Management (BBA, IPM & MBA)
CAT 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Eligibility
Common Admission Test · conducted by Indian Institutes of Management, by rotation — IIM Indore is convening CAT 2026
CAT (Common Admission Test) is the computer-based entrance test the Indian Institutes of Management use for their MBA/PGP programmes, and its scores are accepted by many other business schools. It has three sections — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability — with 40 minutes each, 120 minutes in all. CAT 2025 had 68 questions; MCQs score +3/−1 and type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions carry no negative marking.
When is CAT?
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three slots, convened by IIM Indore. Registration ran from 3 August to 15 September 2026.
CAT at a glance
- Conducted by
- IIMs by rotation (IIM Indore for CAT 2026)
- CAT 2026 date
- 29 November 2026 (three slots)
- Mode
- Computer-based test
- Duration
- 120 minutes (40 per section)
- Sections
- VARC, DILR, QA
- Questions
- 68 in CAT 2025
- Marking
- MCQ +3 / −1; TITA +3 / 0
- Attempts and age
- No limit on either
CAT exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
- Sections come in a fixed order and you cannot switch between them; each has its own 40-minute timer.
- The question count can change slightly from year to year.
- An on-screen calculator is provided.
CAT syllabus
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
- Reading comprehension passages
- Para-jumbles
- Para-summary
- Odd sentence out
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
- Tables, bar and line charts, caselets
- Arrangements and scheduling
- Games and tournaments
- Venn diagrams, routes and networks
Quantitative Ability
- Arithmetic: percentages, profit and loss, ratio, averages, time–speed–distance, time and work, interest
- Algebra: equations, inequalities, functions, progressions, logarithms
- Geometry and mensuration
- Number system
- Modern maths: permutations and combinations, probability, sets
The IIMs do not publish an official syllabus; these are the areas tested in recent papers.
CAT eligibility
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).
- Final-year students can apply.
- No age limit and no limit on attempts.
How to prepare for CAT
- 1Read daily — editorials and long-form essays — to build reading speed for VARC.
- 2In DILR, the skill is set selection: scan all sets first and pick the two or three you can crack.
- 3Build arithmetic speed first; it has been the largest share of QA in recent papers.
- 4Use TITA questions to your advantage — there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
- 5Take sectional and full mocks with the 40-minute locks to practise switching mental gears.
CAT FAQs
When is CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three slots. IIM Indore is the convening institute.
Is there negative marking in CAT?
Yes, for multiple-choice questions: +3 for a correct answer and −1 for a wrong one. Type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions have no negative marking.
How many questions are there in CAT?
CAT 2025 had 68 questions: 24 VARC, 22 DILR and 22 QA, with 40 minutes per section. The count can vary slightly by year.
Who can apply for CAT?
Graduates with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD) and final-year undergraduate students. There is no age limit.
How many times can I take CAT?
There is no limit on the number of attempts.
Do colleges other than the IIMs accept CAT?
Yes. Many business schools — such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR and the management schools of several IITs — use CAT scores in their admissions.
Practise CAT on GyanBook
Timed quizzes and mock tests that follow the real marking scheme, instant scores with step-by-step solutions, and progress tracking for every subject. Free to start.
Related exams
GyanBook India is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with the body that conducts CAT. These details were checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Exam dates, eligibility rules and patterns can change — always confirm them on the official website (iimcat.ac.in) before you apply.