Jaipuria Institute of Management

CAT is India’s most competitive MBA entrance exam, accepted by IIMs and leading business schools across the country. This guide covers CAT 2026 exam dates, registration process, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, preparation strategy, score validity, selection process, and top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most competitive MBA entrance exam and the mandatory gateway for admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is conducted annually on a rotational basis by one of the older IIMs. CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore.

Beyond the IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by several leading MBA and PGDM colleges across India, making it one of the most important management entrance examinations for aspiring business leaders.

Candidates can register for CAT 2026 on the official CAT website once registration opens.

*The application fee may be subject to revision upon release of the official CAT Exam 2026 notification.

The CAT exam is conducted in a single two-hour session with sectional time limits.

Accuracy is crucial because incorrect MCQ responses incur penalties.

CAT scores are generally valid for only one admission cycle. CAT 2026 scores will be used primarily for MBA and PGDM admissions in the 2027–29 academic session.