CAT 2026 Exam: Registration Dates, Eligibility, Pattern & Full Syllabus Guide
A complete guide to the CAT 2026 entrance exam for MBA aspirants. Check key registration dates, IIM eligibility rules, exam pattern, and the section-wise syllabus.
ClassLab Team · · 3 min read
CAT 2026 Comprehensive Guide: Dates, Eligibility, Pattern & Syllabus
The Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) is the premier national-level management entrance examination for admission into MBA and PGDM programs across 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 other premier business schools in India.
Whether you are targeting the top IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, or MDI Gurgaon, understanding the exam timeline, eligibility requirements, and structural blueprint is essential for planning your preparation.
CAT 2026 Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (Rotational basis) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 Minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Official Portal | iimcat.ac.in |
Important Dates Schedule
The CAT exam traditionally takes place on the last Sunday of November. Keep track of these key milestones:
| Event | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Late July 2026 |
| Online Registration Window | First week of August – Mid September 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Late September 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | Early November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key & Objection Window | Early December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Late December 2026 / Early January 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Before beginning the registration process, ensure you meet the following baseline requirements:
- Academic Qualifications: A completed Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
- Final-Year Students: Candidates appearing for their final graduation exams or awaiting results can apply provisionally.
- Professional Qualifications: Holders of recognized professional certifications (such as CA, CS, or CMA/ICWA) meeting the percentage criteria are eligible.
- Age Restrictions: There is no minimum or maximum age limit to appear for CAT. Prior work experience is also not mandatory.
Registration Steps & Application Fee
The application process is conducted entirely online at iimcat.ac.in.
- Profile Generation: Register with your name, date of birth, email, and mobile number to receive your User ID and Password via OTP verification.
- Application Form: Log in to enter personal information, academic scores (Class 10, Class 12, Graduation), and relevant work experience.
- Program & City Selection: Select your preferred IIM programs/interviews and choose up to 6 test city preferences.
- Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your passport photo, signature, and category/PwD certificates (if applicable).
- Fee Payment: Complete payment online through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.
| Category | Expected Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / NC-OBC / EWS | ₹2,600 – ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,300 – ₹1,350 |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The paper is divided into three timed sections of 40 minutes each, with no option to switch between sections during a slot.
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 20–22 questions
- Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 questions
- Total Questions: 66–68 questions (120 minutes total)
Scoring Mechanics:
- MCQs: +3 marks for correct answers; -1 mark deduction for incorrect answers.
- Non-MCQs (TITA / Type In The Answer): +3 marks for correct answers; No negative marking for wrong inputs.
Syllabus Breakdown
While the IIMs do not publish a rigid syllabus, standard examination trends cover the following core areas:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): Reading comprehension passages across varied subjects (philosophy, economics, science, literature), para-jumbles, para-summary, sentence completion, and odd-one-out.
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Caselets, tables, bar and line graphs, matrix arrangements, games & tournaments, blood relations, binary logic, and Venn diagrams.
- Quantitative Ability (QA): Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Ratios), Algebra (Linear/Quadratic Equations, Functions, Logarithms), Geometry & Mensuration, Modern Mathematics (Permutations & Combinations, Probability), and Number Systems.
Stay tuned to classlab.in for upcoming section-wise strategy guides, topic breakdowns, and previous-year question analyses.