Complete Guide to iimcat.ac.in 2026 registration date and fees 2026

What is the Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most prestigious national-level management entrance examination, primarily conducted for admission into the premier Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). For the academic session 2026-27, the exam is expected to be convened by IIM Indore. Apart from the 21 IIMs, CAT scores are the primary gateway to other top-tier business schools such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and various IIT management departments.

CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) that evaluates a candidate’s aptitude in verbal ability, data interpretation, and quantitative reasoning. Unlike many other competitive exams like UPSC or SSC, CAT does not have a fixed syllabus but tests the applicant’s high-pressure decision-making and logic. Success in CAT leads to the second stage of the selection process, which typically includes a Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).

Key Highlights 2026

Staying updated with the timeline is crucial for any aspirant. Based on current trends and official projections for the 2026 cycle, here are the vital dates and facts you need to bookmark on the official portal, iimcat.ac.in.

Event	Expected Date (Tentative)
Official Notification Release	July 26, 2026
Registration Start Date	August 01, 2026 (10:00 AM)
Registration Last Date	September 20, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Application Correction Window	September 24 – 27, 2026
Admit Card Release	November 12, 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date	November 29, 2026
Provisional Answer Key Release	December 03, 2026
CAT 2026 Result Declaration	January 05, 2027

Registration Fees for CAT 2026:

• General / EWS / NC-OBC: ₹2,600
• SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,300

Syllabus 2026

The CAT syllabus is divided into three core sections. While the conducting IIM does not provide a formal topic-wise list, the following topics represent the standard areas tested based on the last decade of CAT papers.

Section	Core Topics
VARC	Reading Comprehension (RC), Para-jumbles, Odd-one-out, Para-summary, Sentence Completion, Contextual Vocabulary.
DILR	Set Theory, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relations, Tables, Bar Graphs, Routes & Networks, Games & Tournaments.
QA	Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit/Loss, TSD), Algebra (Equations, Functions, Logarithms), Geometry, Number Systems, Modern Math.

Exam Pattern

The CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the 120-minute format introduced recently. The exam is split into three timed sections of 40 minutes each. Candidates are not allowed to switch between sections during the exam; they must complete the current section before the system automatically moves them to the next.

Section	Total Questions	MCQs	TITA (Non-MCQ)	Time Limit
Section I: VARC	24	18–20	4–6	40 Minutes
Section II: DILR	22	14–16	6–8	40 Minutes
Section III: QA	22	14–16	6–8	40 Minutes
Total	68	~48	~20	120 Minutes

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: $+3$
• Incorrect Answer (MCQ): $-1$
• Incorrect Answer (TITA): $0$ (No negative marking)

Eligibility Criteria

Before heading to iimcat.ac.in for registration, ensure you meet the following academic requirements:

1. Educational Qualification: A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA). For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45% marks.
2. Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of their Bachelor's degree or awaiting results are eligible to apply. However, they must provide a certificate from their Principal/Registrar stating that they have completed the requirements by the specified date.
3. Professional Degrees: Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA (CMA) are also eligible, provided they meet the minimum percentage criteria.
4. Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

Application Process

The entire application process for CAT 2026 is digital. Follow these steps on the official website:

1. Registration: Visit iimcat.ac.in and click on "New Candidate Registration." Enter your name, date of birth, email, and mobile number to receive an OTP and your User ID/Password.
2. Login: Log in using the credentials sent to your email.
3. Personal & Academic Details: Fill in your parents' names, category details, and communication address. Enter your 10th, 12th, and Graduation marks accurately.
4. Work Experience: If you have full-time work experience after graduation, enter the details in days.
5. Programme Selection: Select the IIMs and the specific MBA/PGDM programmes you wish to apply for. There is no extra fee for selecting more programmes.
6. Test City Preference: You can select up to 6 preferred test cities.
7. Payment: Pay the registration fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Download the application summary for future reference.

Preparation Strategy

Cracking CAT 2026 requires a balanced approach. Unlike UPSC where rote learning might help in certain areas, CAT is purely about application and speed.

• Phase 1: Concept Clarity (March - June): Focus on building your foundation. In Quant, master Arithmetic and Algebra. In DILR, practice at least two sets daily. For VARC, read editorials from The Hindu or The Guardian to improve reading speed.
• Phase 2: Sectional Mastery (July - August): Start taking sectional tests. This helps in understanding how to manage the 40-minute limit. Analyze your weak areas and revisit concepts.
• Phase 3: The Mock Marathon (September - November): This is the most critical phase. Use Exam Bhai free mock tests to simulate the actual exam environment. These mocks help you refine your question-selection strategy—knowing what to leave is as important as knowing what to solve.

Cut-Off Trends

IIMs have two types of cut-offs: the qualifying cut-off (to be eligible for a call) and the final admission cut-off. While the qualifying cut-off for top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad or Bangalore might be 80-85 percentile, the actual calls for the General category usually start above the 99 percentile.

IIM Category	Expected Overall Percentile (General)	Sectional Cut-off (Approx.)
BLACKI IIMs (A, B, C, K, I, L)	98.5 - 99.9+	75 - 85
New IIMs (Udaipur, Ranchi, etc.)	94 - 96	70 - 75
Baby IIMs (Jammu, Sirmaur, etc.)	90 - 92	65 - 70

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I change my category after submitting the CAT 2026 form? No. Once the application fee is paid and the form is submitted, you cannot change your category. You must be extremely careful while filling this field as it significantly impacts the cut-offs and seat reservation.

Q2. Is work experience mandatory for CAT? No, work experience is not mandatory. Many "fresher" candidates get into top IIMs every year. However, having relevant work experience (1-3 years) can fetch you extra points during the final selection process at most IIMs.

Q3. How many times can I attempt the CAT exam? There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam. You can appear as many times as you wish, provided you meet the basic eligibility criteria of having a graduation degree.

Q4. Are there any calculators allowed in the CAT 2026 exam? Physical calculators are strictly prohibited. However, the exam interface provides a basic on-screen calculator for simple computations. It is advisable to practice mental math to save time during the exam.

Q5. Is the registration fee refundable if I don't appear for the exam? No, the CAT registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances, regardless of whether you appear for the test or your application is rejected due to eligibility issues.

Q6. What documents do I need for the registration? You will need a scanned passport-size photograph, a scanned signature, and category/PwD certificates (if applicable). Ensure the file sizes and formats match the specifications mentioned on iimcat.ac.in.

Registration Process Guide for CAT 2026

This video provides a practical walkthrough of the registration portal to help you avoid common mistakes while filling out your application.