Overview

India’s top management entrance exam for MBA/PGDM programs is the CAT Test. This yearly test is taken by students who want to be accepted to IIMs and other prestigious universities and assesses the mathematical skill, reading ability, analytical ability, and logical reasoning ability of individuals. The results of the test are used by the best business schools to select students who will go on to receive more advanced training in business management.

Important Dates

Official Notification Release

Last Week Of July 2026

Registration Opens

Tentative- 1 August 2026

Registration Last Date

15-20 September 2026

Application Correction Window

Late September 2026

Admit Card Release

Late October – Early November 2026

Exam Date

29 November 2026 (Last Sundy Of November)

Answer Key Release

Early December 2026

Results Declaration

Mid to late December 2026

Syllabus

Subject Key Topics Weightage
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Tests reading comprehension, verbal ability, para-jumbles, summaries, and sentence completion skills. 35–36%
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Assesses analytical thinking, logical reasoning, caselets, graphs, charts, and data-based problem solving 30–32%
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Evaluates mathematical aptitude including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern math. 32–35%

Exam Pattern

CAT assesses candidates' skills in quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal comprehension via a computer-based management entrance exam. Students taking this management exam are allowed to choose from a combination of multiple choice and non-multiple choice questions in the three skill areas. The exam also evaluates analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and reading skills. CAT serves as a means for graduates of business schools to gain admission to leading MBA programs in India.
  • Exam Name: Common Admission Test (CAT)
  • Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Number of Sections: 3
  • Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section (auto switch)
  • Total Questions: 68
  • Question Types: MCQs & TITA (Type In The Answer)
  • Marking Scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect MCQ, 0 for TITA
  • Language of Exam: English
  • Total Marks: 204

Important Tags

XAT MAT SNAP NMAT CMAT IBSAT