CAT Exam Details 2026: The CAT 2026 exam is conducted for admission into post-graduate courses. It is conducted once a year by IIM. Candidates should check the CAT exam details to avoid any last-minute surprises. The CAT exam is a computer-based test divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Nearly 2.95 lakh candidates registered for the CAT 2025 exam. Around 2.58 lakh candidates appeared for the CAT 2026 exam. The overall attendance was roughly 86%. Continue reading for detailed CAT Exam Details 2026 and other information.
What is the full form of the CAT Exam?
The full form of the CAT exam is Common Admission Test. It is typically conducted in November. Last year, it was conducted at 339 test centres across 170 cities in India. It opens the door for admission to several management programs in IIMs and other top B-schools. Know more about the CAT Exam Details 2026 on this page.
CAT 2026 Exam Overview
The CAT exam is usually moderately difficult. Hence, candidates should check all the aspects before applying for the entrance test. Here is a quick snapshot of the CAT 2026 exam in the table shared below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test |
| Exam Conducting Body | IIM |
| Number of Applicants | 2.95 lakh (CAT 2025) |
| Eligibility | Graduation |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | 3 |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Maximum Marks | 204 |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes each |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer-1 for incorrect answer (MCQs) |
CAT Exam Date & Schedule 2026
The online registration for the CAT exam typically begins in August. The CAT exam registration 2026 is expected to begin in August and conclude in September 2026. The CAT 2026 exam will be held in November. The official dates will be updated soon. Till then, candidates can check expected CAT exam dates and other events below:
| Events | Date (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | August 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 Ends | September 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | November 2026 |
CAT Exam Details 2026: Who Can Apply?
Candidates must check the eligibility conditions before filling out the CAT application form. The minimum qualification required for this test is a bachelor’s degree. You should provide accurate details about your eligibility and other factors in the form. Any mistake may lead to the disqualification of their candidature. The CAT eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage.
- Professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with the required percentage.
- Students in their final year can apply.
- General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must obtain at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) in the qualifying degree.
CAT Exam Details 2026: How to Apply?
The CAT application form 2026 will be released online. Candidates must have a valid Email ID, mobile number and other documents. This ensures hassle-free registration. They should submit the CAT form 2026 within the deadline. Use the simple instructions to apply for the CAT 2026 exam:
- Go to the official CAT 2026 website.
- Click the “New Registration” link
- Enter your email address, mobile number, DOB, etc., to register successfully.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Fill out the entire form. Enter your personal details, academic, contacts, etc.
- Upload scanned copies of documents in the given format.
- Pay the prescribed application fees.
- Download and print out the CAT application form.
Registered Vs Actual Number of CAT Exam-Takers
| CAT Year | Number of Registered Candidates | Number of Candidates Appeared | Attendance Rate |
| 2025 | 2.95 lakh | 2.58 lakh | 86% |
| 2024 | 3.29 Lakh | 2.93 Lakh | 89% |
| 2023 | 3.30 Lakh | 2.88 Lakh | 88% |
| 2022 | 2.55 Lakh | 2.22 Lakh | 87% |
| 2021 | 2.30 Lakh | 1.91 Lakh | 83% |
| 2020 | 2.27 Lakh | 1.90 Lakh | 83% |
| 2019 | 2.44 Lakh | 2.09 Lakh | 86% |
| 2018 | 2.41 Lakh | 2.09 Lakh | 87% |
| 2017 | 2.31 Lakh | 1.99 Lakh | 86% |
| 2016 | 2.32 Lakh | 1.95 Lakh | 84% |
| 2015 | 2.18 Lakh | 1.79 Lakh | 82% |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the CAT exam pattern is important. The CAT 2026 exam comprises 68 questions. The exam duration is 120 minutes (2 hours). Each question carries 3 marks. A negative marking of 1 mark will apply for every wrong answer in MCQs. Learn more about the CAT exam pattern 2026 below:
| Section | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
CAT Syllabus 2026
The CAT syllabus covers VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA). This syllabus is based on past exam trends and topics previously asked. Candidates should cover all the crucial topics to excel. Check the detailed CAT exam syllabus below:
CAT Exam Syllabus for VARC
| Topic | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 questions | 67-68% |
| Para Jumble | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Summary | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Odd Questions | 2-3 questions | 7-8% |
CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR
| DI & LR Topics | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| Tables and Charts | 3-6 | 45–50% |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | 2-4 | 55-60% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 2-4 | 5-10% |
| Games and Tournaments | 4-5 | 10-20% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 4-5 | 5-10% |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | 2-3 | 5-10% |
CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Topic Name | No. of Questions (Approximate) |
| Number System | 2-3 |
| Averages, Ratios and Proportion | 4-5 |
| Progressions and Series | 1-2 |
| Time, Work and Distance | 2-3 |
| Logarithms, Surds and Indices | 2-3 |
| Profit, Loss and Interest | 2-3 |
| Geometry | 2-3 |
| Inequalities and linear equations | 1-2 |
| Functions and Graphs | 1-2 |
| PnC and Probability | 1-2 |
| Quadratic Equations | 2-3 |
CAT Quant Topic-Wise Weightage
| Topic | Weightage |
| Number System | 5-10% |
| Arithmetic | 35-50% |
| Algebra | 30-35% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 10-15% |
| Modern Maths | 5-10% |
Top Colleges Through the CAT Exam
All the IIMs and top B-schools accept CAT exam scores for MBA admission. Candidates should compare all these institutes to make the right choice. They should check fees, ROI, brand value, and other aspects. Some of the top colleges through the CAT exam are:
| College | CAT Cutoffs (Approx, Expected) | Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95+ | INR 27 Lakhs+ | INR 35.22 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | 85+ | INR 26 Lakhs+ | INR 34.88 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | ≥85 | INR 27 Lakhs+ | – |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85+ | INR 23 Lakhs+ | INR 28.18 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | 90+ | INR 20 Lakhs+ | INR 32.3 LPA |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 85+ | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 32 LPA |
| FMS Delhi | 98+ | INR 2.32 Lakhs+ | INR 30.1 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 25.6 LPA |
CAT Result 2026
The CAT results are typically announced 1 month after the exam. Candidates can download their official CAT scorecards using their application login ID and password. The result for the CAT 2026 exam will be announced online at the official website.
CAT Cutoff 2026
IIM announces the CAT cutoff percentile on their respective official website. It features the top percentile scores, total count, gender, discipline, and state-wise distribution. The CAT cutoff percentile varies across each IIM. Those who score above or equal to the given cutoffs will be shortlisted for the next phase: WAT-GD-PI. The CAT 2026 cutoff has not been released. We have shared below the IIM CAT minimum qualifying cutoff percentile of the last year:
CAT Exam Cutoff 2025 for IIMs
| IIM | GEN | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95+ | 95+ | 90+ | 85+ | 75+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
| IIM Trichy | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Calcutta | ≥85 | ≥75 | ≥75 | ≥70 | ≥65 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90+ | 82+ | 82+ | 65+ | 60+ |
| IIM Vishakhapatnam | 82+ | 72+ | 72+ | 50+ | 40+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 65+ | 55+ |
| IIM Mumbai | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
| IIM Rohtak | 97+ | 93+ | 83+ | 60+ | 50+ |
| IIM Amritsar | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 55+ | 40+ |
| IIM Kashipur | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Indore | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 60+ | 45+ |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Udaipur | 94 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Raipur | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 95 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Ranchi | 90 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 30 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 90+ | 80+ | 75+ | 55+ | 40+ |
| IIM Nagpur | 95 | 85 | 85 | 65 | 40 |
CAT Exam Cutoff for Non-IIMs
| Institute | CAT Cutoff Expected) |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 97-98+ |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ |
| IIT Kharagpur | 90+ |
| SPJIMR | 85+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 71-72+ |
| FMS | 97-98+ |
How to Prepare for the CAT 2026 Exam?
Preparing for CAT 2026 demands a clear strategy and consistent effort. Follow these tips to prepare well for the CAT 2026 exam:
- Start the CAT preparation early
- Develop strong basics and master core topics
- Make an exam-focused daily study plan
- Give equal priority to all the subjects.
- Practice mocks regularly
- Attempt weekly sectional tests
- Analyse performance and improve weak areas
- Revise formulas and concepts regularly
- Attempt full-length mocks to assess exam readiness
- Track progress and refine strategy
Ready to take your CAT 2026 preparation to the next level? Join the MBA KARO course for expert guidance, structured learning, and proven results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the CAT 2026 Exam?
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the CAT exam. Final year students can also apply.
What is the CAT Exam Date 2026?
The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted in November tentatively.
Which subjects are covered in the CAT exam?
The CAT exam syllabus covers VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA).
How many questions are asked in the CAT Exam?
The CAT exam paper typically features 68 questions.
How many months are needed to prepare for CAT exam?
Most students take 9-12 months to prepare for the CAT exam.
How many questions are asked in the CAT DILR section?
A total of 22 questions are asked in the CAT DILR section.
Is there negative marking in the CAT exam?
Yes. There shall be negative marking for incorrect MCQs in the CAT exam.
What is the duration of the CAT exam?
The overall duration of the CAT exam is 120 minutes (2 hours).
What percentile is required for top colleges through CAT?
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta usually need 85-95+%ile.
Which are the best non-IIM colleges through CAT?
Top options include FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon. These offer strong placements and ROI.
