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India · 2026 Edition · Updated 2026-04-06
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CAT 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most competitive management entrance exam, conducted by IIMs for admission to MBA/PGP programmes at 20+ IIMs and 100+ B-schools nationwide. The exam tests quantitative ability, verbal ability, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. Over 2.5 lakh candidates appear annually for ~5,000 seats.

Year
2026
Subjects
3
Topics
31
Cost
Free

Tracked daily from https://iimcat.ac.in. See 2026 calendar →

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📋 Exam Pattern

3 sections (VA-RC, DILR, QA), 66 questions total, 2 hours, scaled score out of 300. Each correct answer gets 3 marks, 1 mark deducted for wrong answer.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognised university. Final year students eligible to apply.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 31 topics across 3 subjects

VARC

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8 topics · Reading Comprehension· Verbal Ability· Summary + more

DILR

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9 topics · Data Interpretation Tables· Data Interpretation Charts· Data Interpretation Graphs + more

QA

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14 topics · Percentages· Profit-Loss· Time-Work + more

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Frequently Asked Questions — CAT

Everything you need to know about CAT. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

When does CAT 2026 registration open, and what is the exact fee for each category?
CAT 2026 registration typically opens in the first week of August (notification expected by July 2025). The application fee is Rs 2,000 for General and EWS candidates, while SC, ST, and PwD applicants pay Rs 1,000. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online via net banking, credit/debit cards, or UPI. Candidates appearing for the exam in multiple slots may attract additional charges. Register before the last date (usually mid-September) to avoid the late fee window. Keep your 10th, 12th, and bachelor's mark sheets ready for upload during form submission. Source: iimcat.ac.in
How many questions appear in each section of CAT 2026, and what is the total exam duration?
CAT 2026 consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) with 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) with 20 questions, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) with 22 questions—totalling 66 questions and 198 marks. Each section is allotted exactly 40 minutes, making the entire computer-based test 120 minutes. Candidates cannot switch between sections freely; the interface enforces section-wise time limits. Negative marking applies (–1 for incorrect MCQs, no penalty for TITA questions). Source: iimcat.ac.in
What is the minimum educational qualification required to appear for CAT 2026?
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (or an equivalent CGPA) from a recognized university or institute. Students in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they complete all academic requirements before the admission process. There is no age limit for CAT 2026, and candidates from multiple academic backgrounds—including Engineering, Commerce, Arts, and Science—are equally eligible. Ensure your degree college is UGC-approved; foreign universities require an equivalence certificate from the competent authority. Source: iimcat.ac.in
Which specific topics carry the highest weightage in the Quantitative Aptitude section for CAT 2026?
Based on the CAT 2026 syllabus, QA focuses on Arithmetic (percentages, profit-loss, time-work, Pipes and Cisterns), Algebra (quadratic equations, progressions, functions), Geometry and Mensuration, Number Systems, and Modern Math (permutations, probability, logarithms). Arithmetic alone accounts for roughly 7–8 questions in most years, making it the highest-weightage area. Geometry contributes 3–4 questions, while Modern Math typically has 2–3 questions. Focus your topic-wise quiz practice on Arithmetic first, then move to Geometry and Algebra. Source: iimcat.ac.in
How should I use topic-wise quizzes to maximise my CAT 2026 preparation score?
Solve topic-wise quizzes daily under timed conditions—allocate 1.5 minutes per question for QA and DILR, and 1.8 minutes per VARC RC question. Start with weak areas first; track your accuracy per topic using a spreadsheet. Aim for 80%+ accuracy in Arithmetic and Geometry before moving to advanced modules. For DILR, practise at least two sets of 4-question DI and 4-question LR puzzles weekly. After each quiz, spend 10 minutes reviewing mistakes and noting the concept or reasoning gap. Repeat the same quiz after 7 days to test retention. Source: iimcat.ac.in

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How to Prepare for CAT

1

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2

Study Topic by Topic

Open free notes for each topic, chosen by your roadmap. Three depth tiers: Quick, Standard, Deep.

3

Track & Revise

Mark topics complete as you go. Your roadmap adapts to your pace and keeps high-weightage topics first.

Exam Name CAT
Country 🇮🇳 India
Subjects VARC, DILR, QA
Total Topics 31
Official Source https://iimcat.ac.in
Last Updated 2026-04-06