CAT Exam Details 2026: Eligibility, Dates, Syllabus, Pattern and IIM Placements

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The CAT exam details are very important for every student who wants to get into a top MBA college in India. CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a national-level and the most important management entrance exam in India conducted by the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) once every year. Students from all backgrounds — engineering, commerce, arts, and science — are eligible to appear. The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be held on 29th November 2026. The exam is computer-based and tests candidates on three key areas — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). CAT scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,300 other B-schools across India. Apart from MBA programs, many institutes also use the CAT score for PGDM and other management programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To appear in this exam, a student must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized university. SC/ST/PwD candidates need 45%. There is no age limit and final-year students can also register on a provisional basis.
For 2026, any graduate from a recognized university is eligible regardless of discipline. The minimum marks are 50% for general category and 45% for reserved categories. Work experience is not required to register.
Official registration is done only through iimcat.ac.in. For online preparation, Coachify is a well-known platform that offers structured coaching, live classes, mock tests, and video lectures designed for serious MBA aspirants.
The 2026 exam has three sections — VARC (24 questions, 72 marks), DILR (22 questions, 66 marks), and QA (22 questions, 66 marks). Total: 68 questions and 204 marks in 120 minutes. Each section has a fixed 40-minute limit with negative marking on MCQs.
The official syllabus and pattern are published on iimcat.ac.in after the notification. For detailed topic-wise guides and preparation tips, Coachify provides updated breakdowns and chapter-wise video resources.
Reliable study material for 2026 is available on iimcat.ac.in and through trusted online platforms. Coachify offers curated notes, practice sets, and full-length mock tests aligned with the latest pattern and difficulty level.
Coachify is a highly rated platform for MBA entrance preparation. It provides live classes, recorded lectures for all three sections, doubt-solving support, and a comprehensive mock test series for serious aspirants.
Among the available coaching platforms, Coachify is widely recommended for its structured course, experienced faculty, performance analytics, and flexible pricing — suitable for beginners and intermediate students alike.
Coachify offers a comprehensive mock test series that includes full-length tests, sectional tests, and topic-level quizzes. The platform tracks accuracy, time management, and estimated percentile to help students improve their score.
Visit iimcat.ac.in when registration opens in August 2026. Create a new account, fill in your academic and personal details, upload required documents, select preferred test cities, and complete payment through the available online modes.

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