CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on Sunday, 29 November 2026, with the official notification expected on 26–27 July 2026 and registration opening on 1 August 2026 at iimcat.ac.in. This is the single most consequential exam in your IIM-admission journey — one 2-hour computer-based test that opens or closes the door to PGP seats at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore and 14 other IIMs, plus FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IIT DoMS programmes and 1,200+ other B-schools.
If you are starting CAT 2026 prep today (25 May 2026), you have 188 days to exam day. That is exactly enough time for a structured, sectional-mastery-first approach — provided you stop guessing about dates, pattern and weightage and start prepping against the real exam shape. This pillar guide tells you everything official: dates, pattern, syllabus, weightage, eligibility, fee, cut-offs and the 188-day study calendar.
CAT 2026 at a Glance
| Element | Detail (CAT 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conducting IIM | IIM Indore (rotational basis) |
| Official Notification | 26–27 July 2026 (Sun) |
| Registration Opens | 1 August 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Registration Closes | 20 September 2026, 5:00 PM (expected) |
| Admit Card | First week of November 2026 |
| Exam Date | Sunday, 29 November 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Duration | 2 hours (120 min) |
| Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Question Types | MCQ + TITA (Type In The Answer) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 correct, −1 wrong (MCQ only); no negative on TITA |
| Result Date | First week of January 2027 (expected) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Sources: iimcat.ac.in, IIM Indore official communications.
Section-Wise Pattern & Weightage
CAT 2026 keeps the post-2020 structure: 3 sections, 40 minutes each, no on-screen switching between sections. Once a section’s timer ends, you cannot return. This makes within-section prioritisation as important as raw accuracy.
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) — 24 Questions
- Reading Comprehension: 4 passages × 4 questions = 16 questions (~67% of section)
- Verbal Ability: 8 questions split across para-jumbles (3–4), para-summary (2–3), and odd-sentence-out (1–2)
- Maximum marks: 72
- Weightage in paper: ~36%
RC dominates the section. Your CAT 2026 VARC strategy is, in plain English, an RC strategy with VA as the value-add. Topics span economics, philosophy, history, environment, social science and arts — non-fiction, long-form prose. Read The Hindu editorial, The Economist, Aeon and Project Syndicate daily; that is your VARC training, not flashcards of difficult words.
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) — 22 Questions
- 4 sets × 5–6 questions each, mixing DI tables/graphs with LR puzzles, arrangements, games and conditionals
- Maximum marks: 66
- Weightage in paper: ~32%
DILR is the most variable section — cut-offs fluctuate 15–25 marks year over year because difficulty does. The skill is not solving every set; it is set selection in the first 5 minutes. Aim to solve 2 sets cleanly, attempt the third, leave the toughest. Net: 11–13 right > 99 percentile most years.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA) — 22 Questions
- All standalone questions — arithmetic (35%), algebra (25%), geometry & mensuration (20%), number system (10%), modern math (10%)
- Maximum marks: 66
- Weightage in paper: ~32%
Arithmetic is the single highest-frequency topic in CAT QA — percentages, profit-loss, ratio-proportion, averages, time-speed-distance, time-work, mixtures. CAT 2025 had 8 of 22 QA questions on arithmetic alone. If you have 188 days, master arithmetic first, then algebra.
CAT 2026 Eligibility & Fee
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree with 50% (General/EWS/NC-OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PwD), CGPA equivalents accepted
- Final-year students: Eligible to apply
- Age: No upper limit
- Attempts: No cap on number of attempts
- Application Fee: ₹2,500 (General/EWS/NC-OBC), ₹1,250 (SC/ST/PwD) — CAT 2025 fee, CAT 2026 fee notified end-July
CAT 2026 Cut-Offs: What “99 Percentile” Actually Means
The IIMs publish two cut-off layers:
- Qualifying / Shortlisting cut-off — needed to be called for WAT-PI
- Final composite cut-off — needed to convert the seat after WAT-PI
For the 2026–28 batch (CAT 2025 takers), here are the official shortlisting cut-offs:
| IIM | General CAT %ile (Overall) | VARC | DILR | QA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 85 | 80 | 85 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Indore | 90 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
Note: IIM Ahmedabad raised its qualifying CAT cut-off to 95 percentile for the 2026–28 batch — up from 80 the previous cycle. This is a structural tightening, not a one-off.
Final converts at IIM A/B/C typically require 97+ percentile with strong academic profile (10/12/grad ≥90%), WAT-PI score ≥60%, and gender/academic-diversity points where applicable. A 99+ percentile CAT score with average profile (75/75/75 academics) converts at IIM Lucknow/Kozhikode/Indore reliably; it is borderline for ABC.
The 188-Day CAT 2026 Study Calendar
From 25 May 2026 to 29 November 2026 = 188 days. Break it into 4 phases:
Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1–60 — May 25 to July 24)
- QA: Cover entire arithmetic + number system. NCERT Class 8–10 maths if you are weak; Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma chapters 1–12.
- VARC: 1 RC passage daily (3–4 questions). Read 1 editorial daily.
- DILR: 1 set daily — build pattern-recognition for table, line graph, bar chart, pie chart formats.
- Mock tests: 1 sectional test per week.
Phase 2: Build (Days 61–120 — July 25 to September 22)
- QA: Algebra, geometry, modern math complete.
- VARC: 2 RC + 5 VA questions daily. Start full VARC sectionals.
- DILR: 2–3 sets daily — add LR puzzles, conditionals, games.
- Mock tests: 1 full-length mock per week (8–10 by phase end).
Phase 3: Apply (Days 121–165 — September 23 to November 6)
- Full mocks: 2–3 per week, with same-day analysis (mock-to-analysis ratio 1:2 i.e. 2 hours review per 2-hour mock).
- Topical revision: Re-do weak-area chapters identified from mock analysis.
- Speed work: Time-bound 20-minute RC drills, 30-minute DILR-set sprints.
Phase 4: Peak (Days 166–188 — November 7 to November 29)
- Mocks: 2 per week, no more — rest matters now.
- PYQ: Solve CAT 2020–2025 actual papers (all 6 slots) under exam conditions.
- Mental rehearsal: Sleep, hydration, exam-day logistics (centre recce, admit card, ID, allowed items).
If you are looking for a structured 188-day programme with weekly diagnostic mocks, sectional drills and 1:1 mentor calls, our CAT Gurukul flagship CAT 2026 course is built exactly to this calendar. For practice without commitment, our free CAT mock test gives you an immediate baseline.
The IIM Selection Process After CAT
CAT is the entry filter, not the final filter. The IIM selection composite has three more layers:
- WAT (Written Ability Test): 20–30 minute essay on a current-affairs or abstract theme. Carries 8–15% weightage at most IIMs.
- PI (Personal Interview): 15–30 minute panel interview. Highest single weightage at IIM Calcutta (48 marks of 100). Tests work-ex articulation, academic depth, current affairs and goal clarity.
- Profile score: Academic profile (10th, 12th, graduation), work experience, gender/academic diversity. Locked at shortlist stage.
At IIM Calcutta, the final composite is: CAT 30 + WAT 8 + PI 48 + Work Ex 8 + Profile 6 = 100. CAT is therefore only 30% of the seat-conversion decision. This is why a 100-percentile candidate with poor PI can lose to a 96-percentile candidate with strong PI — routinely.
For an in-depth breakdown of how each IIM weights its components, see our IIM Selection Criteria 2026–28 guide.
CAT 2026 vs CAT 2025: What Has Changed?
Per IIM Indore communications and historical pattern, no structural changes are expected in CAT 2026. The 3-section, 40-minute, 68-question structure with +3/−1 marking continues. What has shifted is institutional behaviour:
- IIM A’s 95-percentile qualifying cut-off (up from 80) reshapes the top of the funnel.
- IIM Bangalore Class of 2026 placements hit a record 664 offers from 177 firms — signal of healthy demand. See our analysis: IIM Bangalore Placements 2026.
- New IIMs (Mumbai, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Visakhapatnam, Bodh Gaya, Jammu) continue to expand seats — aggregate IIM PGP intake is now ~6,000 across 21 IIMs.
What to Do This Week (May 25–31, 2026)
- Take a diagnostic mock — you cannot plan against an unknown baseline. Our free CAT diagnostic gives a sectional break-up in 24 hours.
- Bookmark iimcat.ac.in — check daily after 20 July 2026 for the official notification.
- Choose your study mode — self-prep, online, or hybrid mentor-led. Decision delay = lost compounding.
- Start the daily reading habit — The Hindu editorial + 1 long-form article. Non-negotiable.
- Audit your eligibility — confirm graduation date, final-year status, category certificate (if applicable).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on Sunday, 29 November 2026 in a 3-slot computer-based format. The official notification confirming this date is expected on 26–27 July 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
Q2. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on the rotational basis followed by the older IIMs. CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode.
Q3. What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
CAT 2026 has 3 sections — VARC (24 Qs), DILR (22 Qs), QA (22 Qs) — totalling 68 questions in 2 hours (40 min per section, no switching). Marking is +3 for correct, −1 for wrong MCQ; no negative on TITA.
Q4. How many days are left for CAT 2026?
From 25 May 2026 to 29 November 2026 = 188 days. This is sufficient for full-spectrum prep covering all 3 sections, 8–12 full mocks, and 5+ years of previous-year papers.
Q5. What percentile is needed for IIM Ahmedabad in CAT 2026?
IIM Ahmedabad has set its qualifying cut-off at 95 percentile overall + 80 in each section for the 2026–28 batch. Final conversion typically needs 99+ percentile with strong academic profile and WAT-PI performance.
Q6. Is there negative marking in CAT 2026?
Yes — −1 for every wrong MCQ. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions have no negative marking, which is why TITA accuracy is a deliberate strategy lever, not random luck.
Get CAT 2026 Mentorship
If you want a structured 188-day prep plan, weekly diagnostic mocks and 1:1 mentor calls aligned to this calendar, talk to a CAT Gurukul mentor on 7033005444. We will assess your baseline in a 30-minute call and recommend the right CAT 2026 track — from beginner to repeat-attempter.
Take the CAT 2026 Readiness Quiz
Test how well you know CAT 2026 fundamentals with this 10-question diagnostic. Answers and explanations appear after each question.
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