The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be conducted on November 29, 2026 (last Sunday of November), for admission to 21 IIMs and other top B-schools. Official registration is likely to start in August 2026 on the official IIM CAT website, with the notification released by July 2026. The exam will be a two-hour Computer Based Test (CBT) covering VARC, DILR, and Quant.
- Key Expected Dates for CAT 2026
- Official Notification: Last week of July 2026.
- Registration Start: August 1, 2026.
- Registration End: Third week of September 2026.
- Admit Card Download: Early November 2026.
- Exam Date: November 29, 2026.
- Answer Key Release: Early December 2026.
Exam Structure & Eligibility
Pattern: The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
Duration: 2 hours total (40 minutes per section).
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) or equivalent. Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
Preparation Strategy
Start Early: Begin preparing from early 2026 to build a strong foundation.
Focus Areas: Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Reading Comprehension.
Mock Tests: Utilize CAT mock tests, such as those provided by MBAUniverse, Hitbullseye, or Shiksha, to track progress and analyze mistakes.
Disclaimer: These are expected dates and details based on previous years’ trends. The official notification from the conducting IIM will be final.