CAT 2026 - Notification, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Registration & Preparation Tips

What Is CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test, commonly known as CAT, is an important exam in India for those looking to get into MBA programs and other postgraduate courses at the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), including NITIE Mumbai, which is associated with the IIM group.

This exam is very popular and is known as one of the toughest management entrance tests in India. Each year, over 200,000 candidates sign up to take the CAT exam. For example, in 2024, there were about 329,000 registrations, and in 2023, it peaked at around 330,000 applicants. The CAT 2026 exam will allow students to apply for the MBA batch starting in 2026 and ending in 2028. However, passing the CAT does not guarantee a spot at the IIMs, as each school has its own separate admissions process, which usually includes interviews and discussions.

The CAT exam is mainly an aptitude test that measures how well candidates can think analytically and perform under pressure. It includes three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The questions tend to be of moderate to high difficulty, challenging candidates to showcase their skills.

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MBA After Graduation With CAT 2026

If you are currently completing your undergraduate and contemplating pursuing an MBA, consider appearing for the most common entrance exam, CAT. Yet, with over 2 lakh aspirants, you have to start preparing and staying ahead of the competition as early as possible. Starting your preparation well in advance can let you prepare at your own pace without compromising your college studies.

Before you begin preparing, here are some factors you can consider to understand where you stand in your CAT 2026 preparation journey.

• Check the syllabus and exam pattern to identify the areas that would require your attention the most and topics you are confident in attempting.
• Assess your current level of knowledge. Your base preparation will help you establish which subjects you must focus on and which topics are your strengths.
• Choose whether you wish to take classes or study by yourself. Weigh the pros and cons of all the options available and make a decision based on your goals.
• Identify your dream B-school and see what the CAT cut-off requirements are for the institute to get a call and make it to further admission rounds.

Once you have an understanding of where you stand and where you wish to reach, you will be able to align yourself better and begin preparing for CAT 2026.

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CAT 2026 Exam - Key Highlights

CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a management entrance test conducted by the Indian Institute of Management. Candidates who successfully pass the CAT exam 2026 will be admitted to the top MBA colleges in India. A basic overview of CAT 2026 is given below:

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CAT Notification 2026

The CAT 2026 exam date is expected to be released in July 2026 with the release of the CAT 2026 Notification that entailed all the important information like CAT 2026 registration window dates, CAT eligibility criteria, CAT exam dates, CAT syllabus, CAT exam fee, and more.

Every year it is one of the top IIMs, the conducting body for CAT, that prescribes this important information.

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CAT 2026 Exam Date & Schedule (Tentative)

Based on the important announcements for previous year CAT exams, we have curated the table below representing the tentative timeline for the CAT 2026 exam dates for your reference. Keep this timeline in mind and kickstart your CAT 2026 preparation at teh earliest.

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CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

CAT 2026 will be open to candidates who meet the criteria. These are the requirements of the CAT eligibility criteria 2026 based on past trends:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree: You need a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university in any discipline.

Minimum Marks

• General and NC-OBC category: At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• SC, ST, PWD/DA category: The minimum requirement is 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Final Year Students: If you're in the final year of your bachelor's degree or awaiting results, you can also apply for CAT exam. However, you must complete your graduation with the required percentage by the time of admission.
• Professional Degrees: Professional degrees such as CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI with the required percentage are also eligible for CAT exam.

Other Criteria

• There is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
• Work Experience is not mandatory for applying for CAT 2026, but is advantageous for IIM admissions.

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CAT Syllabus 2026

The conducting authority of CAT 2026 exam does not provide an official syllabus. However, by looking at past exam papers and general trends, some key topics become clear. The CAT syllabus 2026 is divided into three main sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Since there isn't a specific syllabus for CAT 2026, most students preparing for the exam tend to focus on school-level math and English. Below is a list of important topics for each section.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

The CAT exam pattern refers to the structure of the CAT 2026 test, which is typically published by the organization that conducts the exam. While there isn't a specific, officially recognized pattern set by any top authority, we can look at past trends to get an idea of what to expect. Below is a summary of the CAT 2026 exam pattern for your reference:

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CAT Marking Scheme 2026

Similar to the previous year's exam pattern, the CAT 2026 marking scheme for both MCQ and TITA questions is different. Here is an overview of the CAT marking scheme 2026-

CAT Registration Process 2026

The CAT exam 2026 registration will be online on the official CAT website- iimcat.ac.in. Based on the process of previous years, here is an expected understanding of the fees and documents required for registration.

CAT 2026 Registration

• When the candidates open the official website, they should select ‘New Candidate Registration.’ They will be required to fill in their basic details.
• After submission, they will receive an OTP to verify their registration.
• After the verification is complete, on the email and mobile number registered, candidates will get a unique ID and password to log in.
• Now the candidates can begin entering the required details in the application form.
• The candidates will also pick the programs of their choice along with the Interview City.
• The candidates are allowed to pick 6 preferred test cities for the CAT exam 2026.

List of Documents Required For CAT 2026 Registration

While filling out the CAT application form 2026, you must also upload the required documents in the given format-

• Photo
• Signature
• NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate
• PwD certificate

Note: Candidates will be required to present their mark sheets and degrees in person.

Documents To Be Uploaded During CAT 2026 Registration

While filling out the application form, the candidate must also upload the required documents in the given format:

CAT Application Fee 2026 (Tentative)

You need to pay the CAT 2026 application fee when you register; if you don’t pay, your registration won’t be completed. Here are the key details:

• The fee can only be paid online.
• You will be able to review your application before you make the payment and submit it.
• After successfully completing the payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.

The application fee for CAT 2024 was revised, and it is expected that this new fee will also apply to CAT 2026. Below are the details for your reference:

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CAT Admit Card 2026

The CAT admit card 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of November 2026. Here are a few details that must be kept in mind for the same-

• Registered candidates will be able to access and download the admit card by logging into their account from the official website.
• Details such as the test center, date, and time of the exam will be provided on the admit card.
• Candidates have to carry their admit cards for the exam on the day of the examination.

How To Download CAT 2026 Admit Card?

Once the CAT admit card becomes available you can download it by following the steps given below.

• Step 1: Go to the official website of CAT - iimcat.ac.in.
• Step 2: Access your CAT account by entering your CAT Login ID and password.
• Step 3: Click on the Login Button.
• Step 4: After successfully logging in, click on the Download Admit Card option.
• Step 5: Download and print your CAT Admit Card / Hall Ticket.

CAT Helpdesk

As stated before, any discrepancy in the information on the admit card should immediately be corrected by contacting the CAT exam authorities using the helpdesk section on the official website. You can also contact officials using the information below.

• E-mail: cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in
• Phone: 1800-2108-720 (Toll-Free)

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CAT 2026 Preparation Tips

MBA is one of the most sought-after master’s degrees, and the 3 lakh+ candidates applying for CAT is a testimony to this statement. So to stay ahead of the competition, candidates must study and strategize effectively.

The most frequent question that comes into the mind of the majority of CAT aspirants is, “How To Start Preparing For CAT?”. Here are some preparation tips to help you score well in CAT 2026:

• Understanding of basics: It's extremely important to have a good grasp of your basics. Strong fundamentals will help you understand the language of the questions better and will assist you in solving them within the limited time frame.
• Create a Study Plan: The motivation to study hard for acing CAT 2026 should come from within. With that motivation, one should create a study plan customized to their routine. Ensure that there is no room for negotiation, and make sure that your weekly goals are attainable.
• Mock Test & Analysis: You can divide your mocks into three parts: topic tests, sectional tests, and full-length mock tests. This approach will create a balance of easy and difficult papers, providing you with a better idea of how well you will perform on the actual exam, as well as helping you improve your speed.
• Previous Year CAT Papers: Solving the previous year’s CAT papers will provide you with valuable insights into the types of questions that may appear on the actual exam and help you gauge the expected level of difficulty.
• Prepare for Non-CAT Exams as Well: It is always good to keep your options open. While CAT should remain the main target, candidates should also consider appearing for non-CAT exams to be on the safe side.

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Best Books For CAT 2026 Preparation

There are many books available to help you prepare for the CAT exam. While there aren't any official recommendations from the organizations that run the CAT, plenty of coaching centers and authors publish materials specifically designed for this exam. You can find these resources by signing up for online coaching classes for CAT 2026.

If you're getting ready for the CAT, you can use some of the top books to study for each section of the exam.

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CAT Answer Key 2026

The CAT exam response sheet, also known as the CAT 2026 answer key, is typically released by the organizing body about 8 to 10 days after the exam. This sheet shows the answers that candidates provided during the test, which helps them get a rough idea of how well they did and can assist them in preparing for the next steps in the admission process.

Candidates can view and download their recorded answers and the question papers from the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. By using the answer key provided, students can estimate their likely scores for the exam.

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CAT Results 2026

The CAT results for 2026 are expected to be announced on the official website sometime in December. Once the results and cut-off scores are released, the IIMs and other business schools will start their interview and discussion rounds for students applying to the 2026-28 batch.

It's important to note that there isn't a central counseling process for CAT. Each IIM has its own individual procedure for conducting interviews and the following stages of admissions.

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IIM CAT Selection Process 2026

The IIMs will select candidates based on their CAT 2026 scores for the MBA admission batch of 2026. The admission process includes a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). Below are the stages of the IIM admission process through CAT:

• Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates based on their CAT score
• Stage 2: Candidate evaluation in the WAT-GD-PI round
• Stage 3: Final selection and offer for MBA/PGDM admission

Note: Most of the B-schools will also consider candidates' marks from Class 10, Class 12, and their undergraduate degree, as well as their work experience, when making selection decisions.

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CAT Exam Centers 2026 (Expected)

The CAT 2026 exam centers list will be released soon before the commencement of the exam. Every year, the exam authorities release a fresh list of CAT exam centers. For the academic year 2026-28, the list of CAT exam centers is as follows: