The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most important and competitive entrance exam for MBA/PGDM admissions. Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, CAT scores are accepted by:

• 21 IIMs
• IITs (Management Departments)
• FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, TAPMI
• 1200+ top B-Schools across India

CAT tests a candidate’s analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, reasoning skills, and comprehension ability.

It is considered one of the most prestigious management entrance exams in India.

Exam Overview

IMPORTANT DATES(Tentative)

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

✔ Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
✔ Minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD category)

Final-Year Students

✔ Eligible to apply (must provide proof later)

Age Limit

✔ No age limit

Work Experience

✔ Not mandatory (freshers can apply)

Exam Pattern

CAT consists of 3 sections, each with a separate time limit.

Marking Scheme

• +3 marks for correct answer
• –1 mark for incorrect MCQ
• 0 negative for TITA (non-MCQ)

Syllabus

VARC

• Reading Comprehension (long & short-passages)
• Para-jumbles
• Para-summary
• Odd-sentence out
• Grammar basics
• Critical reasoning

DILR

• Puzzles
• Seating arrangements
• Venn diagrams
• Bar/Line/Pie charts
• Data sufficiency
• Caselets
• Logical reasoning sets

Quantitative Aptitude

• Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Profit-Loss)
• Algebra (Equations, Inequalities)
• Geometry & Mensuration
• Number System
• Modern Math (Permutation, Probability)

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Visit iimcat.ac.in
2. Register with email & mobile
3. Fill personal, academic & work experience details
4. Upload photo, signature, caste certificate (if applicable)
5. Select preferred test cities
6. Pay application fee online
7. Submit the form & download confirmation

Application Fee (Expected 2026)

• ₹2,400 (General/OBC)
• ₹1,200 (SC/ST/PwD)

Preparation Strategy for CAT 2026

Understand the Exam Pattern

Know which section is your strength & weakness.

Start with Basics

Build strong fundamentals in QA and LR.

Read Daily

Improve VARC with newspapers, editorials, RC practice.

Solve 30–40 Full-Length Mocks

Analyze each mock in detail.

Sectional Tests

Daily practice for individual sections.

Revision Plan (Last 2 Months)

• Practice high-level DILR sets
• Work on speed math
• Improve RC accuracy

Time Management

Each section is time-restricted—practice must be section-wise.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score

Top IIMs

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore

Other Premium Colleges

• FMS Delhi
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• MDI Gurgaon
• IIT Delhi & IIT Bombay (Management)
• IMT Ghaziabad
• NITIE (IIM Mumbai)
• TAPMI

Over 1200+ Colleges Accept CAT Score

Final Tip

CAT is not about knowledge; it’s about strategy.
Consistency, practice, mock analysis, and a strong hold on fundamentals are the keys to scoring above 95–99 percentile.

Conclusion

CAT is considered India’s most challenging yet rewarding MBA entrance exam.
With structured preparation, disciplined practice, and regular mock tests, any student—whether fresher or experienced—can achieve a top percentile and secure admission to prestigious IIMs or other top-tier B-Schools.