CAT Exam 2026: Check Official Updates by IIM Indore

CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29 in three slots. One of the six older Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) conducts the exam every year on a rotational basis. IIM Indore is the conducting institute for CAT entrance exam 2026. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the technology partner managing the online testing platform, providing infrastructure, and securing test centres across India. More than 170 test cities have 350+ CAT test centres.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the top national-level MBA entrance exams, accepted by 22 IIMs and 1,700+ other B-schools. CAT exam is a computer-based test conducted for a duration of 120 minutes. Candidates need to answer a total of 68 questions across VARC, DILR and Quant, each with a 40-minute sectional limit.

All updates on CAT exam are published on the official IIMCAT portal (iimcat.ac.in). Candidates can find complete details related to the exam, including the CAT correction window 2026, syllabus PDF, preparation tips, mock tests, PYQs and more.

Important Facts About CAT 2026

Around 2.84 lakh candidates applied for the CAT examination 2026, out of these nearly 2.5 lakh are expected to appear for the exam. This indicates that the CAT is a high difficulty level exam. Check the table below for the CAT exam snapshot:

CAT Exam Date 2026

CAT 2026 registration and form correction are over. IIM Indore will release the CAT admit card 2026 on November 4. Check the below table for CAT 2026 exam dates for key events.

CAT Admit Card 2026 on Nov 4

The CAT admit card 2026 will be released on November 4. Candidates will need to carry a hard copy of the CAT 2026 admit card to the exam centre. The hall ticket will be available for download until the exam day.

Steps to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card

Given below are the steps for downloading the CAT admit card 2026:

1. Visit the official CAT website: iimcat.ac.in.
2. Click on the 'Admit Card Download' option.
3. Enter your CAT 2026 application number and password.
4. Click on the 'Admit Card' option to open it.
5. Click on the download icon and save a copy.

Candidates find personal details, test schedule, exam centre address, and exam day instructions mentioned on the CAT 2026 admit card. Besides the details, candidates also find a barcode on the admit card for digital verification.

How to Resolve Discrepancies on CAT Admit Card 2026?

Candidates must resolve the discrepancies on CAT admit card by following the steps below:

• Compare the details in the CAT hall ticket against the details on original photo ID and academic certificates.
• Identify errors in regard with name, date of birth, category, or issues with photograph/signature.
• Call the official CAT helpline or use CAT Grievance Portal inside the login dashboard.
• Officials may ask for a filled in copy of CAT application form, fee receipt, and valid photo ID. Keep all supporting documents handy. 

CAT Exam Centres 2026

CAT exam centres will be allotted to candidates based on the preferences mentioned in their application forms. Candidates are required to choose a total of five test cities out of 170 cities. Around 350 centres are divided across these cities.

The hall ticket will carry complete details of the test centre allotted to the candidate. Candidates must check the location before the exam date to calculate the distance and travel time. Candidates must appear at their allotted test centre only; they cannot take the exam at any other CAT centre. The test venue will be under CCTV surveillance to prevent cheating or irregularities during the conduct of the IIM CAT exam.

What to carry at CAT Exam Centre?

Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 exam must carry a hard copy of their admit card, photo ID proof, two recent photographs, and any supporting documents (in case of name change, medical/PwD certificates).

Also Read: Know What to Carry on CAT Exam Day

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

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:

CAT Question Paper PDFs

CAT 2026 aspirants must practise previous years' CAT question papers during their preparation phase to understand the different types of questions asked in the exam.

CAT Questions with Answers PDF Download

Download free PDFs of CAT exam previous year papers along with the official answer keys in the table below:

CAT Syllabus 2026

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

CAT 2026 Exam Preparation

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 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

• 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.

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 Preparation

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

• NCERT Mathematics books
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
• 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
• 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

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.

Also Read:

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

CAT Toppers' Strategy and Insights

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

CAT vs Other Exams

CAT is one of the major MBA entrance exams in India. CAT, XAT, NMAT and SNAP differ in exam pattern, duration, marking scheme, attempts and the B-schools accepting their scores.

Note: IIMs accept CAT scores for MBA admissions. Other B-schools may accept CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP or other MBA entrance exam scores as per their admission criteria.

Also Read:

• Is XAT Tougher Than CAT Exam?
• Difference Between CAT and NMAT
• Is SNAP Tougher Than CAT Exam?
• Difference Between CAT and Other MBA entrance Exams

CAT Mock Test by Shiksha

Candidates can practise a free CAT mock test to assess their preparation level. Analysing CAT mock tests and taking relevant action will help candidates improve with every practice test. Candidates can use online CAT mock test using the links below:

How to Analyse CAT Mock Test 2026?

Besides merely appearing for CAT mock test, candidates must analyse their performance to improve before exam day. CAT mock test analysis requires candidates to journal every mistake they made while taking the mock exam, every question where they spent more time than expected. Analysing and journaling all mistakes in CAT mock test will help candidates with focused preparation.

Also Check: CAT Mock Test by Shiksha

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.

CAT Answer Key 2026

The CAT 2026 answer key will be released 2-3 days after the exam. It can be expected around December 2 or 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 your 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

Previous Years' CAT Exam Analysis

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 as the highest-scoring section. Whereas DILR was considered tougher than expected, and QA was challenging but doable by most test takers.
• CAT 2024:Easiest Candidates found CAT 2024 question paper to be the easiest in recent years. All three slots of CAT 2024 question paper were easier in last five years.
• 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 of previous years

CAT Result 2026

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 your 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 2026 Expected Score vs Percentile

CAT score vs percentile may be different for each year due to difference in difficulty levels and number of test takers. However, there is only minor up or down in percentile conversion. Check the table below for estimated CAT score vs percentile 2026 based on the past trends:

CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for IIMs and Non IIMs

The CAT cutoff for IIM admission is the minimum score required to get shortlisted for the selection rounds. The cutoffs vary based on category as well as the institute.

CAT Cutoffs for IIMs (Expected)

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

*The CAT cutoff percentiles mentioned in the table above are for the General category. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS categories, the CAT cutoffs are lower.

Also Check: Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Scores

Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores: Check CAT Cutoffs for Non-IIMs

Apart from IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by nearly 1,600 MBA colleges across India. Check the expected 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

CAT Eligibility Criteria

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 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.

Download: CAT 2026 Eligibility by IIM Indore

IIM Reservation Policy 2026

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

IIM Admission and Selection Criteria

The CAT selection process is a multi-stage evaluation system used by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools to select candidates for their MBA/PGP programs. Clearing the CAT exam is only the first step. 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 via CAT Exam 2026 

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 Scores

Top business schools use different parameters to ensure a balanced classroom. 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 Admission Routes via CAT 2026

All IIMs accept CAT scores for admissions; however, there is no centralised CAT counselling or 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 need 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

CAT Exam Registration 2026

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

1. New registration for CAT 2026
2. CAT candidate login to fill exam form
3. Filling personal & academic details
4. Uploading photograph, signature and category certificate
5. Selecting IIM test city preference
6. Payment of CAT registration fee

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: 

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.