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.

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.

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.

What is the application fee for CAT exam?

CAT application fee is INR 2600 for General candidates and INR 1300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. The fee amount is to be paid online at the time of application form submission.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the average number of CAT 100 percentilers every year?

On an average, about 10-15 CAT aspirants score 100 percentile. Given below is the data of CAT 100 percentilers of last 4 years: Exam year CAT 100 percentilers State wise numbers CAT 2025 12 1- Uttar Pradesh 1- Karnataka 1- Maharashtra 3- Delhi 2- Haryana 2- Gujarat 1- Jharkhand 1- Odisha CAT 2024 14 1- Andhra Pradesh 2- Delhi 1- Haryana 1-Kerala 5- Maharashtra 1- Odisha 1- Rajasthan 2- Telangana CAT 2023 14 1 – Andhra Pradesh 1 - Delhi 1 – Gujarat 1 – Jammu & Kashmir 1 - Karnataka 1 - Kerala 4 – Maharashtra 1 – Tamil Nadu 2 - Telangana 1 - Uttar Pradesh CAT 2022 11 2 - Delhi 1 - Gujarat 1 - Haryana 1 - Kerala 1 - Madhya Pradesh 2 - Maharashtra 2 - Telangana 1 - Uttar Pradesh

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

Will CAT exam 2026 be conducted in three shifts?

Yes, CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Exam timing of each slot will be: First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

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.

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 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.

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.

CAT Exam 2026: Registration, Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Question Papers

Updated on Jun 3, 2026 16:43 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

Overview

CAT Exam 2026: IIM Indore will conduct the CAT (Common Admission Test) 2026 exam on November 29 across 170+ test cities. This article has complete information on the CAT 2026 exam, including preparation plans, syllabus PDFs, paper patterns, question papers, mock tests with solutions, and more.

What to Expect from CAT 2026?

A total of 68 questions, instead of 66 (the format followed in 2024 and 2025).
CAT 2026 notification to be released in the last week of July.
If the 68-question format is retained, DILR will have 22 questions.
CAT 2026 exam date will be notified officially in the last week of July.

Table of contents

What is CAT Exam?
CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
CAT 2026 Syllabus and Paper Pattern
How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2026?
CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Answer Key
CAT Mock Test with Solutions by Shiksha
CAT Registration and Eligibility Details 2026
CAT 2026 Admit Card
CAT Answer Key 2026
CAT Result 2026
CAT Cutoff & Selection Criteria for IIMs and Non IIMs
IIMCAT Official Website & Contact Information
Important FAQs on CAT 2026

What is CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test for admission to MBA courses in India. Each year, one of the IIMs conducts the CAT exam. MBA admissions across 22 IIMs are based on the CAT scores, followed by unique selection processes. Besides IIMs, the CAT exam is accepted by over 1,600 institutes in India, including FMS Delhi, MDI, SPJIMR, IIT-DoMs, and more.

The examination is a test of the candidate's Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) skills. It is a computer-based test for which nearly 2.90 lakh applications are received every year.

CAT 2026 Exam Highlights

Check the table below for CAT exam highlights:

CAT Exam Particulars	CAT 2026 Details
CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Institute for 2026	IIM Indore
Exam Level	National
CAT Entrance Exam Frequency	Annual
CAT Exam Date 2026	November 29, 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 1,600 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	iimcat.ac.in
Exam Helpdesk No.	1-800-210-1088 (Toll Free)

Also Read: IIM Courses Through CAT

CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

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

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
Aug ' 26	CAT 2026 application process TENTATIVE
Nov ' 26	CAT 2026 admit card download TENTATIVE
29 Nov ' 26	CAT 2026 exam
Dec ' 26	CAT 2026 result announcement TENTATIVE

CAT 2026 Syllabus and Paper Pattern

Knowing the CAT paper pattern and syllabus helps candidates prepare better for the exam. Check CAT syllabus and exam pattern below:

What is CAT Exam Syllabus for 2026?

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:

Know exactly what to study for CAT VARC, DILR, and Quant sections

Download section-wise CAT Syllabus PDF

What is CAT Exam Pattern for 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

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2026?

CAT is among the toughest MBA entrance exams in India. To prepare for CAT, candidates need a structured strategy. Tips to prepare for the CAT exam are as follows:

Establish a Daily Routine: Consistent preparation is more important than raw hours. Candidates must balance their college or work, starting with 1-2 hours of study a day, and gradually increase the number of hours for CAT prep.
Choose Between Coaching and Self-Prep: In the first stage of preparation, candidates must choose their prep approach between self-study or coaching for CAT preparation. Self-prep to crack CAT is possible only with disciplined study and aggressive mock test practice. Candidates who lack foundational knowledge or discipline must consider coaching for a good score in CAT.
Start Mock Tests Early: Begin taking mocks even before completing the entire syllabus to analyze foundations and adjust the study plan accordingly. Before starting the mocks, candidates must learn important CAT formulas.
Progressive Mock Test Strategy: Take as many mocks as possible. Start with untimed or relaxed mocks to focus on getting answers right, then progress to timed mocks. One can also practice previous year CAT question papers. Finally, match exam simulations, which includes simulating the travel, venue, timing, and attire of the exam day.
Exam Strategy: Focus on question selection and effective time management. Attempt the questions you are confident about to avoid negative marking and wastage of time.

Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips

Primary tips for section-wise CAT preparation are as follows:

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Practice numerous sets to develop solving and question-selection strategies. Becoming familiar with various puzzle types is the most critical factor for this section. Make DILR a daily practice ritual.
Quantitative Aptitude (Quants): Along with DILR, candidates must practice questions from Quants on a daily basis.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Improve reading speed and comprehension by regular reading and focused RC practice. Reading daily improves both speed and vocabulary.

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

Seven Things to do Before CAT Exam 2026

Watch video on CAT preparation:

CAT Previous Year Question Papers with Answer Key

CAT 2026 aspirants must inlclude the task of previous years' CAT question paper pratice for optimal preparation specifically of Reading Comprehension passages. Practice of official CAT papers will also give an idea of the types of questions asked.

CAT Question with Answers PDFs Download

Download free PDFs of CAT question paper along with official answer keys,in the below table:

Exam Slot and Year	PDF Link
CAT Question Paper 2025 Slot 1	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2025 Slot 2	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2024 Slot 2	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2024 Slot 3	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 1	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2023 Slot 3	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2022 Slot 1	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2022 Slot 3	Download PDF
CAT Question Paper 2021 Slot 1	Download PDF

For CAT previous year question papers from 2020 to 2017 - click here

CAT Mock Test with Solutions by Shiksha

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

CAT Registration and Eligibility Details 2026

DeskCalendar Registration: Aug ' 26

Conducting IIM administers the CAT registration window on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates have to complete the online registration process for CAT 2026 within the set deadline. CAT exam registration process requires candidates to create a login account (generate a User ID and Password), login to fill CAT application form.

CAT Registration Process 2026

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

Visit iimcat.ac.in
Click on 'new registration'
Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID to register
Log in with the ID received in 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 scanned signature
Select preferred courses and IIMs
Select test city preferences from the drop-down menu
Pay the CAT application fee via credit/debit card or net banking

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

What is CAT Registration Fee 2026?

The last step for CAT registration is the application fee payment. The CAT 2026 registration fee varies across categories. Find the CAT registration fee in the table below:

Category	CAT Exam Fee
General, EWS and NC-OBC	INR 2,600
SC, ST and PwD	INR 1,300

NOTE: The CAT exam fee mentioned in the table above is indicated as per past trends. The CAT 2026 notification will host the updated exam fee.

Eligibility to Apply for CAT Exam

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

Having a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST, and PwD/DA categories) is mandatory to appear in CAT 2026.
Candidates appearing for the final year of a bachelor's degree/equivalent or awaiting final results are also eligible to appear for the 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 a minimum of 50 per cent can also appear for CAT.
Those in their final year or awaiting results will be required to submit a 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 can appear for it, as the score is accepted for EPGP, Doctorate, and FPM courses too.

Also Read: CAT eligibility criteria 2026

CAT 2026 Admit Card

DeskCalendar Admit Card: Nov ' 26

Registered candidates will be issued CAT admit card in online mode only. They will have to download it through login. Check below CAT admit card 2026 download process:

Visit the 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

The admit card will contain candidate’s details, photo, signature, exam date, session, test centre address, reporting time and related details. Candidates will be required to carry 2 copies of the CAT 2026 admit card to the examination centre for identification purpose. They will also have to carry a photo ID card issued by the Government of India. Entry will not be allowed to any candidate without these two documents.

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 Result 2026

DeskCalendar Result: Dec ' 26

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.

Also Read:

CAT Cutoff & Selection Criteria for IIMs and Non IIMs

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 cutoffs 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.

CAT Cutoffs for IIMs

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.

Also Check: Top Non IIMs Accepting CAT Scores

CAT Cutoffs for Non-IIMs

Check below expected CAT cut offs for top MBA colleges in India other than non-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

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 based on 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 a personality assessment round and admit students based on CAT score only.

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

Important FAQs on CAT 2026

Here are some of the important FAQs related to CAT exam:

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Q: 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.