CAT 2026 Examination

CAT exam will be held most likely on November 27, 2026. IIM Bangalore is expected to conduct CAT 2026. The exam schedule will be announced in the last week of July. Applications for CAT 2026 will begin in the first week of August and go on till the third week of September 2026. Application fee for General candidates is INR 2,200 where as for Reserved category candidates, it is INR 1,100. CAT exam will be conducted in three sessions in 156 cities in online mode in three sessions and the duration will be two hours. Candidates will have to solve 66 objective-type questions in the stipulated time. No change is expected in the CAT 2026.

What is CAT Exam?

Common Admission Test or CAT exam is a national level management aptitude test, that a candidate has to clear for admission to the MBA courses offered by 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools in India. Over two lakh candidates apply for the CAT exam every year which is conducted in computer based mode for two hours. The CAT question paper comprises MCQs & non-MCQs from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Difficulty level of the exam is moderate to high. Apart from MBA programmes, the CAT score is valid for admission to Executive MBA, PhD and FPM programmes.

CAT Exam Highlights

Candidates planning to appear for the CAT this year, must know the key highlights of CAT 2026 exam. Take a look at the table below:

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026

The minimum eligibility criteria for CAT exam is graduation in any stream. Read below detailed CAT eligibility criteria:

• Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree with minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) from a recognised university to appear in CAT 2026.
• Candidates who have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with the required percentage can also appear for CAT.
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification or awaiting the result are also eligible to apply for CAT 2026 exam.

CAT Exam: Important Dates 2026

CAT exam dates 2026 will be announced by July 31. Take a look at the table below for the tentative schedule of CAT 2026:

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CAT exam is conducted by the top six IIMs on rotation basis. The name of CAT 2026 convening institute will be announced soon. Check the below table to know which IIMs conducted CAT in recent years:

CAT Syllabus 2026

The syllabus of CAT 2026 exam has remained the same for more than last ten years. Check below the in-focus topics of CAT 2026 syllabus for exam preparation:

CAT Exam Pattern & Test Structure 2026

CAT question paper is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. Candidates are required to solve both MCQ and Non-MCQ type questions. The questions paper is usually of moderate to high difficulty level with QA posing more challenges in terms of tough questions. Check the highlights of CAT 2026 exam pattern below:

CAT Exam Analysis

CAT Exam Preparation Tips 2026

CAT 2026 Admit Card

CAT 2026 admit card will be available on the official website for download from the scheduled date. The CAT admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre, thus candidates must download a colour print-out of the same. It is advised to download two copies, as one copy is to be submitted at the exam centre. The CAT 2026 admit card has test centre location, exam slot, reporting time and other related information printed on it. Here’s the process to download CAT 2026 admit card:

• Log on to CAT website: iimcat.ac.in
• Click on ‘login’ tab
• Enter CAT 2021 application number and password
• Go to ‘admit card’ section
• Click on ‘download’

CAT Exam Day Guidelines

Like last year, CAT 2026 exam will be conducted by following COVID-19 guidelines. Read below documents to carry and items prohibited at the CAT 2026 exam centre.

Documents to carry

Candidates appearing for the exam must carry the following documents to the CAT exam centre to get entry inside the exam hall:

• Admit card: Candidates appearing for the CAT 2026 exam must carry two print outs of their admit cards with their photo affixed on it. Entry without admit card and photo ID will not be permitted.
• Identity Proof: Along with the admit card, candidates are required to carry a photo ID proof such as College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card), employer ID, driving license, passport, PAN card, Voter ID or Aadhaar card
• Name change document: In case a candidate changed their name, they will be required to carry a name change certificate/document

Items prohibited inside the CAT 2026 exam hall:

• Calculator, watch, phone, iPad or any other electronic item
• Bags and purses
• Eatables and beverages
• Jewellery and accessories that contain metal
• Jackets and clothes with pockets
• Closed footwear

Note: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring medical certificate of the same to the test centre.

CAT 2026 Answer Key

IIM admission and selection process begins after the announcement of CAT result. Each IIM fixes minimum CAT cut off percentile to shortlist candidates for participation in the next round of admission process. Given below is an overview of selection process of IIMs and non-IIMs:

IIM Admission Process

CAT 2021 selection procedure for all the IIMs includes the following:

1. Screening of candidates on the basis of their CAT score
2. Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
3. Computation of Composite Score followed by final selection

Non-IIM Admission Process Through CAT

Institutes accepting CAT 2026 score other than IIMs also conduct GD/PI for admission to their MBA/PGDM programmes. However, there are a few colleges, which admit students based on CAT score only.

IIM CAT Cut Off Percentiles

CAT cut off for IIM admission is fixed by each institute category wise. While the qualifying cut offs range between 80 and 90 percentile (General category), the final cut offs are much higher. Given below is the table indicating qualifying CAT cut offs:

*The cut off percentiles mentioned in the above table are of General category.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Exam Score

CAT scores are accepted by 20 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across the country. You can visit the links in the below table to know the cut offs, placements, fees, rankings and selection process of each IIM:

Top Non-IIMs Accepting CAT Exam Score

Given below is the list of top 20 MBA colleges in India accepting CAT score. The list includes IITs offering MBA programme through their Department of Management Studies.

IIM Fees – Campus Wise

Below is the list of MBA/PGP programme fees of each IIM. The amount mentioned here is course fee of PGP/MBA (two years).

 *The fee amounts mentioned in the table above have been rounded off to the nearest lakh. The fees may increase in the new academic session.

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Ultimate Guide to CAT Examination Fees: What You Need to Pay

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious, competitive, and highly sought-after management entrance tests globally. Passing the CAT exam is the premier gateway for securing a seat in elite business schools, including the globally renowned Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and hundreds of top-tier universities worldwide.

If you are an international applicant or an aspirant preparing for postgraduate management studies, planning your budget begins with understanding the essential registration costs. This comprehensive guide details the current CAT examination fees, breakdown of categories, transaction costs, and vital tips to ensure your payment process goes smoothly.

CAT Examination Fees Structure

The examination fee for CAT is updated annually by the coordinating IIM body. The fee covers the exam infrastructure, security, grading systems, and automatic application to all chosen IIM campuses and processing programs.

The application costs are broadly divided based on social and physical disability categories.

Important Note: The registration fee is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. Once paid, you cannot request a refund under any circumstances, even if you choose not to sit for the exam.

Gateway Transaction Charges

When paying your registration fees through the official CAT portal, processing fees are added by banking networks. Depending on your choice of payment method, keep in mind these nominal additional costs:

• Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard): Approximately 1.20% of the transaction amount.

• Credit Cards (American Express): Approximately 2.85% of the transaction amount.

• Debit Cards: 0.75% for transactions up to INR 2,000 and 0.90% for transactions exceeding INR 2,000.

• Net Banking: A flat transaction fee of roughly INR 20.

• UPI / Mobile Wallets: Minimal or zero processing fees, depending on your digital wallet provider.

Step-by-Step Payment Process

Paying your CAT fees is the final administrative block before your application is accepted. To ensure you don’t face double-debits or error screens, follow this procedure:

1. Complete the Registration Profile: Log onto the official portal (iimcat.ac.in) and fill out your personal information, academic transcripts, and work experience details.

2. Upload Documents: Upload your passport photograph, signature, and necessary category certificates (SC/ST/PwD) to justify lower fee eligibility.

3. Preview Form: Carefully review your choice of up to five test cities and personal data fields.

4. Select Payment Gateway: Click on the registration fee payment tab. You can use integrated payment partners like PayU or BillDesk.

5. Authorize Payment: Complete your transaction via credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI. Do not close or refresh the window while processing.

6. Download Receipt: Once verified, you will receive a confirmation email. Log back into the dashboard to download the confirmation page and fee payment receipt for future verification.

What Does the Fee Cover?

It is helpful to understand exactly what you are paying for when you submit your registration fee:

• The Computer-Based Exam Slot: Securing a highly secure, standardized workstation on your designated exam date.

• University Selection: You can apply to all 21+ IIM campuses and their multiple corresponding PGP/MBA programs at no extra cost during this initial stage.

• Scorecard Delivery: Secure processing and official release of your percentile card, which remains valid for a full academic year.

For students exploring parallel domestic or global study options, verifying cross-border requirements and scholarship funding is just as critical. You can explore helpful overviews on tracking institution deadlines, admission processes, and international study options over on Student Arrive.

Crucial Tips to Avoid Payment Failures

Due to massive website traffic during the final registration weeks, payment gateways can experience lag or timed-out errors. Follow these expert tips:

• Avoid the Last-Minute Rush: Registration windows typically open in August and run through mid-September. Pay your fees early in the cycle to avoid server overload.

• Check Card Limits: Ensure your bank card has international transaction permissions enabled if you are making payments from outside India, and check that the daily spending cap covers the required amount.

• Double-Check Category Certificates: If you select the SC, ST, or PwD option to pay the reduced INR 1,300 fee, make sure your certificate is valid, legible, and issued by an authorized governmental body. Invalid credentials will lead to immediate cancellation of your candidate profile without a refund.

• Wait for Confirmation: If your bank account is debited but the CAT portal still prompts a “Payment Failed” status, do not immediately make a second payment. Wait 24 to 48 hours for bank reconciliation or check with the CAT helpdesk.

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