Updated on 28th October 2026 | 21:50 pm | #CATEligibility
To be eligible for CAT 2027, a candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates). There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.
The CAT 2027 notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2027, with CAT registration expected to open in the first week of August 2027. The exam is expected to be held on 28th November 2027. Meeting the CAT 2027 eligibility criteria is the first and mandatory step in the IIM admission journey; failing to satisfy any criterion at any stage of the process results in immediate disqualification.
The CAT exam eligibility criteria have been more or less similar over the past few years, and they will remain the same for CAT 2027 as well.
Read the article further for an in-depth understanding of the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2027 and adhere to them if you are planning to take the CAT 2027 exam.
Aspirants must meet the following CAT 2027 eligibility requirements to appear for the CAT 2027 exam:
|
Criteria |
Requirement |
|
Age |
NA |
|
Educational Qualification |
Bachelor’s Degree |
|
Marks in Graduation |
50% (General Category) |
|
Work Experience |
Not Compulsory |
|
Reservation |
As per category |
|
Attempt limit |
NA |
|
Official website |
Before aiming for top B-schools, candidates must first check whether they meet the CAT exam eligibility criteria. Knowing your eligibility in advance is essential for planning your preparation effectively. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you understand all the requirements.
A CAT score opens doors to some of the best B-schools in India, including the IIMs. However, before applying, it is crucial to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. Understanding the CAT 2027 eligibility requirements in advance helps avoid any issues during the admission process. Here are the key points you should keep in mind:
Before taking the CAT 2027, candidates must ensure that they meet the requirements for eligibility for the CAT exam.
Here is a brief overview of the CAT 2027 eligibility based on academics:
Also Read: CAT Syllabus | CAT Exam Pattern
In order to qualify for the CAT 2027 eligibility, you must score the following:
Final-year students are often confused about their CAT exam eligibility. Here are the points these students need to keep in mind when checking their eligibility-
If you fit into the above categories and fulfill the required CAT 2027 eligibility criteria, then you can directly register and fill out the CAT 2027 application form.
The number of candidates appearing for CAT shows a massive increase year after year with a major chunk of 60% devoted especially to freshers and 40% for candidates having prior work experience. Thus, the number of final-year students appearing for CAT each year is quite significant. Identifying the CAT Eligibility Criteria is the first step in clearing the CAT exam, and the candidate needs to provide the following documents:
Also read: List Of Documents required for CAT 2027 Registration
The CAT exam is open to candidates with backlogs in their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. However, they need to clear all of their backlogs before they begin the admission process for their respective management institutes.
Key points regarding CAT registration 2027 for candidates with backlogs:
As the application form for CAT asks about work experience, candidates are often doubtful of its effect on the overall application and exam process. Here is a better understanding of the role of work experience in the CAT exam-
After the CAT Exam Eligibility and the exam are cleared, the goal of every student is to enter the IIMs, the highest-regarded MBA Colleges in India. However, the IIMs are government-run institutions, which means they follow the government policies regarding reservations for the underprivileged categories.
According to the CAT 2027 eligibility criteria, the following percentage of reservations has been provided for your reference:
|
Category |
Reservation |
|
Scheduled Caste |
15% |
|
Scheduled Tribe |
7.5% |
|
Other Backward Classes of NC-OBC |
27% |
|
Economically Weaker Section |
Up to 10% |
|
Person with Disability |
5% |
The PwD will include candidates who have the following problems/disabilities:
These conditions make the candidates eligible for the PwD category in all the colleges under the CAT exam eligibility criteria. There is, however, a caveat that the candidates should have at least 40% of the handicap mentioned above to be eligible. PwD candidates receive 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section (an additional 13 minutes 20 seconds per section; 60 extra minutes total). For candidates with vision-related issues, a scribe will be provided at the centre, along with a wheelchair for candidates who have locomotor disabilities or blindness.
It is essential for every student to understand what is CAT exam and the CAT exam eligibility criteria before they start the CAT Preparation in earnest. More importantly, the candidate should be aware of the documents that they may be asked to furnish during the CAT registration process as well as the further admission processes. The documents required for the further processes of different colleges can be easily found online and the candidate would be well advised to keep those documents ready for inspection at the time.
The IIMs collectively decide the CAT eligibility criteria, and they are formally published by the IIM conducting CAT in a given year through the official CAT notification. While the core criteria, minimum 50% marks in graduation and no age limit have remained consistent for several years, the official CAT 2027 bulletin is the only binding reference.
Yes. There is no restriction on appearing for CAT if you are already enrolled in an MBA program, including at an IIM. CAT is an open exam with no attempt limit and no eligibility condition tied to your current enrollment status. However, admission to IIMs is a separate process, and being enrolled in one IIM does not automatically entitle you to transfer or join another based on a new CAT score.
No, they are different. CAT eligibility determines whether you can appear for the exam. The core requirement is a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). IIM admission eligibility goes beyond this and includes a minimum CAT percentile, academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Each IIM sets its own admission criteria independently, so a candidate may be CAT-eligible but not shortlisted by a specific IIM based on that IIM's cutoffs and composite score requirements.
No. There is no minimum or maximum age limit for CAT 2027. A candidate of any age can appear for the exam, as long as they hold a Bachelor's degree with the required minimum marks.
There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT. You can appear every year without restriction. The exam is conducted once a year, and each year's score is valid for that year's IIM admission cycle only. A CAT 2027 score cannot be carried forward to the 2028 admissions cycle. Candidates who did not perform well in previous attempts can retake CAT 2027 without any penalty.
Yes, candidates with backlogs can register and appear for CAT 2027. There is no restriction at the application stage. However, to secure final admission at an IIM, all backlogs must be cleared and the degree must be completed with the required minimum marks before the admission deadline set by the respective IIM.
There is no seat reservation for female candidates in CAT 2027. The reservation policy applies only to SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, and PwD categories. However, many IIMs award gender diversity bonus points during shortlisting and final selection to encourage representation of women in their programs.
No. Work experience is not required to appear for CAT 2027 or to be eligible for IIM admission. Fresh graduates can apply and are assessed within their own peer group during the IIM selection process. However, IIMs do consider work experience as a positive factor during Personal Interviews and in their composite score calculations. Candidates with two or more years of relevant work experience may find that it strengthens their admission profile at several IIMs, particularly at the WAT-PI stage.
Yes, candidates who hold a Bachelor's degree from a distance learning or open university are eligible for CAT 2027, provided the institution is recognised by the UGC or the Ministry of Education. The degree must meet the same minimum marks criteria as a regular degree, 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC and 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Degrees from unrecognised institutions, regardless of mode of study, are not accepted.
No, a gap year does not affect a candidate's eligibility to appear for CAT 2027. As long as the candidate holds a qualifying Bachelor's degree with the required minimum marks, they can appear regardless of any gap between completing graduation and applying for CAT.
Yes. Candidates who have cleared professional qualifications such as CA (Chartered Accountant), CS (Company Secretary), CMA/ICWA (Cost and Management Accountant), or FIAI (Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India) are eligible to appear for CAT 2027, provided they have secured the required minimum marks.