CAT Entrance Exam 2026: Syllabus, Tentative Dates and Eligibility

CAT Entrance Exam 2026 is one of the most important national-level management entrance examinations in India for students seeking admission to MBA and PGDM programs. Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT exam is accepted by 21 IIMs and more than 1,300 top management institutes across the country. 

The examination tests candidates on important skills such as Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the CAT exam to secure admission into prestigious business schools and build successful careers in management and business administration.

CAT Exam 2026 Overview

Understanding the CAT exam structure is the first step for every management aspirant. The test evaluates a candidate's aptitude in quantitative ability, verbal skills, and logical reasoning.

Tentative CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates preparing for the CAT Entrance Exam 2026 should regularly check the dates related to registration, admit card release, and examination schedule. Keeping track of these tentative dates helps students complete the application process and exam preparation on time.

 CAT Exam Eligibility

Candidates must fulfill the following CAT exam eligibility criteria before applying:

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).

• Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally.

• Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit to appear for the CAT entrance exam.

• Professional Degrees: Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA, meeting the marks criteria, are also eligible.

CAT Exam Registration 2026

CAT exam registration process is conducted entirely online. It is crucial to fill out the CAT exam form accurately to avoid rejection.

Steps for Registration:

1. Visit the official website and click on "New Candidate Registration".

2. Generate a User ID and Password via OTP verification.

3. Log in to fill in personal, academic, and work experience details.

4. Select preferred IIM programs and interview cities.

5. Upload required documents (Passport photo, signature, and category certificates).

6. Pay the registration fee to complete the process.

CAT Exam Fee

CAT 2026 application fee is expected to vary according to the candidate’s category. Candidates must pay the registration fee online while submitting the application form, and the fee is non-refundable after payment.

 CAT Exam Syllabus

The CAT exam syllabus is not officially defined but typically covers three sections designed to test diverse skill sets.

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Includes RC passages, para-jumbles, para-summary, and odd sentence out.

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Covers puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, and data sets (graphs, tables, charts).

3. Quantitative Ability (QA): Focuses on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Math.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

The CAT exam pattern outlines the structure and scoring. It is important for strategic preparation.

• Total Questions: Generally 76 questions, based on previous year trends.

• Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes for each section, making the total exam duration 120 minutes.

• Marking Scheme:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): +3 marks for a correct answer, -1 mark for an incorrect answer.

• Type In The Answer (TITA) Questions: +3 marks for a correct answer, no negative marking for incorrect answers.

CAT 2026 Exam Form

The CAT 2026 exam registration form is expected to be released online on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates will likely be able to complete the registration process from August 1, 2026, until the third week of September 2026.

To apply for the CAT Entrance Exam 2026, candidates must first complete online registration by generating a User ID and password. After registration, applicants need to fill in personal, academic, and work experience details, upload required documents such as photographs and signatures, select preferred exam cities, and pay the application fee online to successfully submit the CAT exam form.