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CAT 2026 Exam: Notification, Registration, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility

authorImageSubham Sahoo26 Sept, 2025
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CAT 2026 Exam

CAT 2026 Exam: Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted for candidates to get admission into the top business schools of India. CAT 2026 Exam is expected to be conducted in the last week of November 2026. The CAT 2025 syllabus and exam pattern are not expected to see major changes.

The CAT Scores are accepted by 21 IIMs and over 1200 B-schools in India for admission into various PG management programs. Candidates planning to appear for the CAT 2026 Exam should know everything about the exam dates, notification, registration, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and more. 

CAT 2026 Exam Overview

The CAT exam is the gateway to top business schools in India. It is conducted annually in a computer-based test that evaluates a candidate’s skills in quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. Preparing well for CAT 2026 can open doors to prestigious MBA programs and career opportunities. The table below contains the CAT Exam 2026 overview:

CAT 2026 Exam Overview
Particulars Details
Exam Name Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body Any top Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)
CAT Frequency Annual
Exam Level National
Medium of Exam English
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
No. of Questions 66
CAT Question Types Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Type in The Answer (TITA)
CAT Score Validity 1 year
Number of IIMs Participating in CAT 2025 21 IIMs
Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Scores 1000+ prestigious management institutes and business schools in India
Official Website iimcat.ac.in

CAT Exam 2026 Tentative Dates

The CAT exam 2026 is expected to be conducted in the last week of November 2026. Candidates can check the table below to know about the tentative dates related to important events and dates of the CAT Exam:

CAT Exam 2026 Tentative Dates
Events Tentative Dates
CAT 2026 Notification Release July 2026
CAT 2026 Registration Window August-September 2026
CAT 2025 Form Correction Window September 2026
CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date Last week of October 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date Last Week of November 2026
CAT 2026 Results December 2026

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Aspirants must ensure that they meet all the CAT 2026 eligibility requirements before beginning their CAT 2026 exam preparation. The notable CAT 2026 eligibility criteria are provided below:

  • General/NC-OBC: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Reserved categories (ST/SC/PwD): Minimum 45% marks.

  • Final-year students can apply, subject to passing requirements before admission.

  • Professional qualification holders (CA, ICWA, CS, FIAI) are eligible.

  • No age limit for the CAT 2026 exam.

CAT 2026 Registration

CAT 2026 Registration is expected to be initiated from August 2026. Interested candidates are required to complete the CAT registration process online at the official website.  The CAT exam will be scheduled to be conducted in November 2026. Candidates are advised to complete the CAT 2026 Registration process at the earliest to avoid any last-minute hassles.

Steps to Register for CAT Exam 2026

CAT Registration 2026 can be done only online by candidates. The registration process is expected to start in August 2026. To successfully register for the CAT 2026 exam, candidates can follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Go to the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: Click on the "New Candidate Registration" link.

Step 3: Enter basic details to generate login credentials.

Step 4: Log in using your user ID and password.

Step 5: Fill out the application form carefully.

Step 6: Upload documents in the prescribed format.

Step 7: Select preferred exam centers (up to 6).

Step 8: Pay the registration fee online.

Step 9: Review and submit the form.

Step 10: Download and print the confirmation for reference.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2026

While the CAT Exam syllabus is not officially outlined by the exam authorities, candidates can determine the crucial topics for the exam by reviewing previous years' papers. Familiarity with these topics is crucial for candidates to develop a solid preparation plan. Candidates can check the table below to know more about the CAT Exam Syllabus 2026:

CAT Exam Syllabus 2026
CAT Sections Topics Covered
VARC RC passages, Verbal logic, Para jumbles, Odd sentence out,  Para summary, Inferences, One-word substitution, Odd one out, Syllogism, Analogies
LRDI Blood Relations, Directions, Syllogism, Binary Logic, Clocks and Calendars, Tables, Charts, Graphs, Connectives, Matching/Puzzles, Logical Sequence, Number and Letter Series, Venn Diagrams, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Caselets and Table
Quantitative Aptitude Geometry, Averages, Simple & Compound Interest, Trigonometry, Percentages, Arithmetic, Number Systems, Algebra, Modern Maths, Mensuration, Profit and Loss

 

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 should become well-acquainted with the exam pattern to gain insight into the structure and types of questions included in the exam. The following table provides details of the CAT exam pattern 2026 based on previous year trends:

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Particulars Details
No. of sections 3 sections VARC DILR QA
Total Number of Questions 66
Type of Questions MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer)
Questions per Section VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22
Time Allotted 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
Marks for Correct Answer +3 for each correct answer
Negative Marking for Wrong Answer -1 for each incorrect answer
Negative Marking for TITA Questions No negative marking for TITA questions

CAT Admit Card 2026

The CAT 2026 admit card is a crucial document that candidates must bring on the exam day. It is expected to be available for download at the official website by the last week of October or the first week of November 2026. Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to download their CAT Exam Admit Card:

Step 1: Log in to the official IIM CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) using their ID and password.

Step 2: Search and click on the link for "CAT 2025 Admit Card".

Step 3: On the new page, candidates can access their admit card.

Step 4: Review all the details mentioned on the admit card and proceed to download its PDF.

Step 5: Print a copy of the CAT admit card and save it for reference on the exam day.

CAT Exam Date 2026

CAT Exam 2026 is one of the most important tests for MBA aspirants across India. This year, the CAT exam 20256 is scheduled to be held in the last week of November 2026. Candidates planning to appear for the CAT Exam 2026 should mark their calendar and start their preparation early to score well in the exam. Stay focused and get ready to take the next big step toward your dream management career.

CAT Result 2026

CAT 202 results are expected to be released in the third week of December 2026. Candidates can view their results by visiting the official CAT website and selecting the appropriate link to access the results. Candidates have to use their login details, namely their CAT ID and password, to access the candidates' portal. The validity of the CAT scorecard will be for one year. Therefore, candidates must seek admission to MBA courses in 2027 using their CAT 2026 scores.

Join Physics Wallah MBA Pro 2026 Batch to effectively streamline your preparation under the guidance of good faculty. Strengthen your conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills to score well in the MBA entrance exams.

CAT 2026 Exam FAQs

When will the CAT 2026 exam be conducted?

The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be held in the last week of November 2026.

When will the CAT 2026 notification and registration start?

The official notification will be released in July 2026, and the registration process is expected to begin in August 2026.

What are the eligibility criteria for CAT 2026?

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students and candidates with professional qualifications like CA, CS, or ICWA can also apply.

How many questions will be there in CAT 2026?

The exam will have a total of 66 questions across three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.

When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?

CAT 2026 results are expected to be announced in December 2026, and the scorecard will remain valid for one year.
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