ExamOven Official Website: iimcat.ac.in
Every November, roughly 3 lakh students sit down at a computer screen with 120 minutes on the clock — and for most of them, this is the moment they've been preparing for all year. Some will walk out knowing they've cracked it. Most won't. That brutal math — roughly 5,500+ PGP seats across 21 IIMs for hundreds of thousands of aspirants — is exactly what makes the Common Admission Test (CAT) India's most competitive exam.
If you're reading this, you're already ahead of the curve. This guide compiles everything confirmed and expected about CAT 2026 — paired with the ExamOven CAT Simulator for dedicated practice and learning. Stop chasing scattered prep advice and start building a real strategy.
Quick Overview: CAT 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore (expected — officially confirmed in July 2026) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Number of Slots | 3 (Morning / Afternoon / Evening) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (40 min per section) |
| Total Questions | 68 (24 VARC + 22 DILR + 22 QA) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Sources: MBAUniverse | Tarkashastra | CollegeDunia
CAT 2026 Important Dates
These dates are based on multi-year historical patterns and are widely expected by major coaching institutions. They will be officially confirmed when the notification drops on or around July 26, 2026.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Official CAT 2026 Notification | ~July 26, 2026 (Last Sunday of July) |
| Registration Opens | August 1, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | ~September 13–20, 2026 (5 PM) |
| Correction / Edit Window | Last week of September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | ~November 5, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Day | November 29, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Early to mid-January 2027 |
These are expected dates based on established CAT patterns. Bookmark iimcat.ac.in for official confirmation.
Sources: MBAUniverse | Career Launcher | Tarkashastra
Who is Conducting CAT 2026?
One of the six older IIMs — Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, or Indore — conducts CAT each year on a rotational basis.
IIM Indore is expected to be the CAT 2026 convenor. IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025, and the rotation points to Indore next. The conducting IIM sets the overall exam tone and coordinates with all participating institutions. The identity is formally confirmed alongside the official notification.
What Is CAT? (And Why Does It Matter So Much?)
CAT is a national-level Computer Based Test conducted annually for admission to postgraduate management programs (MBA/PGP). It is the gateway to the 21 IIMs — which collectively offer approximately 5,500+ PGP/MBA seats — and over 1,200 non-IIM participating institutions, including well-regarded B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon.
Here's the number that puts everything in perspective: in CAT 2025, approximately 2.95 lakh candidates registered, out of which ~2.58 lakh actually appeared on exam day. The competition is intense, the margin for error is thin, and your CAT score is valid for one year only — making preparation urgency very real.
To put the cutoffs in context: getting into IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta requires a 99+ percentile. IIM Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode typically demand 97–98 percentile. Even newer IIMs hover around 90–94 percentile as their floor.
Sources: CollegeDekho — IIM Selection Criteria | CollegeDunia — CAT Overview
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Minimum Degree: A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university or institution.
- Minimum Marks: 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA for General, NC-OBC, and EWS candidates. 45% aggregate for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
- Final-Year Students: You can apply even if results are pending. However, admission remains provisional until your final marksheet and degree certificate are submitted and verified.
- Professional Degrees: Holders of CA, CS, or ICWA qualifications are eligible, provided they meet the minimum percentage criteria.
- Age Limit: There is no minimum or maximum age limit for CAT.
Meeting the minimum percentage does not guarantee a shortlist call. Each IIM independently verifies academic eligibility at the interview stage — candidates who misrepresent their scores face disqualification.
Source: TopRankers — CAT 2026 | LPTedtech — CAT 2026
Reservation Policy
SC, ST, and PwD candidates are eligible with 45% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA. Category certificates must be valid and in the Government of India format for the current financial year.
CAT 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Guide
Registration opens August 1, 2026, entirely online at iimcat.ac.in. No offline applications are accepted.
Step 1 — Create Your Profile
Visit the official CAT portal. Click "New Candidate Registration." Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number to receive your User ID and Password.
Step 2 — Fill the Application Form
Log in and enter your personal and contact details, category information (General / NC-OBC / EWS / SC / ST / PwD), academic qualifications (Class 10, 12, and graduation), and any full-time post-graduation work experience.
Step 3 — Select Programs and Test Cities
Choose your preferred IIM campuses and MBA/PGP programs. Select up to 6 test city preferences in order of priority. You'll be allotted one city based on availability.
Step 4 — Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of the following before submitting:
- Passport-sized photograph (white background)
- Signature
- Category / PwD certificate (if applicable)
Specific file size and dimension requirements will be in the 2026 notification bulletin on iimcat.ac.in.
Step 5 — Pay the Fee and Submit
Pay online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Download the confirmation page after successful payment.
Changes to your name, date of birth, or category are not allowed after final submission. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstance.
A correction/edit window opens in the last week of September 2026, allowing limited changes to your photograph, signature, and test city preferences.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Expected Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,300 |
These figures reflect the fee as it stood in CAT 2025 and are widely expected to remain unchanged for 2026. The official fee will be confirmed in the July 2026 notification.
Source: Career Launcher | MBAUniverse
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The structure of CAT has been stable since 2021 and is expected to continue in the same format.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | 3 (fixed sequence, no switching) |
| Time Per Section | 40 minutes |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Question Types | MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer / Non-MCQ) |
| Correct Answer | +3 marks |
| Incorrect MCQ | -1 mark (negative marking) |
| Incorrect TITA | 0 marks (no penalty) |
| Unattempted | 0 marks |
| Calculator | On-screen only; personal devices strictly prohibited |
Section-Wise Breakdown
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 |
| Total | 68 |
The section sequence is fixed: VARC → DILR → QA. Candidates cannot revisit a previous section once the 40-minute window closes. The ExamOven CAT Simulator provides a timed practice interface to help you prepare under exam conditions.
Source: Tarkashastra — CAT 2026 Pattern | HitBullseye
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Section-by-Section
The CAT does not have a rigidly "prescribed" syllabus the way board exams do. What it does have is a very consistent pattern of topic areas. Here's what actually shows up:
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
VARC is often misunderstood as a "language" section. It is actually a reasoning and comprehension section that heavily rewards analytical reading over raw vocabulary.
- Reading Comprehension (RC): 3–4 long passages per exam, testing inference, tone, author intent, and main argument — not surface-level recall.
- Para Jumbles: Re-ordering sentences into a coherent paragraph. Often in TITA format (no negative marking).
- Para Summary: Choose the best summary of a given paragraph from 4 options.
- Odd Sentence Out: Identify the sentence that doesn't belong in a paragraph.
- Sentence Completion: Less frequent, but occasionally appears.
Most high-scorers in VARC are not "English people" — they are structured thinkers who practice reading dense analytical writing regularly. Build the habit early.
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This section has evolved to become the most variable in difficulty. It is no longer about speed alone — it's about set selection strategy.
- Data Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, caselets, Venn Diagrams (3 and 4 circles), and network diagrams.
- Logical Reasoning: Seating arrangements (linear and circular), blood relations, scheduling problems, binary logic, routes and maps, constraint-based puzzles.
In any given DILR section, 2 out of 4 sets are often significantly harder than the other 2. The test-taker who correctly identifies and skips the hard sets wins the section.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
Arithmetic and Algebra together have historically comprised over 60% of QA questions. Geometry and Number Systems make up much of the rest.
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Mixtures & Alligation.
- Algebra: Linear and Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Functions, Inequalities, Progressions.
- Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, Area and Volume.
- Number Systems: Remainders, HCF/LCM, Properties of Integers, Factorials.
- Modern Math: Permutation & Combination, Probability, Sequences & Series, Set Theory.
CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
There is no shortage of CAT advice on the internet. Most of it says the same things in different orders. What follows is a phased, honest strategy — one that acknowledges that your time and energy are finite.
Phase 1: Foundation Building (January – May)
Goal: Build conceptual clarity from scratch. No shortcuts yet.
- QA: Start with Arithmetic. Master percentages, ratios, and TSD before moving to anything else — these alone make up a large chunk of the paper. Use Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) or Sarvesh Verma's Quantum CAT.
- VARC: Read one article a day from long-form publications: Aeon, The Economist, The Atlantic, or The Guardian. Don't time yourself. Focus on following arguments, not just words.
- DILR: Solve 2 sets a day without a timer. The goal is to understand puzzle structures, not score points yet. You can find high-quality practice sets in the ExamOven DILR Library.
End-of-phase check: By May, you should be able to solve any Arithmetic problem cold — without having to "think about what formula applies."
Phase 2: Sectional Testing & Weak Area Work (June – August)
Goal: Convert understanding into exam performance.
- Begin Sectional Tests (VARC-only, DILR-only, QA-only) to identify specific weak spots.
- Start a weekly mock test schedule from August. Take mocks in your actual expected exam time slot — your brain needs to be conditioned to think hard at that specific hour.
- Practice set selection in DILR. Scan all 4 sets in the first 4–5 minutes before diving into any.
- In QA, start a formula revision book — a small notebook with all key formulas. Review it for 20 minutes every morning.
End-of-phase check: Your mock scores should be consistently improving. More importantly, you should be able to explain why you got each wrong answer wrong.
Phase 3: Mock Test Intensification & Refinement (September – November)
Goal: Peak performance on exam day.
- Increase to two mocks per week. After each mock, spend at least 2× the time you spent writing the mock on analysis. Review every question you attempted — correct and incorrect. The ExamOven CAT PYQs provide AI-driven insights into your performance.
- Re-solve difficult DILR sets without looking at solutions first. This is more valuable than attempting new sets.
- For VARC, stop trying to "improve reading speed." Instead, focus on understanding passage structure — where is the main argument? Where is the author using examples vs. evidence?
- Two weeks before the exam: reduce new learning, increase revision. Sleep well. Maintain your testing routine.
Recommended Books for CAT 2026
| Subject | Recommended Book |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability | Quantitative Aptitude for CAT — Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) |
| Quantitative Ability (alternative) | Quantum CAT — Sarvesh Verma |
| Vocabulary | Word Power Made Easy — Norman Lewis |
| DILR | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT — Arun Sharma |
| DILR (alternative) | The Pearson Guide to DILR — Nishit Sinha |
| Mock Tests | ExamOven Adaptive CAT Mocks, TIME, Career Launcher, IMS |
| Past Papers | Official CAT papers 2017–2025 (available at iimcat.ac.in) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In DILR:
- Spending 25+ minutes on a single difficult set and running out of time. Always scan all 4 sets first.
- Attempting sets in the order they appear on screen (the hardest set often appears first).
In VARC:
- Reading RC passages word-by-word instead of focusing on argument flow and paragraph function.
- Ignoring TITA questions in Para Jumbles — zero negative marking means you should always attempt them.
In QA:
- Attempting every question in sequence. Skip time-consuming trap questions immediately.
- Neglecting Geometry — it's harder to learn late, but it reliably appears every year.
In General:
- Obsessing over mock test percentile scores instead of deeply analyzing why you got answers wrong.
- Comparing preparation levels with peers. Your exam is individual; your analysis should be too.
After CAT: What Happens Next?
Cracking CAT is just step one. Here's the broader IIM admission pipeline:
- CAT Result (January 2027): Scores are normalized across the three exam slots, then converted to percentiles.
- IIM Shortlisting: Each IIM independently shortlists candidates based on its own composite score — CAT percentile, academic record (Class 10, 12, graduation), work experience, and diversity factors. Criteria differ significantly between IIMs.
- WAT/GD + PI: Shortlisted candidates appear for Written Ability Test (WAT) or Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).
- Final Merit List: IIMs release final admission offers based on a weighted composite of all stages.
As an example: IIM Indore's 2026–28 admission criteria allocate 20% weight to the CAT score in the final merit list, with 74% weight on Class 10 and 12 academic performance, and 6% for diversity. Strong CAT performance alone is necessary but not sufficient.
CAT 2026 vs. Other MBA Entrance Exams
Not sure if CAT is the right exam for you? Here's a quick comparison:
| Exam | Conducted By | Accepting Colleges | Difficulty | Exam Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | IIM (rotational) | 21 IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools | Very High | Nov (1 day) |
| XAT | XLRI Jamshedpur | XLRI, XIMB, 150+ B-schools | High | Jan |
| SNAP | Symbiosis International | Symbiosis institutes | Moderate | Dec (3 attempts) |
| NMAT | GMAC | NMIMS, 50+ colleges | Moderate | Oct–Dec (3 attempts) |
| CMAT | NTA | 1,000+ AICTE-approved institutes | Moderate | Jan |
Most serious MBA aspirants appear for CAT + at least 1–2 of the above to maximize their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is expected to be held on November 29, 2026 — the last Sunday of November. This is consistent with the established pattern and confirmed by multiple coaching institutions.
Who is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore is widely expected to be the conducting institution for CAT 2026, following the rotational system among the older IIMs. Official confirmation will come with the July 26, 2026 notification.
When does CAT 2026 registration start?
Registration is expected to open on August 1, 2026 and close around September 13–20, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
₹2,600 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. These are expected to remain unchanged from CAT 2025.
What is the minimum percentage required for CAT 2026?
50% aggregate marks in graduation for General, NC-OBC, and EWS candidates. 45% aggregate for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. Final-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply, subject to submission of final marksheets before the IIM verification stage.
How many questions are there in CAT 2026?
68 questions in total: 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR, and 22 in QA.
Is the CAT 2026 syllabus changed?
No major changes are expected. The syllabus and pattern have remained consistent since 2021. Any changes will be announced in the official July 2026 notification.
How many times can I attempt CAT?
There is no limit on the number of CAT attempts. CAT scores are valid for one year only.
Key Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| ExamOven CAT Simulator | examoven.com/exam-library?q=cat |
| Official CAT Portal | iimcat.ac.in |
| MBAUniverse CAT Coverage | mbauniverse.com/cat |
| Career Launcher CAT Registration Guide | careerlauncher.com |
| CollegeDunia CAT Page | collegedunia.com/exams/cat |
| IIM Indore Official Site | iimidr.ac.in |
All dates marked "expected" are based on historical CAT patterns and widely cited coaching institution projections. They are subject to change once the official CAT 2026 notification is released on iimcat.ac.in. Always verify critical details on the official website before making any decisions.