CAT 2026 is a national-level MBA entrance exam. The exam is conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. CAT scores are used for admission to IIMs and many other leading management institutes in India. Every year, 3 lakh+ candidates register for CAT. The exam remains the main gateway to IIM MBA and PGDM programmes.
Exam Name Common Admission Test Exam Level National Conducting Body IIMs Courses Offered MBA / PGDM Exam Mode Computer-Based Test Duration 120 Minutes Total Sections 3 Language English Exam Frequency Once a year
CAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative) Event Expected Timeline Notification Release July 2026 Registration Start August 2026 Registration End September 2026 Correction Window September 2026 Admit Card Release October 2026 Exam Date November 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Dates
Particular Expected Date Exam Mode Online (CBT) Exam Month November 2026 Exam Day Last Sunday of November Sessions Morning, Afternoon, Evening Duration 2 Hours
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Through CAT – Know the Tier 1, 2, and 3 Colleges Along With Old, New, and Baby IIMs
CAT 2026 Expected Result Dates Event Expected Timeline Answer Key Release December 2026 Objection Window December 2026 Result Declaration January 2027 Scorecard Download Till December 2027 GD-PI Rounds February–April 2027
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Educational Qualification
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Minimum 50% aggregate
45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates Final-year students can apply
Other Conditions
No age limit
The degree must be completed before admission
CAT 2026 Application Fee Category Fee (INR) General / OBC / EWS ₹2400 SC / ST / PwD ₹1200
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges in India Accepting CAT Score
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Section Questions Time Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension 24 40 min Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 20 40 min Quantitative Ability 22 40 min Total 66 120 min
MCQs and TITA questions included
Negative marking for MCQs only
No negative marking for TITA
CAT 2026 Syllabus Overview VARC
Reading comprehension
Para jumbles
Sentence completion
Verbal reasoning
DILR
Data interpretation sets
Logical reasoning puzzles
Tables and charts
Quantitative Ability
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Number systems
CAT 2026 Registration Process
Visit the official CAT website
Register using email and mobile number
Fill in personal and academic details
Upload a photograph and a signature
Select test cities
Pay the application fee
Download confirmation page
Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Scores
Wrap-Up CAT 2026 is the main MBA entrance exam for IIM aspirants. The exam checks aptitude, reasoning, and time management. Early registration helps in getting preferred test cities. Consistent practice improves performance across sections. Candidates should follow official updates and prepare for the selection rounds after the results.
