CAT Exam 2026: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The CAT Exam 2026, or Common Admission Test, is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is used for admission to postgraduate management programmes at IIMs and other participating business schools across India.

The CAT exam assesses candidates on three major areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Students preparing for the CAT entrance exam can review its eligibility criteria, registration process, syllabus, exam pattern, application fee and important dates before applying.

According to the tentative information available in the supplied page, CAT 2026 is expected to be held on 30 November 2026. Candidates should check the official CAT website for confirmed dates, registration status and any updates.

CAT Exam 2026 Overview

The CAT exam is designed to assess the aptitude and analytical skills required for postgraduate management education. It is conducted annually and is accepted by IIMs and numerous other management institutes.

The conducting IIM, examination schedule and other official details should be confirmed through the CAT 2026 notification.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep track of the CAT exam schedule to complete registration and prepare for the examination on time.

The following dates reflect the tentative information in the supplied page. They are not confirmed official dates.

The registration period mentioned above has passed according to the tentative schedule. Candidates should check the official CAT portal for the actual registration status, any extension announcement and the latest examination updates.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements specified in the official CAT notification before applying. The supplied page lists the following general criteria.

Educational Qualification

Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or meet the equivalent qualification requirements specified in the official notification.

The minimum marks mentioned in the supplied content are 50% for General-category candidates and 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Candidates should verify the applicable category-wise conditions in the official CAT 2026 notification.

Eligibility for Final-Year Students

Students appearing in the final year of their bachelor's degree may apply provisionally, subject to the official eligibility conditions.

Candidates must complete their degree and submit the required documents within the prescribed timeline to retain their eligibility.

CAT Exam Age Limit

The supplied page states that there is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in the CAT exam. Candidates should still satisfy the educational and other requirements specified by the examination authority.

Eligibility for Professional Degree Holders

Candidates with professional qualifications such as CA, CS or ICWA may be eligible to apply if they meet the applicable academic requirements. The official notification should be consulted for the exact qualification rules.

CAT Exam Registration 2026

CAT registration is conducted online through the official CAT website. Applicants need to register, fill out the CAT application form, upload the required documents, select preferences and pay the application fee.

The tentative registration window in the supplied content was August to September 2026. Since this period has passed, candidates should check whether registration has closed or whether an official extension or update has been announced.

How to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form

The general registration process described in the supplied page includes the following steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.
2. Select the new candidate registration option, if registration is open.
3. Complete the required verification process to generate a user ID and password.
4. Log in using the generated credentials.
5. Enter personal, academic and work-experience details, where applicable.
6. Select preferred IIM programmes and examination city preferences.
7. Upload the required photograph, signature and applicable category certificates.
8. Review the application form carefully.
9. Pay the application fee through the available online payment methods.
10. Submit the form and retain the confirmation details for future reference.

Candidates should enter accurate information and follow the instructions provided on the official application portal.

Documents Required for CAT Registration

The supplied page identifies the following documents and details as part of the registration process:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Academic details and records
• Work-experience details, where applicable
• Category certificates, where applicable
• Other information or documents requested by the official application form

Candidates should check the official document specifications, file formats and size limits before uploading files.

CAT Exam Fees 2026

The CAT application fee is payable online during the application process. The supplied page states that the fee varies by category and is non-refundable after payment, but it does not provide confirmed fee amounts.

Candidates should check the official CAT 2026 notification for the applicable fee structure.

Applicants should confirm the final fee before submitting the application form. Payment methods, transaction instructions and refund conditions should also be reviewed on the official portal.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2026

The CAT exam syllabus generally covers three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.

The supplied content notes that the CAT syllabus is not officially defined as a fixed topic-by-topic list. The following topics represent areas commonly covered in CAT preparation.

CAT VARC Syllabus

The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section assesses reading comprehension, language understanding and verbal reasoning.

Common preparation topics include:

• Reading Comprehension
• Para Jumbles
• Para Summary
• Odd Sentence Out
• Sentence Arrangement
• Verbal Reasoning

Candidates should practise reading passages from different subjects and work on identifying central ideas, arguments, assumptions and supporting details.

CAT DILR Syllabus

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section tests the ability to analyse information, identify patterns and solve structured reasoning problems.

Common preparation topics include:

• Tables and Charts
• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Pie Charts
• Caselets
• Seating Arrangements
• Logical Puzzles
• Blood Relations
• Data-Based Reasoning
• Arrangement and Grouping Problems

Candidates should practise interpreting numerical information, organising data and solving multi-step reasoning questions.

CAT Quantitative Ability Syllabus

The Quantitative Ability section assesses mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills.

Common preparation topics include:

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Number Systems
• Modern Mathematics
• Percentages
• Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Time, Speed and Distance
• Time and Work
• Averages
• Equations

A balanced preparation plan should include concept revision, problem-solving practice and timed tests.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

The CAT exam pattern helps candidates understand the structure of the examination, section-wise time limits and marking rules.

The supplied page describes a pattern based on previous exam trends. It mentions 76 questions and a total duration of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated to each section. These figures should be treated as indicative rather than confirmed for CAT 2026 until the official instructions are available.

Is the CAT Exam MCQ-Based or Written?

The CAT exam includes both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions. In MCQs, candidates select an answer from the available options. In TITA questions, candidates enter their answers directly.

The number and distribution of questions may vary by exam year. Candidates should refer to the latest official exam instructions for the applicable question format and marking scheme.

CAT Exam Difficulty Level

The CAT exam tests quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, data interpretation, verbal ability and reading comprehension. Its difficulty can vary across sections and exam years.

The level of difficulty experienced by a candidate depends on factors such as conceptual understanding, accuracy, time management and familiarity with the question formats.

Candidates can assess their preparation through previous-year questions, sectional practice and full-length mock tests.

CAT Exam Centres 2026

Candidates select their preferred examination cities during the CAT registration process, subject to the options available in the application form.

The final examination centre is allotted according to the examination authority's allocation process. A preferred city does not necessarily guarantee a specific centre.

How to Select CAT Exam Cities

During registration, candidates should:

1. Review the available examination-city options in the application form.
2. Select preferences carefully according to the official instructions.
3. Check the information entered before submitting the application.
4. Retain the application confirmation for future reference.

The available cities and the number of preferences permitted should be checked in the official CAT 2026 application instructions.

How to Check Your CAT Exam Centre

Candidates should use the official admit card to check their assigned CAT examination centre. The admit card provides the centre details and examination instructions applicable to the candidate.

Candidates should verify the address and reporting instructions before examination day. Do not rely on unofficial centre lists or old-year examination information for the final centre assignment.

CAT Admit Card 2026

The CAT admit card is an important document for candidates appearing in the examination. It contains details related to the candidate and the assigned examination centre.

The supplied page mentions November 2026 as the tentative admit-card release period. Candidates should check the official CAT portal for the confirmed release date.

How to Download the CAT Admit Card

Once the admit card is available, candidates can generally follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT website.
2. Open the candidate login section.
3. Enter the required login credentials.
4. Locate the admit-card download option.
5. Download the admit card.
6. Check the personal details, examination date, reporting time and centre information.
7. Follow the instructions provided on the admit card.

Candidates should retain a copy of the admit card and follow the official instructions regarding acceptable identification documents and examination-day requirements.

CAT Mock Test and Preparation

CAT mock tests help candidates practise the examination format, improve time management and identify areas that require additional preparation.

Students can use different types of mock tests according to their preparation level.

How to Use CAT Mock Tests Effectively

• Start with topic-wise practice to build conceptual understanding.
• Attempt sectional tests to identify weaker areas.
• Take full-length mocks under timed conditions.
• Review incorrect and unanswered questions after every test.
• Track accuracy and time spent on each section.
• Revise concepts based on mock-test performance.

Candidates should prioritise understanding their mistakes instead of focusing only on the number of mock tests completed.

CAT Exam Form and Registration Deadline

The CAT exam form is submitted through the official registration portal during the notified application window.

The supplied page indicates that CAT 2026 registration was expected to begin in August and end in September 2026. It also mentions possible registration extensions as a topic of interest, but does not establish a confirmed extension date.

Candidates looking for the CAT 2026 registration last date should rely on the official notification and announcements rather than dates from previous examination cycles.

If the registration window has closed, candidates should check the official portal for the next available examination updates and any subsequent admission-related instructions.