CAT 2026 (Latest Updates): Exam Date (29 Nov), Registration, Syllabus, Pattern & More

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CAT 2026

The CAT 2026 exam is very near, and the structured preparation is really important for the students to succeed with top percentile scores. The official notification for the CAT exam 2026 has not yet released, but it is expected to be released in the last week of July. The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted on 29 November 2026, and every year one of the old IIMs will take care of the entire process of conducting the examination. So, as per the past-year trend analysis, the CAT 2026 exam will expected to be handled by the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore).

The Common Admission Test is one of the main national entrance examinations in India for targeting top management colleges like IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and more. Last year, approximately 2.95 lakh aspirants registered to sit for the exam, which proves the competitive nature of registered candidates vs. 5,000 seats available in IIMs. This blog is a comprehensive guide for you, where you will get all the updates about the CAT 2026 exam, taking from the official notification, registration process, eligibility criteria, exam syllabus, exam pattern, and more. Let’s cover all the latest updates regarding the CAT 2026 exam on this page.

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Table of Contents

CAT 2026 (Latest Updates)

This section will cover all the important updates related to CAT 2026

  1. It is expected that the official notification for CAT 2026 is expected to be out in the last week of July 2026. 
  2. As per the past year’s trend analysis, this year IIM Indore is going to conduct the CAT exam in 2026. 
  3. Candidates can expect the overall difficulty level of questions to be moderate to difficult.
  4. The CAT 2026 exam date will be expected to be 29 November 2026, and the answer key will be released around December 2026. 
  5. The CAT 2026 Admit Card will expected to be released in the month of November 2026.

CAT 2026: Overview

We are in the month of July, and there are few months left to the CAT 2026. The Common Admission Test 2026 is expected to be held on 29 November 2026 by IIM Indore. As per the detailed analysis of this examination, it is expected that there will be three sections appearing in CAT 2026, namely, the VARC, DILR, and QA with a total of 68 questions, which will be further divided as 24 questions in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, 22 questions in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and the remaining 22 questions in Quantitative Ability.

As per the past year’s trend analysis, it is expected that the CAT 2026 is going to be handled by the IIM Indore with all the respective processes, which are important for scheduling the CAT exam 2026.

Particulars about CAT 2026 (Tentative)Details
CAT Full FormCommon Admission Test
Who will conduct CAT 2026?Indian Institute of Management Indore
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern3 sections
VARC
DILR
QA
Total Number of Questions Asked in CAT 2026 exam68
Expected Difficulty level of CAT 2026Moderate – Difficult
When will the CAT 2026 exam be conducted?29 November 2026
Number of Questions Across CAT 2026 sectionsVARC – 24
DILR – 22
QA – 22
CAT 2026 official notificationLast week of July 2026
CAT 2026 RegistrationFirst Week of August 2026

CAT 2026: Official Notification (July 2026)

The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be out in the last week of July 2026 with all the related details of the exam. You will get notified with all the latest updates on this page once the notification will be out.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

There are several phase that candidates should mandatorily complete before appearing for CAT 2026. Starting with the official CAT notification which will expected to be notified to students in the last week of July 2026, followed by the CAT registration date and more events which are specified in the table below.

CAT 2026 EventsDates
CAT Notification 2026 Release DateLast Week of July 2026
CAT Registration 2026August – September 2026
CAT 2026 Application Form Correction September 2026
CAT 2026 Admit Card November 2026
CAT 2026 ExamNovember 30, 2026
CAT 2026 Answer Key Challenge December 2026
CAT 2026 Result Announcement December 2026

Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026?

The official notification for CAT 2026 is not yet out, but as per the detailed evaluation of the exam-conducting cycle by IIMs. It is expected that IIM Indore is going to conduct CAT 2026. You can check the table mentioned below for a better idea of CAT conducting IIMs.

YearCAT Conducting IIMs
2026 (Expected)IIM Indore
2025IIM Kozhikode
2024IIM Calcutta
2023IIM Lucknow
2022IIM Bangalore
2021IIM Ahmedabad
2020IIM Indore
2019IIM Kozhikode
2018IIM Calcutta
2017IIM Lucknow
2016IIM Bangalore
2015IIM Ahmedabad
2014IIM Indore
2013IIM Indore
2012IIM Kozhikode
2011IIM Calcutta
2010IIM Lucknow
2009IIM Ahmedabad
2007IIM Bangalore

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CAT eligibility criteria is an important aspect to understand whether you are eligible to sit for the CAT 2026 or not. Although, the detailed informational PDF of the same will be available by IIM Indore on the official website i.e, iimcat.ac.in, once the official CAT notification is released.

Every year one of the old IIMs conduct the Common Admission Test on a rotational basis. As per the basic CAT exam eligibility, a minimum of 3 years of a bachelor’s degree is required from a recognized institution which is approved by UGC/AICTE/MHRD.

If you are a candidate belonging to a General/OBC/EWS category, then 50% marks or equivalent CGPA is required, whereas 45% marks or equivalent CGPA is required in the case of SC/ST category candidates. As a final-year student, you can easily apply to the CAT 2026 only if you are carrying valid proof from the university authorities at the time of admission process.

CAT 2026 Eligibility CriteriaDetails
Exam Conducting BodyOne of the IIMs on a rotational basis.
Academic QualificationsA minimum of 3 years for a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution or a UGC/AICTE/MHRD-approved one.
Minimum Marks (For General/EWS/OBC)50% marks or equivalent CGPA is required
Minimum Marks (For SC/ST/PwD)45% marks or equivalent CGPA is required
Final Year StudentsEligible for provisional admission if carrying valid proof from the university authorities.
Work ExperienceNot mandatory (if you have it, then it will be advantageous during the admission process at IIMs).
Age LimitNo age limit
No. of  CAT Attempts AllowedNo limits on giving CAT attempts

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The CAT exam pattern involves three main sections, such as Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). According to the past year analysis, there were total 68 questions in the CAT exam that candidates need to attempt with 24 questions in VARC, 22 questions in DILR and 22 questions in QA. The detailed overview about the CAT 2026 exam pattern is specified below.

CAT 2026 Exam PatternDetails
Mode of CAT 2026 ExamComputer Based Test
Total Questions Asked in CAT 2026 (Expected)68
Total Marks204
Sections in CAT 20263
Name of the Sections in CAT 2026Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Ability
Time Slots of CAT 2026 (Tentative)Morning (8:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
Afternoon (12:30 PM to 2:30 PM)
Evening (4:30 PM to 6:30 PM)
CAT 2026 Marking SchemeMCQ and Non MCQs (Types of Questions)
+3 marks for correct answers
-1 mark for incorrect answers
0 mark for unattempted marked
CAT official websitewww.iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2026 VARC Syllabus

The CAT 2026 VARC section will be covering two important parts such as Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. You can prepare for this section by widely understanding the CAT 2026 syllabus for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. Its preparation strategy required the in-depth reading habits of long passages across various genres. The detailed CAT 2026 VARC syllabus is specified below.

Reading Comprehension Genres
1. Business & Economics
2. Arts, Society & Culture
3. History & Politics
4. Philosophy & Psychology
5. Mixed
6. Science & Technology

In Verbal Ability section, you can practice questions across these majors:

  1. Para Summary
  2. Para Completion
  3. Odd One Out
  4. Para Jumbles

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus

The CAT 2026 QA syllabus covers various topics across Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Maths, Number System, and Geometry. Among all the topics, Arithmetic and Algebra possess high weightage with an overall 60 – 70% of entire QA section. To get high scores in the Quantiative Ability section, one has to study CAT 2026 QA syllabus properly. Find the detailed syllabus for Quant section below.

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus: Arithmetic

  1. Percentages
  2. Profit and Loss
  3. Simple Interest and Compound Interest
  4. Ratio and Proportion
  5. Averages
  6. Mixtures and Alligations
  7. Time and Work
  8. Pipes and Cisterns
  9. Time, Speed and Distance
  10. Races
  11. Trains and Boats

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus: Algebra

  1. Linear Equations
  2. Quadratic Equations
  3. Polynomials
  4. Indices and Surds
  5. Logarithms
  6. Inequalities
  7. Modulus 
  8. Sequence & Series
  9. Functions 
  10. Graphs 

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus: Geometry & Mensuration

  1. Triangles
  2. Quadrilaterals
  3. Polygons
  4. Circles
  5. Mensuration – 3D
  6. Co-ordinate Geometry 

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus: Number System

  1. Properties of Integers 
  2. Divisibility 
  3. Remainder Theorem 
  4. Factors 
  5. LCM & HCF
  6. Factorial 
  7. Trailing Zeroes 
  8. Last Digits 

CAT 2026 QA Syllabus: Modern Maths

  1. Set Theory 
  2. Probability 
  3. Permutation and Combination

CAT 2026 Detailed LRDI Syllabus

DI & LR Topics Key Topics Covered 
Tables and ChartsTabular Data
Mixed Sets 
Bar Charts 
Line Charts 
Pie Charts 
Games and Tournaments Scoring-System
Round-Robin
Knockout 
Scheduling and Blood Relations Direct Reasoning
Task Allocation 
Family Trees 
Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets Logical Deduction
Set Theory 
Puzzle and Seating Arrangements Linear Arrangements
Circular Arrangements
Grid-Based Arrangements 
Complex Arrangements 

CAT 2026 Registration Process

The complete CAT 2026 registration process will be done by following the detailed steps mentioned below.

Step 1: CAT 2026 Registration (Generate User ID & Password)

Once the official notification will be out for the CAT 2026 exam registration, the candidates should follow this first step to start filling the form. This step covers the registration for generating the User ID and Password. On the official website (iimcat.ac.in), the aspirant first have to click on the “Register” button appears on the window for the new candidate registration.

Generating the User ID & Password for New User Registration covers fields such as Name of Candidate, Date of Birth, Email Address (then candidate have to confirm its email again for the authentication process), select country, mobile number (you have to again confirm the mobile number for the authentication process and then select confirm. Candidates will get the respective User ID and password on the mail which they’ve entered during the CAT registration. Along with mail, candidates will get the login details as an SMS too.

Following are the specifications for using browsers:
1. Microsoft Edge (version 114 to 137)
2. Mozilla Firefox (version 122 to 141)
3. Google Chrome (version 114 to 138)

Step 2: Login to CAT 2026 Website

Candidates now have to click on the “Login” button for the registered candidate login and enter the generated USER ID and Password. Once filled the captcha, now you have to click the login button for successfully entering in the application form.

Step 3: Complete CAT 2026 Registration Form

This step is a little time-taken and crucial step too. It is indispensable for the candidates that they should keep the important document ready while sitting for filling the CAT 2026 registration form along with a stable internet connection. After successfully logged in to the form candidates have to proceed with these important fields respectively.

  1. Personal Details
  2. Academics
  3. Work Experience
  4. Programmes
  5. Test City
  6. Declaration

CAT 2026 Registration: Information To Fill Under Each Step

StepFields
Personal DetailsCandidate First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Father’s/Guardian’s Name, Mother’s/Guardian’s Name, Spouse’s Name, Gender, Nationality, Category, Certificate Issue Date, Certificate Serial/Entry Number, State/UT of Caste/Tribe, Caste/Tribe Name, PwD Status, Disability Measurable, Percentage of Disability, PwD UDID Number, PwD Category, Wheelchair Support, Scribe Requirement, Present Address, Permanent Address, Alternate Email Address, Emergency Mobile Number, Emergency Contact Name, Emergency Contact Relationship, Emergency Contact Mobile Number, Emergency Contact Address, Passport Size Photograph Upload, Signature Upload, EWS Certificate Upload, NC-OBC Certificate Upload, SC/ST Certificate Upload, PwD Certificate Upload
Academics10th Board Name, 10th School Name, 10th Year of Passing, 10th Marks/CGPA, 10th Aggregate Percentage, 10th Promotion/Pass Without Marks, 12th/Diploma Course Type, 12th Board/University, 12th Institution Name, 12th Stream, 12th Year of Passing, 12th Marks/CGPA, 12th Aggregate Percentage, 12th Promotion/Pass Without Marks, First Bachelor’s Degree Name, Discipline/Specialization, University/Institute Name, Year of Joining, Year of Completion, Final Year Status, Current Year, Current Semester, Aggregate Percentage, Promotion/Pass Without Marks, Second Bachelor’s Degree Details (if applicable), Master’s Degree Details (if applicable), Professional Degree Type, Completion Status, Year of Completion, Aggregate Percentage
Work ExperienceWork Experience Status, Total Full-Time Work Experience, Break in Experience (Days)
ProgrammesProgramme Selection, Interview City for Each Selected Programme
Test CityTest City Preference 1, Test City Preference 2, Test City Preference 3, Test City Preference 4, Test City Preference 5
Declaration & PaymentApplication Preview Confirmation, Declaration Acceptance, CAPTCHA, Payment Mode, Payment Details, Payment Transaction Number

Documents Required for CAT 2026

DocumentRequired ForMandatory/OptionalFormat/Specification
Recent Passport-size PhotographIdentity verification, application form, admit cardMandatoryJPG/JPEG, clear image, white/light background, as per official size limit
Scanned SignatureVerification of applicationMandatoryJPG/JPEG, black ink on white paper
Valid Government Photo IDIdentity verificationMandatoryAadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, etc.
Class 10 Mark Sheet/CertificateDate of birth and academic detailsMandatoryOriginal details required while filling the form
Class 12 Mark SheetAcademic qualificationMandatoryOriginal details
Graduation Mark SheetsGraduation detailsMandatorySemester-wise or consolidated marksheets
Graduation Degree CertificateProof of graduation (if degree completed)Mandatory for graduatesOriginal certificate
Final-Year Certificate (if applicable)For candidates currently pursuing graduationConditionalCertificate from Principal/Registrar/Head of Department
Category Certificate (SC/ST)Category verificationConditionalLatest certificate in prescribed format
NC-OBC CertificateCategory verificationConditionalCentral Government format as prescribed
EWS CertificateCategory verificationConditionalValid certificate for current financial year
PwD CertificatePersons with Disabilities reservationConditionalGovernment-issued disability certificate
Scribe CertificateExtra assistance during examinationConditionalAs prescribed in CAT notification
Work Experience DetailsWork experience sectionOptional (if applicable)Employer details, joining/leaving dates
Passport (International Candidates)Identity verificationConditionalValid passport

CAT 2026 Exam Date

The CAT 2026 exam date is expected to be confirmed once the official notification is out from the exam authority. This year, CAT examination will expected to be happening on 29 November 2026, and you will receive the complete detailed about the same on an official PDF or through advertisement of CAT 2026 exam notification.

CAT 2026 Exam Date (Expected): 29 November 2026

CAT 2026 Application Form Fees

This section covers the category-wise CAT 2026 exam fees with the detailed evaluation of past-year trends. In case there is any change notified in the CAT exam fees 2026, you will get notified here on this page.

CAT 2026 Exam Fees for General/EWS/NC-OBC: Rs. 2600

CAT 2026 Exam Fees for SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 1300

CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy (Overall)

The CAT 2026 exam will be able to be cracked with the 99+%ile if the detailed strategy to prepare all the sections in a better way is followed. The CAT examination is widely categorized into three main parts, such as VARC, DILR, and QA. The overall preparation strategy works like: 

CAT 2026 VARC Preparation Strategy

Honestly, the biggest mistake students make with VARC is treating it like a sprint when it’s actually more of a slow burn habit you build over months. If you want to crack CAT 2026 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, pick up a newspaper or a good magazine, AEON essays, every single day and just read, not for marks, but to get comfortable with dense, unfamiliar writing.

Editorials work great because they force you to follow an argument from start to finish. Once that habit kicks in, start timing yourself on RC passages from old CAT papers and notice where you slow down or lose the thread of what the author is actually saying.

For para jumbles and the odd sentence questions, there’s no real trick beyond doing loads of them and paying attention to how sentences connect through pronouns, transitions, and logical sequence. Keep a small list of new words or ideas you bump into while reading, and look back at it occasionally. Most people who do well in VARC for CAT 2026 aren’t naturally gifted readers, they just stuck with the habit long enough for it to pay off.

CAT 2026 DILR Preparation Strategy

DILR is the section that tends to scare people the most going into CAT 2026, mainly because it doesn’t follow a fixed syllabus the way QA does. One day you might get a seating arrangement, the next a weird puzzle about scheduling flights or comparing exam scores across years.

The only real way through this is exposure, so work through as many different types of sets as you can get your hands on, arrangements, distributions, network and route based puzzles, data caselets, all of it. What separates a decent score from a great one in this section is usually not raw intelligence but the skill of picking which sets are actually worth attempting in the first eight or ten minutes.
Practice that skill deliberately during mocks instead of just diving into whatever set appears first. Try to sit with one full set every day, and when you check your answer, don’t just confirm if you got it right, actually study a faster or cleaner way to solve it if there was one. Mocks matter a lot here because CAT 2026 will likely throw in a few unfamiliar formats, and the only defense against that is having seen enough variety beforehand.

CAT 2026 QA Preparation Strategy

Quant for CAT 2026 rewards people who go back to basics rather than those who jump straight into tricky problems. Spend real time on arithmetic, percentages, ratios, time and work, algebra, and geometry until the core concepts feel automatic rather than something you have to think hard about. A lot of students skip this step and regret it later when they hit a wall on slightly twisted questions.

Once your fundamentals feel solid, shift toward topic wise practice and then mix things up with full length sets so you’re not just getting good at one type of question in isolation. Previous year CAT papers are genuinely the best resource you have, since they show you exactly how questions are framed and how much depth is actually expected. Push yourself to calculate things mentally instead of reaching for rough work every time, since speed in quant often comes down to comfort with numbers rather than knowing more formulas.

Keep revisiting your mock test mistakes, not just to fix them but to understand the pattern behind why they keep happening, and that consistent feedback loop is really what will get you ready for the quant section of CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Exam Difficulty Level (Expected)

By analyzing the past year’s CAT exam paper difficulty, it is expected that CAT 2026 exam paper will be moderate to difficult.

CAT Conducting IIMs Over the Years with CAT 2026 Paper Difficulty
YearIIMCAT Difficulty Level
2026IIM Indore (tentative)Moderate – Difficult
2025IIM KozhikodeModerate-Difficult
2024IIM CalcuttaModerate to Difficult
2023IIM LucknowDifficult
2022IIM BangaloreModerate to Difficult
2021IIM AhmedabadModerate to Difficult

CAT 2026 Exam Centres (Expected)

Information for the CAT 2026 exam centre is available in your admit cards once it is released. These cities are the respective factors where the CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted.

State / UTTest Centers (Expected)
Andaman & NicobarPort Blair
Andhra PradeshGuntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Kakinada, Tirupati, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada
Arunachal PradeshItanagar
AssamDibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
BiharArrah, Darbhanga, Patna, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur
ChandigarhChandigarh, Mohali
ChhattisgarhBilaspur, Bhilai Nagar, Raipur
DelhiNew Delhi (multiple centres)
Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & DiuSilvassa
GoaPanaji
GujaratAhmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara
HaryanaAmbala, Panipat, Gurugram, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Rohtak
Himachal PradeshHamirpur, Shimla
Jammu & KashmirJammu
JharkhandBokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
KarnatakaBelagavi (Belgaum), Bengaluru, Hubli‑Dharwad, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mysuru (Mysore), Shivamogga (Shimoga), Udupi
KeralaTrivandrum, Kannur, Kollam, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thrissur

CAT 2026 Result

The CAT 2026 examination will expected be commenced on 29 November 2026 (Sunday). The result will be released in the month of December 2026. It is expected that CAT 2026 result will expected to be commenced on the last week of December 2026.

CAT 2026 ResultDetails
CAT 2026 Result Date (Expected)Last Week of December 2026
Credentials to Check CAT 2026 ResultUser ID and Password
CAT 2026 Result ModeOnline
Validity of CAT 2026 Scorecard1 Year

CAT 2026 Selection Process

The CAT 2026 exam selection covers the multiple stages at top IIMs or B-schools in India. 

Appear for the CAT 2026 Exam

This is your first stage where you need to appear for the CAT 2026 exam which is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore institute with the examination date expected to be  29 November 2026. 

Appear for the WAT/PI/GD Rounds

Once getting the result, candidates have to individually check the official website of IIMs because every IIM has their separate selection process to admit candidates to their respective MBA/PGDM programmes.

Calculation of Composite scores

IIMs bifurcate several components based on the percentages for calculating the final composite scores. 

  1. CAT Score (50-60%)
  2. Written Ability Test (15-20%)
  3. Personal Interviews (20-30%)
  4. Academics (10/12th marks) (10-20%)
  5. Work Experience (7-10%)
  6. Gender/Academic Diversity (5-10%)

CAT 2026 Score vs Percentile (Tentative)

CAT PercentileExpected Overall Score (2026)
99.90%ile105 – 115
99.50%ile90 – 100
99%ile85 – 90
98%ile65 – 85
95%ile60 – 65
90%ile50 – 55

Best Books for CAT 2026 Preparation

iQuanta books are widely chosen as the popular choice among candidates for CAT 2026 exam preparation. These books are aligned as per the latest CAT exam pattern with relative difficulty level of questions. 

iQuanta are widely know for providing the best books for CAT 2026 preparation with widely available for all the sections such as VARC, DILR and QA. These books covers good variety of questions for practice and also enough to crack the CAT exam. iQuanta books for CAT 2026 preparation is cost-efficient for the aspirants to pursue in their preparation journey without any difficulty.

CAT 2026 Answer Key

The answer key for CAT 2026 will be released after the CAT exam. The way you calculate your CAT scores that is +3 for correct answer and -1 for incorrect MCQs and there is no negative marking for TITA questions. There are several ways to access your CAT answer key.

  1. Visit the official CAT website.
  2. Login using your CAT credentials.
  3. Download your response sheet and the official key.
  4. Match you scores and calculate.

CAT 2026 Admit Card

CAT admit card is very important when you are going to sit for the CAT Exam. The CAT 2026 admit card is expected to release in the last week of October. Those aspirants who have filled out their CAT application form properly will get their admit cards, which are downloaded from the official site. It is necessary for every CAT aspirant to have their admit card with them because without it you are not allowed to sit for the CAT 2026.

Best CAT Mock Test for CAT 2026

iQuanta is widely popular among candidates for providing the best CAT 2026 mock test series for a streamlined preparation journey. The CAT mock tests are based on the latest CAT exam pattern and same level of question difficulty, which are widely asked in the CAT examination. These are the several features which candidates find while solving the best 2026 CAT mock test. 

  1. Error Tracker Analysis
  2. Goal Tracker with AI-powered features
  3. Comparison of All CAT Mocks
  4. B-School Predictor
  5. You Can Resume Mock and Saved Questions
  6. Flexible Interface for Giving the CAT 2026 Mock Tests

Reservation Criteria for CAT 2026 (Expected)

This section covers the expected reservation criteria for CAT 2026.

CategoryReservation Percentage
Scheduled Caste (SC)15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)7.50%
Other Backward Classes – NC-OBC27%
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)10%
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD)5%

Top B-Schools Other than IIMs With CAT 2026

B-SchoolsLocationTypical CAT Percentile
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS)Delhi99+
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)Mumbai95–99
Management Development Institute (MDI)Gurugram95–98
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)Delhi/Kolkata95+
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS)Mumbai99+ (CAT/MAH CET)
Department of Management Studies IIT DelhiDelhi97–99
Shailesh J. Mehta School of ManagementMumbai98+
Department of Management Studies IIT MadrasChennai95+
Vinod Gupta School of ManagementKharagpur90–95
International Management Institute (IMI Delhi)Delhi90–93
Institute of Management Technology (IMT Ghaziabad)Ghaziabad90–95
Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB)Bhubaneswar90–95
Goa Institute of Management (GIM)Goa88–92
Great Lakes Institute of ManagementChennai85–95
T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI)Manipal85–90
K. J. Somaiya Institute of ManagementMumbai84–90
FORE School of ManagementDelhi85–90
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH)Greater Noida75–85

CAT 2026 Preparation (PYQs)

CAT Exam YearAccess Link to Previous Year CAT Question Papers with Solutions
CAT 2025CAT 2025 Paper Slot 1
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 1 VARC
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 1 DILR
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 1 QA

CAT 2025 Paper Slot 2
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 2 VARC
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 2 DILR
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 2 QA

CAT 2025 Paper Slot 3
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 3 VARC
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 3 DILR
CAT 2025 Paper Slot 3 QA
CAT 2024CAT 2024 Paper Slot 1
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 1 VARC
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 1 DILR
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 1 QA
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 2
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 2 VARC
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 2 LRDI
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 2 QA
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 3
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 3 VARC
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 3 LRDI
CAT 2024 Paper Slot 3 QA
CAT 2023CAT 2023 Paper Slot 1
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 1 VARC
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 1 DILR
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 1 QA
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 2
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 2 VARC
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 2 DILR
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 2 QA
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 3
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 3 VARC
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 3 DILR
CAT 2023 Paper Slot 3 QA
CAT 2022CAT 2022 Paper Slot 1
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 1 VARC
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 1 DILR
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 1 QA
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 2
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 2 VARC
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 2 DILR
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 2 QA
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 3
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 3 VARC
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 3 DILR
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 3 QA
CAT 2021CAT 2021 Paper Slot 1
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 1 VARC
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 1 DILR
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 1 QA
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 2
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 2 VARC
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 2 DILR
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 2 QA
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 3
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 3 VARC
CAT 2021 Paper Slot 3 DILR
CAT 2022 Paper Slot 3 QA

Will I Get IIMs with CAT 2026 Scores Only?

No, CAT scores are one of the factors for the admission criteria, but IIMs consider your work experience, academic scores, gender diversity, and more to evaluate the composite scores. 

What Top IIM MBA Colleges I Get With CAT 2026 Scores?

Here are some of the top B-schools in India accepting CAT 2026:

List of IIMs Through CAT 2026

  • IIM Ahmedabad
  • IIM Bangalore
  • IIM Calcutta
  • IIM Indore
  • IIM Kozhikode
  • IIM Lucknow
  • IIM Trichy
  • IIM Raipur
  • IIM Bodh Gaya
  • IIM Rohtak
  • IIM Ranchi
  • IIM Nagpur
  • IIM Sambalpur
  • IIM Sirmaur
  • IIM Jammu
  • IIM Amritsar
  • IIM Shillong
  • IIM Udaipur
  • IIM Kashipur
  • IIM Visakhapatnam
  • IIM Ropar
  • IIM Mumbai 

Courses Offered Through CAT 2026 at IIMs 

Institute NameProgrammes Offered through CAT
IIM Ahmedabad PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics)
IIM Amritsar MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA, M.Sc. in Data Science (MSDSM) jointly offered with IIT Ropar
IIM BangalorePGP, PGPEM, PGPBA
IIM Bodh Gaya MBA, MBA (Digital Business Management), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management)
IIM CalcuttaMBA
IIM Indore PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management)
IIM Jammu MBA, MBA (Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management), Executive MBA
IIM Kashipur MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics)
IIM KozhikodePGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi
lIM LucknowMBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE
IIM Mumbai MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management)
IIM NagpurMBA, E-MBA
IIM RaipurMBA
IIM Ranchi MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics)
IIM Rohtak PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx
IIM Sambalpur MBA, Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals
IIM Shillong PGP, PGPEX, PGP (WE)
IIM SirmaurMBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality), ExMBA, ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics), MBA (Family Business)
IIM Tiruchirappalli PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM (MBA for Working Executives in Chennai)
IIM UdaipurMBA, MBA- DEM (Digital Enterprise Management), MBA-GSCM (Global Supply Chain Management), Executive MBA (Online)
IIM Visakhapatnam PGP, EMBA, PGPMCI
IIM Ahmedabad Doctoral Programme in Management
IIM Amritsar PhD
IIM Bangalore PhD
IIM Bodh Gaya PhD
IIM Calcutta Doctoral Programme (PhD)
IIM lndore Doctoral Programme in Management
IIM Jammu PhD, PhD (Working Professionals)
IIM Kashipur PhD
IIM Kozhikode PhD, Fellow Programmes in Management, PhD (PT)
lIM Lucknow PhD
IIM Mumbai PhD,  PhD (Executive)
IIM Nagpur PhD, E-PhD
IIM Raipur PhD, PhD (Practice Track)
IIM Ranchi PhD, EPhD
IIM Rohtak PhD
IIM Sambalpur PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Shillong Doctoral Program, Doctoral Program (WP)
IIM Sirmaur PhD, PhD (Executive)
IIM Tiruchirappalli PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Udaipur PhD
IIM Visakhapatnam PhD, Executive PhD

Conclusion: CAT 2026

The CAT 2026 examination is quite important for the candidates who are willing to take admission in top MBA colleges in India, like IIMs, SPJIMR, FMS Delhi & more. This page covers all the latest updates of the CAT 2026 examination, and you will be notified for all the further details, which will be announced later by the CAT 2026 exam-conducting authority.

CAT 2026 FAQs

What is the CAT 2026 exam date?

The official notification for the CAT 2026 exam has not been released yet. But it is expected that CAT exam 2026 will be held on 29 November 2026.

When will the CAT 2026 official notification be out?

The CAT 2026 official notification will expected to be out in the last week of July 2026

When will CAT 2026 registration begin?

The CAT 2026 registration is expected to start from the first week of August 2026.

Is work experience is mandatory to appear in CAT 2026?

No, work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT 2026. Both freshers and experienced are eligible to apply.

Will final year students eligible for CAT?

Yes, final-year students are eligible for CAT 2026 exam provided if they carry valid proof from authorities at the time of admission.

Can I crack CAT 2026 without coaching?

It is dependent on an individual’s ability. But coaching gives you a structured direction for preparation. iQuanta is a popular choice among candidates due to 24/7 doubt-solving support, dual-pedagogy approach, specialized modules, etc.

Who conducts CAT 2026?

IIM Indore will expected to conduct CAT 2026 exam.

How many times I can appear for CAT?

You can appear for the CAT exam once a year.

What is the different fields to fill in CAT 2026 application form?

You have to fill the respected fields such as personal details, academics, work experience, test city and more.