile
Vagish Nangia, CAT 2024, 100 percentile	Swaraj Pal Kesari, CAT 2024, 99.95 percentile
Mani Praneeth Chilukuri, CAT 2024, 100 percentile	Sarthak Jaiswal, CAT 2024, 99.97 percentile
Vedant Chandewar, CAT 2024, 99.98 percentile	Aniruddh K Singh, CAT 2024, 99.89 percentile
Shree Ahuja, CAT 2024, 99.88 percentile	Dhruv Mittal, CAT 2024, 99.69 percentile
Shaivi Goyal, CAT 2024, 99.54 percentile	Rahul Sinha, CAT 2024, 99.49 percentile

CAT Mock Test

Practice free CAT mock test by Shiksha to assess your preparation level. These mock tests are on par with official CAT mock test in terms of difficulty level. You can use below CAT mock tests by simply clicking on the link. These CAT mock tests have solutions and answers.

CAT Mock Test 1	CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions
CAT Mock Test 2	CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions

Watch video on CAT preparation:

CAT 2026 Admit Card

CAT admit card will be released at the official website. It will be available through login only. Check below CAT admit card 2026 download process:

Visit te CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'admit card download' option
Enter CAT 2026 application number and password
Click on 'admit card' option to open it
Click on download icon and save a copy

Candidates will be required to carry 2 copies of the CAT 2026 admit card on the exam day. Alongwith the admit card, candidates will have to carry original copy of a photo ID card such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport an Driving License, for identification purpose.

Also Read:

Take a look at CAT exam day work flow:

CAT 2026 Exam Timings

Check the table below for tentative exam timings of CAT 2026. Number of exam slots and timings will be officially announced through the CAT 2026 notification.

CAT exam slot 2026	Exam timing	Reporting time	Last entry allowed
Slot 1	8:30 AM to 10:30 AM	7:00 AM	8:15 AM
Slot 2	12:30 PM to 2:30 PM	11:00 AM	12:15 PM
Slot 3	4:30 PM to 6:30 PM	3:00 PM	4:15 PM

CAT Answer Key 2026

CAT 2026 answer key (provisional) will be released 2-3 days after the exam. It will be released as candidate response sheet and will be available through login. Check below CAT answer key and response sheet download process:

Visit iimcat.ac.in
Click on login tab
Enter user ID and password
Go to answer key tab
Click on download to save it as PDF

The CAT response sheet will contain question wise official answer key and candidates responses. The document will help in analysing one's own performance and calculate estimated score.

CAT 2026 Answer Key Objection

The option to challenge provisional CAT answer key 2026 will be given to candidates. To challenge provisional answer key, candidates will have to submit a document supporting their claim. The objection fee will be INR 1500 per question. If any of the objections are found valid, the provisional answer key will be revised.

Also Read: How Scaled CAT Score will be calculated for three slots

CAT Exam Result and Scorecard 2026

CAT 2026 result will be announced at the official website. Candidates will be required to download their result by using their login ID and password. Check below the process to download CAT exam result:

Log on to CAT website iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'login' tab
Enter CAT application number and password
Click on the scorecard section
Click on download option and save the PDF of CAT 2026 scorecard

The CAT score is valid for admission for only 1 year in IIMs and most of the top B Schools. IIMs and top MBA colleges have the option of admission deferement, in which candidates who have cleared the selection round defer their admission by a year. Those who wish to drop a year have to appear for CAT again.

Note: The CAT 2025 scorecard is currently available for download. The CAT 2025 scorecard download window will close on December 31, 2026.

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MBA Admission Through CAT Exam Score

IIM selection process and admission includes shortlisting of candidates on the basis of CAT score and Written Ability Test (WAT) /Group Discussion (GD) /Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:

IIM Admission Process

The IIMs release admission criteria and selection process for PGP/MBA prior to the CAT result declaration. The documents contain cutoffs, parameters, process, etc. for MBA admission. Selection procedure through CAT for all the IIMs includes the following:

Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Also Read:

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Institutes accepting CAT score other than IIMs also conduct GD/WAT-PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. However, there are a few colleges that do not conduct personality assessment round and admit students based on CAT score only.

Also Read:

Check CAT cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and Non-IIMs accepting CAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all CAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict CAT Admission Calls

IIM CAT Cut Offs

CAT cut off for IIM admission is the minimum score required for selection to PI round. While the qualifying CAT cut offs range between 85 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. For the top IIMs, the final CAT cut offs are usually between 98-100 percentile, whereas for other IIMs, the cut offs range between 90-97 percentile. The cut offs vary category wise as well. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of 21 IIMs:

IIM	CAT cut offs (qualifying)
IIM Ahmedabad	95
IIM Bangalore	95
IIM Calcutta	85
IIM Lucknow	90
IIM Kozhikode	85
IIM Indore	90
IIM Rohtak	95
IIM Visakhapatnam	80
IIM Trichy	92
IIM Udaipur	92
IIM Ranchi	92
IIM Amritsar	85
IIM Shillong	75
IIM Kashipur	92
IIM Sambalpur	92
IIM Jammu	92
IIM Sirmaur	92
IIM Nagpur	85
IIM Raipur	92
IIM Bodhgaya	92
IIM Mumbai	94

*The CAT cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category. For the SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories, the cut CAT cut offs are lower.

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List of IIMs for MBA/PGP Courses

CAT scores are accepted by 21 IIMs. These institutions accept CAT score mainly for MBA/PGDM, PhD, FMP and ePGP. You can visit the links in the below table to know admission cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM:

List of IIMs Accepting CAT Score
1. IIM Calcutta
2. IIM Ahmedabad
3. IIM Bangalore
4. IIM Lucknow
5. IIM Kozhikode
6. IIM Indore
7. IIM Shillong
8. IIM Rohtak
9. IIM Ranchi
10. IIM Raipur
11. IIM Udaipur
12. IIM Nagpur
13. IIM Tiruchirappalli
14. IIM Kashipur
15. IIM Visakhapatnam
16. IIM Bodh Gaya
17. IIM Amritsar
18. IIM Sambalpur
19. IIM Sirmaur
20. IIM Jammu
21. IIM Mumbai

Also Read: MBA colleges accepting CAT score

IIM Fees for MBA – Campus Wise

IIM MBA fees is on the higher side. While highest fee is INR 27 lakh (IIM Calcutta) lowest fee is INR 14 lakh (IIM Mumbai). Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The fee is to be paid in instalments semester wise. First instalment is to be paid at the time of admission. The IIMs provide assistance for financial aids and scholarships to meritorious students.

IIM campus	PGP/MBA seats (approx.)	*MBA/PGP fees
IIM Ahmedabad	385	INR 24.61 lakh
IIM Bangalore	430	INR 24.50 lakh
IIM Calcutta	210	INR 27.00 Lakh
IIM Lucknow	436	INR 20.70 lakh
IIM Kozhikode	375	INR 20.50 lakh
IIM Raipur	210	INR 16.10 lakh (excluding boarding fees)
IIM Udaipur	260	INR 19.00 lakh
IIM Rohtak	240	INR 17.60 lakh
IIM Visakhapatnam	60	INR 17.58 lakh
IIM Trichy	180	INR 21.00 lakh
IIM Sambalpur	120	INR 13.08 lakh
IIM Ranchi	240	INR 17.50 lakh
IIM Bodhgaya	120	INR 15.50 lakh
IIM Sirmaur	60	INR 15.75 lakh (including fees for international immersion programme)
IIM Jammu	120	INR 17.15 lakh
IIM Amritsar	60	INR 16.00 lakh
IIM Shillong	120	INR 17. 50 lakh
IIM Kashipur	210	INR 17.30 lakh
IIM Nagpur	130	INR 18.00 lakh
IIM Indore	451	INR 21.14 lakh
IIM Mumbai	660	INR 14.00 lakh

*The fee amount For every IIM mentioned in the table above has been rounded off to the nearest lakh. IIM fees may increase in the new academic session.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score (non-IIMs)

Along with IIMs, about 1,300 more MBA colleges in India accept CAT score for admission. Given below is the list of top MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list also includes IITs that offer MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies.

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Score
1. NIT Trichy DOMS
2. IIFT Delhi
3. FMS, Delhi University
4. MDI, Gurgaon
5. IIT Kanpur-IME
6. IIT Delhi - DoMs
7. IIT Kharagpur-VGoSM
8. Great Lakes Institute of Management
9. IMI-Kolkata
10. ITM-University
11. IIITM-Gwalior
12. Woxsen University, Hyderabad
13. Asian Business School Noida
14. SOIL Institute of Management
15. SPJIMR, Mumbai
16. IMT, Ghaziabad
17. IMI, Delhi
18. IIT Bombay-SJMSOM
19. IIT Roorkee-DoMs
20. IIT Dhanbad-ISM
21. IMT-Nagpur
22. IPE-Hyderabad
23. Institute of Management, Nirma University
24. Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa
25. New Delhi Institute of Management
26. KIIT KSOM
27. JK Business School Gurgaon

Also Read:

Check Cut offs of top MBA entrance exams and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls

For queries regarding CAT Registration, Application and Payment Processing, Document uploading please call only on 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free) Monday to Saturday 9:00AM to 6:00PM (excluding National holidays).
Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in

For Academic queries like eligibility, category and PwD certificate , please contact CAT Centre office with contact details as follows. (
Monday to Friday excluding holiday, from 9:30am to 5:30pm
Phone: +91 495 2809219 | +91 495 2809696
Email: cat2025_helpdesk@iimk.ac.in

CAT 2025 CENTRE
C/o Admissions Office
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT KOZHIKODE
IIMK Campus P.O, Kozhikode, Kerala,
PIN - 673 570

Important FAQs on CAT 2026

Check below some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT exam 2026:

Q: What is IIM CAP process?

IIM CAP is a common selection process for newer Iims. Under the CAP candidates eligible for admission to the nine new Iims - IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur are shortlisted for What-PI round by a single IIM, the one who is given the responsibility to conduct the CAP round in a particular academic year. CAT cut offs, admission parameters and their weightage are same for all CAP Iims. The participating Iims send the list of candidates shortlisted by them for the What-PI process to the institute conducting CAP. The CAP conducting IIM conducts the What-PI round for all the participating Iims. The IIM CAP conducting institute then share the What-PI scores and results of the candidates with the participating institutes. Those institutes then prepare the final shortlist for admission. Those who are selected for admission are informed by the Iims via email. The offer of admission is sent to selected candidates which they have to accept within the given time limit. For more details of IIM CAP, read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/what-is-iim-cap-know-admission-process-selection-criteria-and-participating-institutes-blogId-51225.

Q: How many question should I solve for 99 percentile in CAT exam?

To get 99 percentile and above, candidates must attempt 40-45 out of 68 questions in CAT, with maximum accuracy.

Q: Does every CAT accepting college conduct GD/PI?

Yes, the CAT accepting MBA colleges conduct either GD/PI or WAT/PI. Since MBA is a professional course about business and team management, personality assessment round is essential to ensure that the aspirant has the flair for management which can be polished during the programme. Communication skills, problem solving ability, management and leadership are essential qualities for MBA thus, every B-School conducts GD/PI or WAT/PI.

Q: What if I do not make it to IIM shortlist? Do I still stand a chance to get admission?

No, the students who don't make it to the IIM shortlist of a particular year, they will not be considered for admission. Such candidates can appear for CAT again the next year and try for admission. If a candidate doesn't make it to the first shortlist, they can wait for the second shortlist to release in which they might be selected.

Q: How is IIM shortlist prepared by the institutes?

IIM shortlist is prepared on the basis of CAT cut off, class 10 score, class 12 score, graduation score, work experience (if any). To encourage diversity in the classroom the IIMs award extra points to female and transgender candidates at the time of shortlisting as well as final selection.

Q: Is there age limit to appear for CAT?

There is no age limit to appear for CAT. Any graduate or working professional can appear in the exam.

Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?

Yes, six months are enough to prepare for CAT exam, if you can dedicate 8-10 hours to it daily. In the first three months complete the syllabus. In the last three months practice mock tests and do revision.

Q: What is the IIM selection criteria through CAT?

IM selection criteria includes Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Academic record and work experience are also taken into consideration for final selection.

Q: Is CAT score accepted by international B-Schools?

CAT score is a national level test and is not accepted by B-Schools outside India. For pursuing MBA in foreign countries GMAT score is accepted. Indian B-Schools accept GMAT score for admitting foreign/NRI/PIO students.

CAT is also accepted for Executive MBA, PhD, FPM and other such management programmes in top colleges in India. Similarly, GMAT is also accepted for admission to domestic students in to Executive MBA and such programmes.

Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?

CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.

Q: What is the marking scheme of CAT?

CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.

Q: Where can I get official CAT mock test?

Generally, the official mock tests are available on the official website of CAT which is https./iimcat.ac.in. The examination is conducted by Indian Institutes of Management. Check out the below steps to know how get official CAT mock tests online:

Aspirants are requested to visit the official website of CAT (https./iimcat.ac.in)
Login in through the CAT credentials.
Click on the "mock test" button on the left side of screen.
Official CAT mock test is available for practise to candidates who have registered for exam.
After that, the screen will display the instructions.
After reading the instructions carefully, click on 'I am ready to begin' tab and start writing the exam.

Please keep checking the official website of CAT to have up-to-date information.