Confirmed: Nov 29, 2026 · Notification Released
CAT 2026:
Exam Date, Syllabus & Score vs Percentile.
Everything In One Place.
Exam date, syllabus, pattern, marking scheme, and eligibility — based on the official CAT 2026 notification, released by IIM Indore on July 26, 2026.
CAT 2026 At a Glance
Conducting BodyIIM Indore
Expected Exam DateNov 29, 2026
ModeComputer-Based (CBT)
Duration120 minutes
SectionsVARC · DILR · QA
Total Questions~68
Total Marks~204
Accepted By22 IIMs + 1,300+ B-Schools
Official CAT 2026 notification released July 26, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in. Registration window: Aug 3 – Sep 15, 2026.
Exam Pattern
Section-Wise Breakdown.
Based on the CAT 2025 pattern. The exam is sectional and timed — you cannot switch between sections, and once 40 minutes is up, the screen moves on automatically.
| Section | Questions | Time Limit | Approx. Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 min | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| Total | ~68 | 120 min | ~204 |
Marking Scheme: +3 for every correct answer. −1 for every incorrect MCQ. No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions — these have no penalty whether right or wrong. An on-screen calculator is provided; physical calculators aren't allowed.
Syllabus
What To Actually Study.
IIMs don't release an official CAT syllabus. These topics are based on consistent patterns observed across the last several years of papers.
VARC
Reading Comprehension (~65–70% of section)
● Central idea / theme identification
● Author's tone, intent & purpose
● Inference & implied-meaning questions
● Fact vs. opinion vs. judgment
● Vocabulary-in-context (word/phrase meaning as used in passage)
● Passage themes: economics, philosophy, sociology, science & tech ethics, business, history
Verbal Ability (TITA, non-RC)
● Para-summary — pick the best one-line summary
● Para-completion — fill the missing concluding sentence
● Odd-sentence-out — identify the sentence that doesn't fit
● Para-jumbles — arrange sentences into a coherent paragraph
● No standalone grammar, spotting-the-error, or synonym/antonym questions in recent years
DILR
Data Interpretation
● Tables & multi-table data sets
● Bar graphs, line graphs & pie charts
● Caselets — data embedded in text/paragraph form
● Mixed/combination-graph sets
● Data sufficiency (occasional)
Logical Reasoning
● Seating arrangement — linear, circular & rectangular
● Puzzles — distribution & matching-based
● Blood relations & family-tree sets
● Team/committee formation & selection-based sets
● Games & tournaments (round-robin, knockout)
● Scheduling & sequencing
● Networks, routes & maze-based sets
● Venn diagrams & set-based reasoning
● Binary/ternary logic — truth-teller/liar puzzles
● Rankings & ordering
● Entirely set-based — no individual standalone questions, typically 5 sets across the section
QA
Arithmetic (~35–40% of section)
● Percentage
● Profit, Loss & Discount (incl. successive discount)
● Simple & Compound Interest
● Ratio, Proportion & Variation
● Mixtures & Alligations
● Averages
● Time & Work (incl. pipes & cisterns)
● Time, Speed & Distance (incl. boats & streams, trains, races)
Algebra (~20–25%)
● Linear & quadratic equations
● Inequalities
● Functions & graphs
● Logarithms
● Sequences & Series (AP, GP, HP)
● Maxima–Minima
Number System (~10%)
● Divisibility rules
● LCM & HCF
● Remainders & modular arithmetic
● Factors & multiples, base systems
Geometry & Mensuration (~15%)
● Lines, angles & triangles (similarity, congruence)
● Circles, quadrilaterals & polygons
● Coordinate geometry
● Mensuration — 2D area & 3D volume/surface area
● Basic trigonometry (rare, but appears occasionally)
Modern Math (~10–15%)
● Permutation & Combination
● Probability
● Set Theory
● Difficulty roughly equivalent to Class 10 level, applied at speed
Expected Timeline
CAT 2026 Calendar.
Forecast based on the last several years of CAT notifications. All dates are tentative until IIM Indore's official release.
July 26, 2026
Official Notification Released
IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification with confirmed exam date, fee, and registration window at iimcat.ac.in.
August 3 – September 15, 2026
Registration Window
Online application opens. Fee: ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC, ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Mid-November 2026
Admit Card Release
Hall tickets typically released about 15 days before the exam date via candidate login.
November 29, 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Day
Conducted across 170+ cities in multiple slots. Carry your admit card and a valid photo ID.
1 Week Post-Exam
Response Sheet & Answer Key
Provisional answer key released with an objection window (fee applies per question challenged).
First Week of January 2027
Result & Scorecard
Per the official CAT 2026 notification. CAT percentile and scorecard released. Valid for IIM and partner B-school admissions for one year.
Eligibility
Can You Apply?
Three checks decide eligibility: degree, percentage, and final-year status.
Bachelor's Degree
A 3-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, from a UGC-recognized university.
Minimum Aggregate
50% aggregate for General/EWS/NC-OBC. 45% for SC/ST/PwD. Calculated across all years of graduation, not just the major.
Final-Year Students
Eligible to apply provisionally. Final degree certificate must be submitted before the respective IIM's joining deadline.
No Age Limit, No Attempt Cap
There's no minimum or maximum age to apply, and no limit on how many times you can attempt CAT.
Professional degree holders (CA, CS, ICWA/CMA, FIAI) meeting the percentage threshold are also eligible, independent of their undergraduate degree. Class 10 and 12 marks play no role in CAT eligibility, though some IIMs may reference them during WAT/PI shortlisting.
Selection Process
CAT Score Alone Doesn't Get You In.
Every IIM runs its own multi-stage shortlisting and composite-score process after CAT. Here's the typical flow.
1. CAT Score / Percentile Shortlisting
Each IIM sets its own overall + sectional percentile cutoffs (often category-wise) to shortlist candidates for the next stage. Clearing all three sectional cutoffs matters as much as the overall percentile.
2. Written Ability Test (WAT)
A timed essay (typically 15–20 minutes, ~200–250 words) on a current-affairs, abstract, or business topic. Tests structured thinking and written communication, not just opinion.
3. Personal Interview (PI)
A panel interview (15–20 minutes) covering academic background, work experience, current affairs, and probing questions on your CAT application form and WAT response.
4. Final Composite Score & Merit List
CAT score, academic profile (10th/12th/graduation marks), work experience, and WAT-PI performance are combined using each IIM's own weightage formula to produce the final merit list and admission offers.
| Component | Typical Weightage Range (varies by IIM & year) |
|---|---|
| CAT Score / Percentile | 35–50% |
| Academic Profile (10th, 12th, Graduation) | 10–25% |
| Work Experience | 5–10% |
| WAT | 5–10% |
| Personal Interview | 25–40% |
| Gender / Academic Diversity Bonus | Small bonus points, IIM-specific |
Important: Weightage formulas differ significantly between IIMs and change year to year — always check the specific IIM's official admission policy (usually released alongside or shortly after the CAT notification) before finalizing your target-college strategy.
Previous Year Analysis
What Actually Changes Year To Year.
Patterns across CAT 2021–2025 that matter more than any single year's paper.
VARC Trend
● RC consistently dominates (~65–70% weight) — VA question types have fluctuated most (para-jumbles disappeared for a few years, then returned)
● Passage themes lean toward economics, sociology, philosophy, science/tech ethics in recent cycles
● No standalone grammar/vocabulary questions since CAT went TITA-heavy
DILR Trend
● Shift from pure numeric-heavy DI sets toward logic-heavy, puzzle-based analytical sets
● Consistently the section with the lowest scores relative to difficulty — even toppers underperform here
● Set count has stayed around 5 per section across recent years
QA Trend
● Arithmetic remains the single highest-weightage topic group every year
● Question count held steady at 66 through 2022–2023, then rose to 68 for 2024–2025 as CAT tuned overall exam length
● Geometry/Mensuration and Modern Math appear less frequently but are high-accuracy, high-speed topics when they do
Takeaway: Don't over-index on any single year's "hot topics." Build broad topic coverage across all three sections — CAT's examiners deliberately vary emphasis year to year to prevent over-optimization. See the Score vs Percentile section above for year-by-year difficulty and raw-score data.
Score vs Percentile
How Many Marks for 90–99%ile?
Five years of actual CAT data (2021–2025) showing what raw score you need in each section — VARC, DILR, and QA — to hit key percentile bands. Switch between years to see how difficulty shifts the bar.
| Percentile | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.90%ile | 111.4 | 127 | 101.43 | 110 | 117 |
| 99.50%ile | 93 | 103 | 84.29 | 95 | 107 |
| 99%ile | 84.8 | 95 | 76.02 | 84 | 97 |
| 98%ile | 73 | 79 | 66.68 | 72 | 84 |
| 95%ile | 62.3 | 70 | 54.86 | 60 | 72 |
| 90%ile | 51.5 | 58 | 45.16 | 49 | 60 |
Reading this table: CAT 2023 moved to 66 questions (198 max marks), then 2025 back to 68 questions (204 max). Scores above are raw scaled scores — CAT uses equating across slots. 90%ile (highlighted) is typically the minimum for decent non-IIM colleges; 99%ile is the IIM Ahmedabad/Calcutta/Bangalore threshold. Figures compiled from verified coaching and post-exam analyses. Treat as reference, not guarantee.
| Percentile | VARC (out of 72) | DILR (out of 66) | QA (out of 66) | Total (out of 204) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99%ile | 55–60 | 48–54 | 48–54 | 148–155 |
| 98%ile | 50–55 | 43–48 | 43–48 | 138–145 |
| 95%ile | 43–48 | 37–42 | 37–42 | 120–128 |
| 90%ile | 37–42 | 32–37 | 32–37 | 105–112 |
CAT 2025 (Nov 30, 2025): 68 questions (24 VARC, 22 DILR, 22 QA), 204 marks total. 3 slots. DILR was considered the toughest section in most slots; QA difficulty was moderate. Overall difficulty similar to CAT 2024. Sectional cutoff for IIM-A (99.5%ile overall): VARC ~85%ile, DILR ~80%ile, QA ~80%ile. Figures from verified post-exam analysis.
| Percentile | VARC (out of 72) | DILR (out of 66) | QA (out of 66) | Total (out of 204) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99%ile | 52–58 | 47–53 | 47–53 | 148–152 |
| 98%ile | 47–52 | 42–47 | 42–47 | 136–142 |
| 95%ile | 40–46 | 36–41 | 36–41 | 118–125 |
| 90%ile | 35–40 | 30–36 | 30–36 | 102–110 |
CAT 2024 (Nov 24, 2024): 68 questions, 204 marks. Conducted by IIM Calcutta. DILR was widely considered the most difficult section across all 3 slots. QA difficulty was moderate to high. IIM Ahmedabad's 99%ile threshold: ~150 raw score. Slot 1 was generally considered tougher than Slot 2/3. Figures from verified post-exam analysis.
| Percentile | VARC (out of 72) | DILR (out of 60) | QA (out of 66) | Total (out of 198) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99%ile | 48–54 | 42–48 | 44–50 | 130–138 |
| 98%ile | 43–48 | 37–42 | 39–44 | 120–128 |
| 95%ile | 37–42 | 31–36 | 33–38 | 104–112 |
| 90%ile | 31–36 | 25–30 | 28–33 | 88–96 |
CAT 2023 (Nov 26, 2023): Conducted by IIM Lucknow. Same 66-question format as 2022 (24 VARC, 20 DILR, 22 QA). Max marks 198. DILR was unusually set-heavy; QA was considered difficult in all slots. Scores in the table are raw, pre-equating — final percentiles are based on scaled scores. Figures from verified post-exam analysis.
| Percentile | VARC (out of 72) | DILR (out of 60) | QA (out of 66) | Total (out of 198) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99%ile | 50–56 | 44–50 | 42–48 | 132–140 |
| 98%ile | 45–50 | 38–44 | 37–42 | 122–130 |
| 95%ile | 38–44 | 32–38 | 31–36 | 106–114 |
| 90%ile | 33–38 | 26–32 | 26–31 | 90–98 |
CAT 2022 (Nov 27, 2022): Conducted by IIM Bangalore. 66 questions (24 VARC, 20 DILR, 22 QA), 198 max marks. Overall difficulty: moderate. VARC passages were long and dense. IIM-A/B/C overall cutoff: ~99–99.5%ile. IIM Kozhikode/Indore/Shillong: ~97–98%ile. Sectional cutoffs ranged 70–85%ile per section for top IIMs. Figures from verified post-exam analysis.
| Percentile | VARC (out of 72) | DILR (out of 60) | QA (out of 66) | Total (out of 198) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99%ile | 46–52 | 40–46 | 38–44 | 120–128 |
| 98%ile | 41–46 | 35–40 | 33–38 | 110–118 |
| 95%ile | 34–40 | 29–34 | 27–32 | 96–104 |
| 90%ile | 28–34 | 23–29 | 22–27 | 80–88 |
CAT 2021 (Nov 28, 2021): Toughest paper in the five-year window. Conducted by IIM Ahmedabad. 66 questions (24 VARC, 20 DILR, 22 QA), 198 max marks. DILR and QA were notably difficult. Raw scores needed for the same percentile were the lowest of any year in this window. IIM-A/B/C general-category cutoff: 99%ile+. Figures from verified post-exam analysis; treat as approximate.
Where CAT Can Take You
Top 25 MBA Colleges — Fees, Package & ROI.
IIMs and top non-IIM colleges accepting CAT (and XAT/GMAT for a few), ranked by NIRF 2025. ROI = (Average Package ÷ Total Fees) × 100, calculated the same way for every row so colleges are genuinely comparable.
| # | College | Type | Total Fees | Avg. Package | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad | Govt (IIM) | ₹27.5 L | ₹35.22 LPA | 128% |
| 2 | IIM Calcutta | Govt (IIM) | ₹27.0 L | ₹34.23 LPA | 127% |
| 3 | IIM Bangalore | Govt (IIM) | ₹26.3 L | ₹34.88 LPA | 133% |
| 4 | ISB Hyderabad | Private | ₹45.12 L | ₹33.25 LPA | 74% |
| 5 | ISB Mohali | Private | ₹45.12 L | ₹35.0 LPA | 78% |
| 6 | IIM Lucknow | Govt (IIM) | ₹20.75 L | ₹32.3 LPA | 156% |
| 7 | FMS Delhi | Govt | ₹2.43 L | ₹34.1 LPA | 1403% |
| 8 | IIM Kozhikode | Govt (IIM) | ₹24.58 L | ₹28.18 LPA | 115% |
| 9 | XLRI Jamshedpur | Private | ₹25.9 L | ₹31.08 LPA | 120% |
| 10 | SPJIMR Mumbai | Private | ₹26.5 L | ₹33.75 LPA | 127% |
| 11 | IIM Mumbai | Govt (IIM) | ₹25.5 L | ₹33.0 LPA | 129% |
| 12 | TISS Mumbai | Govt | ₹1.85 L | ₹28.2 LPA | 1524% |
| 13 | IIM Indore | Govt (IIM) | ₹18.42 L | ₹29.57 LPA | 161% |
| 14 | MDI Gurgaon | Private | ₹32.54 L | ₹25.6 LPA | 79% |
| 15 | IIFT Delhi | Govt | ₹21.92 L | ₹31.3 LPA | 143% |
| 16 | JBIMS Mumbai | Govt | ₹7.0 L | ₹18.3 LPA | 261% |
| 17 | IIM Shillong | Govt (IIM) | ₹26.18 L | ₹26.44 LPA | 101% |
| 18 | SJMSOM, IIT Bombay | Govt (IIT) | ₹16.43 L | ₹25.82 LPA | 157% |
| 19 | NMIMS Mumbai | Private | ₹25.0 L | ₹25.13 LPA | 101% |
| 20 | SIBM Pune | Private | ₹22.37 L | ₹28.83 LPA | 129% |
| 21 | VGSoM, IIT Kharagpur | Govt (IIT) | ₹11.95 L | ₹22.75 LPA | 190% |
| 22 | DMS, IIT Delhi | Govt (IIT) | ₹12.4 L | ₹23.4 LPA | 189% |
| 23 | IIM Rohtak | Govt (IIM) | ₹18.9 L | ₹19.27 LPA | 102% |
| 24 | IIM Ranchi | Govt (IIM) | ₹19.2 L | ₹19.28 LPA | 100% |
| 25 | IIM Kashipur | Govt (IIM) | ₹17.3 L | ₹14.95 LPA | 86% |
Data source & caveats: Fees and average package figures are based on the most recent published placement reports (largely 2025 batch data) from NIRF 2025, Collegedunia, and individual institute placement disclosures, current as of this writing. Most colleges revise fees and packages annually, so treat these as a reference point, not a guarantee — always cross-check the institute's official placement report before making a decision. "Average Package" mixes mean and median figures depending on what each institute discloses; ROI is a simplified one-year-payback indicator, not a full lifetime-earnings calculation. Why FMS Delhi and TISS Mumbai show 1000%+ ROI: this isn't a data error — both are heavily government-subsidized public institutions with genuinely tiny fees (₹2.43L and ₹1.85L total), so even a strong-but-not-IIM-tier package produces an outsized ratio. Treat ROI as most meaningful when comparing colleges of a similar fee category, not across the full table.
Preparation Strategy
A Different Plan For Every Starting Point.
CAT prep isn't one-size-fits-all — where you start determines what you should do first.
Beginner (First Attempt, 6+ Months Out)
Build QA fundamentals from Class 8–10 level up. Develop a daily RC-reading habit (editorials, long-form articles). Don't attempt full mocks yet — focus on concept clarity and topic-wise practice first.
Intermediate (One Mock Attempted, 3–6 Months Out)
Start sectional tests to isolate weak topics. Prioritize accuracy over speed initially, then build speed once accuracy is consistent. 2 full-length mocks per week, with a detailed error log after each.
Advanced (Targeting 99%ile, <3 Months Out)
Heavy focus on DILR speed and set-selection strategy (choosing which sets to attempt first). 3–4 full mocks per week with slot-by-slot analysis. Revise your error log daily rather than doing new topics.
Working Professional (Limited Daily Hours)
Time-boxed study: 1–1.5 hours on weekdays, 4–5 hours on weekends. Prioritize the highest-weightage topics (Arithmetic, RC) first. Use commute time for RC/vocabulary; fewer but fully-analyzed mocks beat many rushed ones.
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FAQ
Common Questions.
When is CAT 2026?+
CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026. IIM Indore released the official CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026, with registration open August 3 – September 15, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?+
Based on the CAT 2025 pattern, the exam is expected to have 68 questions across three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA — for a total of 204 marks, in a 120-minute computer-based test with a fixed 40-minute limit per section.
What is the CAT marking scheme?+
Each correct answer gets +3 marks. Incorrect MCQ answers get -1 mark. TITA (Type In The Answer) questions have no negative marking, whether right or wrong.
Who is eligible for CAT 2026?+
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) from a recognized university. There is no age limit, and final-year graduation students can apply provisionally.
Is there an official CAT syllabus?+
IIMs do not release an official syllabus. The topics listed are based on consistent patterns observed across the last several years of CAT papers, covering VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude.
How many marks are needed for 90 percentile in CAT?+
Based on the 2021–2025 trend, a total score of approximately 80–112 out of 198–204 is needed for the 90th percentile — the range shifts with each year's difficulty. In tougher years (like 2021), as low as 80–88 was enough; in easier years closer to 105–112. Section-wise, roughly 28–42 in VARC, 23–37 in DILR, and 22–37 in QA. See the Score vs Percentile table for year-by-year data.
How many marks are needed for 99 percentile in CAT?+
For 99 percentile in CAT, the total score required has ranged from ~120–128 in the toughest year (2021) to ~148–155 in recent years (2024–2025). Section-wise, roughly 46–60 in VARC, 40–54 in DILR, and 38–54 in QA typically corresponds to the 99th percentile. DILR is consistently the section where even toppers score below expectation — balanced preparation across all three sections matters more than maximising one.
How many times can I attempt CAT?+
There's no cap — CAT has no limit on the number of attempts and no minimum or maximum age, so you can retake it in consecutive years if you don't get the outcome you want.
What is a good CAT percentile for non-IIM colleges?+
Roughly 85–95%ile opens strong non-IIM options like FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIT-run management programs, and NMIMS. Below 80%ile, options narrow mostly to Tier-2/3 private B-schools.
What is the CAT 2026 application fee?+
₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates, payable online during registration.
Which colleges besides the IIMs accept CAT scores?+
1,300+ B-schools accept CAT, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT Delhi, IIT-run management programs (DMS IIT Delhi, VGSoM IIT Kharagpur, SJMSOM IIT Bombay), NMIMS, and many state and private universities.
What documents should I carry on CAT exam day?+
Your CAT admit card (printed) and a valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, or voter ID) matching the name on your admit card. Photocopies or expired IDs are not accepted.
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