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CAT 2026 stands as India’s premier and intensely competitive MBA entrance exam, attracting lakhs of aspirants eyeing admissions to top-tier institutes like the 21 IIMs.
Whether you’re a first-timer, repeater, or working professional, mastering key details—exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, and pattern—streamlines your prep strategy. This guide delivers all essential info plus expert tips to propel you toward CAT success.
What is CAT?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) stands as India’s most prestigious entrance examination for postgraduate management programs, primarily serving as the gateway to the elite Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Established in 1980, CAT evaluates candidates’ aptitude in 3 sections: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, attracting over 300,000 aspirants annually for roughly 5,000 seats across 21 IIMs and more than 1,200 other B-schools like XLRI, FMS Delhi, and SPJIMR.
CAT’s influence extends far beyond IIMs, with scores accepted by premier institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for their MBA equivalents, and Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS). This broad acceptance transforms CAT into a versatile key, opening doors to specialised programs in finance, human resources, operations, and international business, catering to diverse career aspirations amid India’s economic surge.
The exam was taken online over a period of three hours, with one hour per section. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 precautions, the Indian Institute of Management Indore decided to conduct the CAT Exam in 2 hours, with 40 minutes devoted to each section. The test is conducted every year by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) based on a policy of rotation. CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode.
There are some eligibility criteria for CAT to ensure a broad yet qualified pool of candidates for India’s premier management entrance exam.
Eligibility for CAT
To apply for CAT 2026, candidates must fulfil the following criteria:
- Candidates require a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) from a UGC-recognized university for General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories; reserved categories (SC/ST/PwD) qualify with 45%.
- Any discipline qualifies, including engineering (B.Tech/BE), professional qualifications (CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI), or AICTE/MHRD-approved equivalents.
- Final-year students or those awaiting results can apply provisionally but must submit proof of meeting percentage criteria by IIM deadlines (failure cancels admission).
- No age limit (minimum or maximum) and no restriction on attempts, enabling equal opportunity for working professionals and repeaters.
Category – Wise Relaxation
| Category | Minimum % Required in Graduation |
| General/EWS/NC-OBC | 50% Aggregate |
| SC/ST/PwD | 45% Aggregate |
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
| Official Notification | July 2026 |
| Registration Starts | Early August 2026 |
| Registration Ends | Mid-September 2026 |
| Admit Card Released | Early November 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key | Early December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Early January 2027 |
CAT Syllabus
CAT 2026 Consists of 3 major domains
| Subject | Topics Covered | No. Of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number System, and Modern Maths. | 22 |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, Para Summary, and Para Completion. | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Bar Graphs, Charts, Tables, Seating Arrangements, Venn Diagram, Binary Logic and Route – Connections | 22 |
Topic Wise Weightage
- Quantitative Ability
CAT 2026 Quantitative Ability (QA) typically features 22 questions, with Arithmetic dominating at 35-45% weightage, followed by Algebra (25-30%), Geometry/Mensuration (15-20%), Number Systems (10-15%), and Modern Math (5-10%).
| Topic | Expected Questions | % Percentage | Key Sub – Topic |
| Arithmetic | 8 – 10 | 35 – 45% | Percentage, Profit/loss, Averages, Mixture, TSD/W |
| Algebra | 5 – 7 | 25 – 30% | Equations, Functions, Logarithms, Inequalities |
| Geometry -Mensuration | 3 – 5 | 15 – 20% | Triangles, Circles, Co-ordinates Geo, Volumes |
| Number System | 2 – 4 | 10 – 15% | Factors, LCM/HCF, Divisibility, Remainder |
| Modern Math | 1 – 3 | 5 – 10% | Permutations/Combinations, Probability, Sets |
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
CAT 2026 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) typically comprises 22 questions across 4-5 sets (4-6 questions each), split evenly between DI (50%) and LR (50%).
| Topic | Expected Questions | % Weightage | Key Sub – Topic |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 10 – 12 | 45 – 55% | Tables, Bar/Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Venn Diagrams, Missing Data |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | 10 – 12 | 45 – 55% | Arrangements (Linear/Circular), Puzzles, Games/Tournaments, Blood Relations, Sequencing |
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
The CAT 2026 Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section usually includes 24 questions, with RC dominating at 70-75% weightage and VA at 25-30%.
| Topic | Expected Questions | % Weightage | Key Sub – Topic |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | 70 – 75% | 4 passages (400-500 words each) from diverse topics: Economy, Philosophy, Science, History |
| Verbal Ability | 8 | 25 – 30% | Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence, Summary (3-4 options), Para Completion |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
In the CAT Exam Pattern is important. In 2021, the number of questions was reduced from 76 to 66, while in 2024, the number of questions in the DILR Section increased from 22 to 24. Here is the tentative exam pattern of CAT 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based |
| No. Of Slots | 3 |
| Section wise Time | 40 Minutes each |
| Total Duration | 2 Hours |
| No. Of Questions | 68 |
| Questions Type | MCQs and TITA (Non – MCQS) |
| Marking Scheme for MCQs Questions | +3 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Marking Scheme for TITA (Non – MCQs) Questions | +3 for correct answer No Negative Marking |
HOW IS CAT CONDUCTED?
CAT is conducted annually as a computer-based test (CBT) by one of the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, typically on the last Sunday of November (expected November 29, 2026).
Registration Process
Online registration opens around August via iimcat.ac.in, requiring personal details, academic records, and a fee (₹2500 for General/OBC, ₹1250 for SC/ST/PwD). Admit cards released in late October, downloadable with login credentials for the multi-slot exam day.
Exam Day Execution
Held in three slots (morning, afternoon, evening) across 150+ cities; candidates report 90 minutes early for frisking, biometrics, and verification. The 120-minute test enforces sectional timing via software; an on-screen calculator assists, with strict no-stationery rules.
Post-Exam Stages
Results declare in the last week of December, yielding normalized percentiles emailed and online. IIMs independently shortlist (based on cutoffs like 98+ percentile for top tiers) for Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, held January-February 2027. Final merit lists emerge by April-May.
STUDY PLAN FOR CAT 2026
CAT 2026 demands tailored study plans based on your starting point, with 10-12 months optimal from January 2026 to November exam day. This plan can be different based on your portfolio whether you are a beginner, repeater or professional.
- Beginners (No Prior Aptitude; 15-18 Months Plan)
- Months 1-3 (Foundation): 2 hours daily on basics—arithmetic (percentages, ratios), grammar rules, simple puzzles. Read 2 editorials/day; use NCERT Math 6-10.
- Months 4-6 (Build Skills): Introduce algebra/geometry, RC passages (3/day), LR sets. Solve 50 QA questions/topic; join Route99 basics module.
- Months 7-9 (Practice): Topic-wise sectional tests (3/week); error log for repeats. Target 70% accuracy in VARC/DILR.
- Months 10-12 (Mocks): 1 full mock/week + 4-hour analysis; revise weak areas. Aim VARC 80+, DILR/QA 70+ raw scores.
- Professionals (Busy Schedule; 8-10 Months Plan)
- Months 1-2 (Assess & Refine): 1.5 hours weekdays/4 weekends. Take diagnostic mock; focus weakest section (e.g., VARC via podcasts).
- Months 3-5 (Intensify): 2 hours daily + 1 sectional test/day. Prioritize high weightage: Arithmetic (35% QA), DI sets, RC (50% VARC).
- Months 6-8 (Mock Phase): 2 mocks/week; analyze strategy (attempt order, time per set). Use commute for flashcards/formulas.
- Months 9-10 (Peak): 3 mocks/week; simulate exam day. Revise error log; balance work with 1 rest day/week.
- Repeaters (Familiar Basics; 6 Months Intensive Plan)
- Month 1 (Strategy Reset): 3 hours daily; review past mocks for patterns (e.g., DILR skips). Update formula sheet; solve 100 past QA questions.
- Months 2-3 (Targeted Drills): 70% mocks (2/week) + sectional marathons. Focus 99+ile gaps: Advanced RC inferences, complex LR.
- Months 4-5 (Volume Practice): 3 mocks/week + 1 AIMCAT; deep analysis (question-type accuracy). Simulate slots; track percentiles.
- Final Month (Revision): Daily mocks + quick revisions; no new topics. Error-free attempts; mental prep via meditation
- Common Across All
- Daily: 1 RC, 20 QA, 1 DILR set; weekly mocks ramp-up.
- Tools: Route99 mocks, Arun Sharma books, Route99 modules.
- Track: Excel sheet for scores/errors; 1 cheat day/week.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
CAT aspirants often lose crucial percentiles due to avoidable errors in preparation and exam execution. So, here are some common mistakes on which CAT Aspirants should work to get better percentile.
- Preparation Mistakes
- Skipping basics: Jumping to mocks without mastering concepts (e.g., arithmetic formulas) leads to repeated errors; revising NCERT-level topics first.
- Incomplete syllabus coverage: Ignoring low-weightage areas like Modern Math or Para Jumbles costs easy marks; allocate time proportionally.
- Mock neglect: Taking tests without 4-hour analysis misses strategy insights; track error types in an Excel log.
- Exam Day Pitfalls
- Over-attempting: Blindly solving 80%+ questions triggers negative marking (-1 per wrong MCQ); target 70-80% accuracy.
- Time mismanagement: Spending >2-3 minutes per question leaves easier ones unsolved; follow a 2-minute rule strictly.
- Sectional rigidity: In DILR, solving sets sequentially wastes time on tough ones; scan and pick 2-3 easiest sets first.
- Section Specific Errors
| Section | Common Trap | Fix |
| VARC | Reading Questions before Passages | Read full RC first (3-4 mins); avoid extreme options like “always/never” |
| DILR | Half-solving sets | Fully complete 2-3 sets; use rough sheet for tables/trees |
| QA | Starting with Geometry/Algebra | Begin with Arithmetic (35-45% weightage); eliminate options in MCQs |
- Strategic Oversights
- No TITA attempts: These non-MCQs have zero negative marking; guess intelligently for free points.
- Burnout: Overstudying without rest days drops retention; schedule 1 cheat day weekly.
- Panic checking timer: Glancing every question spike anxiety; check after 15-20 questions only.
Conclusion
Dedication, smart time planning, execution and expert advice are what CAT requires. A Structured coaching program and personalised mentorship can open one’s way to IIM. Route 99 provides you with one-to-one mentoring and prepares your study plan according to your portfolio. It offers modules, mock tests, and Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for overall insights of CAT examination. Doubt-solving sessions and expert mentoring help you stay confident and consistent for CAT 2026.
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