CAT 2026: dates, pattern and eligibility
Everything you need for CAT 2026 on one page, with the official link at the end of every answer.
CAT 2026 is on Sunday 29 November 2026. Registration closed on 15 September 2026, so the next step for registered candidates is the admit card and exam day.
CAT 2026 key dates
| Registration opens | 3 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|
| Registration closes | 15 Sep 2026 |
| Exam date | 29 Nov 2026 |
| Result | Expected late December 2026 |
| Application fee | See iimcat.ac.in (separate fee for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Conducted by | IIM Indore (for the IIMs) |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in ↗ |
Exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 120 min |
Marking: +3 for a correct answer. −1 for a wrong multiple-choice answer; no negative marking for type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions. Sections are timed separately.
Eligibility
A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates). Final-year students can apply.
Accepted by
All 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IIT business schools and 1,000+ other B-schools.
How to apply
- Watch iimcat.ac.in for the admit card download window, usually about four weeks before the exam.
- Check your slot, test centre and reporting time on the admit card.
- Take two or three full timed mocks in the final fortnight and review every mistake.
- Carry a printed admit card and an original photo ID on exam day.
Practise before exam day
Take our free CAT 2026 mock test: timed, in the real section mix, with a score band and every answer explained.
CAT 2026 FAQ
When is CAT 2026?
Sunday 29 November 2026, in three slots across test centres in India.
Can I still register for CAT 2026?
No. Registration closed on 15 September 2026. Look at SNAP, XAT, MAT or CMAT, which are still open or opening.
How many questions are in CAT?
68 questions over 120 minutes in recent years: 24 VARC, 22 DILR and 22 QA, with 40 minutes per section.
When will the CAT 2026 result come?
The result is expected in late December 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
Pattern and dates as reported on 29 Oct 2026 from the official bulletin and leading coaching sites. Always confirm on iimcat.ac.in.
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