CAT 2026: Exam on Nov 29, Admit Card (Released), Mock Test, Question Papers & Pattern

To obtain a good score in CAT exam, candidates must follow a section-wise preparation plan. 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 for more than 65 per cent of the VARC section. Practise identifying 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.

Also Read: CAT 2026 VARC Strategy to Score 30 Marks and Get 95 Percentile

CAT DILR Preparation Tips

• Practise 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 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.

Also Read: CAT 2026 DILR Strategy to Score 26 Marks and Get 95 Percentile

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.

Also Read: CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to Score 25 Marks and Get 95 Percentile

Best Books for CAT 2026

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

• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
• A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

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 8 - 10 minutes on a single DILR set without progress.
• Use 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.

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for CAT 2026
• Strategies to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT Exam
• Best CAT Coaching in India

Here is how some recent CAT toppers prepared:

The CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile needed to be considered for PI shortlisting. The percentile needed to get an interview call is usually higher and changes each year. The cutoffs vary based on category as well as the institute.

CAT Qualifying Cutoffs for IIMs

Find the CAT cutoff percentiles for all IIMs below. These are qualifying cutoffs, and the final cutoff will be higher.

Also Check: Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Scores

CAT Cutoffs for Non-IIMs (Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT)

Apart from IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by 1,700+ MBA colleges across India. Check the CAT cutoffs below for some of the top MBA colleges other than IIMs:

Also Read:

• NIRF Ranking 2026 Management Colleges
• Top MBA Colleges After CAT 2026: Cutoff & Fees

The CAT 2026 answer key is expected between December 1 and 3. The provisional CAT answer key 2026 will be released in the form of a candidate response sheet containing question-wise correct answers and the candidate's responses. It will be available for download via login. Check the CAT 2026 answer key download process below:

• Go to the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
• Click on the 'Answer Key/Response Sheet' option.
• Enter the CAT application ID and password.
• The answer key will be displayed.
• Download it and save it as a PDF.

The official CAT answer key will be open to challenge. If candidates feel that the official answer to any question is incorrect, they can raise an objection against it. They will have to fill out an online form available on the student dashboard and upload a document supporting their claim. All objections will be examined, and if any objection is found to be valid, the CAT provisional answer key will be revised and released as the final answer key. 

Also Read: CAT Answer Key 2026

Find the breakdown of difficulty level across CAT previous year question papers:

• CAT 2025:Moderate All three slots of CAT 2025 paper had a moderate difficulty level. Most test takers found VARC to be challenging. Whereas DILR was considered tougher than expected, and QA was challenging but doable by most test takers.
• CAT 2024:Moderate Candidates found CAT 2024 question paper to be the easy if compared with 2025 and 2023. However, the overall difficulty was reported as moderate. CAT 2024 was easier than the previous four years in all three slots.
• CAT 2023:Toughest Most candidates who solved the CAT 2023 question paper regarded it as the toughest exam paper. VARC in the CAT 2023 question paper was tough in Slots 2 and 3. Additionally, Quant was also rated as the toughest section compared to past few years. DILR sets of CAT 2023 were also termed as the lengthiest seen in the last five years.

Also Read: CAT Exam Analysis

The CAT 2026 result will be announced online on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, in the third week of December. Candidates will be able to download their CAT scorecard using their login ID and password. Know how to check the CAT exam results below:

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

The CAT exam score is accepted for admission to 22 IIMs and 1,700+ B-schools across India. The IIM CAT scorecard is valid for one year.

CAT 2026 Scorecard Details

Each candidate's CAT scorecard 2026 will contain the following information:

• CAT 2026 registration number/User ID
• Candidate's name, DOB, category, and gender
• Date, slot, and exam timings
• Candidate's contact details and email ID
• CAT scaled score (overall)
• CAT score (section-wise)
• CAT percentile score (section-wise)
• CAT percentile score (overall)

CAT Score vs Percentile

CAT score vs percentile may be different for each year due to differences in difficulty levels and number of test takers. However, there is only a minor up or down in percentile conversion. Check the table below for previous year's marks vs percentile analysis to predict the CAT score vs percentile 2026:

CAT Score Validity

CAT exam score is valid for a period of one year. CAT 2026 score can be used for admission only in 2027-29 MBA batch at IIMs. There is no carryover facility for CAT scores. However, a few IIMs, including IIM Ahmedabad, have a deferred admission policy. It allows selected candidates to join one or two years later.

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 recognised university 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 they 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.

Download CAT Eligibility Criteria PDF (Official)

IIM Reservation Policy 2026

Find the reservation policy at IIMs for admission to full time MBA programmes via CAT exam:

IIM Indore has closed the CAT registration window. Candidates who missed the last date to apply cannot take the CAT 2026 exam. Last date for CAT registration was September 22. CAT registration process required candidates to provide personal, communication as well as academic information.

Candidates who still wish for IIM admissions can explore IIM courses which do not require CAT score or can wait for CAT 2027 session. 

CAT Application Fee 2026

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

CAT form correction window was open from October 5 to October 6. Registered candidates could edit photo, signature and test city options, if they wished to. The CAT form correction was optional and free of cost.

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) select candidates in stages after the CAT result. Final admission depends on a Composite Score (CS) that combines CAT percentiles, academic records, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in the second-round interview stages.

Stage-wise Selection Process

1. Meet Minimum CAT Cutoff: Candidates must score above the minimum required sectional and overall percentiles set by each IIM to be eligible for initial screening.
2. Shortlisting for WAT/PI: Eligible candidates are shortlisted based on a composite score. This score is based on normalised CAT performance, Class 10 and 12 marks, graduation scores, and diversity bonus points.
3. Second Round Evaluation (WAT-GD-PI): Shortlisted candidates can participate in the selection rounds, such as:
   • Written Ability Test (WAT)
   • Personal Interview (PI)
   • Group Discussions (GD)
   • Extempore
4. Final Merit List Compilation: Institutes calculate the final composite score by assigning specific weightages to the CAT score, PI performance, WAT score, work experience quality, and academic profile.

Selection Parameters Besides CAT Score

Besides CAT scores, IIMs consider different parameters for admission. These parameters can include:

• Past Academic Performance (Class 10, Class 12, Graduation)
• Work Experience
• Academic Diversity
• Gender Diversity

IIM Selection Weightage (CAT vs Profile vs PI)

Every business school has its separate selection criteria and weightage distribution. The table below outlines the general weightage ranges used by top institutes for final merit list preparation:

NOTE:

• IIM selection weightage may change every year. Candidates will find details of the selection process when IIM releases the admission policy.
• IIM Ahmedabad has termed Analytical Writing Test (AWT) under the selection round instead of a Written Ability Test (WAT)

IIM Admission Routes & Courses via CAT 2026

All IIMs accept CAT scores for admissions; however, there is no centralised CAT selection process for all IIMs. IIM admission via CAT follows the below-mentioned routes:

• Independent Selection route: Top IIMs, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, and Mumbai, conduct their own individual shortlisting, WAT, and PI rounds independently.
• IIM CAP: A centralised admission channel where one coordinating IIM conducts a single combined WAT-PI round for several newer and baby IIMs. Each participating IIM in CAP creates its own merit list using its individual weightage formula (notified with the admission policy).
• IIM JAP: A joint admission comprising some newer IIMs (including IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Tiruchirappalli) that conduct a standard interview round.
• IIM SAP: A secondary interview round conducted by select baby IIMs for candidates who did not meet standard CAP cutoffs or to fill remaining seats.

IIM Courses via CAT 2026

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

Also Check:

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

Here are some frequently asked questions on CAT exam 2026: