CAT 2026: Common Admission Test for IIM Admission

CAT 2026 IIM Admission Registration | IIM Admission 2027–28 |

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Last Date: 15 September 2026

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). CAT is one of the major entrance exams for admission to postgraduate management programmes at IIMs and is also accepted by several other participating business schools in India.

For CAT 2026, the registration process will begin on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM, and eligible candidates can submit the online application form up to 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM. The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for 29 November 2026 (Sunday).

CAT 2026 – Overview

The registration deadline and examination date have been announced for CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should regularly check the official CAT website for updates regarding the admit

card, answer key and result.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who want to appear for CAT 2026 should fulfil the prescribed educational qualification.

Educational Qualification

A candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university or educational institution.

• General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates generally require at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in the bachelor’s degree.
• Candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD/PwBD categories require at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Candidates who have completed eligible professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA/ICWA or FIAI may also apply subject to the prescribed conditions.
• Final-year bachelor’s degree students can also apply, subject to fulfilment of the conditions specified by the CAT authorities.

Age Limit:

There is no prescribed age limit for appearing in CAT, subject to the eligibility conditions.

Important: Meeting the minimum CAT eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to an IIM. Each IIM follows its own admission and shortlisting criteria.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The CAT 2026 registration fee is:

• ₹2,700 – General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates
• ₹1,350 – SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates

The registration fee is paid during the online application process. The fee is non-refundable, and candidates need to pay the registration fee only once even if they select multiple IIM programmes.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT is a computer-based entrance examination consisting of three major sections:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

The examination is conducted in three sessions, with a total duration of approximately 120 minutes and a sectional time limit. The recent CAT pattern uses both MCQ and Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions.

Major Sections:

Marking Scheme

The recent CAT pattern follows:

• +3 marks for a correct answer
• -1 mark for an incorrect MCQ
• TITA questions generally do not carry negative marking

Candidates should check the official CAT notification for the final examination structure and

marking details.

CAT 2026 Syllabus:-

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – VARC

Important areas include:

• Reading Comprehension
• Para Jumbles
• Para Summary
• Odd Sentence Out
• Verbal Reasoning
• Main Idea
• Inference
• Author’s Tone
• Critical Reading

Reading comprehension is an important part of the VARC section, so candidates should develop regular reading habits and practise questions based on different subjects.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning – DILR

Important areas include:

• Tables
• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Pie Charts
• Caselets
• Data-based sets
• Seating Arrangements
• Distribution Problems
• Puzzles
• Games and Tournaments
• Venn Diagrams
• Networks
• Logical Arrangements

3. Quantitative Ability – QA

Important areas include:

• Percentage
• Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Average
• Time and Work
• Time, Speed and Distance
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Mixture and Alligation
• Algebra
• Linear and Quadratic Equations
• Geometry
• Mensuration
• Number System
• Permutation and Combination
• Probability

Note: CAT does not necessarily prescribe a permanently fixed topic-wise syllabus. Candidates should use the official notification and previous CAT question papers as the primary references for preparation.

How to Apply Online for CAT 2026

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Eligible candidates can complete their CAT 2026 registration through the official CAT website.

Step 1 – Visit the Official Website

Go to the official CAT portal:

Official CAT 2026 Website – iimcat.ac.in

Step 2 – Register as a New Candidate

Select the new candidate registration option and provide the required basic information, including:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Mobile Number
• Email ID
• Other required personal details

Step 3 – Fill the Application Form

Enter the required:

• Personal details
• Academic qualifications
• Category details
• Communication address
• Programme preferences
• Test city preferences

Step 4 – Upload Documents:-

Upload the required photograph, signature and applicable certificates/documents according

to the specifications given in the CAT application portal.

Candidates belonging to reserved categories should ensure that their certificates are valid and

in the prescribed format.

Step 5 – Pay the Application Fee

Pay the applicable CAT registration fee through the available online payment options.

Step 6 – Submit the Application

Before final submission, carefully check all details entered in the application form.

After successful submission, candidates should save or download the application

confirmation for future reference.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

Candidates should keep the following information/documents ready before beginning the application:

• Valid mobile number
• Active email ID
• Class 10 details
• Class 12 details
• Bachelor’s degree/academic details
• Category certificate, wherever applicable
• PwD/PwBD certificate, wherever applicable
• Recent photograph
• Signature
• Details of eligible professional qualifications, if applicable

Candidates should follow the exact size, format and upload instructions displayed on the

official CAT registration portal.

CAT 2026 Admit Card

The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to become available from 4 November 2026.

Candidates who successfully complete the registration process should download their admit

card from the official CAT website.

The admit card is an important examination document and normally contains information such as:

• Candidate’s name
• Registration details
• Examination date
• Test centre
• Examination session
• Reporting instructions

Candidates should carefully read all instructions mentioned on the admit card.

CAT 2026 Examination Date

The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on Sunday, 29 November 2026.

The examination will be conducted in multiple sessions across test centres in India.

CAT 2026 Admission Process

Appearing in CAT is the first major step for candidates seeking admission to IIM management programmes.

The admission process generally involves:

CAT Examination → CAT Score/Percentile → IIM Shortlisting → WAT/PI or

other selection components, as applicable → Final Admission

Each IIM independently determines its admission criteria. Therefore, a good CAT percentile alone does not automatically guarantee admission to a particular IIM.

Candidates should check the admission policy of each IIM separately before making their

programme choices.

CAT 2026 – Important Instructions for Candidates

• Apply before the 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM deadline.
• Do not wait until the final day to submit the application.
• Enter your name and academic details exactly as required.
• Check category and reservation information carefully before final submission.
• Keep your registered mobile number and email ID active.
• Keep a copy of the submitted application and payment confirmation.
• Check the official CAT website regularly for updates.
• Read the official notification carefully before submitting the application.

CAT 2026: Who Should Apply?

CAT 2026 is particularly relevant for graduates and final-year undergraduate students who want to pursue management education from IIMs and other CAT-accepting institutions.

Students interested in careers in areas such as:

• Management
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Consulting
• Business Analytics
• Operations
• Entrepreneurship

can consider CAT as an important entrance examination for postgraduate management education.

CAT 2026 Apply Online

Interested and eligible candidates should complete their registration through the official CAT

website before the deadline.

Last Date to Apply Online: 15 September 2026, 5:00 PM

Important Links

CAT 2026 Official Website:
Visit Official CAT Website

CAT 2026 Apply Online:
Apply Online – Official CAT Portal

Disclaimer: Vacancy99 provides recruitment, examination and admission information for educational purposes. Candidates should verify eligibility, dates, fees, examination instructions and admission rules from the official CAT website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions – CAT 2026

What is CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 stands for Common Admission Test 2026. It is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management for admission to management programmes.

What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?

The last date to submit the CAT 2026 application form is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.

When will CAT 2026 be conducted?

CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026 (Sunday).

What is the CAT 2026 application fee?

The fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates

and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD candidates.

What is the minimum graduation percentage for CAT 2026?

General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates generally need 50% marks, while SC, ST and

PwD/PwBD candidates generally need 45% marks in the bachelor’s degree.

Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?

Yes. Final-year bachelor’s degree students can apply subject to the conditions prescribed in

the CAT notification.

Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?

There is no prescribed age limit for appearing in CAT, subject to fulfilment of the eligibility conditions.

Does clearing CAT guarantee admission to an IIM?

No. CAT qualification or a high percentile does not by itself guarantee admission. Individual IIMs follow their own shortlisting and final selection criteria.

What is the official website for CAT 2026?

The official CAT website is:

iimcat.ac.in – Official CAT Website