MBA

About MBA

CAT (Common Admission Test) is one of the most competitive entrance exams for MBA admissions in India, testing quantitative ability, verbal ability and logical reasoning/data interpretation. It is taken by graduates from a wide range of backgrounds aiming for management programmes at business schools across the country, and scoring well typically requires practice across all three sections rather than strength in just one.

KnowledgeGate's CAT Preparation Course is built as a complete programme covering concepts, practice and exam strategy for the admission season, giving MBA aspirants a structured way to work through CAT preparation rather than piecing together separate resources for each section. The course is designed to work for aspirants starting their CAT preparation from the basics as well as those who already have some grounding and want to consolidate their concepts and sharpen exam strategy closer to the test date.

MBA facts

Exam Name:

Common Admission Test 2026

Conducting Body:

Indian Institutes of Management

Posts/Purpose:

National-level entrance exam for admission to MBA/PGP/management programmes at IIMs and other participating B-schools.

Eligibility:

Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA; 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Final-year graduation candidates can also apply, subject to producing required proof later.

Application Dates:

To be announced

Exam Date:

To be announced

Exam Mode:

Computer Based Test

Question Type/Pattern:

VARC, DILR and QA sections with MCQ and non-MCQ/TITA questions; sectional time limit applies

Selection Process:

CAT registration, admit card, computer-based exam, result/scorecard, institute-wise shortlisting, WAT/GD/PI or other admission rounds and final admission offer

Official Website:

https://iimcat.ac.in/

CAT Notification 2026

The CAT Notification 2026 will be released by the conducting IIM on the official CAT website. The notification will contain complete information regarding the registration schedule, eligibility criteria, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, admit card, answer key, result, and admission process. Every year, the CAT notification serves as the primary source of information for MBA aspirants planning to appear for the examination.

According to the latest updates, the CAT 2026 notification is expected to be published during the last week of July 2026, while the online application process is likely to commence in August 2026. The official notification will also confirm the conducting IIM, exam date, and other important guidelines.

CAT 2026 Important Dates (Expected)

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the conducting IIM before submitting the application form.

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
• General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must secure at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• SC, ST and PwD candidates must secure at least 45% marks.
• Final-year bachelor's degree students are also eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree within the prescribed timeline.

Age Limit

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in CAT.

Work Experience

Work experience is not mandatory. Fresh graduates as well as working professionals are eligible to apply.

CAT Application Form 2026

The CAT 2026 application form will be available online only through the official CAT portal. Candidates must complete registration, fill in academic and personal details, upload the required documents, select preferred test cities, and pay the application fee before the deadline.

Expected Application Fee

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the official CAT website.
2. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details (if applicable).
4. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
5. Select preferred test cities.
6. Pay the application fee online.
7. Submit the application and download the confirmation page.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

The examination is conducted in three different sessions on the same day, and scores are normalized to ensure fairness across all slots. Each section has a fixed time limit of 40 minutes, during which candidates cannot switch to another section. The paper consists of both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions. While MCQs carry negative marking for incorrect answers, TITA questions do not have any negative marking. This structure tests not only conceptual knowledge but also time management, decision-making, and accuracy under pressure.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

CAT Syllabus 2026

The CAT Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a candidate's aptitude, analytical ability, logical reasoning, quantitative skills, and reading comprehension. Unlike many competitive examinations, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) do not release an official topic-wise syllabus. However, based on previous years' question papers and exam trends, the syllabus is broadly divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates should focus on conceptual understanding, regular practice, and mock tests to perform well in the examination.

The CAT examination emphasizes application-based learning rather than rote memorization. Reading Comprehension generally carries the highest weightage in the VARC section, while Arithmetic and Algebra contribute a major share of the Quantitative Aptitude section. Similarly, the DILR section evaluates candidates through data interpretation sets and logical reasoning puzzles that test analytical thinking and decision-making skills. A balanced preparation strategy covering all three sections is essential to achieve a high percentile.

CAT 2026 Section-wise Syllabus

CAT Admit Card 2026

The CAT Admit Card 2026 will be released online by the conducting Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on the official CAT website a few weeks before the examination. Candidates who have successfully completed the registration process can download their admit card by logging in with their CAT User ID and Password. The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the examination and contains essential information such as the candidate's name, roll number, exam date, reporting time, exam centre address, test slot, and important exam-day instructions.

Candidates must carefully verify all the details printed on the admit card after downloading it. If any discrepancy is found in personal information, photograph, signature, or exam centre details, it should be reported to the CAT helpdesk immediately for correction. On the examination day, candidates must carry a printed copy of the CAT Admit Card 2026 along with a valid government-issued photo identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License. Entry to the examination centre will not be permitted without these documents.

CAT Answer Key 2026

The CAT Answer Key 2026 is expected to be released within a few days after the examination on the official CAT portal. Along with the provisional answer key, candidates will also be able to access their individual response sheets by logging in with their CAT credentials. The provisional answer key enables candidates to compare their responses, calculate their probable scores, and assess their performance before the declaration of the final result.

If candidates find any discrepancies in the provisional answer key, they can submit objections during the specified challenge window by paying an objection fee of ₹1,200 per question. After reviewing all valid objections, the conducting IIM will publish the final answer key, which will be used for preparing the CAT 2026 result. The final answer key cannot be challenged further and serves as the basis for score normalization and percentile calculation.

CAT Result 2026

The CAT Result 2026 is expected to be announced on the official CAT website in December 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards by logging in with their CAT User ID and Password. The scorecard will include important details such as sectional scores, overall scaled score, sectional percentile, overall percentile, and candidate information. CAT scores are accepted by all Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and more than 1,300 MBA colleges across India.

After the declaration of the CAT 2026 result, participating IIMs and other leading management institutes will begin their admission process by releasing institute-specific cut-offs and shortlists. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to subsequent selection rounds, which may include the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) (where applicable), and Personal Interview (PI). The final admission offer is based on a combination of CAT score, academic performance, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in the institute's selection process.

CAT Selection Process 2026

The CAT Selection Process 2026 begins after the declaration of the CAT result. Unlike many national-level entrance examinations, CAT does not have a centralized counselling process. Each Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other participating management institutes conduct their own admission process independently. Candidates who meet the institute-specific CAT cut-off are shortlisted for the next stages of selection based on their overall profile and admission criteria.

While the CAT score is the primary shortlisting parameter, most institutes also consider several additional factors such as academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation, work experience, academic diversity, gender diversity, and professional achievements. Shortlisted candidates are invited for further selection rounds, which may include the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) (where applicable), and Personal Interview (PI). The final admission offer is made after successful document verification, fulfillment of eligibility criteria, and payment of the admission fee.

CAT 2026 Selection Stages

CAT Expected Cut-Off 2026 for IIMs

The CAT cut-off varies across IIMs and depends on factors such as the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, available seats, reservation policy, and institute-specific admission criteria. The table below provides the expected overall percentile required for shortlisting.

Note: These are expected shortlisting percentiles and may vary based on category, academic profile, work experience, and institute-specific admission policies.

CAT Expected Cut-Off 2026 for Top Non-IIM MBA Colleges

Apart from the IIMs, several leading business schools in India also accept CAT scores for MBA and PGDM admissions. The expected cut-offs for some of the top institutes are given below.

Note: SPJIMR follows a profile-based shortlisting process in addition to CAT scores. Therefore, candidates with strong academic records, relevant work experience, and extracurricular achievements may receive interview calls even with comparatively lower percentiles.

CAT Exam Centres 2026

The CAT Exam Centres 2026 are expected to be spread across 170+ cities and more than 500 test venues throughout India, ensuring convenient access for MBA aspirants from every region. During the online application process, candidates will be required to select their preferred test cities in order of preference. The conducting Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will make every effort to allot a test centre based on the candidate's choices; however, the final allotment depends on seat availability and administrative considerations.

The exact list of CAT 2026 exam cities and centres will be confirmed in the official notification. Candidates are advised to choose their preferred cities carefully while filling out the application form, as requests for changing the allotted exam centre after submission are generally not entertained. Below is the tentative list of CAT 2026 exam cities based on previous years' notifications.

CAT Exam Centres 2026 (Expected)

Courses for MBA

• CAT Preparation Course

Frequently Asked Questions