CAT 2025: Important Highlights
- The registration for CAT 2025 is over.
- IIM Kozhikode is the conducting body of CAT 2025.
- CAT 2025 admit card will be available for download from November 12, 2025. Click here to download the admit card.
- CAT 2025 will be held on November 30, 2025
- Aspirants can expect the CAT 2025 results by the second week of January, 2026.
CAT 2026 Overview
CAT, an entrance exam conducted annually by Indian Institutes of Management for admission in their 22 institutions. IIM Guwahati was added to the list in 2025. Apart from that, there are 58 non-IIM member institutions in 2025, admission of which is based on CAT scores. CAT 2025 will be the basis of admission in various PG and PhD programmes in management available in IIMs. The selection process through CAT score varies for IIMs and non- IIMs. CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore.
Some of the highlights of CAT 2026 are:
- Official Website- www.iimcat.ac.in
- Administered By – Indian Institutes of Management
- Conducted By – IIM Indore
- Mode of Test – Computer-based
- Medium of Exam – English
- Total Exam Sessions – Three (3)
- Participating IIMs – 22
- Non-IIM Member Institutions – 58
Is CAT compulsory for an MBA?
Yes, if you wish to pursue your MBA in any one of the IIMs. While CAT is not the only way to pursue an MBA, it is widely regarded as the most preferred entrance exam, especially for admission in top b-schools in India like the IIMs and other prestigious institutions. CAT opens doors to the best programmes, providing access to world-class faculty, resources, and networking opportunities. Scoring well in CAT can significantly boost your chances of securing a seat in these leading B-schools. Hence, it’s time to start your CAT 2026 preparation right away. The CAT 2026 notification will be out soon.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Date (Tentative) |
| CAT 2026 Notification Release Date | July 30, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 2, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 21, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Application Correction Start Date | September 25, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Application Correction Last Date | September 28, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date | November 7, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 30, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release Date | December 5, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Results Date | December 21, 2026 |
Top 50 CAT Colleges 2026
Here is the list of the top 50 CAT colleges in 2026, starting with IIM’s
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Each IIM and non-IIM institution has their own criteria to select students. The eligibility will be verified at different stages of the selection process. In case any candidates have a fixed institute in their mind, they can check the eligibility criteria of that particular institute for a better understanding. However, the basic eligibility criteria that decides whether you can appear or not for CAT 2026 is as follows:
- Aspirants need to have a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks in aggregate for general, EWS, NC-OBC categories and 45% marks for SC,ST and PwD categories.
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- Aspirants who have completed any one of the following professional degrees with 50% marks (45% for SC,ST and PwD): CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)).
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- Those aspirants who are in the final year of their graduation can also apply and appear for CAT 2026.
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- Those aspirants who have completed their graduation but have not received their degree certificates can also appear for CAT 2026.
CAT 2026 Seat Reservation
CAT 2026 Registration Process
Step 1: Generate USER ID and Password
- Visit CAT 2026 Official Website
- Click on ‘Register’ under New Candidate Registration.
- On the CAT 2026 registration form, enter your name, DOB, email, mobile number and click on ‘Generate OTP’.
- Fill the ‘CAPTCHA’ and submit the OTP sent on your mobile, then click on confirm.
- Next, submit the CAT 2026 registration form. Remember the details entered at this step cannot be changed.
- User ID and Password is generated and sent to candidates email address and mobile number.
Step 2: CAT 2026 Application Process
- Click on CAT 2026 official website by clicking on ‘LogIn’ under Registered Candidates Login.
- Enter your User ID and password, fill out the captcha and click on ‘LogIn’.
- Next click on the ‘Go to Application’ link, available on the top right corner of the form.
- Next, fill out the following details – personal details, academics and work experience as mentioned in the form.
- Next, choose the programme you want to apply to. You can also select all, click on ‘SAVE and NEXT’ and proceed to the next section.
- Next, select five cities from the available options where you wish to appear for the CAT exam.
Step 3: CAT 2026 Application Fee Payment
- Candidates after filling out all the details need to sign a declaration and pay the CAT 2026 application fee.
- The application fee is Rs 2,500 for general/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and Rs 1,250 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- The payment can be done through net banking, credit card, debit card, wallet, etc.
- Candidates are advised to keep a copy of the filled application form and the payment receipt for future references.
- This will mark the end of the CAT 2026 registration and application process.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
- Passport Photo (1200 pixels x 1200 pixels; 80kb)
- Scanned Image of Signature (80mm X 35mm, 80kb)
- Valid NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate (if any)
- Valid PwD certificate (if any)
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for general candidates is Rs 2,500. The application fee for CAT 2026 is the same for EWS and NC -OBC categories. The CAT 2025 application is lower for SC/ST/PwD candidates. The fees charged is Rs 1,250.
CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Link
The registration for 2026 has not yet started. The CAT 2025 Admit Card link will be available once the application process is over. The admit card is expected to be released on November 7, 2026. The link will be updated here once it is released.
Those who are appearing in 2025, the CAT 2024 admit card will be available for download from November 12, 2025.
CAT 2025 Admit Card Download Link: Click Here
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
- Exam Slots : 3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening Sessions)
- Total Questions: 66 questions
- Total Marks: 198 marks
- Total Time Allotted: 120 minutes
- Total Sections: 3 (VARC, DILR and QA)
- Time Allotted in Each Section: 40 minutes
- Questions per section: VARC- 24; DILR- 20; QA- 22
- Type of Questions: MCQs and Descriptive Questions
- Marks Awarded for Every Correct Answer: +3
- Marks Deducted for Every Wrong Answer: -1
- Negative marking: Only for MCQs
CAT Syllabus 2026
There is no definite syllabus provided by the conducting authority of CAT 2026. It is advised to aspirants to practice their Class 10th standard Mathematics and English subjects to score well. However, based on the CAT previous year trends, here are few of the topics that are frequently sighted in the test papers.
What are the Best Resources for CAT?
Every student has their own way of approaching when it comes to CAT preparation. CAT 2026 is just a month away, so to help kick start the preparation here are some of the resources that are considered to be the best for CAT 2026. This resources are selected based on the previous year CAT trend analysis:
CAT 2026 Cutoff
The cutoff is expected to be the highest for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta within the range 99-100 Percentile. Candidates can expect the CAT 2026 cut off after the results are out. Each institution will release its CAT 2026 cutoff based on factors like seat availability, students applying for that particular institute and so on. Candidates who have met the CAT cutoff 2026 need to appear and qualify the GD-PI round to confirm their admission. The expected CAT cut-off for 2026 is mentioned below:
CAT Cutoff 2026 (Expected) – IIM’s
CAT 2026 Cut Off (Expected) – Non- IIM’s
CAT 2026 Selection Process
For every IIMs and non-IIMs, the selection process will vary. It is therefore advised for shortlisted candidates to directly scheck the CAT selection process of the particular institute. In case you have no particular institute in mind, here is the general CAT 2026 admission process that is common across all b-schools in India. The IIM selection process for CAT 2026 is as follows:
- Once the exam is over and the results are out, all the details regarding admission through CAT 2026 will be released by IIM Kozhikode.
- Each IIM will shortlist candidates based on the CAT 2026 cutoff and the merit list will be updated in the respective official website.
- Letters for attending GD-PI rounds will be sent to the shortlisted candidates on their registered email address.
- GD-PI rounds usually comprises Writing Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
- The cumulative scores of interview rounds, CAT test score and other parameters like academic performance, diversity, work experience, etc will determine the candidate’s eligibility for admission.
- Those who obtain a valid scores in the final round will be granted admission.
- However, for those students who have been granted provisional admission need to submit their degree certificates on or before December 31, 2027.
How to prepare for GD-PI after CAT 2026?
Many students face difficulty while appearing for the GD-PI round. However, with the right preparation, you can ace them in no time:
- Stay Updated: Read up on current affairs, especially business news.
- Sharpen Your Communication: It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. Practice speaking clearly and confidently.
- Mock GD-PI: Join mock sessions with friends or professionals. Real-time practice will help you think on your feet.
- Know Yourself Well: Be ready to answer questions about your background, goals, and why you want an MBA.
- Stay Calm: Confidence and composure are two great weapons. Don’t rush; think before you speak.
Last but not least, prepare in a smart way. You’ll walk out of that GD-PI room feeling like a winner!
CAT 2026 Exam Analysis
If we look at the difficulty level of the exam, the previous three year CAT exam analysis shows that the three sections were in-between difficult and moderate-to-difficult. In 2025 and 2026, the difficulty level exam is suppose to be moderate to difficult. The table below highlights the CAT exam analysis in detail:
| Year | CAT Conducting IIMs | VARC | DILR | QA |
| 2026 | IIM Indore | Moderate (Expected) | Difficult (Expected) | Moderate to Difficult (Expected) |
| 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | Moderate(Expected) | Moderate to Difficult(Expected) | Moderate(Expected) |
| 2024 | IIM Calcutta | Moderate | Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2023 | IIM Lucknow | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult |
| 2022 | IIM Bangalore | Moderate to Difficult | Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
| 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT 2026 Exam Centres
It is being said that over 4 lakhs candidates will register for CAT in 2026. As of now, CAT exam centers are located in 170 cities, out of which candidates can choose any five cities as their preferred test cities. However, the numbers are not fixed and might be changed by the authorities. All the notification regarding the same will be updated here:
Important Links:
CAT AnswerKey 2025: Click HereCAT 2025 Result Link: Click Here
FAQs
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Should I start preparing for CAT 2025?
Yes, you should start preparing for CAT 2025. The competition is high and it takes not less than 6-9 months for a proper preparation given the diversity and difficulty level of the question paper.
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Who will conduct CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode has been assigned with the responsibility to conduct CAT 2025 for MBA admission. The notification for 2025 session will be released on July 30, 2025, tentatively, and all the details will be available in the CAT official website iimcat.ac.in.
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Is CAT 2025 registration open?
No, CAT 2025 registration is not open yet. The notification for CAT 2025 registration is expected to be released on July 30, 2025 followed by the application process from August 2, 2025, tentatively.
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What is the fee for CAT 2025 exam?
The fee for CAT 2025 exam is in the range Rs 1,250 – Rs 2,500. For general, NC OBC and EWS categories, the fee is Rs 2,500. Candidates under SC,ST or PwD categories need to pay Rs 1,250 at the time of application form submission.
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Can I crack a CAT in 3 months?
If you have been preparing for a long time or attended coaching classes, a serious 3-month preparation is enough to score a good percentile in CAT. However, for freshers, a serious preparation for atleast 6-9 months is recommended. Also, the rules are not absolute. It also depends on how well are you acquainted with the syllabus and the exam pattern.
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What are the subjects in CAT 2025?
CAT 2025 is divided into three sections, namely, Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation u0026amp; Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The subjects in CAT 2025 include Mathematics, English and Logical Reasoning.
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What is the IIM entrance exam 2025?
CAT is also known as the IIM entrance exam 2025, because it is the only entrance exam that is accepted for admission in management courses at postgraduate and diploma level at all 21 IIMs.
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How many students are registered for CAT 2025?
The actual numbers will be available once the CAT 2025 registration ends. However, it is estimated that over 4 lakhs candidates will be registering for the CAT exam in 2025.
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Can I give a CAT in 3rd year BTech?
No, candidates who are in the final year and those who have graduated but not yet received the degree certificate will be granted provisional admission, if shortlisted. He/she needs to submit the educational qualification documents on or before December 31 of the following year.
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How many years is a CAT score valid?
CAT 2025 score will be valid for only one year. For the new admission session, candidates need to apply again to take admission. The previous year score will be considered null and void.
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How many attempts for a CAT?
There is no fixed number of attempts for CAT. Candidates can apply and appear as long as they wish to appear for the exam.
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What is the max age for CAT exam?
There is no upper age limit for aspirants appearing for the CAT exam. However, candidates must be a graduate to be eligible for applying and appearing in CAT.
