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CAT Exam is For Which Stream: Check Exam Pattern, Subjects and Eligibility
November 24, 2025
Overview: The CAT exam is for which stream? If you are looking for the answer to the same question, scroll down to learn more!
- The Common Admission Test is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams conducted online annually. It is for everyone, irrespective of their particular stream.
- The 2026 CAT exam will be conducted on 29th November 2026 across various centres in India.
- The last date to apply for the CAT entrance exam is September 2026.
To know about the CAT exam subjects or what CAT exam is for which stream, scroll down!
CAT Exam is For Which Stream 2026: Overview
A common misconception is that the CAT entrance exam is only for students from a particular stream, such as commerce or engineering. However, it is open to students from all educational backgrounds.
You can take the CAT exam regardless of your educational background in engineering, arts, commerce, or science. This flexibility in eligibility criteria ensures that the exam is accessible to many students.
But what are the primary requirements for appearing for the CAT exam? Let's look into the CAT eligibility criteria briefly.
- The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from any recognized university or educational institution, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [45% in case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories].
- Candidates who have finished degree prerequisites, are awaiting results, and are taking the last year of the Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification test are both eligible to apply.
Note: Applicants should note that mere fulfilment of the minimum CAT entrance exam criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs.
Also Check | CAT Exam Quantitative aptitude questions
CAT Exam Highlights 2026 - CAT Exam is For Which Stream?
Here’s a brief overview of the CAT Exam 2026:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Institute | Indian Institute of Management |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | Sunday, November 29, 2025 (tentative) |
| Registration Fees | SC/ST/PwD - INR 1250/- GEN - INR 2500/- |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST) |
| Number of Applications (2023) | 3.28 lakh |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to over 1,200 B-Schools in India |
| Courses Offered Through CAT Exam | MBA/ PGDM |
| CAT Exam Sections | VARC, DILR, QA |
| Mode | Online Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| No. of Test Cities for CAT 2026 Exam | 150 |
| Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Read More | How to get good score in CAT Exam
Use SuperGrads Free Resources 2026 Strategically
| CAT VARC Mock Test 2026 | |
| CAT DILR Mock test 2026 | |
| CAT QA Mock Test 2026 | |
| CAT VARC Prep Videos 2026 | |
| CAT DILR Prep Videos 2026 | |
| CAT QA Prep Videos 2026 | |
| CAT Syllabus 2026 | |
| CAT PYQs | |
| CAT VARC Questions |
Also Check | CAT Exam Personal Interview Questions
Which Stream is Best for CAT Exam in 2026?
CAT exam is for which course? The CAT exam is designed to test a wide range of skills that are relevant to a career in management.
The CAT exam pattern includes quantitative skills, verbal skills, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.
Therefore, it is suitable for students from any stream who have developed these skills during their undergraduate education or through additional preparation.
Check | CAT Exam for Commerce Students
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
While learning about "CAT exam for which course" it is equally important to know the CAT exam pattern. The CAT exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The test is a 120-minute online computer-based exam.
Here is an overview of the expected CAT paper pattern for 2026
| Sections | Number of MCQs | Number of Non-MCQs | Total Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 14 | 6 | 20 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 49 | 17 | 66 |
Also Check | Is CAT compulsory for MBA
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Also Check | What is CAT Marking Scheme
CAT Exam Tips & Tricks Resources
Here are some more tips and tricks that you can follow to boost your CAT exam preparation:
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Also Check | CAT Exam Ratio and Proportion Questions
Conclusion
To sum up, you must understand that the CAT exam is not confined to students from a particular stream. Many often ask which CAT exam is for which stream. The answer is that it is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and the ambition to pursue a management career.
By understanding the exam pattern and having a proper CAT preparation strategy, students from any educational background can succeed in the CAT exam and gain admission to a top B-school.
Prepare well, stay focused, and follow the right strategy to help you achieve your goal of acing the CAT exam and securing a place in your dream college.
Also Check | Start preparing your CAT Exam Preparation with SuperGrads CAT Online Coaching.
Check: CAT Exam Reasoning Syllabus
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Lalita Vishwakarma
Content Writer
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