CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on the last Sunday of November, following the trend of previous years, and will be held in test centres across India.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern :
| S.No | Section | No.of Questions(approx) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Section II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Section III | Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 Questions | 120 minutes | |
The exam pattern is based on recent trends and may change. The conducting IIM may introduce changes in the number of questions, section structure, or marking scheme in CAT 2026 if required.
CAT Marking scheme :
- +3 for correct answer
- −1 for incorrect answer (MCQs only)
- No negative marking for TITA questions
CAT is conducted in three slots on the same day (please refer to your ADMIT card for reporting time).
| Slot | Shift | Exam start timing |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | Morning | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| CAT Slot 2 | Afternoon | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | Evening | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
Disclaimer: The above mentioned data are subject to change. Please refer to official website/communication.
CAT Score vs Percentile (based on past trends)
| CAT Percentile | CAT Score (out of 198) |
|---|---|
| 99 | 85+ |
| 95 | 70+ |
| 90 | 55+ |
| 80 | 42+ |
| 70 | 34+ |
| 60 | 23+ |
| 50 | 20+ |
| 40 | 13+ |
DISCLAIMER: The score vs percentile figures mentioned above are indicative and based on trends from previous CAT examinations. Actual percentiles may vary depending on the overall difficulty level of the question paper, slot-wise variations, and the normalisation process adopted by the CAT authorities.