CAT 2026 Complete Guide: Exam Date 29 November, Admit Card, Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation

Quick answer

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is the national entrance test for the Indian Institutes of Management and many other business schools. It is conducted by IIM Indore on 29 November 2026. Registration closed on 15 September 2026. Admit cards are expected from 4 November 2026. If you are a registered candidate, your job now is to prepare for the three sections and to check the admit card and the exam centre on the official portal.

Key dates

Exam pattern

CAT is a computer-based test in three sections:

1. Quantitative Ability (QA), covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems and modern maths.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), with sets of data and reasoning puzzles.
3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), with passages and grammar questions.

Each section has its own timer, and the test has marks for correct answers with negative marking for wrong ones. The exact question count and marks are in the official information brochure.

Eligibility

Candidates need a bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate percentage set by the institutes that use the score. Final-year students can also apply under the rules set by the conducting institute. Check the brochure for the current rule.

Syllabus

• QA: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and mensuration, number systems, and modern maths.
• DILR: Tables, graphs, caselets, logical arrangements and puzzles.
• VARC: Reading comprehension, para summary, odd sentence out, and verbal reasoning.

How the score is used

CAT results are reported as percentiles. Each institute sets its own cut-off percentile and its own selection process, which can include a written ability test, a group discussion and a personal interview. Check the rules of each institute on its website.

A preparation plan for the next eight weeks

• Weeks 1 and 2: Review QA basics, then solve 25 mixed questions a day.
• Weeks 3 and 4: Practise DILR sets daily, with a timed set of four.
• Weeks 5 and 6: VARC passages every day, with a summary of each passage.
• Week 7: Full-length mocks twice a week, with a review of each section.
• Week 8: Light revision and a final mock, then rest.

Admit card and exam day

Download the admit card from the official portal once it is released. Check your name, photograph, exam city, centre and shift. Carry a printed copy and a valid photo ID. Reach the centre early, since late entry is not allowed.

Common mistakes

• Trusting a summary over the brochure. The official brochure is the reference for the pattern and the rules.
• Ignoring time management. Each section has its own timer, so plan the time per section.
• Attempting every question. Negative marking makes careful selection important.

Who should take CAT

CAT suits graduates who want a management degree from an IIM or another business school that accepts the score, and who are ready for a demanding test of speed and reasoning. Working professionals and final-year students both take it. The test rewards consistent practice, so a steady plan matters more than a last-minute push.

How to read a percentile

A CAT percentile shows how your score ranks against other candidates who took the same session. It is not a percentage of questions correct. Each institute sets its own percentile cut-off and then weights the score with other parts of its selection. Knowing this, you can judge your score against the institutes you want, not only against the overall average.

Section-wise strategy on exam day

• Quantitative ability: Start with the questions you can solve quickly, and skip one that takes more than its share of time.
• DILR: Pick the set that looks easiest first. Do not commit to a set that you cannot read in the first minute.
• VARC: Read the passage once for the main idea, then answer. Do not reread the whole passage for every question.

The timers are per section, so plan your attempts within each one. Keep a steady pace, and mark questions you want to revisit.

Mock tests and analysis

Take one full-length mock each week in the final two months. After each mock, record the questions you got wrong, the questions you guessed right, and the questions you left unattempted. Revise by pattern, not by question, so the same error does not repeat across sections.

Documents and what to carry on the day

• Printed admit card
• Photo identity proof in the form the admit card names
• A photograph, if the admit card asks for one
• A pen and any other item the brochure lists

Check the brochure for the list of items that are not allowed in the centre.

How the three sections are scored in practice

Each correct answer adds marks, and each wrong answer in a negative-marking section takes some away. Because the penalty can outweigh the gain, a wrong guess can hurt your percentile more than a skipped question. In practice, attempt the questions where you can eliminate at least two options or where you are confident. Track your accuracy per section in every mock, and set a personal limit on guessing.

Building speed without losing accuracy

Speed comes from repeated practice of the same question types. For quantitative ability, drill the common shortcuts until they are automatic. For DILR, practise reading a set and drawing a quick table before you look at the questions. For VARC, practise reading passages faster while keeping the main argument clear. Accuracy comes first; speed follows from practice.

Common questions candidates ask

Can I retake CAT? Yes, the test can be taken again in later years, subject to the rules of the conducting institute.

Do all IIMs use CAT? Most IIMs use CAT, and many other business schools also accept it. Check each school's admission page.

What is a good score? There is no fixed good score. The right target depends on the institutes you apply to and their published cut-offs.