CAT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
KibooCAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: What Is the CAT Exam?
What Is the CAT (Common Admission Test)? The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most widely accepted national-level MBA entrance examination, conducted once every year by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. A valid CAT score is used by leading management institutes across the country to shortlist candidates for MBA and PGDM programs.

Frequently Asked Questions
The CAT eligibility criteria are simple and inclusive. To appear for the CAT exam, a candidate must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree with the required minimum marks. There are no restrictions related to age, academic stream, or number of attempts.
Key eligibility requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
Minimum 3 years degree duration
Minimum marks:
50% for General / OBC / EWS
45% for SC / ST / PwD
No age limit
No attempt limit
No, a diploma alone is not sufficient to meet CAT eligibility criteria. CAT strictly requires a bachelor’s degree.
Important points:
10+2 diploma holders are not eligible
Diploma + bachelor’s degree holders are eligible
Degree must be UGC/AIU recognized
CAT scores are accepted by a wide range of prestigious management institutes across India.
Institutes accepting CAT scores include:
20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
IITs offering MBA (e.g., IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay)
Top B-schools such as:
FMS Delhi
MDI Gurgaon
SPJIMR Mumbai
1000+ private and government MBA colleges
Each institute applies its own cutoff and selection process.
Yes, many reputed CAT coaching institutes and online platforms provide free eligibility assessment to help aspirants confirm their CAT eligibility before registration.
Common services offered:
Graduation eligibility check
Category-based marks verification
Profile evaluation for IIMs
CAT form guidance and error checks
Popular coaching platforms usually offer this service during the registration period
Yes, final-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply for CAT.
Conditions to remember:
Graduation result can be awaited at the time of CAT registration
Final marks must meet eligibility criteria before admission
Failure to complete graduation may lead to cancellation of admission
During CAT registration, documents are not uploaded, but details must be accurate. Proof is verified later during admission.
Documents generally required later:
Graduation mark sheets or provisional certificate
Final-year certificate (if applicable)
Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), if claimed
Valid ID proof
Incorrect information can lead to disqualification at later stages.
No, work experience is not required for CAT eligibility.
Key points:
Fresh graduates can apply
Work experience is optional
Some IIMs may give extra weight to work experience during selection, but it is not mandatory
Several online platforms help aspirants verify CAT eligibility and understand admission chances.
Common platforms include:
Official CAT website (for rules and notifications)
Online coaching portals
MBA preparation websites
College predictor and profile evaluation tools
These platforms help reduce form error and eligibility confusion.
No, there is no age limit for the CAT exam.
What this means:
No minimum age restriction
No maximum age restriction
Open to fresh graduates, working professionals, and career switchers
CAT is one of the most flexible MBA entrance exams in India in terms of age criteria.
Related Articles
Popular articles

Top MBA Colleges Accepting MAH MBA CE... 8 min read

CAT 2025 Result: Expected Date, Score... 5 min read

WHAT IS CAT EXAM? 6 Minute

CAT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 6 Minute






