CAT Exam Guide: Date, Pattern and 8-Week Plan
Short answer
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the main MBA entrance for IIMs and many other B-schools. CAT 2026 is on Sunday 29 November 2026 (three sessions), per the official press release.
Independent study hub β not affiliated
ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with NTA, UPSC, SSC, College Board, ETS, IELTS, Pearson, IBPS, RRB, AAMC, LSAC, GMAC, or any exam board or government. Dates, fees, syllabuses and rules change. Confirm every detail only on the official website linked in this guide and its Sources. On-site quizzes are unofficial original practice for learning β not real exams, not past papers, and not official question banks. We do not host copyrighted exam papers or scraped question banks. See our disclaimer.
Dates and rules change. This is a general guide. Always confirm on the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
CAT is for graduates aiming at IIMs and participating institutes. Eligibility and fees are in the Information Bulletin.
Key dates
- Exam: 29 November 2026.
- Registration: ran 3 August-15 September 2026 (closed).
- Results: watch the CAT portal (often January).
Pattern overview
Computer-based test with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Section times are fixed β practise under the countdown timer.
8-week study plan
- Weeks 1-2: syllabus map + basics; daily Pomodoro timer.
- Weeks 3-4: topic drills; habit tracker streaks.
- Weeks 5-6: timed sections via the countdown timer.
- Weeks 7-8: full mocks and error log.
Sketch LR sets in the online notepad. Score mocks with the percentage calculator.
Official practice
Use official CAT mock/previous resources linked from iimcat.ac.in only.
Dates and rules change. This is a general guide. Always confirm on the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
Independent study hub β not affiliated
ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with NTA, UPSC, SSC, College Board, ETS, IELTS, Pearson, IBPS, RRB, AAMC, LSAC, GMAC, or any exam board or government. Dates, fees, syllabuses and rules change. Confirm every detail only on the official website linked in this guide and its Sources. On-site quizzes are unofficial original practice for learning β not real exams, not past papers, and not official question banks. We do not host copyrighted exam papers or scraped question banks. See our disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
When is CAT 2026?
Sunday 29 November 2026, in three sessions.
Who can apply?
Graduates meeting the percentage/marks rules in the Information Bulletin.
What are the sections?
Typically VARC, DILR and QA β confirm in the 2026 bulletin.
When do results come?
Historically in January; check iimcat.ac.in for the exact date.