The Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026. CAT is the largest and most prestigious MBA entrance exam in India, offering admission to all 21 IIMs and hundreds of other top business schools. The notification is expected on July 26, 2026, with registration opening on August 1, 2026.
The Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026. CAT is the largest and most prestigious MBA entrance exam in India, offering admission to all 21 IIMs and hundreds of other top business schools. The notification is expected on July 26, 2026, with registration opening on August 1, 2026.
CAT 2025, held by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025, saw approximately 2.58 lakh candidates appear out of 2.95 lakh registered. CAT 2024 had 3.29 lakh registrations, with 2.93 lakh appearing for the exam. Based on these trends, CAT 2026 is expected to attract 2.75–3.00 lakh candidates.
The exam tests candidates across three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 questions), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 questions), and Quantitative Aptitude (22 questions), totalling 68 questions.
CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted annually by one of the six older IIMs on a rotational basis — IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Indore. It is mandatory for MBA admission 2026 to all 21 IIMs and is also accepted by other premier institutions including:
|
Particulars |
Key Details |
|
CAT Full Form |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
|
Conducting Body |
One of the six older IIMs, on a rotation basis |
|
CAT 2026 Conducted By |
IIM Indore |
|
Exam Date |
Sunday, November 29, 2026 |
|
Exam Timing |
Slot 1: 8:30–10:30 AM | Slot 2: 12:30–2:30 PM | Slot 3: 4:30–6:30 PM |
|
Total Questions |
68 Questions (expected) |
|
Sections |
VARC | DILR | Quantitative Ability |
|
Marking Scheme |
+3 for correct | −1 for incorrect | No negative marking for TITA |
|
Exam Duration |
2 hours (120 minutes) |
|
Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) at centres nationwide |
|
Notification Date |
Sunday, July 26, 2026 |
|
Top Colleges Accepting CAT |
21 IIMs, FMS, IIFT, MDI, SPJIMR, IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai |
|
Age Limit |
No age limit |
|
Application Portal |
iimcat.ac.in |
|
Application Fee |
₹2,600 (General) | ₹1,300 (Reserved category) |
|
Expected Candidates |
2.75–3.00 lakh |
|
Result Date |
December 21, 2026 (expected) |
Based on previous years' trends, the following schedule is expected for CAT 2026:
|
Event |
Expected Date |
|
CAT 2026 Notification Release |
July 26, 2026 |
|
Registration Opens |
August 1, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
|
Registration Closes |
September 20, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
|
Form Correction Window |
September 24–27, 2026 |
|
Admit Card Release |
November 12, 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
November 29, 2026 (Expected) |
|
Answer Key Release |
December 3, 2026 (Expected) |
|
Result Declaration |
December 21, 2026 (Expected) |
|
Section |
Questions |
Marks |
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
72 |
|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
66 |
|
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
66 |
|
Total |
68 |
204 |
Note: All dates are based on expected trends from previous years and are subject to official confirmation by IIM Indore. Refer to iimcat.ac.in for the latest updates
