The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level computer-based entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management for admission to postgraduate management programmes including MBA and PGDM-equivalent programmes offered by IIMs and other participating institutions. CAT scores are also accepted by numerous non-IIM business schools across India.
| Full Name | Common Admission Test |
|---|---|
| Short Name | CAT |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Category | Management Entrance Examination |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | VARC, DILR and QA |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in/ |
| Bachelor Degree | Candidates must hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification recognised by the applicable rules. |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | Candidates from General, EWS and NC-OBC categories must satisfy the minimum qualifying percentage or equivalent CGPA prescribed in the CAT notification. |
| SC / ST / PwD | Eligible SC, ST and PwD candidates receive relaxation in the minimum qualifying percentage according to the CAT rules. |
| Final Year Students | Candidates appearing in the final year of their bachelor degree or equivalent examination may apply subject to the official conditions. |
| Degree Discipline | Candidates from different undergraduate disciplines can apply, subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria. |
| Age Limit | CAT does not prescribe an upper age limit for appearing in the examination. |
| Photograph | Recent photograph in the format specified in the CAT application instructions. |
| Signature | Signature in the prescribed digital format. |
| Class X Certificate | Class X marksheet or certificate may be required for academic and date-of-birth verification. |
| Class XII Certificate | Class XII marksheet or certificate is required as part of academic verification. |
| Graduation Marksheets | Graduation marksheets or equivalent academic documents are required for admission verification. |
| Degree Certificate | Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate may be required at the admission stage. |
| Category Certificate | Valid category certificate is required where reservation or category benefit is claimed. |
| PwD Certificate | Valid PwD/disability certificate is required where applicable. |
| Work Experience Documents | Relevant employment or work-experience documents may be required during the admission process. |
| CAT Score | IIMs use CAT scores as an important component of their postgraduate management admission process. |
| Overall Percentile | IIM shortlisting can consider overall CAT percentile as well as sectional performance. |
| Sectional Percentile | Individual IIMs may prescribe sectional percentile requirements as part of their shortlisting criteria. |
| Academic Profile | IIM admission processes may consider academic performance in school and graduation. |
| Work Experience | Some IIM selection processes consider relevant work experience. |
| WAT / PI | Depending on the IIM, the selection process may include Written Ability Test and Personal Interview components. |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad offers postgraduate management programmes through its CAT-based admission process. |
| IIM Bangalore | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore offers postgraduate management programmes through CAT. |
| IIM Calcutta | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta uses CAT as part of its postgraduate management admission process. |
| IIM Lucknow | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow uses CAT for postgraduate management admissions. |
| IIM Kozhikode | Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode uses CAT for postgraduate management admissions. |
| IIM Indore | Indian Institute of Management Indore uses CAT for postgraduate management admissions. |
The official CAT 2027 notification will announce the examination schedule and application details.
CAT 2027 registration start date will be announced officially.
The last date for CAT 2027 registration will be announced officially.
Any correction facility and schedule will be announced in the official CAT 2027 notification.
CAT 2027 admit card release date will be announced officially.
The CAT 2027 examination date will be announced by the conducting IIM.
CAT answer key and response-sheet information will be announced after the examination, if applicable.
CAT 2027 result and scorecard release date will be announced officially.
Individual IIMs will announce their admission shortlisting and selection process after CAT results.
| Subject | MCQs | Numerical | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | — | — | — |
| DILR | — | — | — |
| QA | — | — | — |
| Duration | — | — | — |
| Sectional Timing | — | — | — |
| Question Types | — | — | — |
| Negative Marking | — | — | — |
| Total Questions | — | — | — |
Read the official CAT notification and registration instructions.
Create a CAT registration account using the required personal and contact information.
Enter personal, contact, identification and other required details accurately.
Enter Class X, Class XII, graduation and other academic information.
Enter relevant work experience details as required in the CAT application.
Select IIM programme and interview preferences available in the application form.
Select preferred CAT examination cities according to the permitted options.
Upload photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable CAT registration fee through the official payment facility.
Verify all information and submit the CAT application before the deadline.
Download and retain the submitted application and payment confirmation.
Download the CAT admit card from the official portal after it is released.
Appear for the computer-based CAT examination at the allotted test centre.
Shortlisted candidates participate in the respective IIM selection processes, which may include WAT, PI and other components.
| Category | year | status |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2027 Cutoff | 2027 | TBA |
| Overall Percentile | — | — |
| Sectional Percentile | — | — |
| Final Admission Cutoff | — | — |
Percentile cutoffs shown are for illustration and vary each year based on difficulty and number of candidates.
Stay updated on dates, admit card and results.
