LATEST UPDATE

The official notification for CAT 2026 (for admission to MBA/PGP programmes in IIMs and other top B-schools) is expected to be released around the last week of July 2026, with the online registration window opening on August 1, 2026 and closing in mid-September 2026. The exam itself is anticipated to be held in the last week of November 2026 (likely 29 November 2026, Sunday) in computer-based mode across multiple sessions. The result (scorecard) is expected to be declared in the third to fourth week of December 2026.

OVERVIEW

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted in India for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs, primarily at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 other top business schools. Held annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis, the CAT exam assesses candidates’ aptitude in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. It is a computer-based test with a duration of two hours, conducted in three shifts on a single day. To be eligible, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), and final-year students can also apply. CAT scores are valid for one year and play a critical role in securing admission to leading management institutes across India.

IMPORTANT DATES

The CAT (Common Admission Test) 2026 important dates are expected to follow the usual annual timeline conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The official notification for CAT 2026 is likely to be released in the last week of July 2026, with the online registration process starting from 1 August 2026 and continuing until mid-September 2026. Details are given bellow.

PROGRAM OFFERED

The CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is conducted for admission into various postgraduate and doctoral management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many other top B-schools across India. Through CAT 2026 scores (for the 2027–29 academic session in most cases), candidates can apply for the following major programmes:

The most popular programme is the Post Graduate Programme in Management ( PGP ) which is equivalent to an MBA and is offered by IIMs such as Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Many IIMs also offer PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) programmes with specializations in Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, Business Analytics, and Strategy.

Apart from the flagship PGP/MBA, CAT scores are also used for admission to Executive MBA (EMBA) programmes (for candidates with work experience), PGP in Business Analytics, PGP in Finance, PGP in Agri-Business Management, and PGP in Public Policy at select IIMs. Additionally, candidates interested in research can apply for the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), which is equivalent to a PhD in Management.

Besides IIMs, many reputed non-IIM institutions such as Faculty of Management Studies Delhi, Management Development Institute, and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research also accept CAT scores for their MBA/PGDM programmes.

TOP COLLEGES & SEATS

Admission through CAT (Common Admission Test) opens doors to India’s top management institutes. The most prestigious colleges accepting CAT scores are the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B-schools.

Top IIMs through CAT

1 – Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A)

2 – Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B)

3 – Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C)

4 – Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM-L)

5 – Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K)

6 – Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM-I)

7 – Indian Institute of Management Shillong (IIM-S”]?

These are often referred to as the “Top IIMs” due to their high rankings, strong placements, and academic reputation.

 Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT

1 – Faculty of Management Studies Delhi (FMS Delhi)

2 – SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR)

3 – Management Development Institute (MDI Gurgaon)

4 – Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad (IMT-G)

5 – Department of Management Studies IIT Delhi (DMS IIT Delhi)

6 -Department of Management Studies IIT Madras (DoMS IIT Madras)

7 – Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS – selected programs)

These institutes are highly competitive and generally require high CAT percentiles (often 90–99+ depending on the college).

SEATS

Vacant seat data for CAT 2026 specifically isn’t released yet, but based on recent patterns and seat matrices from IIMs and top CAT-accepting colleges, Candidate can get a good idea of the approximate seats available for MBA/PGP admissions in India.

Across all Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the estimated total number of MBA/PGP seats for admission via CAT is roughly around 7,400–8,000+ seats (approx.) for the 2026–28 batch. This includes reserved seats for OBC, SC, ST, EWS and PwD categories. 

Each IIM campus has a fixed intake that typically ranges from about 60 seats (small/new IIMs) to 400–500 seats (older/bigger IIMs) per year, depending on the institute. 

For CAT 2026, expect around 8,000+ MBA/PGP seats at IIMs alone, with many more available at top non-IIM B-schools too. Exact vacant seat figures will emerge once the admission lists and counselling rounds are completed in late 2026/early 2027.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), and final-year students can also apply. CAT scores are valid for one year and play a critical role in securing admission to leading management institutes across India. Details are given Bellow according to previous year.

Nationality

A candidate must be either:

1 – A Citizen of India or

2 – A subject of Nepal or

3 – A subject of Bhutan or

4 – A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India or

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

Age Limit

The minimum age limit to be eligible for CAT Examination is 20 years. There is No Restriction on Maximum Age Limit.

Educational Qualification:

1. The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories], awarded by any University or educational institution or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.
2. Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent Qualification Examination and those who have Completed Degree Requirements and are awaiting Results can also apply.

EXAM PATTERN

The paper pattern for the CAT exam has changed several times in the past. The CAT Examination shall consist both MCQ’s & Non-MCQ based Questions.

The section-wise distribution of Questions and Marks is given below :

Mode Of Examination

CAT Examination shall be held as a Computer Based Test. Questions will be both MCQ and Non-MCQ’s type.

Medium Of Examination

Questions in CAT Examination shall be available only as in English Language.

Marking Scheme

Sections of the Test

1- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3- Quantitative Ability (QA)

Question from the above-mentioned sections shall be asked in CAT Examination where, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension shall comprise 26 Questions of 3 Marks each, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning shall comprise 24 Questions of 3 Marks each and Quantitative Ability (QA) comprise 26 Questions of 3 Marks, thus summing up to 228 Marks.

Marking Scheme Highlights

1- 3 marks shall be awarded for every correct response.

2- Negative marking of 1/3rd (-1 mark) for every wrong MCQ response shall prevail.

3- No negative marking shall be there for wrong non-MCQ response.

Percentile Score Calculation

The Percentile score calculation for each section shall be based on following formula:

Note :-

Percentile score = P

Total number of candidates = N

Rank of Candidate = r

EXAM SYLLABUS

CAT syllabus has three main sections:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, para jumbles, and sentence correction.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): data interpretation (charts, tables), puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms, and logical sequences.

Quantitative Ability (QA): arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, modern math (sets, probability, permutations), and trigonometry.

The exam tests analytical skills, problem-solving, and time management across these areas.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for admission through the CAT exam typically involves these steps:

CAT Exam: Candidates appear for the CAT computer-based test, which assesses their skills in VARC, DILR, and QA sections.

Shortlisting: Based on CAT scores, participating institutes shortlist candidates for the next rounds. Each institute sets its own cutoff and criteria.

Written Ability Test (WAT) / Essay Writing: Some institutes require candidates to write an essay or WAT to evaluate communication skills.

Group Discussion (GD): Shortlisted candidates may participate in group discussions to assess teamwork, communication, and leadership qualities.

Personal Interview (PI): Candidates attend personal interviews to evaluate their personality, motivation, and suitability for management programs.

Final Selection: Institutes prepare a final merit list based on CAT scores, WAT/GD, PI performance, academic records, work experience, and diversity factors.

The exact process and weightage of components vary across IIMs and other B-schools.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test), candidates will need to complete the online registration process through the official CAT website once the notification is released (expected in July 2026). The application form will likely be available from August 2026 to mid-September 2026.

Registration:

To apply for CAT, the candidates will need to Register on the Official Website ( IIMCAT ). To Register, follow the steps given below:

STEP 1- Open the CAT official website.

STEP 2- Click on CAT registration Link.

STEP 3- Enter name, date of birth, email ID, phone number and Nationality.

STEP 4- Click to get OTP.

STEP 5- On successful registration, an OTP is going to be sent to the registered mobile number.

STEP 6- Verify CAT registration by entering the OTP within the given field.

Filling up the CAT application form

After Verification, the candidate will receive a user ID and Password on Registered Email-ID and mobile number. To fill the form, log in again using the CAT user ID and password to access the application form. Applicants must fill in the following sections in the CAT Application Form:

1- Personal Information.

2- Academics.

3- Work Experience.

4- Programs.

5- Test City.

Upload of Prescribed Documents & Images ( Photographs and Scanned Signatures )

In the next step, candidates were required to upload their latest ( not be more than 6 months old ) photograph and signature as per the below-mentioned specifications:

Pay the Examination Fee

The next step of CAT Registration is payment of application fee. After furnishing details in the last step, click on ‘save and continue’ to proceed to fee payment window. CAT Exam fee has been increased by 10 per cent last year. Given below is the CAT application fee details:

Application Fee

Print the Confirmation page

The Last Step is to take Four Printouts of the confirmation page, after Successful Payment of CAT 2024 application fees. Candidates must keep this Acknowledgment Page till the Admission Process is Over.

EXAM CENTERS

The CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) will be conducted in computer-based mode at designated exam centres across India. The exam is expected to be held in more than 150–160 cities, covering major metropolitan cities as well as smaller towns to ensure accessibility for candidates nationwide.

The List of some of the major Examination Cities for CAT is given below:

ADMIT CARD

The Admit Card for CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is expected to be released in early November 2026 on the official CAT website. Candidates who successfully complete the application process will be able to download their admit card by logging in with their registered User ID and password.

To download the CAT Admit Card, candidates are required to follow the steps given below: 

STEP 1– Visit the Official Website.

STEP 2– Click on ‘Login’. 

STEP 3– Enter registration ID and password.

STEP 4– Click on ‘Admit Card’.

STEP 5– Click on download and save the Admit Card on desktop.

STEP 6- Take a print out of the CAT Admit Card.

RESULT

The Result for CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is expected to be declared in the third or fourth week of December 2026 on the official CAT website. Candidates will be able to check and download their scorecard by logging in with their registered User ID and password. The CAT result will display important details such as overall percentile, section-wise percentile (VARC, DILR, and QA), and scaled scores.

To check the CAT Result, candidates need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

STEP 1– Visit the Official Website.

STEP 2– Click on ‘CAT scorecard download’.

STEP 3– Enter CAT ID and password.

STEP 4– Click on ‘scorecard’  tab.

STEP 5– Download the CAT scorecard.

COUNSELLING PROCEDURE & CUT-OFFS

After the CAT result is declared, there is no centralized counseling process like some other entrance exams. Instead, each participating institute (IIMs and other B-schools) conducts its own admission process based on the CAT scores. Here’s what happens next:

Shortlisting by Institutes:
Based on your CAT score, each institute releases its shortlist of candidates eligible for the next rounds, such as Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI).

Further Selection Rounds:
Shortlisted candidates attend the institute-specific selection rounds (WAT/GD/PI), either online or on-campus.

Final Admission Offer:
After these rounds, institutes prepare their final merit list considering CAT score, performance in selection rounds, academic background, work experience, and other factors.

Admission and Seat Confirmation:
If you receive an offer, you confirm your admission by completing the institute’s admission formalities and paying the fees.

There is no single counseling body or common process; candidates must apply individually to institutes they wish to join after CAT results.

CUT-OFFS

The CAT 2026 cutoff refers to the minimum percentile a candidate needs to secure to be shortlisted for the next stage of admission (like WAT/PI) at various IIMs and top B-schools. While official cut-offs will only be released after the exam, based on trends from previous years, the expected percentile ranges for CAT 2026 are likely to be

Expected CAT 2026 Percentile Cutoffs for Top IIMs

1 – IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta: 99+ percentile

2 – IIM Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode: 98–99 percentile

3 – IIM Shillong, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Udaipur, Trichy, Nagpur: 95–98 percentile

Non-IIM Top B-schools

1-FMS Delhi: 98–99 percentile

2 -SPJIMR Mumbai: 95–98 percentile

3 – MDI Gurgaon: 95–97 percentile

4 – IMT Ghaziabad: 90–95 percentile

5 – DoMS IIT Delhi / Madras: 90–95 percentile

Cut-offs vary each year depending on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability.

IMPORTANT DATES

For Official Website- Click Here