CAT Exam 2026

The Common Admission Test (CAT) UG 2026 is a premier national-level entrance examination. While traditionally known for postgraduate admissions, several integrated programs and specialized undergraduate courses now utilize these scores.

• Exam Name: CAT UG 2026
• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA) / Coordinating IIMs
• Exam Level: National
• Frequency: Once a year
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Language: English

Stay updated with the tentative schedule for the CAT 2026 session. Please note that these dates are subject to official notification.

• Online Registration Starts: Second week of February 2026
• Last Date to Apply: Last week of March 2026
• Admit Card Release: First week of May 2026
• CAT 2026 Exam Date: Third week of May 2026
• Answer Key Challenge: First week of June 2026
• Result Declaration: Last week of June 2026

CAT is a highly competitive entrance examination designed to assess the aptitude, analytical skills, and linguistic proficiency of candidates. For undergraduate aspirants, it serves as a gateway to prestigious Integrated Programmes in Management (IPM) and other professional degree courses offered by top-tier Indian institutes.

The full form of CAT is the Common Admission Test. It is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous entrance exams in India, testing candidates on various quantitative and verbal parameters.

Over the last decade, the CAT exam has evolved from a paper-pencil format to a sophisticated Computer Based Test (CBT). The number of applicants has seen a steady rise, reaching over 3 lakh candidates in recent years. The exam has also adapted its pattern to focus more on logical reasoning and data interpretation rather than just rote memorization.

To be eligible for the CAT UG 2026 exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 (HSC) or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
• Minimum Marks: Usually a minimum of 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD) is required.
• Age Limit: Generally, candidates should not be more than 20 years of age as of July 1, 2026.

The application process for CAT UG 2026 is entirely online. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official portal and click on 'New Registration'.
2. Enter personal details to generate a User ID and Password.
3. Fill out the detailed application form including academic history.
4. Upload scanned documents (Photograph, Signature, Category Certificate).
5. Pay the application fee via net banking, credit card, or UPI.
6. Submit the form and print the confirmation page.

The exam is designed to test holistic intelligence through the following subjects:

• Quantitative Ability (QA): Mathematics and numerical skills.
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): English language and grammar.
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Analytical and deductive skills.

The CAT UG 2026 syllabus covers the following key areas:

• VARC: Reading comprehension, para-jumbles, sentence correction, and vocabulary.
• DILR: Blood relations, seating arrangements, syllogisms, tables, graphs, and caselets.
• QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Math.

Understanding the pattern is crucial for time management:

• Total Questions: Approximately 66 - 75 questions.
• Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section).
• Marking Scheme: +3 for every correct answer; -1 for every wrong MCQ. No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
• Sectional Limit: Candidates cannot switch between sections during the allotted time.

The admission process involves multiple stages:

• Stage 1: Qualifying the CAT 2026 entrance exam.
• Stage 2: Shortlisting based on CAT scores and academic profile.
• Stage 3: Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
• Stage 4: Final merit list based on composite scores.

Several prestigious institutions accept CAT scores for their undergraduate and integrated programs, including:

• Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) offering IPM (Indore, Rohtak, Ranchi, etc.).
• Faculty of Management Studies (FMS).
• Management Development Institute (MDI).
• Various Central and State Universities for specialized management tracks.

The CAT UG 2026 results will be declared on the official website. Candidates can download their scorecard by logging in with their credentials. The scorecard will display sectional and overall percentiles, which remain valid for one year.

After the results are announced, candidates must:

• Check the individual cut-offs of participating institutes.
• Apply separately to institutes if required.
• Prepare for the next rounds of selection, such as Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
• Keep all academic transcripts ready for verification.

There is no centralized counselling for CAT. Each participating university or IIM conducts its own selection process. Candidates must track the Selection Briefing or Counselling Notification of the specific college they are interested in and attend the document verification process as scheduled.

The cut-off is the minimum percentile required to qualify for the next round. Factors affecting the cut-off include:

• Difficulty level of the exam.
• Number of test-takers.
• Number of available seats.
• Previous year trends.

Top IIMs usually have a cut-off ranging from 95 to 99+ percentile.

For any queries regarding the CAT UG 2026 examination, candidates can reach out to the official helpdesk:

• Official Website: iimcat.ac.in
• Helpline Number: 1800-210-1088
• Email Support: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in
• Address: Relevant Coordinating IIM Office / NTA Headquarters, New Delhi.