CAT 2026 Result: Get Official CAT Scorecard Link [Live Updates 2026]

CAT 2026 result is expected in the third to fourth week of December 2026 (around 23–24 December, based on recent trends), with a possible spillover to the first week of January 2027. CAT 2026 is conducted by IIM Indore, and the scorecard will be released only through candidate login at iimcat.ac.in. Your scorecard shows section-wise and overall scaled scores and percentiles for VARC, DILR and QA all three are used by IIMs for shortlisting.

Candidates should download their scorecards and check their sectional and overall percentiles to assess their chances of getting shortlisted by IIMs.

Download Official CAT 2026 Scorecard

CAT 2026 Result: Highlights & Key Takeaways

CAT 2026 result will help candidates understand their performance and plan their next steps for MBA admissions. Here are the important details about the result, scorecard, expected percentiles and admission process.

• Conducting Body: IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 on 29 November 2026. The CAT result date is expected in the third or fourth week of December, though it may come in early January 2027.
• Where to Check: Candidates can check their CAT 2026 results by logging in to the official website, iimcat.ac.in. They should download and save their scorecards for future use.
• Details on the Scorecard: The scorecard shows scaled scores and percentiles for VARC, DILR and QA, along with the overall score and percentile.
• Overall and Sectional Percentiles: IIMs consider both overall and sectional percentiles while shortlisting candidates. A good overall percentile may not be enough if a candidate misses the cut-off in any section.
• Expected Percentile: For General category candidates, top IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta usually have very high percentile expectations, often around 99–100. Other IIMs may have different cut-offs depending on their admission criteria.
• Prepare for the Next Round: Some IIMs may start releasing shortlist updates in January. Candidates should begin preparing for the Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT), where applicable, without waiting too long after the result.
• CAT Score Validity: The CAT 2026 score is meant for the 2027 admission cycle. Candidates will need to take the exam again if they want to use a CAT score for a later cycle.

Important: The CAT 2026 result is not out yet? Estimate where you stand before the official declaration.  ➜ Check My Predicted Percentile

Use Free CAT Percentile Predictor Tool - Check Your Predicted Score Now

CAT 2026 Result Date & Key Timeline

The CAT 2026 exam was held on Sunday, 29 November 2026, by IIM Indore in three slots. Based on previous years, the result is usually announced three to four weeks after the exam, once the objection process and final answer key are completed. The CAT 2026 result is expected in the third or fourth week of December, most likely around 23 - 24 December. However, it could be delayed until the first week of January 2027.

Event	CAT 2025 (actual)	CAT 2026 (expected)
Exam date	30 Nov 2025	29 Nov 2026 (confirmed)
Candidate response sheet	Early Dec 2025	Early Dec 2026
Answer key objection window	8–10 Dec 2025	Mid-Dec 2026
Final answer key	17 Dec 2025	Mid to late Dec 2026
Result declaration	24 Dec 2025	3rd–4th week Dec 2026 (~23–24 Dec)
IIM PI/WAT shortlists	Jan–Feb 2026	Jan–Feb 2027
PI & WAT rounds	Feb–Apr 2026	Feb–Apr 2027
Final offers & merit list	Apr–May 2026	Apr–May 2027
Scorecard download window	Until 31 Dec 2026	Until Dec 2027 (expected)

Also check: CAT Exam Date 2026 – full schedule and notification

When will the CAT 2026 result be declared? The CAT 2026 result is expected in the third to fourth week of December 2026, most likely around 23–24 December, and released by IIM Indore on iimcat.ac.in. In some years the declaration slips to the first week of January. The result comes out simultaneously for all three slots on a single date, and only candidates who sat the exam receive a scorecard with sectional and overall scaled scores and percentiles.

How to Download Your CAT 2026 Scorecard (Step by Step)

Once CAT 2026 results are out, candidates can check their scores on the official website and download the scorecard. Make sure to save the PDF, as you may need it during the MBA admission process. Here’s how to download it.

Step	Action	What to note
1	Open iimcat.ac.in on desktop or mobile	Use the official site only — avoid unofficial 'result' links
2	Click 'CAT Result / Download Scorecard' on the homepage	This button appears only after declaration
3	Enter your CAT User ID and password	Same credentials used during registration & admit card
4	Scorecard loads — click Download to save the PDF	Allow pop-ups and downloads for iimcat.ac.in first
5	Save the PDF and take 2–3 printouts	Needed for interview rounds and B-school applications

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2026 by SuperGrads

Login Problems on CAT Result Day? Quick Fixes

Here are some common problems candidates may face while checking their CAT 2026 results and how to fix them:

• Forgot your User ID or password? Click on the 'Forgot Password' option and follow the instructions to reset your login details using your registered email or mobile number.

• Website is running slowly: Try opening the website in Incognito mode or use another browser. You can also wait a few minutes and try again.

• Unable to download the scorecard? Check your browser settings and allow downloads and pop-ups for the official CAT website.

• Still facing issues? Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. If the website is not working, wait for some time before trying again. Avoid using unofficial links to access your CAT result 2026.

What the CAT 2026 Scorecard Shows

Your CAT 2026 scorecard contains your exam scores and percentile details. You will need it during the MBA admission process, as IIMs and other B-schools may ask you to submit it. Here are the details mentioned on the scorecard:

Detail	What it means
Candidate name & registration number	Your identity as registered on the CAT portal
Category & gender	As declared — used for category-wise cut-offs
Exam date & slot	Which of the three slots you appeared in
Section-wise scaled score	Normalised score for VARC, DILR and QA separately — not raw marks
Overall scaled score	Sum of the three normalised section scores
Section-wise percentile	Your rank relative to all test-takers, per section
Overall percentile	Your rank among all candidates — the headline shortlisting number

Download your CAT 2026 scorecard as soon as it is available and check that all the details are correct. Save a copy on your phone or computer and keep another copy in cloud storage so you can access it whenever needed.

Also check: CAT Cut Off for IIMs – section-wise percentile requirements

What does the CAT scorecard contain? The CAT scorecard is a single PDF showing your name, registration number, category, gender, slot, and — most importantly — your scaled scores and percentiles. It lists section-wise scaled scores and percentiles for VARC, DILR and QA, plus an overall scaled score and overall percentile. IIMs use both the overall percentile and each sectional percentile to shortlist candidates, so a balanced performance across all three sections matters as much as the headline number.

CAT Score vs Percentile: Year-Wise Trends (2021–2024)

These are approximate overall scaled scores needed to reach each percentile band in recent years. Use them to benchmark yourself before the official CAT result 2026 - but remember the scores shift every year with paper difficulty and the size of the test-taking pool.

Percentile	CAT 2021	CAT 2022	CAT 2023	CAT 2024
99.5+	108	92	86	95
99	98	84	76	86
98	85	75	68	78
95	72	62	55	65
90	60	49	44	52
85	52	42	38	45
80	46	36	33	40
75	40	31	28	35
70	36	27	24	30

The 2023 CAT paper was easier than some other years, so candidates needed fewer marks to reach the same percentile. In 2021, the required scores were higher. These figures are only for reference, as the difficulty level changes every year. With IIM Indore conducting CAT 2026, the Quant section may play an important role in deciding candidates' overall percentiles.

Also check: CAT Score vs Percentile – detailed year-wise analysis

What overall score gives a 99 percentile in CAT? A 99 percentile in CAT usually requires an overall score of around 75 to 100 marks, depending on how difficult the paper is. For example, the score was around 76 in 2023 and 86 in 2024, while it was close to 98 in 2021. These numbers can change every year, so they should only be used as a rough guide. For CAT 2026, focus on doing well in all three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.

How the CAT Score Is Calculated: Raw Score, Scaled Score & Normalisation

Knowing how CAT scores are calculated can help you understand your scorecard and get an idea of your expected percentile before the CAT 2026 result is announced.

Step 1 Raw score

Your raw score is computed first, before any normalisation:

• +3 marks for every correct answer
• −1 mark for every incorrect MCQ answer
• 0 marks for unattempted questions and for TITA (non-MCQ) questions

The total raw score is the sum of your section-wise raw scores across VARC, DILR and QA.

Step 2 Why normalisation happens

CAT runs in three slots on the same day, each with a different question set. If one slot is harder, its candidates would be unfairly penalised on raw scores alone. Normalisation corrects this by adjusting scores across slots using the following anchors:

Parameter	What it accounts for
Highest score in the slot	Sets the upper anchor of the formula
Lowest score in the slot	Sets the lower anchor of the formula
Mean score of the slot	Adjusts for that paper's overall difficulty
Median score of the slot	Balances the mid-point of the distribution across slots
Top 10-percentile performance	Normalises high-end score compression between slots
Bottom 10-percentile performance	Normalises low-end distribution between slot

Step 3 Scaled score to percentile

Once scaled scores are set, they are ranked across all test-takers. Your percentile is the percentage of candidates who scored at or below your scaled score. This is why:

• A 1–2 mark difference can move your percentile by 0.1–0.5 points near the top of the curve.
• Your percentile depends on the whole field's performance, not your score in isolation.
• Sectional percentiles matter as much as the overall — most IIMs apply sectional cut-offs on top of the overall number.

Also check: CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – marking scheme and structure

What to Do After the CAT 2026 Result: Admission Roadmap

The result is the start line, not the finish. Here is the full post-result journey, phase by phase.

Phase 1 - Result day to day 7

• Download and save the scorecard PDF - three printouts plus a secure cloud and local copy.
• Note both overall and section-wise percentiles - every IIM and top B-school uses both.
• Compare against IIM cut-offs on institute websites to gauge realistic calls.
• Start applying to non-IIM B-schools whose windows are still open - don't wait on IIM shortlists.

Phase 2 - IIM shortlist stage (January to February)

Getting a good CAT percentile is important, but it is not the only factor in the IIM selection process. IIMs also consider a candidate's academic record, work experience, and other factors while preparing the PI/WAT shortlist.

Institute tier	Typical overall cut-off	Admission process
IIM A, B, C (top 3)	99–100 percentile	Individual PI & WAT
IIM L, I, K, Kozhikode (Tier 2)	95–99 percentile	Individual PI & WAT
Newer & baby IIMs	90–95 percentile	Common Admission Process (CAP)
Top non-IIMs (XLRI, MDI, SPJIMR)	90–99 percentile	Own GD/PI/WAT rounds

Phase 3 - PI & WAT preparation (February to April)

• Personal Interview: Know your profile cold - academics, work experience, goals and current affairs. Expect deep questions from your graduation discipline.
• Written Ability Test: Practise structured 200–300 word essays on business, social and ethical topics. Argument structure beats vocabulary.
• Academic refresh: Revise your undergraduate subject - it's tested rigorously at most IIMs.

Phase 4 - Final offers (April to May)

Final admission offers usually come out in April or May, depending on the IIM. Once you receive an offer, follow the instructions given by the institute to confirm your seat.

Also check: WAT Topics for CAT Admissions – topic list and strategy

How long is the CAT 2026 score valid? A CAT 2026 score is valid only for admissions in the immediate cycle — the 2027 intake — and is not carried forward to future years. IIMs and most B-schools accept the score only for that admission season, so candidates must reappear for CAT if they wish to apply in a later cycle. Save your scorecard PDF and multiple printouts, because it cannot be reissued after the official download window closes at iimcat.ac.in.

Common Result-Day Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates make small mistakes after the CAT result that can delay their admission process. Keep these common errors in mind and try to avoid them.

• Judging your result on the overall percentile alone. A weak sectional percentile can sink an otherwise strong profile at IIM-A/B/C. Read all four numbers.
• Not downloading the PDF immediately. The window closes, and the scorecard cannot be reissued. Save copies on CAT result day itself.
• Trusting unofficial 'result' links. Only iimcat.ac.in is authentic; third-party links on result day are a phishing risk.
• Waiting for IIM calls before applying elsewhere. Non-IIM windows (and OMETs like XAT, SNAP, CMAT) often close early. Apply in parallel.
• Postponing PI/WAT prep. Shortlists arrive within weeks, and the strongest candidates start interview prep the same week the result drops.

Can I challenge or re-evaluate the CAT result? There is no re-evaluation of the CAT 2026 result itself. Candidates can only raise objections during the official answer-key challenge window, which opens before the result and typically stays open for two to three days, with a per-question fee. Once the final answer key is published and the result is declared, the scores and percentiles are final. This is why reviewing the response sheet and answer key carefully during the objection window is the only stage where a genuine error can be flagged.

Supergrads CAT 2025 Results

These are verified standout results from Supergrads students in CAT 2025 — the outcome of structured preparation, IIM-alumni mentorship and disciplined mock practice across a full cycle:

Student	CAT 2025 percentile	Supergrads ID
Lakshya Sharma	99.85	SG: 5941331
Prateek Pradhan	99.82	SG: 679669
Naitik Singhal	99.45	SG: 6255463
Tanmay	98.90	SG: 6322632
Aditya	98.77	SG: 6791367
Rashmi Sharma	98.15	SG: 6312578
Krishna Bansal	98.13	SG: 5544080

Also check: SuperGrads CAT Results – full success record

Conclusion

YOnce the CAT 2026 result is out, download your scorecard from iimcat.ac.in and check your overall and sectional percentiles. Compare your scores with the cut-offs of IIMs and other MBA colleges, keeping your academic record and work experience in mind. If your scores meet the requirements, start preparing for the PI/WAT rounds. If the CAT result is not what you expected, check whether applications for XAT, CMAT or SNAP are still open and apply before the deadlines.

And if you're already planning for CAT 2027, the best time to begin is now, with a structured study plan, consistent mocks and mentorship from IIM alumni. Supergrads students achieved 99.85, 99.82 and 99.45 percentiles in CAT 2025, with seven students above 98 percentile in a single batch, on a curriculum refreshed after every CAT paper.

Ready to plan your next move? Check your scholarship eligibility and get a personalised prep roadmap.  ➜ Book a Free Supergrads Demo Class

Also check: CAT Study Plan 2027 – month-wise preparation roadmap