CAT 2026 Complete Guide

Registration dates, Exam dates and Pattern, Eligibility, Syllabus, Preparation Strategy & Top Colleges
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026) is India’s most competitive MBA entrance exam, conducted annually for admission into IIMs and other top B-schools. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about CAT 2026—from eligibility and syllabus to preparation strategy and college cut-offs.
Key Expected Dates for CAT 2026:

• Notification Release: Last week of July 2026. 
• Registration Begins: August 1, 2026. 
• Registration Ends: Third week of September 2026. 
• Admit Card Download: Late October to Early November 2026.
  
• Official Link : http://iimcat.ac.in
  What is CAT 2026?
  CAT is a national-level management aptitude test conducted by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. A good CAT score opens doors to IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, and 1000+ MBA colleges across India.
  

  CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

  To apply for CAT 2026, candidates must fulfill the following conditions:

  • Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
  • Final-year graduation students are also eligible
  • No age limit to appear for CAT
  • CAT 2026 Exam PatternCAT is a computer-based test (CBT) with the following structure:
    

    Section	No. of Questions	Time
    VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	24	40 min
    DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	20	40 min
    QA (Quantitative Aptitude)	22	40 min
    Total	66 Questions	120 min

    • MCQs + TITA (non-MCQs)
    • +3 for correct, –1 for wrong (no negative for TITA)

• • Full-length CAT mocks
  • Mock analysis (most important!)
  • Time management & accuracy focus Exam Date: November 29, 2026
  • Full-length CAT mocks
  • Mock analysis (most important!)
  • Time management & accuracy focus Exam Date: November 29, 2026
    

    CAT 2026 Syllabus (Section-Wise)

    1️⃣ VARC

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Para Jumbles
    • Para Summary
    • Odd Sentence Out
    • Vocabulary & Verbal Logic

    2️⃣ DILR

    • Tables, Graphs, Caselets
    • Arrangements & Puzzles
    • Venn Diagrams
    • Games & Tournaments

    3️⃣ Quantitative Aptitude

    • Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Time & Work)
    • Algebra
    • Geometry & Mensuration
    • Number System
    • Modern Math

    CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy

    📌 Early Preparation (12–9 Months Before)

    • Build fundamentals in Quant & VARC
    • Read editorials daily for RC
    • Practice basic LR puzzles

    📌 Mid-Phase (8–4 Months Before)

    • Section-wise mock tests
    • Analyze weak areas
    • Increase DILR practice intensity

    📌 Final Phase (Last 3 Months)

    • Full-length CAT mocks
    • Mock analysis (most important!)
    • Time management & accuracy focus Exam Date: November 29, 2026
      

      CAT 2026 Score vs Percentile (Expected)

      Percentile	Approx. Score
      99+	95–100
      95	70–75
      90	55–60
      85	45–50

      (May vary based on difficulty level)

      Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

      • All 20 IIMs
      • FMS Delhi
      • SPJIMR Mumbai
      • JBIMS,MUMBAI
      • MDI Gurgaon
      • IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur
      • IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, Great Lakes & more

      CAT 2026 Selection Process

      1. CAT Score
      2. Shortlisting by colleges
      3. Written Ability Test (WAT)
      4. Group Discussion / Personal Interview (GD-PI)
      5. Final Merit List

      Why Start CAT 2026 Preparation Now?

      • CAT rewards consistency, not last-minute cramming
      • Early starters have better accuracy & confidence
      • More time for mock analysis and improvement

  • CAT 2026 Preparation Mantra by ASK MBA faculties

    CAT 2026 is not about attempting all questions—it’s about smart selection, accuracy, and strategy. With the right guidance and disciplined preparation, cracking CAT 2026 is absolutely achievable.