CAT Exam
Your complete blueprint for India's premier management entrance test. Master the CAT syllabus and unlock your corporate career in MBA, PGDM, and Executive Management at the elite IIMs and top business schools.
Total Marks
204
Total Questions
68
Duration
2 Hours
Frequency
Once a Year
The Common Admission Test, commonly abbreviated as “CAT”, is a highly competitive, national-level computer-based entrance exam in India. Conducted annually on a rotational basis by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), it serves as the primary gateway for admission into prestigious postgraduate management programs like the MBA and PGDM.
The exam is 2 hours (120 minutes) long, evaluating candidates’ aptitude across three core sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The paper consists of 68 questions with max marks of 204 marks. The CAT scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,000 other top business schools nationwide.
Through the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam, students can enter management programs like MBA and PGDM, as well as fellowship or doctoral programs.
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a prestigious graduate degree that teaches advanced leadership, finance, marketing, and management skills. It accelerates career growth, expands professional networks, and prepares graduates for high-level corporate executive roles.
PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. It is a two-year postgraduate program offered by autonomous institutes in India, focusing on practical industry skills, leadership, and business management.
India has 22 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,000 business schools that accept CAT (Common Admission Test) scores for management programs.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is crucial because it serves as the primary gateway for admission to elite management institutes in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools.
CAT exam is mandatory for all applicants willing to get into IIMs as well as top non-IIM institutions like FSM Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and others.
Candidates are evaluated uniformly via CAT. The core metrics include Verbal Ability (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)
With a good CAT score, you can enter top IIMs, which opens doors to myriad high-paying careers such as consulting, investment banking, and product management
Rigorous CAT preparation will build essential life skills in you. You can develop time management, an intense work ethic, and critical problem-solving capabilities.
Graduating from a top-tier business school via the Common Admission Test connects you with a strong professional network of alumni and industry experts.
The syllabus for the CAT exam heavily overlaps with other major management tests like XAT, SNAP, and NMAT, making preparation useful for multiple entrance paths.
CAT 2026 is a two-hour computer-based test (CBT) management entrance exam. It contains three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA). Scheduled for November 29, 2026, it is the primary gateway for IIM admissions.
You need to meet the applicable CAT eligibility criteria to sit for the examination. The core requirements include the prescribed age, academic qualifications, minimum marks, and the applicant's nationality. Explore the key prerequisites.
There is no lower or upper age limit. Also, there is no upper age bar or restriction for the CAT (Common Admission Test) examination.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree recognised by the UGC or possess an equivalent professional qualification like CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI.
The CAT Exam Pattern is a 120-minute computer-based test with 68 questions split into three 40-minute sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (22 questions), and QA (22 questions). It awards +3 marks per correct answer and -1 for wrong MCQs.
Total: 68 Questions | 204 Max Marks | 2 Hours
Correct Answer+3
Incorrect Answer-1
Unanswered0The CAT syllabus is divided into Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam tests reading comprehension, language skills, analytical reasoning, data interpretation, and mathematical aptitude.
The standard step-by-step registration process for the Common Admission Test (CAT) involves visiting the official website (IIMCAT), generating login credentials, and completing the detailed online application form. Follow the instructions given below:
Here are the required documents mentioned for students. Check and organise all these vital documents for your CAT exam registration process.
Valid Photo ID Proof
Passport-size Photograph
Scanned Signature
Class 10 & 12 Certificates
Graduation Marksheet/Degree
Category Certificate, if applicable
PwD Certificate, if applicable
Work Experience Proof, if applicable
Download your CAT Admit Card correctly, ensuring you carry the required hall ticket and follow examination-day instructions without last-minute issues.
Download Admit Card
Passing the Common Admission Test (CAT) opens doors to multiple prestigious management and corporate career paths across India and abroad. Talk with our expert and get shortlisted for top IIMs and AICTE-approved MBA options in India and abroad.
The CAT 2026 Exam Centres List is spread across approximately 170 test cities and over 370 exam centres in India, with Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra hosting the highest number of locations. Key stats are as follows:
New Delhi
Delhi
Ghaziabad
Noida
Greater Noida
Gurugram
Faridabad
Lucknow
Kanpur
Agra
Meerut
Varanasi
Prayagraj
Bareilly
Aligarh
Mumbai
Pune
Nagpur
Nashik
Thane
Navi Mumbai
Kolhapur
Aurangabad
Bengaluru
Mysuru
Mangaluru
Hubli-Dharwad
Belagavi
Chennai
Coimbatore
Madurai
Salem
Tiruchirappalli
Vellore
Kolkata
Asansol
Durgapur
Siliguri
Howrah
Ahmedabad
Surat
Vadodara
Rajkot
Gandhinagar
Anand
Hyderabad
Warangal
Karimnagar
Indore
Bhopal
Gwalior
Jabalpur
Patna
Muzaffarpur
Gaya
Bhagalpur
Aurangabad
For CAT 2026, IIM Indore is conducting the examination on 29 November 2026 in three sessions. The notification was released in July, registration opened on 3 August 2026, and the application deadline was ultimately 22 September 2026 after an extension. As of 8 October 2026, the registration and correction windows have closed.
| Events | Date |
|---|---|
| 01CAT 2026 Notification | 25 July 2026 |
| 02Application Form Release | 3 August 2026 |
| 03Application Form Last Date | 22 September 2026 |
| 04Correction Window | 5–6 October 2026 |
| 05Admit Card Release | 4 November 2026 |
| 06CAT 2026 Exam | 29 November 2026 |
| 07Answer Key | December 2026 |
| 08Objection Window | December 2026 |
| 09Final Answer Key | December 2026 |
| 10CAT 2026 Result | January 2027 (expected) |
<strong>Note:</strong> CAT does not have centralised seat allotment. After the CAT result, individual IIMs and other participating B-schools conduct their own shortlisting, selection and admission processes. Verify dates on <a href="https://iimcat.ac.in/">iimcat.ac.in</a>.
33%
of the paper: Your most volatile section.
100%
Application-based, especially Arithmetic & Algebra.
10+ years
of PYQs recommended for pattern practice
Daily
Revision of shortcuts & mock logs.
Strengthen fundamental concepts in arithmetic, algebra, reading comprehension, geometry, logical reasoning and data interpretation.
Divide your preparation across VARC, DILR and QA, with fixed slots for concepts, practice, revision, sectional tests and mock exams.
Maintain short notes for formulas, shortcuts, vocabulary, important concepts and recurring mistakes. Revise them regularly to improve retention.
Practise previous CAT questions to understand question patterns, difficulty levels, recurring concepts and effective time-management techniques.
Start with sectional tests and gradually take full-length mocks. Analyse every mock to improve accuracy, speed and question selection.
Incorrect MCQs carry negative marking. Avoid random guessing and learn when to attempt, leave or revisit a question.
Use mock and sectional test performance to identify weak topics. Prioritise concepts where your accuracy and solving speed are consistently low.
Read regularly and practise Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary and Odd-Sentence questions. Focus on comprehension rather than memorising vocabulary.
Solve different sets involving tables, graphs, arrangements, puzzles, games and caselets. Develop the ability to identify manageable sets quickly.
Prioritise Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System and Modern Mathematics. Focus on conceptual clarity, calculation speed and timed practice.
Effective time management in the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam requires a strict triage approach across your 40-minute sectional limits, prioritising easy "sitter" questions before moving to complex problems. Don’t panic in the last minutes; below are the Do’s & Don’ts mentioned.
Monitor your remaining time constantly during each section.Spend the first minute scanning and picking the easiest questions.Abandon a difficult question if it takes over two minutes.Take weekly timed mock tests to build your pacing stamina.Prioritise correct answers over attempting every single exam question.
Do not waste precious minutes fighting with a stubborn question.Avoid guessing blindly because negative marking will lower your score.Never dwell on past sections; focus only on the current.Do not skip analysing your mock test time distribution patterns.Avoid rushing through the final questions and making silly mistakes.The expected CAT 2026 overall cutoff for top-tier IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) is 99–100 percentile for General candidates, while newer management institutions in India range from 70–95+ percentile.
| General / Open | 85 Overall |
| EWS / NC-OBC | 75 Overall |
| SC | 70 Overall |
| ST | 65 Overall |
| PwBD | 55 Overall |
You can predict your expected CAT percentile and MBA admission chances using free online tools like the CAT College Predictor. It is an online tool that analyses your marks, category and other parameters to provide you with practical IIM chances.
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An international career after the CAT exam is possible if you use your CAT score to apply directly to top European business schools for Master in Management (MiM) programs, or leverage high IIM placements for global job opportunities. The top-tier destinations are:
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CAT is a national-level management entrance exam for admission to MBA, PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes at IIMs and leading B-schools.
CAT is conducted annually by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks; the minimum is 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
No, CAT has no upper age limit. Candidates meeting the educational requirements can apply regardless of their age.
CAT is conducted once a year, generally in November. Candidates can appear in CAT in multiple years if eligible.
CAT has three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. The exam lasts 120 minutes and includes MCQ and TITA questions.
CAT 2026 contains 68 questions, divided across VARC, DILR and QA, with a maximum score of 204 marks.
Yes, incorrect MCQs generally incur 1-mark negative marking, while TITA questions typically have no negative marking.
Yes, final-year undergraduate students can apply for CAT if they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements.
There is no single qualifying percentile for all IIMs. Top IIMs generally require very high percentiles along with a strong overall profile.
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