CAT 2026 Complete Guide: Registration, Exam Pattern, Percentile Trends, IIM Calls and Placements

CAT 2026

CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on 29 November 2026. The exam will have 68 questions, a duration of 120 minutes, and three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. CAT scores are accepted by all IIMs and over 1,300 MBA colleges across India. While a 95+ percentile is generally considered competitive for many top B-schools, final admission depends on CAT score, academics, work experience, diversity factors, and interview performance.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

CAT 2026 At a Glance

CAT Registration Trends (2019–2025)

One of the most searched CAT questions is: "How many students appear for CAT every year?" The data shows that CAT registrations surged significantly after 2021.

Key Insight

Although registrations declined in 2025, competition remains significantly higher than pre-2022 levels. Nearly 2.6 lakh candidates still appeared for the examination.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer: +3

• Wrong MCQ: -1

• TITA Questions: No Negative Marking

CAT Pattern Evolution

The biggest recent change occurred in CAT 2024 when DILR increased from 20 to 22 questions.

CAT Score vs Percentile Trends

The CAT exam does not publish official marks-to-percentile conversions. Historical data shows that percentile requirements vary significantly based on difficulty level.

Major Observation

The difference between CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 demonstrates why aspirants should focus on percentile rather than raw marks. A 99 percentile required only 77 marks in CAT 2023 but 95 marks in CAT 2024.

Which Section Was Toughest in CAT 2025?

Most students and mba exagreed that:

• DILR was the toughest section.

• QA was moderate to difficult.

• VARC was relatively easier.

DILR emerged as the primary differentiator among high-percentile candidates.

Can You Crack CAT Starting in September?

Yes.

As of September 2026, roughly 70 days remain before CAT.

Students with basic concept clarity should focus on:

• Mock Tests

• Error Analysis

• Revision

• Accuracy Improvement

• Sectional Tests

The final two months candidates should prioritize on strengthening the topics they know already rather than learning entirely new topics.

CAT Mock Percentiles: How Reliable Are They?

Mock percentiles are useful for tracking progress but should not be treated as exact predictors.

What Students Should Rather Focus On?

• Accuracy trend

• Mock consistency

• Sectional strengths

• Error reduction

CAT 2026 Expected Percentile Targets

Actual calls vary significantly based on academics, category, gender diversity, and work experience.

How Much Does CAT Score Matter?

Many aspirants assume admission depends entirely on CAT percentile. This is not true.

At most top IIMs:

A strong interview can significantly improve final selection chances.

CAT 2025 Highlights

IIM And Top Non IIMs - Fees and Placement Trends

Placement outcomes vary significantly across IIMs. Candidates should evaluate median salary, recruiter mix, and fees alongside average CTC figures.

CAT 2026 FAQs

When is CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 will be conducted on 29 November 2026 by IIM Indore.

Who can apply for CAT 2026?

Candidates with a bachelor's degree and at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) can apply. Final-year students are also eligible.

Is there an age limit for CAT?

No. CAT has no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts.

How many candidates appear for CAT every year?

Approximately 2.5–3 lakh candidates appear annually, making it India's largest MBA entrance aexamination.

Is 95 percentile enough for IIMs?

For some IIMs, yes. For BLACKI IIMs, candidates generally require significantly higher percentiles along with strong academic profiles.

What is a good CAT score?

A score corresponding to 95 percentile or above is generally considered competitive for many leading MBA colleges.

CAT is not merely an aptitude test. It is the first stage of a broader MBA admission process involving academics, work experience, diversity factors, and interviews. Historical trends show that exam difficulty changes every year, but candidates who consistently improve accuracy, mock performance, and interview readiness maximize their chances of converting top MBA colleges.