Overview Summary
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is India’s most prestigious MBA entrance examination conducted annually for admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-Schools. It is your gateway to the premier management institutions in India.
CAT 2026 Exam Date (Expected)
- Notification Release: July 2026
- Registration Start: August 2026
- Last Date to Apply: September 2026
- Admit Card Release: October 2026
- Exam Date: Last Sunday of November 2026
- Result Announcement: January 2027
Official Portal
CAT is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across India. Official website: iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Registration Process
1
Visit official CAT website
2
Register using email ID & mobile number
3
Fill academic, work experience & personal details
4
Select preferred exam cities
5
Upload photograph & signature
6
Pay application fee
7
Submit & download confirmation
Advisory Note
Odisha candidates can choose exam centers like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 50% marks, 45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final-year students can also apply
- No age limit
- Work experience is not mandatory but adds weight during final selection.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern (Expected)
| Section | Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| VARC (Verbal Ability & RC) | 24 | 40 mins |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & LR) | 20 | 40 mins |
| QA (Quantitative Aptitude) | 22 | 40 mins |
| Total | 66 | 120 mins |
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect (MCQs only). No negative marking for TITA questions. Each section has a fixed time limit.
CAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
- VARC: Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Summary Writing, Odd One Out
- DILR: Data Interpretation Sets, Logical Arrangements, Puzzles, Caselets
- Quantitative Aptitude: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Number System
CAT 2026 Expected Cut-Off (Percentile)
| Institute Type | Cut-Off Percentile |
|---|---|
| Top IIMs | 98–99+ |
| Mid IIMs | 90–95 |
| Top Private B-Schools | 85–95 |
| Good Tier-2 Colleges | 70–85 |
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2026
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta
ParticipatingOfficial Site
XIM Bhubaneswar, KIIT SOM, Birla Global, RCM (Odisha Colleges)
ParticipatingOfficial Site
CAT 2026 Selection Process
- Shortlisting by institutes based on CAT score
- Written Ability Test (WAT) / Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Final merit list based on composite score (CAT + Academics + Work Ex)
CAT 2026 vs Other MBA Exams
| Exam | Difficulty | Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| CAT | Very High | IIMs + Top B-Schools |
| XAT | High | XLRI & others |
| MAT | Moderate | Tier-2 Colleges |
| CMAT | Moderate | AICTE-approved colleges |
Expert Support
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