CAT 2026 Exam : Registration, Exam Date, Admit Card, Syllabus, Question Papers Analysis, Answer Key, Result
One of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India, the CAT 2026 is set to take place on November 29, 2026, according to the CAT Information Bulleting.
According to the official notification released on July 26, 2026, CAT Exam 2026 Registration is going to start from August 03, 2026, until September 15, 2026.
Those who want to get into the top IIMs should start early with a structured study plan and professional guidance.
IIM Indore is in charge of conducting the CAT 2026 exam this year. The number of students taking the CAT exam rises every year. Approximately 4.5 lakh students are anticipated to sit this exam in 2026.
There were 2.58 lakh candidates present for the November 30, 2025, exam. Last Year, the CAT 2025 exam was administered under the guidance of IIM Kozhikode.
One of the IIMs administers the CAT exam each year, and this year, the responsibility has fallen into the hands of IIM Indore.
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The CAT exam 2026 syllabus includes 3 sections - VARC, DILR, and QA with 68 questions in total (MCQs + TITA).
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We have highlighted the key events for the CAT 2026 exam in the table below.
By reading on, you get comprehensive information about the CAT exam date 2026, CAT exam 2026 eligibility, CAT exam 2026 fees, CAT exam 2026 registration Last date, and more!
Latest Information for CAT 2026:
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CAT Exam 2026 Registration Last Date : September 15, 2026
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CAT 2026 Registration Start date : August 03, 2026
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CAT Exam Date is November 29, 2026
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CAT admit Card release date November 04, 2026
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CAT Exam Date 2026 and Schedule
The CAT 2026 exam will take place on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The official announcement was made public on July 26, 2026, and registration will continue from August 3 to September 15, 2026.
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CAT 2026 Events
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CAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
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CAT 2026 Notification Release
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July 26, 2026
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CAT Exam 2026 Registration Start Date
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August 03, 2026
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CAT Exam 2026 Registration Last date
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September 15, 2026
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Application Form Correction Window
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4th Week of September 2026
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CAT 2026 Admit Card Release
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November 04, 2026
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CAT Exam 2026 Fees
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INR 1350 (SC, ST, PwD)
INR 2700 (General and OBC)
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CAT Exam Date 2026
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November 29, 2026 (Last Sunday)
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CAT Answer Key 2026 release date
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1st Week of December 2026
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CAT Result 2026
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4th Week of December 2026
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Exam Highlights for CAT 2026 Exam
The CAT exam is administered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) only once a year. It consists of three sections: VARC (Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability).
Candidates will receive all the necessary information about the CAT exam in the notification, where they can check the date of registration, the exam date, the release of admit cards, etc.
All the crucial information needed by the candidates will be covered in this post.
IIM Indore is set to conduct the CAT 2026. Here is a tabular summary of all the information regarding the CAT exam 2026:
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Particulars
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Details
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CAT 2026 Conducting Body
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Indian Institute of Management
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CAT 2026 Exam Level
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National
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CAT 2026 Exam Frequency
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Once a year
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CAT Exam Date 2026
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November 29, 2025
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CAT 2026 Exam Slots
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3 Slots
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CAT Exam 2026 Fees
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SC/ST/PwD - INR-1350/-
GEN - INR- 2700/-
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CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility
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Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
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Number of Applications in the CAT Entrance Exam
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2.95 Lakh (in 2025)
3.29 lakh (in 2024)
3.33 lakh (in 2023)
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CAT 2026 Exam Purpose
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Registration in IIMs, IIFT, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, IMT, and over 1,200 B-Schools in India
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Degree Offered Through CAT Exam 2026
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MBA/ PGDM
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CAT Entrance Exam Sections
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Quantitative Ability (QA)
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CAT Exam Mode
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Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and TITA
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Number of test cities for the CAT Exam 2026
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170 cities
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CAT 2026 registration link
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https://iimcat.ac.in/
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CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
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A bachelor's degree from any accredited university or educational institution with at least 50% of the aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories) from a recognized college is required to satisfy the CAT exam 2026 eligibility criteria.
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Candidates may apply if they have completed the requirements for their degree, are awaiting their results, or are enrolled in the last year of the Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualifying exam.
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If a candidate has received the required percentage in a professional degree (CA, CS, ICWA, or FCAI), they may also take the CAT.
Note: According to the official CAT notification 2026, candidates will not be considered for shortlisting by IIMs and other B-schools if they do not meet the minimum CAT exam 2026 eligibility requirements.
When can you register for CAT 2026?
Registrations will start from August 3, 2026, as per the official notification made available on July 26, 2026. Students will have until September 15, 2026. The correction window is expected to fall in the last week of September 2026.
To allow applicants to submit their application form this year for the CAT 2026 exam, the IIMs will provide a direct registration link on their official website.
Steps to register for the CAT Exam 2026
Once CAT 2026 registration starts on August 3, 2026, candidates must follow these instructions on the official website, iimcat.ac.in:
Step 1: Go to the official website
Click the "Register" or "New Registration" option after visiting iimcat.ac.in. Following the issuance of the formal announcement, this link will become operational.
Step 2: Make a new account
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Candidates must enter their name precisely as it appears on their Class 10 certificate.
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Give your birthdate, a working email address, and a working mobile number.
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To create their user ID and password, candidates must confirm the OTPs issued to their email and mobile device.
Step 3: Complete the application.
After logging in, carefully fill out the following sections:
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Personal information: Name, birthdate, gender, country, category, and contact data.
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Academic information: Class 10, 12, and graduation percentages; input numbers precisely as they appear on candidates' mark sheets.
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Job experience: If you have any post-qualification job experience, enter the total number of months. It can be left blank by newcomers.
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Preferences for the test city: In order of preference, choose up to six cities.
Step 4: Add Documents
Upload a recent passport-sized photo and your signature in the JPEG format and size specified in the notice.
Step 5: Make the application fee payment.
Use a credit or debit card, net banking, UPI, etc. to pay the charge online. The cost cannot be reimbursed. For reference, take note of the transaction ID.
Step 6: Complete Submission and Download Verification
Check all the information, fill out the form, and download or save the registration number and confirmation page. These login credentials are necessary for future logins, results, and admission cards.
Documents Needed to Register for CAT 2026
Before beginning their application, candidates must have the following documents available in digital format (scanned). One of the most frequent causes of form errors or rejection is uploading files in the wrong size or format.
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Photograph: A recent, coloured, passport-sized JPEG picture (size: 20 KB to 50 KB).
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Signature: JPEG file (size: 10 KB to 50 KB) scanned on white paper using blue/black ink.
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Class 10 mark sheet: To confirm the date of birth.
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Class 12 mark sheet: To complete the academic profile.
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Graduation mark sheets and degree certificates: Each semester or years’ worth of mark sheets (final-year students can submit accessible mark sheets).
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A valid SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD certificate issued by a competent body is the category certificate, if applicable.
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Work Experience: Offer letters, experience certificates, or pay stubs are examples of work experience documents that are optional during registration and are mostly required for IIM shortlisting.
What are the CAT Exam 2026 Fees?
The CAT Exam 2026 Fee has been raised by Rs 50 for SC/ST and Rs 100 for General category students. Applicants from the SC/ST and general categories have to pay Rs 1350 and Rs 2700, respectively, instead of Rs 1300 and Rs 2600 in 2025.
This year, the consortium increased the registration fee again in the same way it did last year. Below is the CAT exam fee, according to last year:
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Candidates who are SC, ST, or PwD are required to pay a Rs.1350 application fee.
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The CAT exam 2026 fees for the general and OBC categories are Rs.2,700.
Note: Regardless of how many institutes a candidate applies to, they only need to pay the CAT exam 2026 fees once.
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The cost is non-refundable and can only be paid online using UPI, credit cards, debit cards, or net banking.
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The candidate is responsible for paying any transaction fees.
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Until the payment is successfully processed, your application will be deemed incomplete.
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Candidates can download the application summary PDF and payment receipt for their records after paying the cost.
CAT 2026 Application Correction Window
The edit window is expected to be activated by the exam authorities in the last week of September 2026, similar to last year. Students will have three days to revise their application. Students can access it by using their password and user ID. The items that candidates may alter during this time are listed below:
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Photo
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Signature
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Test City preferences
How can the CAT exam 2026 application form be edited?
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To make changes to your application form, log in with your user ID and password.
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Click "Go to application" to begin editing after logging in.
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When modifying the form, please carefully read all of the instructions.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
You can get started on your CAT 2026 exam preparation by reviewing the CAT 2026 exam pattern. Make sure you carefully review the most recent version of the CAT 2026 Exam Pattern. This year, the consortium suggested no new changes in the exam pattern, and it will remain the same as last year
The CAT exam in 2026 will be administered as a computer-based test over three sessions in a single day, following the structure of previous years.
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CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
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CAT Exam Mode 2026
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CBT Online or Computer-Based Test
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CAT 2026 Duration
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2 Hours or 120 Min. (Each Section will have 40-minute limit)
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Total Count of Questions for CAT 2026
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68
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CAT total marks
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204
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CAT 2026 Language
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English
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Number of Choices for Each Question
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4
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CAT 2026 Exam Mode
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CBT Online (Computer-based Test)
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CAT 2026 Types of Questions
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MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA)
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CAT 2026 Sections
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1. Quantitative Aptitude
2. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
3. Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
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By section, MCQ and non-MCQ question counts (based on the 2026 CAT exam)
The number of MCQ and non-MCQ questions in each CAT subject or section is approximated in the following table, according to last year’s pattern
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Section Names
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Number of MCQs
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Number of Non-MCQs
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Total Questions
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VARC - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
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21
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3
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24
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DILR - Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
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16
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6
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22
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QA - Quantitative Ability
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14
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8
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22
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Total Questions
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51
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17
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68
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CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
The CAT exam 2026 is set to take place on November 29, 2026, according to the official notification released on July 26, 2026. The grading scheme for that day will be as follows, according to last year’s exam pattern:
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Every correct answer will earn three points.
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Any wrong answer to the objective questions will result in a negative score of -1.
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Negative marks will not be applied to non-MCQ questions.
CAT Exam 2026 Slot Timing Expected
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CAT exam slot 2026
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Exam timing
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Reporting time
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Last entry allowed
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Slot 1
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8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
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7:00 AM
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8:15 AM
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Slot 2
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12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
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11:00 AM
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12:15 PM
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Slot 3
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4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
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3:00 PM
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4:15 PM
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Section-Specific CAT Exam 2026 Syllabus
Below is the table depicting the section-specific subjects of the CAT exam 2026 syllabus, according to last year’s syllabus. In the year 2026, the CAT syllabus received no new changes in overall subjects and topics compared to last year:
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CAT 2026 Section Name
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CAT Exam 2026 Syllabus
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QA
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Geometry, Number System, Algebra, Work, Mensuration, and Time
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DILR
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Blood Relation, Data Caselets, Tables, Seating Arrangements, Graphs, Syllogism
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VARC
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Para-Summary, Para-Jumbles, RC Passages-Based Questions, Inferences, Sentence Completion
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CAT 2026 Admit Card
The CAT 2026 admit card will be distributed around 25 days before the test on November 4, 2026, as per the official notification released on July 26, 2026. Students can download the admit cards from the official website till the day of the exam. It contains all the information about the exam day, candidate’s details, and instructions.
CAT 2026 Answer Key
Within two to three days following the test, the provisional answer key and response sheet for the CAT exam 2026 will be made accessible. This document will help students calculate their scores before the results are announced and file objections by paying a fee of INR 1500 per objection, if they find any discrepancies. The fee is refundable only if the objection is found valid.
Once all the objections are resolved, IIM Indore will release the final CAT answer key, probably in the third week of December 2026, on which the final results will be based. After this, no request for re-evaluation will be entertained.
CAT 2026 Result
The third week of December 2026 is probably when the CAT 2026 scorecard and results will be made public. Students can download their scorecards on the official website by using their login credentials. Soon after the results are announced, participating universities will release their cut-offs to begin the admission process.
The CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Trend Over Previous Years
You can see how the CAT exam has changed throughout the years in the following table.
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Year
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Time (mins)
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Sections (Abbreviation)
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Questions per Section
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Total Questions
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2025
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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24, 22, 22
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68
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2024
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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24,22,22
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68
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2023
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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24, 20, 22
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66
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2022
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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24, 20, 22
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66
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2021
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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24, 20, 22
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66
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2020
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120
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VARC, DILR, QA
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26, 24, 26
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76
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2019
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180
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VARC, DILR, QA
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34, 32, 34
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100
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2018
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180
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VARC, DILR, QA
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34, 32, 34
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100
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2017
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180
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VARC, DILR, QA
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34, 32, 34
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100
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2016
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180
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VARC, DILR, QA
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34, 32, 34
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100
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2015
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180
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VARC, DILR, QA
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34, 32, 34
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100
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2014
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170
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QA & DI, VA & LR
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50, 50
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100
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2013
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140
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VALR, QADI
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30, 30
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60
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2012
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140
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QA, DI, VARC
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21, 9, 30
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60
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2011
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140
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VALR, QADI
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30, 30
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60
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Selection Procedure for CAT 2026
Please be advised that IIMs utilize their own, possibly distinct, criteria to shortlist candidates for the interview phase once the CAT results are formally announced. In general, there are three steps involved in the IIM selection process:
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Phase 1: It entails administering the CAT 2026 exam and selecting applicants depending on their performance.
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Phase 2: The chosen applicants will then be invited to participate in a group discussion (GD), a personal interview (PI), and a writing ability test (WAT).
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Phase 3: Verification of the candidates' documents.
Reservation Guidelines for CAT 2026
The following reservations are granted to applicants for the CAT exam 2026 based on various categories in accordance with regulatory laws.
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Category
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Percentage
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Scheduled Caste (SC)
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15%
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Scheduled Tribe (ST)
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7.5%
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Other Backward Classes (OBC)
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27%
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Economically Weaker Classes (EWS)
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10%
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Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
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5%
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CAT 2026 Exam Cut-Offs (Anticipated)
The minimum cut-offs published by several IIMs in 2025 are as follows:
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IIMs
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Overall CAT Cut-Offs Category-Wise
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|
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Gen
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EWS
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OBC
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SC
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ST
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PWD |
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IIM Ahmedabad
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95+
|
95+
|
90+
|
85+
|
75+
|
85+
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IIM Bangalore
|
85+
|
75+
|
75+
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70+
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65+
|
60+
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IIM Calcutta
|
75+
|
65+
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65+
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60+
|
55+
|
45+
|
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IIM Lucknow
|
90+
|
82+
|
82+
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65+
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60+
|
60+
|
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IIM Mumbai
|
85+
|
75+
|
75+
|
70+
|
65+
|
55+
|
|
IIM Indore
|
90+
|
90+
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80+
|
60+
|
45+
|
45+
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
85+
|
75+
|
75+
|
65+
|
55+
|
55+
|
|
IIM Shillong*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
IIM Udaipur
|
95
|
81
|
81
|
66
|
42
|
42
|
|
IIM Trichy
|
90
|
75
|
75
|
50
|
30
|
30
|
|
IIM Ranchi
|
90
|
75
|
75
|
50
|
30
|
30
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
97+
|
93+
|
83+
|
60+
|
50+
|
***
|
|
IIM Raipur
|
90
|
75
|
75
|
50
|
30
|
30
|
|
IIM Kashipur
|
90
|
75
|
75
|
50
|
30
|
30
|
|
IIM Nagpur
|
95
|
81
|
81
|
66
|
42
|
42
|
|
IIM Bodhgaya
|
95
|
81
|
81
|
66
|
42
|
42
|
|
IIM Sirmaur
|
95
|
81
|
81
|
66
|
42
|
42
|
|
IIM Amritsar
|
90+
|
90+
|
80+
|
55+
|
40+
|
40+
|
|
IIM Sambalpur
|
90+
|
80+
|
75+
|
55+
|
40+
|
40+
|
|
IIM Vishakhapatnam
|
80+
|
72+
|
72+
|
45+
|
30+
|
30+
|
|
IIM Jammu
|
95
|
81
|
81
|
66
|
42
|
42
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Campus-Wise IIM Seats 2026 (Anticipated)
For more on the CAT exam, including entrance exam costs, see the official website. This is each IIM's seat matrix for the management program.
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IIM campus
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PGP/MBA seats
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|
IIM Ahmedabad
|
385
|
|
IIM Bangalore
|
412
|
|
IIM Calcutta
|
462
|
|
IIM Lucknow
|
436
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
375
|
|
IIM Raipur
|
210
|
|
IIM Udaipur
|
260
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
240
|
|
IIM Visakhapatnam
|
60
|
|
IIM Trichy
|
180
|
|
IIM Sambalpur`
|
320
|
|
IIM Ranchi
|
240
|
|
IIM Bodhgaya
|
120
|
|
IIM Sirmaur
|
60
|
|
IIM Jammu
|
120
|
|
IIM Amritsar
|
60
|
|
IIM Shillong
|
120
|
|
IIM Kashipur
|
210
|
|
IIM Nagpur
|
130
|
|
IIM Indore
|
451
|
In conclusion
Applying to a prestigious business school in India requires passing the CAT exam in 2026. Therefore, it is essential to study thoroughly for the CAT entrance exam in 2026 and to understand all its subjects and concepts.
A successful CAT exam score can help you reach your goal of being accepted into a prestigious business school if you prepare well.
Also read :
FAQs for CAT EXAM 2026
Q1. Can someone who already has a degree take the CAT exam?
Yes, you can take the CAT exam if you have a UG degree. All applicants who fulfil the requirements can take the CAT exam.
Q2. Is the CAT Exam Difficult?
Because of its competitive nature and the difficulty of its questions, the CAT exam is regarded as difficult. It puts your logical, linguistic, and analytical abilities to the test under time constraints.
Q3. How many CAT exam questions are there?
Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) comprise the three sections of the CAT exam, which normally has 68 questions.
Q4. How Can I Sign Up for the CAT Exam?
Go to the official CAT website to register during the registration period. By entering your personal information and creating a User ID and password, you may create an account. Provide your academic, personal, and professional background in the application form, and attach the necessary files. To finish the registration procedure, submit the form and pay the registration cost online.
Q5. When to apply for the CAT Exam 2026?
The CAT Exam 2026 official notification was released by the IIM on July 26, 2026, and registration will start from August 03, 2026, and will end on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The CAT 2026 exam is set for November 29, 2026.
Q6. When should I start preparing for CAT 2026?
It is advised to start studying for CAT 2026 at least six to nine months before the test date, which is usually in November, to do it well. This gives you plenty of time to study, go over the material, and take practice exams. It's a good idea to start in March or April, but with a concentrated 6-month strategy, even June or July may be handled.
Q7. Who will conduct CAT 2026?
The charge to conduct the CAT 2026 is entrusted to IIM Indore this year. Last year, it was administered by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode).
Q8. What is the age limit for CAT 2026?
The Common Admission Test, or CAT, has no upper age limit. Regardless of age, anyone who satisfies the educational requirements may apply for CAT. The CAT exam does not have a minimum or maximum age limit.