CAT 2026

About CAT 2026

CAT (Common Admission Test) is India's most prestigious national-level management entrance examination conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. CAT scores are accepted by all IIMs and more than 1,200 leading MBA/PGDM institutes across India, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IITs, IMI, TAPMI, and many other top business schools. CAT evaluates a candidate's aptitude in verbal ability, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and quantitative aptitude. 

Key Highlights

• National-level MBA entrance examination.
• Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
• Gateway to admission in 21+ IIMs and top B-Schools.
• Conducted once every year.
• Computer-Based Test (CBT).
• Exam conducted in multiple slots on a single day.
• Score accepted by more than 1,200 management institutes.
• One of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India.
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Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Must possess a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university.
• General/EWS candidates must secure at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• SC/ST/PwD candidates must secure at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
• Candidates with professional degrees such as CA, CS, ICWA, FIAI are eligible.
• There is no age limit for appearing in CAT.
• There is no restriction on the number of attempts. 

Minimum Educational Qualification

Exam Pattern

Note: CAT pattern may vary slightly every year as decided by the conducting IIM. 

Section-wise Distribution

CAT 2026 Syllabus

CAT does not have an officially prescribed syllabus. The syllabus below is based on previous years' exam trends followed consistently by IIMs. 

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Important Dates (Tentative)

Admission Process After CAT

Admission to IIMs and other MBA colleges is not based solely on CAT score.

Selection Stages

• CAT Score Evaluation
• Shortlisting by Institutes
• Written Ability Test (WAT) (if applicable)
• Group Discussion (GD) (for some institutes)
• Personal Interview (PI)
• Academic Profile Evaluation
• Work Experience Evaluation
• Final Merit List Preparation

Final Selection Factors

• CAT Percentile
• Class 10 & 12 Performance
• Graduation Marks
• Work Experience
• Diversity Factors
• WAT/GD Performance
• Personal Interview Performance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a good CAT percentile for IIM admission?

Generally, a percentile of 95+ is considered competitive for newer IIMs, while 99+ percentile is often required for top IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta.

2. Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?

Yes. Candidates appearing in the final year of their Bachelor's Degree are eligible to apply

3. Is there any age limit for CAT?

No. There is no upper age limit for appearing in CAT. 

4. How many times can I appear for CAT?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for CAT multiple times.

5. Is CAT score alone sufficient for MBA admission?

No. Most institutes consider CAT score along with academics, work experience, WAT/GD, and Personal Interview performance before offering admission. 

Official Website

• CAT Official Website
• CAT Official Portal (IIM CAT)