The CAT exam is considered challenging due to its competitive nature and the high level of difficulty in its questions. It tests your analytical, verbal, and logical skills under time pressure. However, with consistent practice and a strategic study plan, many candidates successfully crack the exam each year. The key is to stay focused, manage your time well, and keep practicing.

The CAT exam is 120 minutes long, with 40 minutes allotted to each of its three sections.

CAT Exam 2027: Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Seats & Admission Process

Q: Can I take the CAT exam with an existing degree?

Yes, you can take the CAT exam even with a degree. The CAT exam is open to all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they possess a degree.

Q: How to Prepare for CAT Exam?

To prepare for the CAT exam, start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. Create a study schedule that covers all sections, including Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Data Interpretation &amp; Logical Reasoning. Practice with mock tests and previous years' question papers to improve your speed and accuracy. Join coaching classes or online courses if you need additional guidance and support.

Q: What is CAT Exam Used For?

The CAT exam, or Common Admission Test, is used for admission into postgraduate management programs, such as MBA, at various prestigious business schools in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is also accepted by many other top management institutes across the country. The exam assesses a candidate's suitability for a career in management.

Q: How Many Questions in CAT Exam?

The CAT exam typically consists of 66 questions, divided into three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Each section has a fixed number of questions, and the total duration of the exam is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated to each section.

Q: How to Register for CAT Exam?

To register for the CAT exam, visit the official CAT website during the registration period. Create an account by providing your personal details and generating a User ID and Password. Fill in the application form with your academic, personal, and work experience details, and upload the required documents. Pay the registration fee online and submit the form to complete the registration process.

Q: How many times CAT exam is conducted in a year?

The CAT exam is conducted once a year.

Q: When CAT exam is conducted?

It is usually conducted in the last week of November.

Q: What is the full form of CAT?

The full form of CAT is Common Admission Test.It is a standardized entrance exam conducted annually for admission into postgraduate management programs such as MBA and PGDM, primarily offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools in India.

Q: Who conducts CAT exam?

The CAT exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. Each year, one of the IIMs is assigned the responsibility to organize and oversee the entire examination process, including notification, registration, admit card release, exam conduction, and result declaration.

Syllabus Exam Pattern PYQs Books Exam Date Study Plan Cut Off For IIM Subjects Short Tricks Registration Eligibility Study Material

Author : Jainab Alvi

October 16, 2026

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based entrance exam for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at the IIMs and other leading business schools. CAT 2027 will be held by the IIM responsible for conducting the exam that year. The paper usually has three sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates need to manage their time carefully to attempt all three sections.

CAT 2027 registration dates, application fee, form correction window and admit card release date will be announced in the official notification. Candidates should keep checking the official CAT website for updates and complete the application process within the given deadline.

CAT Exam

All About CAT 2027

CAT stands for Common Admission Test, conducted by the IIMs. It is an entrance exam for admission to MBA and PGDM programs at top Business Schools across India. The CAT Exam 2027 is an important National-level entrance test for admission into MBA and PGDM programs offered by the IIMs and other top B-schools in India.

CAT 2027 is expected to be held in November 2027 at exam centres across India. The official date will be announced in the notification.
The exam has three sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude (QA), which test candidates' reading, reasoning and maths skills.
CAT 2027 is expected to follow the recent exam pattern, with 68 questions to be answered in 120 minutes. The paper includes both MCQs and non-MCQs (TITA questions). The final pattern will be confirmed in the official notification.
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates) to meet the basic eligibility criteria. CAT scores are accepted by the IIMs and many other management institutes for MBA admissions.

CAT Exam Slot 1,2 and 3 Detailed Analysis

CAT 2027 Exam Date & Schedule

When will the CAT 2027 exam be held, and which IIM will conduct it?

The official dates and conducting IIM for CAT 2027 have not been announced yet. The exam details will be available in the official notification. Candidates should check the official CAT website for updates on the exam date, registration schedule and other important dates. The key CAT 2027 dates will be listed in the table below once they are announced.

CAT Exam 2027 Events	CAT 2027 Important Dates (Tentative)
CAT 2027 Exam Official Notification	July 27th 2027
CAT 2027 Registration Date Opens	3rd August 2027
CAT 2027 Application Form's Last Date	20th September 2027
CAT 2027 Exam Admit Card Release Date	12th November to 30th November 2027
CAT 2027 Registration Fees	INR 1300 (Reserved categories) INR 2600 (Other categories)
CAT Exam Date 2027	29 November 2027
Official Website	iimcat.ac.in

Read More | CAT Admission Process 2027

CAT 2027 Exam Highlights

CAT 2027 is conducted by which IIM? Here is everything about the CAT exam 2027 in tabular format:

Particulars	Details
CAT 2027 Conducting Body	Indian Institute of Management
CAT 2027 Exam Level	National
CAT 2027 Exam Frequency	Once a year
CAT Exam Date 2027	29 November 2027 (Tentative)
CAT 2027 Exam Timings	It will be conducted in 3 Slots
CAT 2027 Registration Fees	SC/ST/PwD - INR-1300/- GEN - INR 2600/-
CAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria	Graduation with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST students)
Number of Applications in the CAT Entrance Exam	3.29 lakh (in 2024) 3.33 lakh (in 2023)
Degree Offered Through CAT Exam	MBA/ PGDM
CAT 2027 Entrance Exam Sections	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT 2027 Exam Mode	Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) with MCQs and non-MCQs
Number of test cities for the CAT Exam 2027	170 cities (Tentatively)
Website	https://iimcat.ac.in/

Note: Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email address and mobile phone number throughout the selection process.

Know More | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year?

CAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

As per the CAT exam eligibility criteria, the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree, 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], from any recognised University or educational institution.

Candidates who have completed degree prerequisites, are awaiting results, and are taking the final year of the Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification are both eligible to apply.

Note: Applicants should note that as per the official CAT notification 2027, mere fulfilment of the minimum CAT entrance exam criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs and other B-schools.

CAT 2027 Registration Process

Understanding the CAT registration process becomes very important once the CAT notification is out. Here are the steps to follow while filling the CAT exam registration form:

Steps to Successfully Register for the CAT Exam 2027

Follow the steps mentioned to register for the CAT exam 2065:

Step 1: Registration for User ID and Password
Step 2: Log in to the CAT Official Website
Step 3: Fill in the complete details in the CAT 2027 Application Form
Step 4: Choose your preferred PG programme
Step 5: Choose the CAT exam centre of your choice
Step 6: Finally, pay the CAT 2027 registration fees via a suitable payment method.

CAT 2027 Application Correction Window

The examination authorities (IIM Indore) will make the edit window live; students must log in using their user ID and password. Please make use of this period if you wish to edit the following:

Photo
Signature
Test City preferences

What are the CAT Exam Steps to Edit the Application 2027?

Log in using your user ID and password to edit your application form.
After logging in, click on Go to application to start editing.
Please read all the instructions carefully while editing the form.

Also Check | CAT Exam Preparation Books

CAT 2027 Admit Card/Hall Ticket

The CAT admit card is an official document issued by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to candidates who successfully registered for the CAT exam in 2027. The CAT admit card can be downloaded from 12th November 2027 till 29th November 2027.

It is mandatory to carry the CAT Admit Card on the day of the exam as it contains essential details like the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, time, and venue

CAT 2027 Exam Pattern

An overview of the CAT entrance exam pattern 2027 can help you start your preparations for the CAT exam in 2027. Ensure you go through the updated CAT Entrance Exam Pattern thoroughly.

CAT Exam Paper Pattern 2027
Mode of CAT 2027	Computer-Based Test
CAT 2027 Exam Date Duration	120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
CAT 2027 Number of Questions	68 (Expected as CAT 2024)
CAT total marks	204
Language of CAT Question Paper	English
Number of Answer Choices	4
CAT 2027 Mode of Paper	Online (Computer-based Test)
CAT 2027 Question Types	MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA)
CAT 2027 Section Names	1. Quantitative Aptitude 2. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension 3. Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation

Check: CAT Exam is for What Purpose?

Learn More | How Many Students Appear for CAT Exam Every Year?

Section-wise Number of MCQ and Non-MCQ Questions

The following table gives you an idea about the number of questions asked in each CAT subject or section, divided into MCQ and non-MCQ.

Section	Number of MCQs	Number of Non-MCQs	Total Questions
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	21	3	24
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	16	6	22
Quantitative Ability	14	8	22
Total	51	17	68

CAT 2027 Marking Scheme

As per the trends, the CAT 2027 exam will be conducted on 29th November 2027 (tentative), and the following will be the marking scheme on the day:

Each correct answer will receive +3 marks.
A negative mark of -1 will be for every incorrect answer to the objective questions.
Non-MCQ-type questions will have NO negative marking.

Learn More | CAT Shift Timings

CAT 2027 Syllabus

CAT Syllabus is expected to be the same as CAT 2027 syllabus, which was as follows:

CAT 2027 Exam Sections	CAT Exam Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude	Number System, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Time and Work
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation	Seating Arrangements, Blood Relation, Syllogism, Tables, Graphs, Data Caselets
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension	Para-Jumbles & Para-Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, RC Passages-Based Questions

What are the CAT exam application fees

As per CAT 2027, the exam fees for CAT 2027 are expected to be the same:

SC, ST, and PwD candidates must pay an application fee of ₹1300.
The general category must pay an application fee of ₹2600.

Note* A candidate needs to pay the CAT Registration Fees only once, regardless of the number of institutes he/she is applying to.

The Trend of the CAT Entrance Exam Pattern Over the Years

There have been a lot of changes in the CAT exam patterns over the years. Let's understand them:

Year	Time (mins)	Sections (Abbreviation)	Questions per Section	Total Questions
2025	120	VARC, DILR, QA	24, 22, 22	68
2024	120	VARC, DILR, QA	24,22,22	68
2023	120	VARC, DILR, QA	24, 20, 22	66
2022	120	VARC, DILR, QA	24, 20, 22	66
2021	120	VARC, DILR, QA	24, 20, 22	66
2020	120	VARC, DILR, QA	26, 24, 26	76
2019	180	VARC, DILR, QA	34, 32, 34	100
2018	180	VARC, DILR, QA	34, 32, 34	100
2017	180	VARC, DILR, QA	34, 32, 34	100
2016	180	VARC, DILR, QA	34, 32, 34	100
2015	180	VARC, DILR, QA	34, 32, 34	100
2014	170	QA & DI, VA & LR	50, 50	100
2013	140	VALR, QADI	30, 30	60
2012	140	QA, DI, VARC	21, 9, 30	60
2011	140	VALR, QADI	30, 30	60

Note*

VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
QA: Quantitative Ability
VALR: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning
QADI: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Also | Check out the CAT Reasoning Syllabus

CAT Exam Score Accepting IIMs

Here is the list of the top institutes offering MBA:

List of IIMs	Establishment Year	Score	NIRF MBA Ranking (MBA)	Programs Offered
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad	1961	83.32	1	PGP, PGP-FABM
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore	1973	81.16	2	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA
Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode	1997	77.9	3	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP Kochi
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta	1961	75.07	5	MBA
Indian Institute of Management Mumbai	1963 (renamed in 2023)	74.73	6	MBA, MBA (Operations and SCM) and MBA in SM
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow	1984	74.43	7	PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-SM
Indian Institute of Management Indore	1996	73.53	8	PGP, PGP-HRM
Indian Institute of Management Rohtak	2009	66.49	12	PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM
Indian Institute of Management Raipur	2010	64.4	14	PGP
Indian Institute of Management Ranchi	2010	61.27	17	PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics)
Indian Institute of Management Udaipur	2009	60.93	22	MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, PGDBA
Indian Institute of Management Shillong	2008	60.49	24	PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE
Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam	2015	59.2	26	PGP, PGPEX, PGPDGM
Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli	2011	57.67	27	PGPM, PGPM-HR, PGPBM
Indian Institute of Management Nagpur	2015	56.94	31	PGP
Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya	2015	56.27	33	PGP
Indian Institute of Management Jammu (IIMJ)	2016	54.64	42	MBA, Executive MBA (Blended Mode), PGP in Health Care Management (Jointly with AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu), PGP in Hospital Administration (Jointly with AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu)
Indian Institute of Management Amritsar	2015	52.57	47	MBA, EMBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM
Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur	2015	51.47	50	MBA, Executive MBA
Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur	2015	50.92	57	MBA, MBA (T&HM)

CAT 2027 Selection Process

Once the CAT exam date 2027 is officially notified, please be aware that IIMs use their own, maybe separate, criteria to shortlist applicants for the interview round. Generally, the IIM selection process is conducted in three parts, viz.,

Phase 1- It consists of conducting the CAT 2027 exam and then shortlisting the candidates based on CAT 2027 results.
Phase 2- The selected candidates were called for Personal Interview (PI), Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Group Discussion (GD).
Phase 3 - Finally, the last step involves verifying the candidates' documents.

Note:

IIMs may also shortlist and rank applicants at different stages of the admissions process using other criteria such as the applicant's prior academic performance, pertinent job experience, gender and academic diversity, and other comparable inputs.
There may be differences between IIMs in the procedures, academic cutoffs, and weights given to the evaluation metrics. For more details on the CAT entrance exam, consult the admissions policies of each IIM on their separate websites.

Check | CAT Previous Year Papers with Solutions

CAT 2027 Reservation Policies

According to regulatory regulations, the following are the reservations given to the candidates applying for the CAT exam 2027 as per different categories.

CAT exam reservation

For the CAT exam, "Specified disability" refers to the conditions listed in the RPwD Act 2016's Schedule. The types of disabilities include:

Blindness and low vision
Deaf and hard of hearing
Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy
Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
Other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016

Note: After CAT registration, no change in category will be considered. Applicants are advised to pay attention while registering.

Check | CAT Score vs Percentile 2027

CAT Exam IIM Minimum Cut Offs 2027

IIM CAT cut-offs are the minimum scores required to be eligible for admission to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
The CAT exam cut-offs are determined based on the number of available seats, the number of applicants, and the difficulty level of the exam.
The cut-offs are typically higher for the prominent IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta.

Read More: Supergrads CAT Topper Interview

CAT Exam 2027 Cut-Offs (Expected)

The following are the minimum cut-offs released by different IIMs in 2024:

IIM	General	OBC	EWS	SC	ST
IIM Ahmedabad	80	75	70	70	60
IIM Bangalore	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Kozhikode	85	75	75	65	55
IIM Calcutta	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Lucknow	90	82	82	65	60
IIM Mumbai	85	75	75	70	65
IIM Indore	90	80	90	60	45
IIM Raipur	94	77	77	60	40
IIM Rohtak	95	78	90	55	30
IIM Udaipur	94	77	77	60	40
IIM Kashipur	94	77	77	60	40
IIM Trichy	94	77	77	60	40
IIM Ranchi	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Shillong	75	75	75	60	50
IIM Visakhapatnam	82	72	72	50	40
IIM Jammu	Male- 91	Male- 74	Male- 48	Male- 54	Male- 32
IIM Jammu	Female- 89	Female- 72	Female- 47	Female- 52	Female- 30
IIM Nagpur	94	77	77	60	40
IIM Amritsar	88	78	88	55	40
IIM Bodh Gaya	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Sambalpur	92	74	70	54	40
IIM Sirmaur	92	74	70	54	40

Check | Documents Required to Carry for CAT exam

IIM Seats Campus Wise 2027 (Expected)

Check the official website for CAT exam fees and other information on the CAT exam. Here is the seat matrix for the management program at each IIM.

IIM campus	PGP/MBA seats
IIM Ahmedabad	385
IIM Bangalore	412
IIM Calcutta	462
IIM Lucknow	436
IIM Kozhikode	375
IIM Raipur	210
IIM Udaipur	260
IIM Rohtak	240
IIM Visakhapatnam	60
IIM Trichy	180
IIM Sambalpur`	320
IIM Ranchi	240
IIM Bodhgaya	120
IIM Sirmaur	60
IIM Jammu	120
IIM Amritsar	60
IIM Shillong	120
IIM Kashipur	210
IIM Nagpur	130
IIM Indore	451

Check | CAT Exam Top Colleges 2027

Conclusion

The CAT exam 2027 is crucial for admission to top business schools in India. Hence, it is crucial to prepare thoroughly for the CAT entrance exam 2027 and thoroughly understand its topics and concepts.

With the proper preparation and focus, a successful CAT exam result can help you achieve your goal of getting into a top business school.

Also Check | Supergrads CAT Toppers List

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