The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most elite MBA entrance test, being the door to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B-schools like FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IMT, IITs, and more.
CAT is administered every year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. The CAT 2026 announcement is one of the most highly anticipated announcements for MBA aspirants wishing to get admission in 2026.
This guide provides the CAT 2026 announcement release date, major schedules, exam pattern, eligibility, application process, and so forth.
Why Choose CAT for MBA Admissions?
- Accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1000+ top B-schools in India.
- Focus on core aptitude skills: QA, DILR, VARC.
- High ROI from top institutes (e.g., IIM Ahmedabad, FMS Delhi).
- Centralized admission process via IIM CAP and other common counseling.
- Standardized and well-structured exam format.
CAT 2025 Notification Release
Expected Notification Date:
- Last week of July 2026 (based on trends from previous years)
Conducting Body
- One of the IIMs (to be announced officially)
Expected Exam Date
- Last Sunday of November 2026 (Tentatively 30th November 2026)
CAT 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| Registration Start | First week of August 2026 |
| Registration Ends | Mid-September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last week of October 2026 |
| Exam Date | 30th November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | First week of January 2026 |
CAT 2026Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | ~24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | ~20 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | ~22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Final Year Students: Eligible to apply.
- Age Limit: No age restriction.
Application Fees (Expected)
| Category | Fees |
| General/OBC | ₹2,400 – ₹2,500 |
| SC/ST/PwD | ₹1,200 – ₹1,300 |
Top B-Schools Accepting CAT 2026 scores
- IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta
- FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai
- IITs (Delhi, Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras)
- IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, DSE, NITIE (IIT Bombay)
My Career Mantra
Begin early, create consistency, and emphasize precision. Practice with mock tests to mock actual timings and continually improve weak spots. Don’t forget, CAT is half about shrewd strategy and half about hard labor.
FAQs
Q1. When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
A: Expected in the last week of July 2025.
Q2. When does CAT 2026registration begin?
A: Likely in the first week of August 2025.
Q3. How many times can I appear for CAT?
A: Once every year, but you can attempt it multiple times in different years.
Q4. Is there a sectional time limit in CAT?
A: Yes, each section has a 40-minute time limit and you cannot switch between sections.
Q5. Is CAT mandatory for IIMs?
A: Yes, CAT is compulsory for admission to IIMs.
Q6. How early is the CAT result declared?
A: Usually in the first week of January, about 4–5 weeks after the exam.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 is your way to India’s top management schools. The notification, due in July 2026, will kick off the MBA application process. Prepare in advance, remain concentrated, and leverage tools such as mocks, study groups, and revision plans.
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