CAT
Conducted by IIMs (on rotation — IIM Calcutta for CAT 2026)
About CAT
CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is the primary MBA entrance examination in India, conducted by the IIMs in rotation and accepted by all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools. CAT 2026 is expected in late November 2026; registration typically opens July–August and closes September. IIMs use CAT score plus WAT-PI (Written Ability Test + Personal Interview) to select candidates for the flagship PGP (2-year MBA equivalent) programme.
CAT is not just for IIMs — MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, NITIE, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and hundreds of other B-schools also accept it. For NE India students, IIM Shillong (Meghalaya) is a fully accredited IIM with 240 seats, a residential campus, and an NE regional perspective built into its curriculum. CAT 2025 (just concluded) results are available now; CAT 2026 preparation should begin June–July 2026.
Eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final-year undergraduate students can also appear
- No age limit
- No limit on the number of CAT attempts
- Work experience is not required to appear but is valued during PI rounds
Exam Pattern
Mode
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) — typically single day, 3 slots
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- No breaks between sections | Section-wise time limit enforced
Three Sections
Section 1 — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- ~24 questions | 40 minutes
- Reading Comprehension (RC) passages (4–5 passages, 16–20 questions)
- Verbal Ability TITA: Para Jumble, Para Summary, Odd Sentence (4–6 questions)
Section 2 — Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- ~20 questions | 40 minutes
- 4–5 sets of DI or LR, each with 4–6 questions
Section 3 — Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- ~22 questions | 40 minutes
- Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Modern Maths (P&C, Probability)
Marking Scheme
- MCQ correct: +3 | MCQ incorrect: −1
- TITA (Type In The Answer, non-MCQ): +3 | No negative marking
Official Resources
Always verify exam dates and details from the official source before applying.
CAT — FAQs
What is CAT?+
CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is the primary MBA entrance examination in India, conducted by the IIMs in rotation and accepted by all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools. CAT 2026 is expected in late November 2026; registration typically opens July–August and closes September. IIMs use CAT score plus WAT-PI (Written Ability Test + Personal Interview) to select candidates for the flagship PGP (2-year MBA equivalent) programme.
CAT is not just for IIMs — MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, NITIE, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and hundreds of other B-schools also accept it. For NE India students, IIM Shillong (Meghalaya) is a fully accredited IIM with 240 seats, a residential campus, and an NE regional perspective built into its curriculum. CAT 2025 (just concluded) results are available now; CAT 2026 preparation should begin June–July 2026.
What is the eligibility for CAT?+
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final-year undergraduate students can also appear
- No age limit
- No limit on the number of CAT attempts
- Work experience is not required to appear but is valued during PI rounds
What is the exam pattern of CAT?+
Mode
- Computer-Based Test (CBT) — typically single day, 3 slots
- Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- No breaks between sections | Section-wise time limit enforced
Three Sections
Section 1 — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- ~24 questions | 40 minutes
- Reading Comprehension (RC) passages (4–5 passages, 16–20 questions)
- Verbal Ability TITA: Para Jumble, Para Summary, Odd Sentence (4–6 questions)
Section 2 — Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- ~20 questions | 40 minutes
- 4–5 sets of DI or LR, each with 4–6 questions
Section 3 — Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- ~22 questions | 40 minutes
- Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, Modern Maths (P&C, Probability)
Marking Scheme
- MCQ correct: +3 | MCQ incorrect: −1
- TITA (Type In The Answer, non-MCQ): +3 | No negative marking
Which colleges accept CAT scores?+
Several top colleges in India accept CAT scores. Browse colleges accepting CAT on Gyan Sanchaar and apply for free.
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