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It’s Official: CAT 2026 on Nov 29; Website iimcat.ac.in UPDATED, Registration Aug 3, Pattern, Difficulty
CAT 2026 notification is out ! CAT 2026 registration is to begin from August 03, 2026 @iimcat.ac.in. and CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026. To appear for the CAT 2026, the management aspirants have to meet the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria which includes having a graduation degree from the recognised university as well as 50% marks in graduation for the general candidates. The CAT 2026 registration fee has been increased this year also following the last 2-3 years’ trend. CAT 2026 application fee is Rs 2700/- for the general candidates and 1350/- for the SC/ST candidates. CAT 2026 registration last date is September 15, 2026. While there is no official confirmation about the CAT conducting IIM, it is expected that IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026. Explore the article to learn more about the CAT 2026 exam date, CAT 2026 eligibility criteria, CAT 2026 application process, CAT 2026 admit card date, CAT 2026 preparation tips etc.
This Story also Contains
- CAT 2026 VARC: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
- CAT 2026 DILR: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
- CAT 2026 QA: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
- What to Expect in CAT 2026? Overall Paper Analysis (IIM I CAT 2020 Paper)
- CAT Exam 2026: Last Time IIM Indore Conduct CAT Paper (Section-Wise) Analysis
- Will CAT 2026 Exam Paper Difficulty Level Same As CAT 2020?
- CAT 2026 Exam Date:
- CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
- CAT 2026 Syllabus
- CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- Important Topics for CAT 2026
- CAT 2026 Books
- CAT 2026 Cutoff (Expected)
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CAT 2026 VARC: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
As per the last time when IIM Indore conducted the CAT exam, it is noted that the Reading Comprehension section covers 18 questions, with 8 questions bifurcated among the Verbal Ability (parajumbles) as 3 questions, Verbal Ability (summary) as 3 questions and Verbal Ability (Odd One Out) as 2 questions.
We are not expecting the same pattern for the CAT 2026 exam, but the difficulty level of CAT 2020 VARC can be concluded by the aspirants as per IIM Indore.
Topic | No. of Questions | Attempts | Genres |
Reading Comprehension | 18 (5+5+4+4) | 14-16 | International Relations Science & Technology Psychology History Biology Economics, etc. |
Verbal Ability – Parajumbles | 3 | 3 | |
Verbal Ability – Summary | 3 | 3 | |
Verbal Ability – Parajumbles (Odd One Out) | 2 | 2 |
CAT 2026 DILR: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
This section covers the detailed CAT exam paper analysis of CAT 2020 of the DILR section, which was conducted by IIM Indore. Aspirants can conclude the same difficulty level in CAT 2026 too.
The CAT exam paper conducted by IIM Indore in 2020 covers various topics in the slot 1 of the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sections, such as Driver and Rating (DI), Student and Exam (DI), Set on Patients (DI), Institute Vendors (LR) and Musicians (LR).
CAT DILR (Slot 1) | Topic | No. of Questions | Ideal Attempts |
Slot 1 | Driver and Rating (DI) | 4 | 4 |
Slot 1 | Students and Exam (DI) | 6 | 3 |
Slot 1 | Set on Patients (DI) | 4 | 3 |
Slot 1 | Institute Vendors (LR) | 6 | 3 |
Slot 1 | Musicians (LR) | 4 | 4 |
CAT 2026 QA: Detailed CAT Exam Analysis of CAT 2020 (IIM Indore) Paper
The Quant sections are widely categorized in the major sections in the CAT exam, such as Number System, Algebra, Arithmetic, Modern Math, Geometry and Mensuration. In the CAT 2020 paper, it is noticed that 5 questions came in Number System, 8 questions in Algebra, 10 questions in Arithmetic, 0 from Modern Maths and 3 questions from Geometry and Mensuration.
Out of all these metrics, it was 3-4 questions were doable in Number System, 5-6 questions in Algebra, 7-8 questions were doable in Arithmetic and 1-2 questions were from Geometry and Mensuration. It is expected that the arithmetic section will carry good weightage in the CAT 2026 exam too. So candidates can focus the high-weightage topics in their CAT exam preparation.
Section | Topic | No. of Questions | Doable |
Quantitative Ability | Number System | 5 | 3–4 |
Quantitative Ability | Algebra | 8 | 5–6 |
Quantitative Ability | Arithmetic | 10 | 7–8 |
Quantitative Ability | Modern Math | 0 | – |
Quantitative Ability | Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 1–2 |
What to Expect in CAT 2026? Overall Paper Analysis (IIM I CAT 2020 Paper)
Well, if we are analyzing the CAT 2020 exam pattern, it is noticed that the VARC section covers 26 questions with a total of 22 MCQs and 4 non-MCQs, and it was of a moderate-to-difficult level set by IIM Indore in CAT 2020, whereas the DILR section consists of 24 questions with the distribution of 19 MCQs and 5 non-MCQ questions and is remarked as moderate to difficult.
Finally, the Quant section covers a total of 26 questions with the distribution of 18 MCQs and 8 non-MCQs and is remarked as moderate difficulty level.
We can’t expect the same CAT exam pattern in CAT 2026 but can conclude the equivalent difficulty level, so candidates can focus more on the DILR and VARC sections, followed by the Quant.
Section | Total Questions | Total MCQs | Total Non-MCQs | Remarks |
VARC | 26 | 22 | 4 | Moderate – Difficult |
DILR | 24 | 19 | 5 | Moderate–Difficult |
Quants | 26 | 18 | 8 | Moderate |
Overall | 76 | 59 | 17 | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT 2020 by IIM Indore
99%ile = 101 marks (44%)
CAT Exam 2026: Last Time IIM Indore Conduct CAT Paper (Section-Wise) Analysis
Here we break down the section-wise analysis of the CAT 2020 paper conducted by IIM Indore so that candidates can conclude the structured CAT 2026 preparation.
CAT Exam VARC Section
Section | Total Questions | Total MCQs | Total Non-MCQs | Remarks |
VARC | 26 | 22 | 4 | Moderate – Difficult |
CAT Exam DILR Section
Section | Total Questions | Total MCQs | Total Non-MCQs | Remarks |
DILR | 24 | 19 | 5 | Moderate – Difficult |
CAT Exam QA Section
Section | Total Questions | Total MCQs | Total Non-MCQs | Remarks |
QA | 26 | 18 | 8 | Moderate |
Will CAT 2026 Exam Paper Difficulty Level Same As CAT 2020?
No one will give you the exact analysis of this question. The difficulty level of the CAT exam paper depends on various parameters such as the number of candidates registered for the exam, slots, which IIM will conduct the exam in, variation in questions and more. Candidates can expect the equivalence in the CAT 2026 paper.
So we can’t exactly predict the difficulty level of the exam paper, but we can expect the equivalence from the past year’s trend of the same IIM when conducting the CAT exam paper.
Last time IIM Indore conducted the CAT 2020 exam, and it was concluded that the VARC and DILR sections were both emphasised as moderate to difficult, whereas the Quant section was at a moderate level.
In between CAT 2020 and CAT 2025, the exam pattern also changed, which gives the clear sign of the unpredictability of the CAT exam.
CAT 2026 Exam Date:
CAT 2026 Highlights | Details |
CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test |
CAT 2026 Accepted By | 22 IIMs and all major management schools in India |
CAT 2026 Registration Date | August 1, 2026 (Expected) |
Students Appeared Last Year | 2.58 lakh candidates |
CAT 2026 Registration Fee | Rs. 2,600 (General); Rs. 1,300 (SC/ST) |
CAT 2026 Admit Card Date | 2nd Week of November 2026 (Expected) |
CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Expected) |
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
CAT 2026 Conducting IIM (Expected) | IIM Indore |
CAT 2026 Total Marks | 204 (as per last year) |
CAT 2026 Total Questions | 68 (as per last year) |
CAT 2026 Sections | 3 – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
CAT 2026 Exam Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
CAT 2026 Marks for Correct Answer | +3 Marks |
CAT 2026 Negative Marking | -1 Mark for every incorrect MCQ answer |
CAT 2026 Syllabus
There is no specific CAT 2026 syllabus that has been released by the conducting authorities. However, it is suggested that an aspirant follow the Class 10 syllabus for English and Maths. To give you a basic idea of the syllabus for the upcoming CAT 2026, we have taken out a list of topics from previous year question papers. Through this, candidates will get a basic idea of planning and prepare an effective preparation strategy.
Check out the CAT total questions asked from various topics given below:
CAT 2025 Syllabus | CAT 2025 Topics |
Verbal Ability | Para summary, Odd sentence out, Inferences, Odd one out, One-word substitution, Syllogism and Analogies, Verbal logic |
Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension passages |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | Blood Relations, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks and Calendars, Tables, Graphs, Charts, Connectives, Logical Sequence, Matching/ Puzzles, Number and Letter Series, Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Binary Logic, Caselets and Table |
Quantitative Aptitude | Geometry, Trigonometry, Averages, Percentages, Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Modern Maths, Profit and Loss, Simple & Compound Interest |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 exam pattern will be based on the three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates will get 40 minutes to work on each section, and the exam will most likely be conducted in both multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and non-MCQ formats.
Below is the CAT exam pattern 2026, which will be helpful for all the candidates.
Particulars | Details |
Mode of the CAT 2026 exam | Computer-based test |
Sections in CAT 2026 |
|
Section-wise duration of the CAT exam | 40 minutes per section (Total 120 minutes) |
Total number of questions in CAT 2025 | 68 (Expected) |
Section-wise questions |
(Keep in mind that this is not fixed and can be changed.) |
Total marks of CAT exam 2026 | 204 |
Medium of the CAT exam | English |
Type of questions | MCQs and Non-MCQ |
Marking Scheme for CAT 2026 |
|
Important Topics for CAT 2026
The CAT 2026 exam syllabus is never released by the CAT exam conducting body. Therefore, candidates are advised to go through CAT previous year question papers to get a rough estimate of what to expect. Every year, the CAT exam is conducted where several important questions are asked. Therefore, candidates must go through the following list of important topics that are frequently asked in the CAT exam.
Section | Topics |
Quantitative Ability (Quant) | Arithmetic- (Ratios, Averages, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, etc.) |
Number Properties - (HCF, LCM, Factors) | |
Geometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Mensuration) | |
Algebra (Equations, Logarithms, Inequalities) | |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Para Jumbles |
Sentence Correction | |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI) | Data Interpretation- (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets) |
Tables- (Tables with missing data) | |
Arrangements- (Seating Arrangements, Circular Arrangements) | |
Puzzles- Einstein Puzzle, Matrix etc. |
CAT 2026 Books
Choosing the best books for CAT preparation 2026 can be a bit difficult as we don't know the exact requirement, and there are a plethora of books in the market, but not all of them can be helpful in the preparation for the CAT 2026 exam. Below are the following CAT books 2026, which we have prepared section-wise.
Best CAT Books for DILR
CAT Books for DILR | Author/Publisher Name |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha |
Best CAT Books for VARC and Reading Comprehension
CAT Books for VARC | Author/Publisher Name |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT | Sharma and Upadhyay |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/Simon & Schuster |
CAT 2026 Cutoff (Expected)
While we are waiting for the CAT 2026 registration to start around August 01, 2026 here is the IIM CAT cutoff from the previous years. This will give the candidates an idea about the expected CAT 2026 cutoff
IIMs | Category | CAT 2024 for Batch 2025-27 | CAT 2023 for Batch 2024-26 | CAT 2022 for Batch 2023-25 |
IIM Bangalore | General | 95.45 | 91.97 | 86.18 |
EWS | 91.03 | 90.16 | 89.88 | |
NC-OBC | 81.7 | 82.65 | 81.01 | |
SC | 73.04 | 75.12 | 76.21 | |
ST | 76.33 | 74.52 | 73.91 | |
IIM Ahmedabad | General | 90.98 | 93.76 | 87.1 |
EWS | 97.3 | 98.2 | 99.39 | |
NC-OBC | 77.53 | 79.02 | 86.5 | |
SC | 85.39 | 73.68 | 82.86 | |
ST | 73.14 | 74.52 | 72.4 | |
IIM Kozhikode | General | 91.03 | 88.14 | 91.94 |
EWS | 82.26 | 85.67 | 80.45 | |
NC-OBC | 75.2 | 75.42 | 79.01 | |
SC | 67.8 | 67.06 | 65.11 | |
ST | 55.17 | 57.02 | 55.16 | |
PwD | 56.52 | 75.15 | 62.96 | |
IIM Lucknow | General | 91.02 | 92.48 | - |
EWS | 90.13 | 88.18 | - | |
NC-OBC | 86.2 | 83.74 | - | |
SC | 67.2 | 67.36 | - | |
ST | 60.3 | 62.51 | - | |
PwD | 60.3-85.56 | 61.29 | - | |
IIM Indore | General | 92.43 | 92.92 | 90.72 |
EWS | 92.14 | 92.5 | 92.99 | |
NC-OBC | 81.26 | 80.44 | 80.17 | |
SC | 64.71 | 68.93 | 63.31 | |
ST | 49.25 | 52.3 | 48.34 | |
PwD | 63.68 | 52.72 | 45.12 | |
IIM Mumbai | General | 97.04 | - | - |
EWS | 90.55 | - | - | |
NC-OBC | 92.07 | - | - | |
SC | 80.94 | - | - | |
ST | 68.62 | - | - | |
PwD | 78-92.04 | - | - | |
IIM Shillong | General+OBC | - | 98.45 | - |
EWS | - | 98.36 | - | |
SC | - | 83.71 | - | |
ST | - | 69.67 | - | |
PwD | - | 65.18 | - | |
IIM Ranchi | NA | - | - | - |
IIM Raipur | NA | - | - | - |
IIM Trichy | General | 95.01 | 94.01 | 9213 |
EWS | 81.63 | 78.02 | 81.28 | |
NC-OBC | 81.04 | 77.96 | 77.42 | |
SC | 66.16 | 67.06 | 70.21 | |
ST | 51.04 | 55.65 | 61.93 | |
PwD | 72.68 | 47-79.18 | 62.96 | |
IIM Udaipur | General | 95.26 | 95.85 | 92.03 |
EWS | 86.43 | 88.36 | 81.28 | |
NC-OBC | 81.2 | 80.43 | 77.42 | |
SC | 70.76 | 60.76 | 56.44 | |
ST | 43.09 | 43.55 | 55.16 | |
PwD | 70.63 | 47.62 | 62.96 | |
IIM Rohtak | General | 97 | 96 | 95 |
EWS | 93.04 | 92.02 | 90.12 | |
NC-OBC | 83.19 | 84.76 | 78 | |
SC | 63.61 | 68.62 | 57.2 | |
ST | 50 | 54.01 | 54.71 | |
PwD | 11 | - | 74.64 | |
IIM Bodhgaya | NA | - | - | - |
IIM Sirmaur | General | - | 95 | 92 |
EWS | - | 81.02 | 71.01 | |
NC-OBC | - | 81.02 | 74.01 | |
SC | - | 66.06 | 54 | |
ST | - | 42.15 | 40.43 | |
PwD | - | - | - | |
IIM Sambalpur | General | 85.01 | - | 80.02 |
EWS | 80 | - | 70.1 | |
NC-OBC | 75.01 | - | 74 | |
SC | 55.08 | - | 53.16 | |
ST | 42.48 | - | 40.83 | |
PwD | 41.01 | - | - | |
IIM Vizag | General | 82.03 | 82.03 | 80.92 |
EWS | 73.22 | 72.05 | 72.04 | |
NC-OBC | 72.9 | 72.11 | 72.65 | |
SC | 50.42 | 51.33 | 46.62 | |
ST | 40.09 | 41.54 | 36.46 | |
PwD | 41.34 | 40.01 | 39.43 | |
IIM Amritsar | General | - | 88.37 | - |
EWS | - | 88.12 | - | |
NC-OBC | - | 79.63 | - | |
SC | - | 60.94 | - | |
ST | - | 41.28 | - | |
PwD | - | - | - | |
IIM Nagpur | General | - | 94 | 90.16 |
EWS | - | 77.01 | 80 | |
NC-OBC | - | 77 | 77.66 | |
SC | - | 60.02 | 60.97 | |
ST | - | 40.18 | 48.98 | |
PwD | - | 40.01 | 42.25 | |
IIM Kashipur | General | 95.09 | 94 | 92 |
EWS | 81.48 | 77.37 | 71.54 | |
NC-OBC | 81.04 | 77.37 | 74.01 | |
SC | 66.43 | 60.76 | 54.25 | |
ST | 42.59 | 40.18 | 44.71 | |
PwD | 43.29 | 40.01 | 40.32 | |
IIM Jammu | General | 90.06 | 89.01 | 87.03 |
EWS | 78.36 | 72.75 | 67.06 | |
NC-OBC | 78.44 | 72.08 | 71.13 | |
SC | 63.16 | 52.24 | 51.07 | |
ST | 39.05 | 30.57 | 36.46 | |
PwD | 49.91 | 32.96 | 40.32 | |
IIM Calcutta | NA | - | - | - |
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