Complete Guide to CAT 2026 exam date announcement 2026

The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026. While the official notification is slated for release in the last week of July 2026 at the iimcat.ac.in portal, historical trends confirm this predictable timeline for India's most prestigious management entrance examination.

What is the Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to the 21 prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and numerous elite B-schools across India, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and MDI Gurgaon. We at Exam Bhai monitor these developments closely because CAT remains the gold standard for management aspirants. The exam is a computer-based test (CBT) that evaluates candidates on their aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal proficiency, essentially acting as the primary filter for admission into MBA and PGDM programs.

Key Highlights 2026

Syllabus 2026

While the conducting IIM does not release a fixed, exhaustive syllabus, we at Exam Bhai have synthesized the core topics based on perennial patterns:

Exam Pattern

The structure has remained consistent over recent years. You must practice free mock tests for Management on Exam Bhai to acclimate yourself to the sectional time limits.

Note: Each correct answer earns +3 marks, while each incorrect MCQ leads to a penalty of -1. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions carry no negative marking. You can explore sectional practice sets for Management on Exam Bhai to master this specific format.

Eligibility Criteria

As per government norms, the minimum eligibility requirements are:

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) from a recognized university.
• Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree are eligible to apply, provided they produce the necessary certificates during the interview process.
• Source: Official criteria are validated by the Ministry of Education (GOI) and reflected in the annual notifications at iimcat.ac.in.

Application Process

The application process will be conducted entirely online. Once the announcement is made in late July, follow these steps:

1. Register at the official iimcat.ac.in portal.
2. Fill in personal, academic, and work-experience details.
3. Upload photograph, signature, and valid category certificates.
4. Pay the registration fee (Expected: ₹2600 for General; ₹1300 for reserved categories).

Preparation Strategy

We at Exam Bhai suggest a phased approach. First, solidify your conceptual foundations in Arithmetic and Reading Comprehension. Once the fundamentals are set, take full-length mock tests for Management on Exam Bhai to analyze your performance under real-time pressure. Focus on error analysis—understanding why you got a question wrong is more valuable than getting ten right.

Cut-Off Trends

Cut-offs are dynamic and vary significantly based on the candidate's profile, including academic background and work experience. Per government guidelines for reservation, the following percentages apply at participating IIMs:

• OBC-NCL: 27%
• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• PwD: 3%

Source: Official reservation policy mandates sourced from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Always check the specific IIM websites for their unique admission shortlisting criteria, as these shift annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the official CAT 2026 exam date? A: While the official announcement is expected in late July 2026, the exam is highly likely to be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026.

Q2: Who will conduct CAT 2026? A: The conducting body rotates among the top six IIMs. It is expected that IIM Indore will convene the examination this year.

Q3: Is there a change in the exam pattern for 2026? A: As of now, no major changes are expected. We anticipate a 120-minute, three-section structure consistent with the previous year.

Q4: Can I use a personal calculator during the exam? A: No, personal calculators are prohibited. However, an on-screen calculator will be provided for use within the interface.

Q5: Is there negative marking for all questions? A: No. Negative marking of -1 applies only to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). TITA (Type In The Answer) questions do not have negative marks.

Q6: What documents are required for registration? A: You will need your class 10/12 marksheets, graduation degree/certificate, a valid ID, a passport-sized photograph, a scanned signature, and a category certificate if you belong to a reserved category.