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CAT 2027 Exam: Expected Date, Notification, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern & Prep
October 8, 2026
CAT 2027 is expected to be held in the last week of November 2027 (typically the last Sunday). Registration is likely to open in early August and close by mid-September. This guide covers the latest expected timeline, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, marking scheme and registration checklist—updated as soon as iimcat.ac.in releases official notices.
If you’re targeting IIMs through CAT 2027, your first priority is the timeline: notification (late July), registration (Aug–Sep), admit card (Oct) and exam (late Nov). Below you’ll find expected dates (with trend basis), pattern, syllabus, eligibility and a practical prep plan.
CAT 2027 Exam Dates
While official dates for CAT exam 2027 are yet to be announced by the conducting IIM, candidates can expect the schedule to follow the established pattern from previous years. Based on historical trends, here are the anticipated key dates:
|
Event |
Expected Date (Tentative) |
|
Release of Official CAT 2027 Notification Date |
Last week of July 2027 |
|
CAT 2027 Registration Date |
First week of August 2027 |
|
Registration Deadline |
Third week of September 2027 |
|
CAT 2027 Admit Card Release Date |
Last week of October 2027 |
|
CAT 2027 Exam Date |
Last Sunday of November 2027 |
|
CAT 2027 Answer Key Release Date |
First week of December 2027 |
|
CAT 2027 Result Declaration Date |
Second week of January 2028 |
|
📌 Pro Tip: Bookmark the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) and check it regularly for exact dates once the official notification is released. |
When will the CAT 2027 notification be released (expected vs official)?
Expected: CAT 2027 notification is likely to be released in the last week of July 2027, following the long-standing CAT notification cycle. Registration is expected to begin in the first week of August 2027.
Official: The official notification will be published on the CAT website, IIM CAT Official Website, by the conducting IIM. Candidates should rely only on the official notification for confirmed dates.
Major Highlights of CAT 2027
Here is a quick snapshot of the most important features of CAT 2027 at a glance:
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Full Name |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
|
Conducting Body |
One of the IIMs (on rotational basis) |
|
Exam Level |
National Level |
|
Mode of Examination |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Frequency |
Once a year |
|
Number of Sessions |
3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
|
Total Questions |
Approximately 66 |
|
Total Marks |
198 |
|
Duration |
2 hours (120 minutes) |
|
Sections |
3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
|
Official Website |
iimcat.ac.in |
|
Accepting Institutions |
IIMs + 1,200+ B-Schools |
|
Eligibility |
Graduate with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
What is the expected CAT 2027 exam date and which month is CAT usually held?
CAT is traditionally conducted on the last Sunday of November every year. Based on previous trends, CAT 2027 is expected to be held on 28 November 2027 (Sunday), although the exact date will be confirmed through the official notification.
CAT 2027 Exam Pattern
CAT 2027 is expected to follow the same Computer-Based Test (CBT) format as previous editions. The CAT exam pattern is divided into three sections, each designed to test a distinct skill set essential for management education.
|
Section |
Full Name |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
|
VARC |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
24 |
72 |
40 Minutes |
|
DILR |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
20 |
60 |
40 Minutes |
|
QA |
Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
66 |
40 Minutes |
|
Total |
— |
66 |
198 |
120 Minutes |
Key Exam Pattern Features
- MCQ and Non-MCQ (TITA — Type In The Answer) questions are included in all sections.
- TITA questions do not carry negative marking, making them safer to attempt.
- The exam is conducted across three slots on a single day.
- Normalisation is applied across slots to ensure fairness.
- Sectional time limits are strictly enforced; candidates cannot switch between sections freely.
CAT 2027 Syllabus
CAT does not prescribe an official CAT syllabus. However, based on years of exam analysis, the following topics are consistently tested under each section:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
|
Topic Area |
Sub-Topics |
|
Reading Comprehension |
Long-form passages (abstract, social, business, science themes) |
|
Para Jumbles |
Rearranging sentences to form coherent paragraphs |
|
Para Summary |
Identifying the best summary of a given paragraph |
|
Odd Sentence Out |
Finding the misfit sentence from a set |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
Inferences, assumptions, conclusions from passages |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
|
Topic Area |
Sub-Topics |
|
Data Interpretation |
Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Caselets |
|
Logical Reasoning |
Arrangements (Linear, Circular), Blood Relations, Syllogisms |
|
Puzzles |
Grid puzzles, Constraint-based reasoning |
|
Games & Tournaments |
Knockout, Round Robin formats, scoring logic |
|
Sets & Networks |
Venn diagrams, flow-based networks |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
|
Topic Area |
Sub-Topics |
|
Arithmetic |
Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work, Speed & Distance |
|
Algebra |
Equations, Inequalities, Polynomials, Functions |
|
Geometry |
Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry |
|
Modern Maths |
Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory, Progressions |
|
Number System |
LCM/HCF, Remainders, Factors, Cyclicity |
Explore Other Important Links
| CAT 2026 Question Paper | CAT 2025 Question Paper | CAT 2024 Question Paper |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper | CAT 2022 Question Paper | CAT 2021 Question Paper |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper | CAT PYQs | CAT Exam Study Plan |
CAT 2027 Total Marks
CAT 2027 is expected to carry a total of 198 marks, distributed equally across 66 questions. Each Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) carries 3 marks, while TITA questions also carry 3 marks but have no negative marking.
|
Section |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
VARC |
24 |
+3 / -1 (MCQ) | +3 (TITA) |
72 |
|
DILR |
20 |
+3 / -1 (MCQ) | +3 (TITA) |
60 |
|
QA |
22 |
+3 / -1 (MCQ) | +3 (TITA) |
66 |
|
Total |
66 |
— |
198 |
What is the eligibility for CAT 2027 (minimum marks, final-year students, reservations)?
To appear for CAT 2027, candidates must have:
| Category | Minimum Graduation Marks |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| SC / ST / PwD | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
Final-year graduation students can also apply, provided they complete their degree requirements within the prescribed timeline.
There is no stream restriction. Candidates from Engineering, Commerce, Science, Arts, Law, Management, and other backgrounds are eligible.
Is there an age limit or attempt limit for CAT 2027?
No.
- There is no upper or lower age limit for CAT.
- There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
- Candidates can appear for CAT multiple times to improve their percentile.
CAT 2027 Marking Scheme
Understanding the marking scheme is critical for your score optimisation strategy:
- Correct Answer (MCQ): +3 marks
- Wrong Answer (MCQ): −1 mark (negative marking applies)
- Unattempted Question (MCQ): 0 marks
- Correct Answer (TITA): +3 marks
- Wrong Answer (TITA): 0 marks (no negative marking)
- Unattempted Question (TITA): 0 marks
CAT 2027 Registration Process
The CAT 2027 registration will be conducted entirely online through the official website. Here is a step-by-step guide to the registration process:
- Visit the official CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in when registration opens.
- Click on 'New Candidate Registration' and enter your basic details (name, email, mobile number).
- A User ID and Password will be sent to your registered email and mobile number.
- Log in and fill in your personal, academic, and professional details.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (photograph, signature, PwD certificate if applicable).
- Select your preferred exam city centres (up to 3 choices).
- Pay the application fee online via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
- Submit the form and save or print the confirmation page for your records.
What is the expected CAT 2027 application fee and how can I pay it?
Based on recent CAT fee trends, the expected CAT 2027 fee may be:
| Category | Expected Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,600–₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,300–₹1,400 |
Payment Methods:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
- Digital Wallets (if enabled)
Fee payment is completed online during registration.
Registration Fee (Expected)
|
Category |
Expected Fee |
|
General / OBC |
₹2,400 |
|
SC / ST / PwD |
₹1,200 |
CAT 2027 Admit Card
The CAT 2027 Admit Card is an essential document that every candidate must carry to the examination centre. It will be released approximately 3 to 4 weeks before the exam date.
How to Download the Admit Card
- Log in to the official CAT portal using your registered credentials.
- Navigate to 'Admit Card' or 'Hall Ticket' section.
- Download and print the admit card in A4 format.
Details Mentioned on the Admit Card
- Candidate Name and Roll Number
- Exam Date, Time, and Session
- Exam Centre Name and Address
- Photograph and Signature
- Category and PwD Status (if applicable)
- Important Instructions for the Exam Day
CAT Previous Year Question Papers (2017–2025)
CAT previous year question papers are the most reliable guide to CAT 2027. They show the real difficulty level, the question types the IIMs repeat, and how the paper has changed over time. Toprankers has slot-wise CAT papers from 2017 to 2025 on the CAT previous year papers page. Solve the CAT 2020–2025 papers in Phase 3 of your plan, because they follow the current three-section, 120-minute format.
CAT Question Papers for CAT 2027 Practice (2017–2025)
Solve CAT papers from oldest to newest, saving 2024 and 2025 for your final mock phase because they follow the current 68-question pattern. For every year and slot in one place, see the CAT previous year papers page.
CAT 2025 and 2024 Papers on the Current 68-Question Pattern
These are the closest match to CAT 2027, with VARC 24, DILR 22 and QA 22 questions in 120 minutes.
| Question Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Slot 1 (IIM Kozhikode) | |
| CAT 2025 Slot 2 (IIM Kozhikode) | |
| CAT 2025 Slot 3 (IIM Kozhikode) | |
| CAT 2024 Slot 1 (IIM Calcutta) | |
| CAT 2024 Slot 2 (IIM Calcutta) |
CAT 2020 to 2023 Papers for Topic-wise Practice
Use these papers in your PYQ phase (June to August 2027) to find the question types the IIMs repeat.
| Question Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 Slot 1 (IIM Lucknow) | |
| CAT 2023 Slot 2 (IIM Lucknow) | |
| CAT 2023 Slot 3 (IIM Lucknow) | |
| CAT 2022 Slot 3 (IIM Bangalore) | |
| CAT 2021 Slot 1 (IIM Ahmedabad) | |
| CAT 2021 Slot 2 (IIM Ahmedabad) | |
| CAT 2020 Slot 1 (IIM Indore) | |
| CAT 2020 Slot 2 (IIM Indore) | |
| CAT 2020 Slot 3 (IIM Indore) |
CAT 2017 to 2019 Papers for Extra RC and DILR Practice
These papers use an older format, so solve them for practice sets, not as full timed mocks.
| Question Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| CAT 2019 Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2019 Slot 2 | |
| CAT 2018 Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2017 Slot 1 | |
| CAT 2017 Slot 2 |
The CAT 2026 question paper will be added here after the exam on 29 November 2026. Until then, practise with the CAT 2026 sample papers.
How to Solve CAT Question Papers for Maximum Gain
- Time every slot like the real exam: 40 minutes per section, in exam order, with no breaks.
- Score with the CAT marking scheme: +3 / −1 for MCQs and +3 / 0 for TITA.
- Re-solve your wrong answers after 7 days without looking at the solutions, then add them to your error log.
- Compare slots from the same year to spot repeated RC themes and DILR set types.
Free Resources for CAT 2027 Preparation
You can cover most of the CAT 2027 syllabus with free resources if you use them in the right order. Use the official IIM resources for exam familiarity, previous year papers for practice, and daily reading for VARC. Paid mocks become useful mainly in the last 4–5 months.
CAT 2027 Preparation Tips
Cracking CAT 2027 requires a well-structured preparation plan, consistent effort, and smart strategy. Here are expert-backed tips to help you score high:
Build a Strong Foundation First
- Start with NCERT Maths (Class 9–12) to clear fundamentals for QA.
- Read quality newspapers and editorials daily to sharpen VARC skills.
- Practice basic data interpretation with everyday data sets.
Follow a Section-wise Strategy
- VARC: Read 4–5 RC passages daily. Focus on author tone, main idea, and logical flow.
- DILR: Solve 2 sets daily. Prioritise set selection — don't waste time on unfamiliar formats.
- QA: Learn 3–5 formulas daily and apply them through daily mock practice.
Mock Tests are Non-Negotiable
- Start full-length mocks after completing your first revision of all topics.
- Aim for at least 30–40 full mocks before the exam.
- Analyse each CAT mocks in detail identify weak areas and recurring mistakes.
- Track your score progression and sectional accuracy in a performance log.
Time Management & Exam Day Strategy
- Do not spend more than 2–3 minutes on any single question.
- Attempt TITA questions whenever in doubt no penalty for wrong answers.
- In VARC, attempt RC passages before Verbal Ability questions.
- In QA, solve the easiest 12–15 questions first to ensure a safe score, then challenge harder ones.
Every PDF below is free to download and matched to a phase of the CAT 2027 preparation plan above.
Free Quant PDFs: Study Plan and Formula Sheets
Start with the daily study plan, then keep the formula sheets for quick revision before each mock.
| Free PDF | Download |
|---|---|
| QA Daily Study Plan by Supergrads | |
| Maths Mantra Formula Booklet (All Topics) | |
| Number System Formulas | |
| Number Theory Formulas | |
| Arithmetic Formulas | |
| Ratio, Proportion & Variation Formulas | |
| Profit & Loss Formulas | |
| Simple & Compound Interest Formulas | |
| Time, Speed & Distance Formulas | |
| Linear Equations Formulas | |
| Quadratic Equations Formulas | |
| Inequalities Formulas | |
| Logarithms, Surds & Indices Formulas |
Once you know the formulas, practise with these CAT quantitative aptitude questions.
Free VARC PDFs: Study Plan, RC Sources and Vocabulary
Past CAT RCs come from a small set of publications, so reading those sources daily is the fastest way to improve.
| Free PDF | Download |
|---|---|
| VARC Daily Study Plan by Supergrads | |
| VARC Important Practice Questions | |
| Previous Year CAT RC Sources | |
| Vocabulary: Business & Economics | |
| Vocabulary: Science & Technology | |
| Vocabulary: Astronomy & Space Technology | |
| Vocabulary: Environment & Sustainability | |
| Vocabulary: Literature & Arts (Part 1) | |
| Vocabulary: Literature & Arts (Part 2) |
Free DILR PDFs: Study Plan, Practice Sets and Tips
DILR rewards set selection more than speed, so pair daily sets with the tips PDF.
| Free PDF | Download |
|---|---|
| DILR Daily Study Plan by Supergrads | |
| DILR Important Practice Sets | |
| DILR Preparation Tips by Supergrads |
Recommended Resources
|
Section |
Recommended Books / Resources |
|
How to Read Better and Faster – Norman Lewis; Reading The Hindu Editorial |
|
|
DILR |
Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma; CAT DI by Arun Sharma |
|
QA |
Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma; Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal |
|
Mock Tests |
IMS, CL, TIME, SuperGrads, MBA.com Official Mocks |
CAT 2027 Cut Off Expected
CAT 2027 cut-offs will vary by institution and will depend on the overall difficulty level of the exam and the number of applicants. Based on historical trends, here are the expected percentile cut-offs:
|
Institute Category |
Expected Overall Percentile |
Expected Sectional Percentile |
|
IIM Ahmedabad / Bangalore / Calcutta (Top 3) |
99+ |
85+ |
|
IIM Lucknow / Kozhikode / Indore (Next Tier) |
97–99 |
80+ |
|
New IIMs (Trichy, Udaipur, Raipur etc.) |
90–95 |
70+ |
|
Top Non-IIM B-Schools (FMS, SPJIMR, MDI etc.) |
95–98 |
80+ |
|
Other Good B-Schools |
80–90 |
60+ |
Additionally, most IIMs have separate cut-offs for General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories. The actual cut-off is released individually by each institution during their admission process.
Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2027 Scores
Over 1,200 B-schools across India accept CAT scores. Here is a curated list of top institutions that accept CAT 2027 scores:
IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management)
|
IIM |
Location |
Programme |
|
IIM Ahmedabad |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Bangalore |
Bengaluru, Karnataka |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Calcutta |
Kolkata, West Bengal |
PGDM (MBA) |
|
IIM Lucknow |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Kozhikode |
Kozhikode, Kerala |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Indore |
Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Shillong |
Shillong, Meghalaya |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Rohtak |
Rohtak, Haryana |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Raipur |
Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
PGP (MBA) |
|
IIM Trichy |
Tiruchirappalli, TN |
PGP (MBA) |
Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Score
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi
- P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurugram
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi & Kolkata
- National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
- J. Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai
- TAPMI, Manipal
- FORE School of Management, New Delhi
CAT 2027 Result Declaration
CAT 2027 results are expected to be declared in the second week of January 2028, approximately 5–6 weeks after the exam date. The CAT result will be available on the official CAT portal.
What the CAT Scorecard Contains
- Scaled Score for each section (VARC, DILR, QA)
- Overall Scaled Score
- Percentile Score for each section
- Overall Percentile Score
- Validity of the scorecard (1 year from result date)
Candidates must log in to their CAT accounts to download their official scorecards. The scorecard will need to be submitted at the time of applying to individual B-schools.
CAT 2027 Answer Key
IIM authorities release a provisional answer key for CAT a few days after the exam. Candidates can review the answers and raise objections against any incorrect answers within the given challenge window.
Answer Key Highlights
- The provisional answer key covers only MCQ-type questions (TITA answers are not published).
- Candidates can raise objections by paying a nominal fee per question.
- If the objection is valid, the fee is refunded and the answer key is updated.
- The final answer key is used for result computation.
CAT 2027 Exam Centres
CAT 2027 will be conducted across approximately 150–160 cities in India. Candidates can choose up to three preferred test cities during registration. The final CAT exam centre allotment is made by the authorities based on availability.
Major Exam Centre Cities
|
Zone |
Major Cities |
|
North |
Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi |
|
South |
Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam |
|
East |
Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Guwahati |
|
West |
Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nagpur, Indore |
|
Central |
Bhopal, Raipur, Jabalpur, Gwalior |
Conclusion
CAT 2027 is not just an examination it is a life-changing opportunity for thousands of aspirants who dream of pursuing a world-class management education at IIMs and other top B-schools in India. Whether you are starting your preparation now or refining your approach, the key lies in consistency, strategic practice, and a deep understanding of the exam's demands.
This comprehensive CAT 2027 guide has covered everything from exam dates and pattern to syllabus, registration, admit card, cut-offs, result, and preparation tips. Bookmark this page and keep checking back for updates as the official CAT 2027 notification approaches.
Good luck with your CAT 2027 preparation! May your hard work translate into the percentile and the B-school of your dreams.
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