68 questions in 120 minutes across three fixed sections in order: VARC 24 questions (40 min), DILR 22 (40 min), QA 22 (40 min). +3 for correct, −1 for wrong MCQs, no negative for TITA. 204 marks.

When are the key dates?

For CAT 2026: registration 3 August to 15 September, admit card from 4 November, exam 29 November in three slots (8.30 am, 12.30 pm, 4.30 pm), results early January.

Is there an age limit or attempt cap?

No. Any number of attempts, no age limit.

Prepare for CAT (MBA entrance)

CAT is a two-hour aptitude test with an unusual structure: three sections in a fixed order, forty minutes each, with no movement between them. Because the marking penalises wrong MCQs and each section has its own cutoff, the preparation is about accuracy and balance rather than coverage.

Confirm eligibility and register

Bachelor's degree with 50% (45% reserved) or final year.
Register on iimcat.ac.in between 3 August and 15 September (5 pm); fee ₹2,600 general, ₹1,300 SC/ST/PwD.
Select up to six test cities and the IIM programmes you want considered; category cannot be edited later.

Take a diagnostic mock in week one

Sit one full CAT-format mock cold. Record section scores, attempts and accuracy.
Set the target from the diagnostic: 99th percentile needs roughly 100+ marks in recent years; calibrate with the last two years' score-to-percentile tables.

Section-wise preparation

VARC: read for 30 minutes daily (editorials, long-form essays); practise 4 RC passages a day and para-jumble/summary sets. Accuracy over attempts.
DILR: solve two sets a day from previous years and reputed mock series; learn to identify the two solvable sets in the first five minutes.
QA: arithmetic, algebra and numbers carry the weight; finish concepts by month three, then only timed sets.

Mock series and analysis

From month four, one full mock a week rising to two in October and November, in your actual slot time.
Analyse every mock: which questions you should have skipped, which skipped questions were easy, where time went.
Maintain a running error log by topic; revise it weekly.

Exam day (29 November 2026)

Download the admit card from 4 November; carry it with a photo ID.
Section order is fixed: VARC, DILR, QA — 40 minutes each, no going back.
Use the on-screen calculator sparingly; TITA questions carry no penalty, so attempt them all.

After the result

Results in early January; download the scorecard.
Shortlists from IIMs follow within weeks; prepare a written ability test, group discussion and personal interview with your profile, academics and work experience.

Questions

What is the pattern?: 68 questions in 120 minutes across three fixed sections in order: VARC 24 questions (40 min), DILR 22 (40 min), QA 22 (40 min). +3 for correct, −1 for wrong MCQs, no negative for TITA. 204 marks.
When are the key dates?: For CAT 2026: registration 3 August to 15 September, admit card from 4 November, exam 29 November in three slots (8.30 am, 12.30 pm, 4.30 pm), results early January.
Is there an age limit or attempt cap?: No. Any number of attempts, no age limit.

Sources

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Report an outdated step

Prepare for CAT (MBA entrance)

Confirm eligibility and register

Take a diagnostic mock in week one

Section-wise preparation

Mock series and analysis

Exam day (29 November 2026)

After the result

Questions

Sources

See also

Prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Take the GRE General Test

1Confirm eligibility and register

2Take a diagnostic mock in week one

3Section-wise preparation

4Mock series and analysis

5Exam day (29 November 2026)

6After the result

Questions

Sources

See also

Prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Take the GRE General Test

Confirm eligibility and register

Take a diagnostic mock in week one

Section-wise preparation

Mock series and analysis

Exam day (29 November 2026)

After the result