The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 serves as the primary gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and more than 1,300 leading B-schools across India. The official CAT 2026 notification is expected in the last week of July 2026 on the website iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 Notification: Expected Release and Key Highlights
The CAT 2026 notification is the official document released by the convening IIM (expected to be IIM Indore). It contains all essential details including the exam date, registration schedule, eligibility, application fees, exam pattern, and important instructions.
Expected CAT 2026 Notification Release Date: Last week of July 2026 (tentatively around 26-29 July 2026). The notification PDF will be uploaded on iimcat.ac.in and advertised in major newspapers such as The Hindu, Times of India, and Hindustan Times.
Key information usually mentioned in the notification:
- Name of the conducting IIM and exact exam date
- Registration opening and closing dates
- Application fee structure
- Reservation policy and detailed eligibility criteria
- List of test cities (expected 170+)
- Validity of CAT score (one year)
Candidates should download the notification PDF on the day of release and read every instruction carefully to avoid mistakes during registration or on exam day.
CAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative Timeline)
The following table presents the expected schedule for CAT 2026 based on established trends from previous years:
| Event | Expected Date (2026) |
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 (26-29 July) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | First week of August 2026 (likely 1 Aug) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Ends | Third week of September 2026 (likely 20 Sep) |
| Application Correction Window | Fourth week of September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Release | First week of November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 (Last Sunday of November) |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release | First week of December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Declaration | Third/Fourth week of December 2026 |
The exam will be held in three slots on the same day (Expected):
Slot 1: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Slot 2: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Slot 3: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Slot preference can be indicated during registration, though availability is subject to first-come, first-served basis.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility norms for CAT 2026 are expected to remain unchanged from previous years. There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.
Eligibility Criteria Table:
| Criterion | General / EWS / NC-OBC | SC / ST / PwD | Additional Notes |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA | Minimum 45% marks or equivalent CGPA | Any discipline allowed |
| Final Year Students | Eligible | Eligible | Must complete degree by the time of IIM admission (usually June/July 2027) |
| Professional Degrees (CA/CS/ICWA etc.) | 50% | 45% | Fully valid |
| Age Limit | No upper or lower limit | No upper or lower limit | - |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited | Unlimited | - |
Key Points on Eligibility:
- Final-year candidates can register but need to provide proof of passing the degree at the time of admission.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates receive extra time (53 minutes 20 seconds per section) and scribe facility if needed.
- Candidates from any nationality, including NRIs/PIO/OCI, can apply and appear for the exam in India.
- CAT 2026 Registration Process: Step-by-Step
Registration for CAT 2026 is fully online through the official portal iimcat.ac.in. Here are the main steps:
- Visit the website and click on “New Candidate Registration”.
- Provide basic details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and nationality.
- Verify email and set a password.
- Fill in personal information, academic qualifications, and work experience details.
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specified format and size.
- Select up to 5 preferred test cities in order of preference.
- Choose the IIM programmes and other participating institutes you wish to apply to.
- Pay the application fee through online modes (net banking, credit/debit card, UPI).
Documents Required for Upload:
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG format, less than 150 KB)
- Signature (JPEG format, less than 80 KB)
- Category certificate (for SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS, if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
CAT 2026 Application Fee (Expected):
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | Rs. 2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs. 1,300 |
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online only. No offline or cash payment option exists.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 is expected to follow the established 68-question, 120-minute computer-based test format.
Detailed Exam Pattern Table:
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Allotted | Question Types | Marking Scheme |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | MCQ + TITA | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQ + TITA (in sets) | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | MCQ + TITA | +3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes | - | Total Marks: 204 |
Important Features of the Pattern:
- Strict sectional time limit of 40 minutes; candidates cannot switch between sections.
- Roughly 70% Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 30% Type-In-The-Answer (TITA/non-MCQs).
- No negative marking for TITA questions or unattempted questions.
- On-screen virtual calculator is provided; no physical calculator allowed.
Section-wise Weightage Chart (Approximate):
| Section | Questions | Marks | Weightage (%) |
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 35% |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | 32% |
| QA | 22 | 66 | 32% |
This balanced structure evaluates reading skills, logical thinking, and quantitative ability under time pressure.
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Section-wise Detailed Breakdown
Although there is no official syllabus released by IIMs, the topics remain consistent year after year and are based on Class 10-12 level concepts.
VARC Syllabus (24 Questions)
- Reading Comprehension (16-18 questions): 4-5 passages of 500-800 words each from areas like economy, environment, philosophy, science, history, and literature.
- Verbal Ability (6-8 questions): Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Sentence Completion, Inferences, and Critical Reasoning.
VARC Topic Weightage Table:
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Reading Comprehension | 16-18 | Moderate to High |
| Para Jumbles | 3-4 | Moderate |
| Para Summary | 2-3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Odd Sentence / Others | 2-3 | Moderate |
DILR Syllabus (22 Questions)
The section consists of 4-6 sets, each containing 3-5 questions.
Main Topics:
- Data Interpretation: Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs, Caselets
- Logical Reasoning: Analytical and critical Puzzles
DILR Topic Weightage Table:
| Topic Type | Expected Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Data Interpretation Sets | 10-12 | Moderate to High |
| Logical Reasoning Sets | 10-12 | Moderate to High |
| Mixed / Complex Sets | 4-6 | High |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Syllabus (22 Questions)
Topic-wise Breakdown Table:
| Topic | Expected Questions | Key Sub-Topics |
| Arithmetic | 8-10 | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Mixtures, Simple & Compound Interest |
| Algebra | 5-7 | Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Sequences & Series |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3-4 | Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Mensuration |
| Number System | 3-4 | HCF & LCM, Divisibility Rules, Remainders, Surds & Indices |
| Modern Mathematics | 2-3 | Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory |
Arithmetic usually carries the highest weightage (around 40%). Emphasis should be on conceptual understanding and calculation speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CAT 2026
When will the official CAT 2026 notification be released?
The notification is expected in the last week of July 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
What is the expected CAT 2026 exam date?
The exam is likely to be held on 29 November 2026 (last Sunday of November).
Who conducts CAT 2026?
One of the older IIMs (expected IIM Indore) will conduct the exam on a rotational basis.
Is there any change expected in the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
No major changes are anticipated. It is expected to remain 68 questions with 120 minutes duration and three sections.
What is the total number of questions in CAT 2026?
Total questions are expected to be 68 (VARC: 24, DILR: 22, QA: 22).
What is the duration and marking scheme of CAT?
The exam lasts 120 minutes. Each correct answer carries +3 marks; wrong MCQ answers attract -1 mark. TITA questions have no negative marking.
Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, final-year graduation students are eligible provided they complete their degree requirements before IIM admission.
What is the minimum percentage required for eligibility?
General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates need 50%, while SC/ST/PwD candidates need 45% in their bachelor’s degree.
Is there any age limit for appearing in CAT 2026?
There is no age limit for the exam.
How many times can a candidate appear for CAT?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
What is the application fee for CAT 2026?
₹2,600 for General/EWS/NC-OBC and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD categories.
Can the application fee be paid offline?
No, payment is accepted only through online modes like net banking, cards, or UPI.
How many test cities are available for CAT 2026?
The exam is expected to be conducted in 170+ cities across India.
Can I change my test city preference after submitting the form?
Changes are generally not allowed after the registration window closes. Limited correction window may be available.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card is expected in the first week of November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
What documents should I carry to the CAT exam centre?
Printout of the admit card and a valid original photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, etc.).
Is a physical calculator allowed in the exam?
No. Only the on-screen virtual calculator provided in the exam interface can be used.
How many slots is the CAT exam conducted in?
The exam is held in three slots on the same day.
Is there negative marking for all questions?
Negative marking of -1 applies only to wrong MCQ answers. TITA and unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
How is the CAT percentile calculated?
Percentile is calculated on the basis of relative performance compared to all candidates who appeared in the exam.
What is the validity period of the CAT 2026 score?
The score is valid for one year only (for admissions in 2027-29 batch).
Do all IIMs have the same selection process after CAT?
No. Each IIM has its own shortlisting criteria, including CAT score, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors, followed by WAT/PI rounds.
Can international candidates apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. NRIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can register and appear for the test in India.
What should I do if I face technical issues during registration?
Contact the official helpdesk mentioned on iimcat.ac.in or check the FAQ section on the portal.
When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
The result is expected in the third or fourth week of December 2026.
Is there any provision for PwD candidates in CAT?
Yes. PwD candidates get extra time and scribe facility (subject to approval and documentation).
Can I apply to non-IIM institutes through CAT score?
Yes. More than 1,300 B-schools accept CAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programmes.
Other Important Information
Test Cities: Candidates can select up to 5 cities in order of preference. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are usually included along with many Tier-2 and Tier-3 locations.
Admit Card: Download the admit card from the official website using login credentials. It contains the exact test centre, slot, and reporting time. Carry a printed copy to the centre.
Conclusion
CAT 2026 offers a significant opportunity for management aspirants across India to secure admission into top IIMs and premier B-schools. With the notification expected soon, candidates should stay updated through the official website iimcat.ac.in and prepare systematically by understanding the pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
All the best to every CAT 2026 aspirant!
