The CAT 2026 is the most popular national-level entrance exam for getting admission into the MBA and PGDM courses offered at the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and more than 1,200 top business schools in India (like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and MDI Gurgaon).

Since we are in early 2026, the official notification is yet to be released, but based on current trends and initial academic estimates, here is the essential roadmap:

Key Dates (Tentative)

The exam is traditionally held on the last Sunday of November.

  • Official Notification: Last week of July 2026.

  • Registration Window: August 1 to mid-September 2026.

  • Admit Card Release: Late October / Early November 2026.

  • Exam Date: November 29, 2026.

  • Results: Second week of January 2027.

Exam Structure & Pattern

The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) lasting 120 minutes (2 hours), with 40 minutes strictly timed for each of the three sections:

Section Content Approx. Questions
VARC Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension 24
DILR Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 20
QA Quantitative Aptitude (Math) 22
Total ~66 Questions

  • Marking Scheme: $+3$ for every correct answer; $-1$ for every wrong MCQ.

  • TITA Questions: Some questions are “Type In The Answer” (non-MCQ), which have no negative marking.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university.

  • Final Year Students: If you are in your final year of graduation, you are eligible to apply, provided you complete your degree with the required percentage.

  • No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear for the CAT.

Why Take CAT 2026?

Beyond the IIMs, your CAT score is the main criterion for admission to India’s most elite management schools. Top performers (typically 99+ percentile) are shortlisted for the next rounds, which include the WAT (Written Ability Test), GD (Group Discussion), and PI (Personal Interview).

  • Pro-tip: If you are planning to take the exam, most experts recommend starting your preparation by February or March 2026 to have enough time for mock tests and syllabus coverage.