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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
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, QA |
| Total Questions | ~66 Questions (varies each year) |
| Type of Questions | MCQ + TITA (non-MCQ) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (MCQs), No (TITA) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High |
| Accepted By | 1200+ MBA Colleges |
IMPORTANT DATES(Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | AUG 1, 2025, Friday10:00 AM (IST) |
| Registration Ends | SEP 20, 2025, Saturday 5:00 PM (IST) |
| Admit Card Release | Nov 12, 2025, Wednesday |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | Nov 30, 2025, Sunday |
| Result Declaration | First Week of January 2026 |
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.
| Section | Estimated Questions | Time Allotted | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 24 | 40 minutes | Moderate |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 20 | 40 minutes | High |
| QA (Quantitative Aptitude) | 22 | 40 minutes | Moderate–High |
| Total | 66 (approx.) | 120 minutes | — |
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)
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Register with email & mobile
- Fill personal, academic & work experience details
- Upload photo, signature, caste certificate (if applicable)
- Select preferred test cities
- Pay application fee online
- 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.
