Know everything about Common Aptitude Test (CAT) 2026

Know everything about CAT 2026: Application Form, Registration Date, Admit Card, Exam Dates, Result

Considered one of the most competitive exams in India, the CAT (Common Aptitude Test) is certainly a big deal for management aspirants. 20 IIMs, 100+ Top B-schools, 4,000 seats, years of preparation, and all applicants eyeing the best seat on offer. Such is the power of CAT!

The CAT 2026 Test is composed of a total of 100 objective and subjective questions. This year, the Common Aptitude Test (CAT) exam has 3 sections-

• Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)

Candidates will be allotted exactly 40 minutes for answering questions in each section, and they will not be allowed to switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section.

Common Aptitude Test (CAT) 2026 is not far away! IIM Indore will conduct it in three slots, and the duration of the Common Aptitude Test (CAT) 2026 will be 120 minutes. The results will be announced in the first week of January 2020. With the announcement of cut-offs, the admissions will commence.

Common Aptitude Test (CAT Exam 2026) Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of the CAT 2026 exam:

Registration Fee-

• INR 1350/- for SC, ST, and PwD Category
• INR 2700/- for General, NC-OBC, EWS, and other categories

How to Apply  for Common Aptitude Test (CAT) Exams – Process of Registration

The registration process for CAT 2026 begins in the first week of August 2026. Visit https://iimcat.ac.in for online registration. Once the registration process is completed, the login details to fill out the application form are sent via email.

Once the candidate receives the login details, the application form can be filled out. The form requires details that include personal information, communication mode, educational qualification, scanned photograph, and signature. The application fee for general/OBC candidates is Rs. 2700 and Rs. 1350 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.

Eligibility criteria for Common Aptitude Test (CAT) Exam

As per the official eligibility criteria of CAT, the candidates for the exam should meet the following parameters –

• A bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized institute or university.
• There’s no age limit to appear for the Common Aptitude Test (CAT) 2026.
• Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PWD category need to score a minimum of 45% in a bachelor’s or any discipline from a recognized institute or university.
• The students who have appeared for their final year bachelor’s degree exam with the required percentage and are awaiting results can apply for CAT 2026.

Application Invited for PGDM 2026 at Jaipuria Institute of Management through CAT – Apply Now

Reservation

As per the legal requirements, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, 27% for Other Backward Classes candidates belonging to the “Non-Creamy” layer (NC-OBC), up to 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) candidates and 5% for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD).

As defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act 2016), “Person with Benchmark Disability” means a person with not less than forty percent (40%) of a specified disability where the specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with disability where the specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority. “Specified disability” means the disabilities as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. The categories of disability are:

a) Blindness and low vision,
b) Deaf and hard of hearing,
c) Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy,
d) Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness
e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d),
f) other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016.

For the purpose of being considered for reservation, the applicable Central Government list as of the last date of CAT registration shall be binding. No subsequent changes will be effective for CAT 2026 and any subsequent selection process of the IIMs.

Common Aptitude Test (CAT) Exam Test Centres

Common Aptitude Test (CAT) will be conducted in centers spread across 170 test cities. Test cities will be mentioned on the CAT website, and the name of the test center will be indicated in the Admit Card.

IIMs reserve the right to change or cancel any test center/city and/or change the test time and date at their discretion.

Application Invited for PGDM 2026 at Jaipuria Institute of Management through CAT – Apply Now

How to get admission to the Jaipuria Institute of Management?

Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow, Noida, Indore, and Jaipur accept CAT/MAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT scores for entry to its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) Course. If selected, applicants have to sit in group discussions and personal interview rounds.

Below is the selected parameter with due weightage:

• Score in CAT/MAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT: 45%
• Case Analysis: 10%
• Personal Interview: 25%
• Academic Performance in X Std., XII Std., Degree/Post Graduate Degree: 15%
• Work Experience, Sports & Extra Curricular Activities: 03%
• Diversity: 02%

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About CAT 2026

1. What is CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted for admission to postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other participating B-schools.

2. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?

CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 29 November 2026. The examination will be held in multiple slots across designated test cities in India.

3. What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?

CAT 2026 consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates will get 40 minutes for each section and cannot switch between sections during the examination.

4. What are the eligibility criteria for CAT 2026?

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university or institution. For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45% marks. Final-year bachelor’s degree students can also apply.

5. Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?

No, there is no age limit for appearing in CAT 2026. Candidates who meet the prescribed educational eligibility criteria can apply for the examination.

6. What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?

The CAT 2026 registration fee is INR 2,700 for General, NC-OBC, EWS and other categories, while candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD categories need to pay INR 1,350.

7. How can I register for CAT 2026?

Candidates can register for CAT 2026 online through the official CAT website. The application process requires candidates to provide personal and academic details and upload documents such as a photograph and signature.

8. How many sections are there in CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 has three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section is allotted 40 minutes, making the total examination duration 120 minutes.

9. Which colleges accept CAT scores for admission?

CAT scores are primarily used for admission to the IIMs, along with numerous other leading management institutes and B-schools across India. Individual institutes may have their own eligibility, cutoff, and selection criteria.

10. Does Jaipuria Institute of Management accept CAT scores?

Yes. Jaipuria Institute of Management accepts CAT scores for admission to its PGDM programmes offered at its Noida, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Indore campuses. Selection may also consider factors such as group discussions, personal interviews, academic performance, and work experience.

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