CAT 2026: Important Dates, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Notification, Eligibility Criteria, Registration Open and Last Date
Hey there, future management leader! If you are aiming to secure a seat in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) or top B-schools like SIBM, FMS, or MDI, cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT) is your golden ticket.
As you gear up for the 2026 admission cycle, having a clear roadmap is absolutely crucial. You need to know exactly when the notification drops, when registration opens, and what the exam pattern looks like. In this friendly, comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about CAT 2026: Important Dates, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Notification, Eligibility Criteria, Registration Open and Last Date. Let’s dive in and get your prep journey started on the right foot!
CAT 2026 Notification & Expected Important Dates
The conducting IIM for CAT 2026 will officially release the notification in the last week of July 2026. Based on historical trends, here is the expected timeline for the CAT 2026 exam cycle:
| Event | Expected Timeline for CAT 2026 |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Open | First week of August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | Third week of September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last week of October 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | Last Sunday of November 2026 (Nov 29, 2026) |
| Answer Key & Response Sheet | First week of December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | First week of January 2027 |
(Note: These dates are tentative based on previous years’ patterns. Always check the official iimcat.ac.in website for exact dates.)
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before you eagerly wait for the registration to open, ensure you meet the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria:
- Educational Qualification: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (Science, Commerce, Arts, Engineering, etc.) from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks: General/EWS/OBC candidates need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA). For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45%.
- Final Year Students: If you are in your final year of your Bachelor’s degree (graduating in 2027), you are fully eligible to apply. You will need to submit a certificate from your principal/head of the institution stating you meet the requirements.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam.
CAT 2026 Registration: Open & Last Date
The CAT 2026 Registration Open date is expected to be in the first week of August 2026. The CAT 2026 Registration Last Date will likely fall in the third week of September 2026.
How to Register:
- Visit the official website:
iimcat.ac.in. - Create a new user ID and password.
- Fill in your personal, academic, and work experience details.
- Select your preferred IIMs and 6 test city preferences.
- Pay the application fee (expected to be ₹2,400 for General/OBC and ₹1,200 for SC/ST/PwD).
- Pro Tip: Do not wait for the last date! Server traffic often crashes the website in the final days. Register early to get your preferred test city.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is the first step in your preparation strategy. CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) that heavily rewards accuracy and time management.
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Total Questions: 66 questions (expected)
- Marking Scheme: +3 marks for every correct answer. -1 mark for every incorrect MCQ (Negative Marking). No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
- Sections & Time Limits: You cannot switch between sections. Each section has a strict 40-minute time limit.
| Section | Number of Questions (Expected) | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 Minutes |
CAT 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
The IIMs do not officially release a prescribed syllabus. However, based on years of paper analysis, here is what you need to study:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
This section tests your grasp of English.
- Reading Comprehension (RC): Passages from science, history, philosophy, economics (makes up 70% of this section).
- Verbal Ability (VA): Para-jumbles, para-summary, odd-one-out, and sentence completion.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This is often considered the trickiest and most unpredictable section.
- Data Interpretation (DI): Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line charts, and logical DI sets.
- Logical Reasoning (LR): Seating arrangements, blood relations, puzzles, Venn diagrams, and games & tournaments.
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
This section is heavily focused on core mathematics.
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Ratios (Highest weightage).
- Algebra: Linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, logarithms, functions.
- Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, circles, coordinate geometry, polygons.
- Modern Math: Permutations & combinations, probability, set theory.
Conclusion
Preparing for the CAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Now that you have the complete breakdown of CAT 2026: Important Dates, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Notification, Eligibility Criteria, Registration Open and Last Date, you can create a solid study plan. Start early, take regular mock tests, analyze your mistakes, and stay consistent. You have the potential to ace this exam and secure your spot in a top-tier B-school. Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The CAT 2026 registration is expected to open in the first week of August 2026. The official notification will be released in the last week of July 2026.
The expected last date to apply for CAT 2026 is the third week of September 2026. Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid server issues.
No, there is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam. As long as you have a Bachelor’s degree with the required minimum percentage (50% for General, 45% for SC/ST/PwD), you can apply.
The CAT exam awards +3 marks for every correct answer and deducts 1 mark for every incorrect Multiple Choice Question (MCQ). There is no negative marking for Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.
Yes, final-year students graduating in 2027 are eligible to apply for CAT 2026. They must submit a certificate from their institute stating they have met the required eligibility criteria.