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Claim Free Beta AccessThe CAT 2026 registration last date is September 15, 2026, closing strictly at 5:00 PM on the official portal iimcat.ac.in. With the application window opening on August 3, 2026, and the exam scheduled for November 29, 2026, aspirants must complete their submissions early to avoid final-day server congestion and secure preferred test cities.
What is the Exam?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a premier national-level management entrance examination conducted annually on a rotational basis by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). For management aspirants across India, CAT serves as the golden gateway to prestigious post-graduate management programs, including PGDM, MBA, and fellow programs offered by the 21 IIMs, alongside elite non-IIM institutions such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, and various IIT Department of Management Studies.
We at ExamBhai track these developments meticulously to ensure candidates never miss vital milestones. The exam evaluates a candidate's aptitude across verbal comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative problem-solving capabilities under strict time constraints.
Key Highlights 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Release Date | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 68 Questions |
Syllabus 2026
The CAT syllabus covers three core segments designed to test cognitive readiness for executive business leadership. Below is the breakdown of the official syllabus tested across slots:
| Section | Core Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension Passages, Para-Jumbles, Paragraph Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Para-Completion |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Arrangements, Games & Tournaments, Blood Relations, Syllogisms |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Averages), Algebra (Inequalities, Quadratic Equations), Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Math |
Exam Pattern
The exam structure has stabilized over recent cycles to test depth rather than sheer volume. Candidates face a mandatory 120-minute online computer-based test divided into three sectional blocks of 40 minutes each.
| CAT Sections | Total Questions | MCQs | TITA (Non-MCQs) | Sectional Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 20 | 4 | 40 Minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 11 | 11 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 68 | 45 | 23 | 120 Minutes |
Marking scheme protocols grant +3 marks for every correct response. A penalty of -1 mark applies to incorrect Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), while Type In The Answer (TITA) questions carry zero negative marking. To master this pattern, practice free mock tests for Management on ExamBhai.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the official guidelines released via iimcat.ac.in and verified through the Ministry of Education reference sources, the foundational eligibility requirements are:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree awarded by any university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or established by an Act of Parliament, possessing a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
- Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree / equivalent qualification examinations and those awaiting results are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- Age Limit: There is no age restriction prescribed by the convening IIMs for appearing in CAT.
Application Process
The registration window operates exclusively online. Follow these procedural steps to secure your candidature before the CAT 2026 registration last date:
- Registration: Visit the official website (iimcat.ac.in) and generate your unique User ID and Password by entering basic personal details.
- Form Filling: Log in using credentials to complete the detailed application form, entering academic qualifications, personal data, and category details.
- Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, and category/disability certificates if applicable.
- Test City Selection: Choose up to six preferred test cities from the options provided across India.
- Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable registration fee (INR 1,200 for SC, ST, and PwD categories; INR 2,400 for all other categories) via secure online payment gateways.
Preparation Strategy
Cracking CAT requires a structured, multi-pronged approach that bridges conceptual clarity with rigorous timed practice. We recommend starting with topical module revisions, followed by intensive sectional analysis. To accelerate your preparation journey, practice chapter-wise mock tests for Management on ExamBhai and review detailed solutions.
Consistency is key: dedicate at least two hours daily to reading editorials for VARC comprehension, solve complex sets daily for DILR, and build shortcut frameworks for Arithmetic and Algebra. To analyze your standing among top aspirants, attempt full-length mock exams for Management on ExamBhai under simulated exam-day interfaces.
Cut-Off Trends
Admission cut-offs to premier management institutions are determined based on historical selection trends, applicant pool volume, and seat matrices published via official institutional portals like iima.ac.in.
- Top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta): Historically require overall percentiles above 95 to 99, alongside high sectional clearances (typically 85+ percentiles in VARC, DILR, and QA).
- New and Baby IIMs: Generally extend interview shortlists to candidates scoring between 85 and 92 overall percentiles, with relaxed category thresholds for NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD applicants in line with government reservation guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official CAT 2026 registration last date?
The registration last date for CAT 2026 is September 15, 2026, up to 5:00 PM, as officially notified on iimcat.ac.in.
Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree or awaiting final examination results are fully eligible to register and appear for CAT 2026.
Is there any work experience mandatory for taking CAT?
No, work experience is not mandatory to appear for the CAT exam, though certain top management programs factor post-qualification work experience into their final selection composite scores.
What is the application fee for General category applicants?
The registration fee for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates is INR 2,400, whereas SC, ST, and PwD category candidates pay a concession fee of INR 1,200.
Can I change my preferred test cities after submitting the application?
No, once the application form window closes and the submission is locked, the conducting IIM does not permit modifications to chosen test cities.
What documents are required during CAT registration?
Candidates need a valid email ID, active mobile number, scanned passport photograph, scanned signature, category certificate (if applicable), and academic mark sheets to complete the process smoothly.
Next Steps & Related Links
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