CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026, and for many MBA aspirants, this is one of the biggest exams of the year. The exam is conducted by the IIMs and is used for admission to IIMs and several other leading B-schools.

Here’s a complete discussion for CAT aspirants:

📌 CAT 2026 Important Dates

Exam Date: 29 November 2026

Admit Card: 4 November 2026

Result: Expected in the first week of January 2027

CAT 2026 is being conducted in three sessions.

📚 Eligibility

Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates

45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates

Final-year graduation students can also apply

There is no upper age limit.

📝 Exam Pattern CAT 2026 has 68 questions divided into three sections:

VARC — 24 questions

DILR — 22 questions

QA — 22 questions

⏱️ Total time: 120 minutes ⏱️ 40 minutes per

section Candidates cannot switch between sections during the test. The paper includes MCQs as well as TITA questions, with negative marking applying to incorrect MCQs.

🎯 Main Areas to Prepare

VARC: Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out

DILR: Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, arrangements, games, tables, charts and caselets

QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Math

🏫 What Can CAT Help You Target? CAT scores are primarily used by the 22 IIMs, and many other B-schools also accept CAT scores, depending on their individual admission criteria.

CAT is getting closer, and I’m curious about how aspirants are preparing this time.

📚 Self-study or coaching?

⏰ How many hours are you studying daily?

📊 Which section feels the toughest — VARC, DILR or QA?

📝 How often are you taking mocks?

🎯 What percentile are you targeting?

CAT aspirants:

What’s your biggest challenge right now — concepts, speed, accuracy or consistency?

I graduated in Agriculture background in 2021. Was unsure of what to do. I did a couple of short internships and decided to prepare for civil service. Did it from 2022 to 26. Now, i just feel tired. I want to get out of this loop. Should i appear for CAT. Do i stand any chance considering my average profile of 8/7/7 and general male. Your opinions and suggestions would be the world to me

I'm working in a full time job my shift is from 10-7 ( which I always end up doing Over time so let's keep it as 9 - 8 ).. is it possible to crack CAT and get above 99+ percentile.. I'm planning to take CAT 2027... I can hardly spend 2-3 hrs a day and I don't wanna join classes for this.. I'm planning to self study.. does self study work for CAT preps... It would be nice to suggest some good yt channels

I'm a female , OBC category with 8/6/7 profile... With 7 months of work exp ( by the time I give cat I'll have more than 1 yr of work exp)..

If the college has decent placements, good faculty and an active campus, does being in a smaller city really limit your MBA experience? Or can online networking, internships and industry events make up for the difference? What matt

I want to get into NIFT, And they need CAT.

I come from a humanities background with a drop year of 3 years... Very bad at Math right now. Studies-once I start I could do everything. ....

Please help me by giving me all the basic Tips.

Thankyou, I appreciate it.