The CAT 2026 has been officially announced, and the exam will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most popular MBA entrance exam for admission to the IIMs and many other leading business schools.
If you are planning to pursue an MBA, understanding the latest CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and marking scheme is the first step towards effective preparation. The good news is that there are no major changes in the exam pattern or syllabus this year.
Many MBA aspirants preparing through airGurukul begin their preparation by understanding the exam structure before starting mock tests and subject-wise study.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern : Highlights
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Total Questions | 68 (Expected) |
| Exam Slots | 3 Slots |
| Courses | MBA & PG Management Programmes |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | July 2026 |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration Ends | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card | 04 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | 29 November 2026 |
| Result | December 2026 (Expected) |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam will be conducted in online mode. Candidates will get 120 minutes to complete the paper, with 40 minutes for each section. Candidates cannot switch between sections until the allotted time for that section is over.
| Section-wise Exam Pattern | ||
| Section | Questions | Time |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 Minutes |
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| Android App | airGurukul Courses |
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
Learn how marks are awarded in CAT 2026 and understand the negative marking rules before attempting the exam.
The CAT exam includes both MCQ and TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
| Response | Marks |
| Correct Answer | +3 Marks |
| Incorrect MCQ | -1 Mark |
| Incorrect TITA | No Negative Marking |
| Unanswered Question | 0 Marks |
Note : Candidates should attempt MCQs carefully because only MCQs carry negative marking.
CAT 2026 Syllabus
The CAT syllabus remains unchanged and mainly covers three core sections based on previous exam trends.
| Section | Important Topics |
| VARC | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Vocabulary, Grammar |
| DILR | Data Interpretation, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Logical Reasoning |
| QA | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Maths |
Note : The IIMs do not release an official detailed syllabus, but these topics are consistently asked based on previous years' papers.
CAT 2026 Preparation Tips
Follow these simple preparation tips to improve your CAT score and boost your MBA admission chances.
- Understand the latest exam pattern.
- Complete the syllabus section by section.
- Practice daily with mock tests.
- Improve reading speed for VARC.
- Solve DILR sets regularly.
- Strengthen basic Quant concepts.
- Analyse previous year papers.
- Revise weak topics every week.
Some Useful Important Links & PDFs
| Important Resource | Click & Download Links |
| Apply Online Link | Click Here (will Activate From 03rd of August) |
| CAT Eligibility Details | Click Here |
| CAT 2026 Notification | Click Here |
| Official CAT Website | Click Here |
| Join airGurukul Channel | Telegram | WhatsApp |
| join airGurukul Live Classes | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 will be held on 29 November 2026 (Sunday) in three computer-based exam slots.
Is there any change in the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
No. The exam pattern and syllabus remain almost unchanged compared to the previous year.
Is there negative marking in CAT 2026?
Yes. One mark is deducted for each incorrect MCQ, while TITA questions have no negative marking.
Where can I download the CAT 2026 notification?
Candidates can check the latest notification and apply through the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in
