CAT Exam 2026: Notification (Soon), Dates, Registration, Eligibility, and Syllabus
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CAT Exam 2026 Notification is expected to be released in the last week of July, and the exam is expected to be held on November 29, 2026. The examination is conducted in computer-based mode across approximately 170 to 180 test cities nationwide, in three sessions of two hours each held on a single day. It comprises three sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)—with a total of approximately 66 to 68 questions. Read this article to get complete details on the CAT exam date 2026, CAT 2026 registration date, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and MBA admission process. Everything CAT 2026 aspirants need in one guide.
What is the CAT Exam?
CAT is a national-level management entrance test conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. As per past trends, IIM Indore is expected to conduct the CAT exam 2026, and CAT scores from this cycle will be accepted by more than 1,000 management institutes across India, making it one of the most widely recognized MBA entrance exams in the country. The exam assesses a candidate's problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, reading comprehension, and decision-making ability—all of which are essential for a successful management career.
The scale of the examination has grown consistently over the years—CAT 2024 saw 3.29 lakh registrations, while CAT 2025 recorded 2.95 lakh registered candidates, of whom approximately 2.58 lakh (nearly 87%) appeared for the test. CAT 2026 is expected to attract a similarly large pool of candidates, with projections estimating participation in excess of 4 lakh aspirants.
Related CAT Resources: For a complete breakdown of exam dates, eligibility, and syllabus, visit our detailed guide: CAT 2026 Exam Complete Guide .
CAT Exam 2026 Highlights
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most competitive national-level management entrance exam. It is conducted every year for admission to MBA and PGDM programs.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM Indore, expected) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | 29th November 2026 (expected, Sunday) |
| Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM |
| Number of Test Cities | Approximately 170–180 cities |
CAT Exam 2026: Important Dates
CAT Registration 2026 is likely to open in the first week of August 2026 and close by the fourth week of September 2026, with results expected in late December 2026 or January 2027. Tabulated below is a detailed overview of CAT exam dates 2026.
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Opens | First week of August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Closes | Fourth week of September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last week of October 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | 29th November 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Third week of December 2026 / January 2027 |
CAT Registration Date & Application Process 2026
CAT 2026 registration is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026, following the release of the official notification in the last week of July 2026. Registration for CAT exam 2026 will remain open for around 45 days, with the last date expected in the fourth week of September 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues on the portal.
Steps to Register for CAT Exam 2026
- Visit the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in)
- Create a new user account using a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details
- Select up to five preferred test cities
- Upload photograph and signature as per the specified format
- Pay the CAT 2026 application fee online
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page
Keeping track of the CAT 2026 registration date is critical, since IIMs do not usually extend the deadline once it closes.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates should check whether they meet the CAT 2026 eligibility conditions:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
- Final-year students are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of degree completion later
- Professional degree holders such as CA, CS, CMA, or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India are also eligible
- No upper age limit to appear for CAT, and there is no cap on the number of attempts
CAT Syllabus 2026
There is no fixed, officially published syllabus for CAT, but based on previous years' papers, CAT syllabus 2026 is expected to cover the following broad areas:
| Section | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| VARC | Reading comprehension, para-jumbles, para-summary, verbal reasoning |
| DILR | Data tables, graphs, caselets, logical puzzles, seating arrangements |
| QA | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, modern maths |
CareerChoice360 Tip: Prepare a CAT 2026 5 Months Strategy . Aim to complete the CAT syllabus by August–September, dedicate October–November to full-length mock tests, and analyze every mock thoroughly. Scoring well in 30–35 questions can often fetch a 99+ percentile, depending on the exam's difficulty level.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
The CAT 2026 exam pattern comprises three sections—VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability—with approximately 66–68 questions to be attempted in 2 hours across three timed slots. Read the table below for detailed information on the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 .
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Sections | 3 |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, Quantitative Ability |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours (three slots of 40 minutes each) |
| Number of Questions | Approximately 66–68 |
| Question Type | MCQs & Non-MCQs (TITA) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for every correct answer; -1 for incorrect MCQs; no negative marking for TITA questions |
CAT 2026 Admission Process
After the exam, shortlisted candidates are called for further selection rounds conducted independently by each institute. The admission process typically includes a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).
Final selection is based on the CAT score, academic record, work experience, and performance in these rounds. Since there is no centralized counseling for CAT, each IIM and participating B-school manages its own admission cycle after results are declared.