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CAT Management
Common Admission Test
NationalLevel
Once a yearFrequency
Online (Computer Based Test)Mode
About CAT
CAT is the most important management entrance exam in India, used for admission to the MBA/PGP programmes of the IIMs and accepted by more than a thousand other business schools.
- Full Form
- Common Admission Test
- Conducting Body
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Level
- National
- Frequency
- Once a year
- Mode
- Online (Computer Based Test)
- Application Fee
- General ₹2,400 / SC-ST-PwD ₹1,200 (approx)
CAT Eligibility
Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students can also apply.
CAT Important Dates
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | July–August |
| Registration window | August–September |
| Exam | Last Sunday of November |
| Result | January |
Dates are indicative — always confirm on the official website.
CAT Exam Pattern
- 3 sections, 2 hours (40 minutes each):
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Mix of MCQ (with -1 negative marking) and non-MCQ (no negative marking).
CAT Syllabus
- VARC — reading comprehension, para jumbles, para summary
- DILR — tables, graphs, arrangements, puzzles
- QA — arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number system, modern maths
How to Apply for CAT
- Register on the official IIMCAT website
- Fill academic and work-experience details
- Choose test cities and pay the fee
- Download the admit card in November
CAT Preparation Tips
- Build fundamentals in Quant and grammar first
- Read editorials daily to speed up RC
- Practise DILR sets under a timer — set selection is the key skill
- Take 30+ full mocks and analyse each one deeply
Top Colleges Accepting CAT
| College | Location | Fees/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Management Development Institute, Gurgaon NIRF 9 | Gurugram, Haryana | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
| Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune NIRF 11 | Pune, Maharashtra | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
| S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research NIRF 20 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | ₹20 L–₹21 L |
| SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies NIRF 24 | Mumbai, Maharashtra | ₹6 L–₹16 L |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad NIRF 30 | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
| MICA NIRF 33 | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai NIRF 37 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
| T. A. Pai Management Institute NIRF 39 | Manipal, Karnataka | ₹5 L–₹20 L |
FAQs about CAT
What is CAT exam?
CAT is the most important management entrance exam in India, used for admission to the MBA/PGP programmes of the IIMs and accepted by more than a thousand other business schools.
What is the eligibility for CAT?
Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). Final-year students can also apply.
How many times a year is CAT held?
CAT is held once a year.
What is the application fee for CAT?
The application fee for CAT is General ₹2,400 / SC-ST-PwD ₹1,200 (approx).
Is CAT online or offline?
CAT is conducted in Online (Computer Based Test) mode.
What is the official website of CAT?
The official website for CAT is https://iimcat.ac.in.
📅 Last updated: 28 Aug 2026 · Marg Shiksha education research team
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