CAT 2026 Registration Begins August 3: What Are The Major Changes Introduced This Year | Education and Career News
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CAT 2026: The exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, and the result is expected to be announced in the first week of January 2027.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website, iimcat.ac.in, for the latest updates related to CAT 2026. (AI Image)
The notification for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 has been released. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will conduct the exam on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across 170 cities in India. The CAT 2026 registration process will begin on August 3, 2026, at 10 AM. Candidates can submit their applications until September 15, 2026, by 5 PM.
CAT scores will be used for admission to 21 IIMs and other leading business schools, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, and IIFT.
Major Changes in CAT 2026
Registration Fee Increased
The CAT 2026 application fee has been increased for all categories. General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates will now have to pay Rs 2,700, up from Rs 2,600 last year. While SC, ST, and PwD candidates will have to pay Rs 1,350, increased from Rs 1,300.
The registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid online while submitting the application form.
CAT 2026 Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for CAT 2026 must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institute.
General category candidates need at least 50% marks.
SC, ST, and PwD candidates need at least 45% marks.
Students appearing in the final year of their graduation can also apply.
There is no age limit for appearing in the exam.
No Change In CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as last year. The exam will have a total of 68 questions divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 22 questions
Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 22 questions
Each section will have a time limit of 40 minutes. Candidates will not be allowed to move between sections during the exam.
Around 70% of the questions will be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), while the remaining 30% will be Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. One mark will be deducted for every incorrect MCQ answer.
CAT 2026 Result Date
The detailed CAT 2026 notification is available on the official website. The admit cards will be released on November 4, 2026, through the online portal. The exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, and the result is expected to be announced in the first week of January 2027. Candidates should note that CAT 2026 scores will remain valid until December 31, 2027.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website, iimcat.ac.in, for the latest updates related to CAT 2026.
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