Management November 2026
CAT 2026
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.
📅 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
📌 CAT is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across India. Official website: iimcat.ac.in
📝 CAT 2026 Registration Process
- Visit official CAT website
- Register using email ID & mobile number
- Fill academic, work experience & personal details
- Select preferred exam cities
- Upload photograph & signature
- Pay application fee
- Submit & download confirmation
💡 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
- FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai
- XIM Bhubaneswar, KIIT SOM, Birla Global, RCM (Odisha Colleges)
🏛 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 |
Need guidance for MBA admission through CAT 2026?
Talk to our admission experts today for IIM & top B-School preparation.
Quick Overview
Exam Month
November 2026
Duration
2 - 3 Hours
Mode
Online (CBT)
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