CAT

• MBA/PGP and equivalent Management programmes

• Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates) from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education
• Final-year bachelor's students and candidates awaiting results may also apply
• CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/FIAI holders with the required percentage are also eligible
• There is no age limit

• 1720+ colleges incl. 22 IIMs

CAT is a computer-based management aptitude test conducted by the IIMs, held once a year, mainly to evaluate and shortlist candidates for postgraduate management programmes. Each IIM then follows its own selection process, which may combine CAT performance with a Personal Interview, Writing Ability Test and/or Group Discussion. CAT 2026 is a 120-minute test with three sections, scheduled for 29 November 2026. Scores can also be used by member non-IIM institutions, but the IIMs have no role in those institutions' selection.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - About Us

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

The IIMs may change test centres, cities, test date or time. Always confirm the latest position on https://iimcat.ac.in.

1. 1Step 1: On iimcat.ac.in click Register under New Candidate Registration and enter your details. A valid, unique email ID and mobile number are mandatory.
2. 2Step 2: Verify the OTP sent to your mobile and email (overseas candidates get it on email only). Your User ID and password are then sent to you.
3. 3Step 3: Log in and fill the application form. It has six sections: Personal Details, Academics, Work Experience, Programmes, Test City and Declaration. You can save and return later.
4. 4Step 4: Upload your passport-size photograph (white background, not older than six months) and signature, plus category or PwBD certificates where applicable.
5. 5Step 5: Choose five different test cities as preferences.
6. 6Step 6: Preview the application, tick the declaration, enter the captcha and submit.
7. 7Step 7: Pay the fee online through the payment gateway. After payment you receive a confirmation email and SMS. The form cannot be changed after submission.

Source: CAT 2026 Registration Guide

• A valid and unique email ID and mobile number that stay active throughout the selection process.
• Scanned passport-size photograph (white background, not more than six months old) and signature. Bring printed copies of the same photograph on the exam day.
• Academic details for 10th, 12th/diploma, bachelor's degree and any master's or professional degree, entered as aggregate percentage as per the university or board method.
• SC/ST/PwBD certificate where applicable (mandatory for the lower fee).
• NC-OBC certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026. EWS certificate valid for 2026-27 and assessed for FY 2025-26. Candidates still awaiting a new certificate could upload an undertaking, the older certificate and proof of application.
• Category cannot be changed after registration.

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

The fee is paid once regardless of how many IIMs you apply to and is not refundable. Registration closed on 22 Sep 2026 and the application edit window (photograph, signature, test cities) ran 5-6 Oct 2026; both have ended.

• CAT 2026 official portal Website
• CAT 2026 Registration Guide PDF
• CAT 2026 Information Bulletin PDF

Source: CAT 2026 portal

The official CAT 2026 portal lists no sample or previous-year question papers. The only official practice resource it mentions is the mock test (link expected from 12 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in).

The official CAT FAQ states that CAT does not have a defined syllabus. The IIMs publish only the section names below, so topic and sub-topic lists are not official.

Source: CAT 2026 media release, 15 Sep 2026

Number of questions per section and topic-wise question counts are not published in the documents available on the CAT portal, so they are not listed here.

• Computer-based test (CBT), not an internet-based test. You answer on a computer at the assigned test centre.
• Total duration is 120 minutes, with three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
• Sections must be answered in a fixed order that is the same for all candidates. A timer on screen shows the time left for the current section.
• Questions are MCQs and non-MCQs. For non-MCQs you type the answer. All questions carry equal marks.
• The number of non-MCQ questions in each section varies and is not disclosed.
• PwBD candidates get 20 minutes extra per hour, which is 40 minutes for the 2-hour test.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

Candidates may not bring a calculator to the test centre. An on-screen calculator is available throughout the exam.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

Total number of questions, total marks and sectional time limits are not stated in the official documents available on the portal, so they are shown as Not announced.

The CAT FAQ says a practice test on iimcat.ac.in lets candidates familiarise themselves with navigation and question types, and that the CAT 2026 mock test link will be available from 12 November 2026.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

• NCERT Mathematics (9-10)
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (Arun Sharma)
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations (Abhijit Guha)
• Quantum CAT (Sarvesh Verma)
• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT (Nishit Sinha)
• Quantitative Aptitude (RS Aggarwal)
• A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning (RS Aggarwal)
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT (Arun Sharma)
• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT (Arun Sharma)
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT (Nishit Sinha)
• Data Interpretation (Nishit Sinha)
• CAT DILR (Gautam Puri)
• How to Prepare fo

• VARC: practise reading long passages on varied subjects and answering questions on them within a fixed time, and attempt both MCQ and typed-answer style questions.
• DILR: practise reading data sets and logical puzzles under time pressure, and choose which sets to attempt first, since the on-screen timer is per section.
• QA: strengthen the basics first, then move to timed practice. Keep the on-screen calculator in mind and avoid relying on long calculations.
• Remember the marking: MCQ wrong answers cost 1 mark, typed answers have no penalty, so attempt typed questions you have a method for.
• Use the official mock test (expected from 12 Nov 2026) to learn the interface before the exam.

General preparation guidance by MakeMyEducation, not an official document.

1. 1Step 1: The admit card is available from 4 November 2026 until 29 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in. It appears only if your application was submitted successfully.
2. 2Step 2: Log in with your CAT 2026 User ID and password.
3. 3Step 3: View and print the admit card. It is not sent by post.
4. 4Step 4: Affix the same photograph you uploaded in the application, and carry the printout to the test centre.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

• Your name.
• Test date.
• PwD status.
• Test centre details.
• Examination session and time.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

• If you cannot see the admit card after logging in, log a ticket on the grievance portal (a separate tab on the application login page). If that does not help, call the CAT helpdesk on 1800 210 0175.
• Helpdesk is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
• Application details cannot be edited after submission. The official guidance for a mistake is to register again with a new email ID; the latest registration is the one considered and no refund is given for the earlier one.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

• The printed admit card is mandatory. Writing or doing rough work on it is treated as unfair means.
• Only one scribble pad and pen is provided for rough work. No extra pad is given, writing anywhere else counts as unfair means, and the pad is collected after the exam.
• Calculators are not allowed; use the on-screen calculator.
• You cannot choose the session. Appearing in more than one slot is treated as fraud, and admit card, photo ID, photograph and biometrics are verified.
• Bio-breaks are not allowed except in emergencies or medical conditions. You are frisked again on re-entry and lost time is not compensated.
• Screen brightness can be adjusted only by the invigilator.
• Essential medicines or other restricted items need a permission letter, requested with the Authorization Form and supporting documents before the exam.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

• Technical issue: tell the invigilator immediately. The system is locked and you are given a new one, with the timer paused during the shift, so you do not lose time.
• PwBD candidates: approved aids include abacus (no calculator), hearing aid, wheelchair, magnifying screen and scribe or reader. Candidates arrange the scribe and carry the Scribe Affidavit.
• The Information Bulletin warns that incorrect information or process violations can lead to disqualification, even with retrospective effect.

Source: CAT 2026 portal - FAQs

A dress code and a full prohibited-items list were not found in the official documents available on the portal, so they are not included. Check your admit card instructions.

• Scorecards will be made accessible on the CAT website, and candidates may also be informed by SMS.
• Results are likely to be declared in the first week of January 2027.
• The CAT 2026 score is valid only till 31 December 2027. After that no queries about scorecards are entertained.
• After the result, each IIM applies its own shortlisting and selection process. Meeting the minimum eligibility does not ensure shortlisting.

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

Step-by-step scorecard download instructions, the official percentile method and the slot score-normalisation document for CAT 2026 are not yet published on the portal, so they are not included. State-wise 99.99-percentile lists and toppers are intentionally left out because they are not official and involve personal data.

Each IIM is independent in setting its own eligibility criteria, including academic cut-offs and relative weights, and follows its own selection process. CAT performance is an important component. IIMs may also use previous academic performance, relevant work experience and similar inputs to shortlist candidates at various stages. The CAT About Us page names a Personal Interview, Writing Ability Test and/or Group Discussion as possible further stages. Read each IIM's admission policy on its own website.

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

• Seats reserved: 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% NC-OBC, up to 10% EWS and 5% PwBD.
• Reserved-category candidates must still meet the minimum eligibility and a minimum level of performance set by each IIM.
• The central government list applicable on the last date of CAT registration is binding for reservation; later changes do not apply to CAT 2026 or its selection process.
• Final-year or result-awaiting candidates can join provisionally only after submitting a certificate from the Principal/Registrar, by the date set by the IIM, stating that all degree requirements are complete.
• Keep your registered email ID and mobile number active throughout, since the IIMs communicate through them.

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

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

Source: CAT 2026 portal

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

IIM-wise seat distribution, call-letter details and documents for WAT/PI are published by each IIM for its own batch and were not available as readable text on the pages opened, so they are not included. Use the links above.

IIM-wise and category-wise cut-offs are published only on each IIM's own admission policy page and were not verified in this update, so no cut-off table is shown. Non-IIM cut-offs and score-versus-percentile data are not officially published; they will be added when available.

Besides the 22 IIMs, the CAT portal lists non-IIM member institutions across several states and union territories whose own admission processes use CAT scores; IIMs have no role in those selections. The portal does not state a total count of non-IIM institutions.