When is CAT exam 2026?

The CAT exam 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026. IIM Indore is expected to conduct the exam as a Computer-based test in 3 slots: Slot 1 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am; Slot 2 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm; and Slot 3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Which IIM will conduct CAT exam 2026?

IIM Indore is expected to conduct CAT exam 2026. The IIMs conduct the CAT exam on a rotational basis. IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025, and IIM Indore is next in rotation. IIM Indore last conducted CAT in 2020.

When will the CAT exam 2026 official notification be released?

The CAT exam 2026 official notification has been released on July 26, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in.

When can I apply for the CAT exam in 2026?

Candidates can apply for the CAT exam in 2026 till September 15, 2026. They will also be able to make modifications to the already filled-in application forms in the second week of October 2026.

What is the fee for CAT exam 2026?

The CAT exam fees for 2026 is INR 2700 for the General/ EWS/ OBC categories and INR 1350 for SC/ ST/ PwD categories. The fee is paid online only and is non-refundable.

Can I appear for CAT exam 2026 if my graduation results are still pending?

Yes. Final-year students or those awaiting results can appear for CAT exam 2026. However, their first- and second-year marks must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. They must submit the passing certificate or mark sheet to the college during document verification. Their admission will remain provisional until then.

What is the pattern for CAT exam 2026?

CAT exam 2026 will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 120 minutes (2 hours) with 40 minutes per section. The paper will have approximately 68 questions across VARC (24), DILR (22), and QA (22). Both MCQs and TITA questions are included.

What is the marking scheme of CAT exam 2026?

CAT exam 2026 marking scheme is expected to remain the same: +3 marks for each correct answer and −1 mark for each incorrect MCQ answer. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.

What is the CAT cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad?

Based on previous years' trends, the expected CAT exam 2026 cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad is around 85 percentile for general category candidates. IIM Ahmedabad also has sectional cutoffs and additional parameters such as academic profile, work experience, and diversity. Confirm the official cutoff on the IIM Ahmedabad website.

Is 40 a good score in CAT?

No, 40 cannot be regarded as a good score in CAT because it places you in the 80th percentile. If you belong to the General category, this score does not make you eligible for the top-tier IIMs. For top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, etc., you must score somewhere between 100-150 (95-99 percentile). However, some Tier 2 B-Schools like T.A. Pai Management Institute, KJSIM Mumbai, Great Lakes Institute of Management, FORE School of Management, etc. accept CAT scores in the range of 80-85 percentile.

What is the CAT Quant syllabus 2026?

The CAT Quant syllabus 2026 covers topics like Profit and Loss, Averages, Percentages, Time and Work, Ratio and Proportion, Mixtures and Alligations, Logarithms, Polynomials, Inequalities, Quadratic Equations, LCM & HCF, Remainder Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Co-ordinate Geometry, Mensuration, etc.

How many candidates are expected to appear for CAT exam 2026?

Based on past trends, approximately 2.90–3.10 lakh candidates are expected to register and appear for CAT exam 2026. In CAT 2025, around 2.58 lakh candidates appeared. The number varies each year.

Is there an age limit for CAT exam 2026?

No. There is no age limit for appearing in CAT exam 2026.

How many attempts are allowed for CAT exam 2026?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts for CAT. Candidates can appear for CAT every year as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens after CAT exam 2026 results?

After the result, IIMs publish their cutoff scores and shortlist candidates for WAT and PI rounds. The final admission is based on CAT score, WAT, PI, academic records, work experience, and diversity factors. The CAT scorecard is valid for one year.

Can NRI or foreign national candidates appear for CAT exam 2026?

Yes. NRI, PIO, and foreign national candidates can register and appear for CAT exam 2026 in India. They must follow the same registration process on iimcat.ac.in.