How to Prepare for CAT: Complete Guide and Exam Dates

What is CAT and why it matters?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive national-level cat entrance exam for admission to 21 IIMs, other elite business schools, and over 1,300 MBA colleges in India. This cat admission test is administered in computer-based format at specific locations throughout the country. With over 3 lakh people applying each year, competition is fierce. Quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and reading comprehension are all part of the cat exam syllabus, also known as the common admission test syllabus. The cat examination syllabus is fairly stable year after year, although hopefuls may refer to the updated cat syllabus 2025 to keep current. The cat test syllabus is crucial for cat exam preparation and helps candidates plan successfully. The exam is 120 minutes long, with 68 questions divided into three portions. The cat exam format comprises both MCQs and non-MCQs, while the cat marking scheme uses negative marking for incorrect answers.

Key dates for CAT

CAT notification date for 2025 and 2026

CAT  Events	Tentative Dates 2025	Tentative Dates 2026
CAT Notification	27 July 2025	July Last Week (2026)
CAT Registration Start Date	01 August 2025	Starts in August 2026
CAT Registration Last Date	13 September 2025	3rd or 4th Week of September 2026
CAT Admit Card Download	05 Nov 2025 onwards	Beginning of November 2026
CAT Exam	30 November 2025 (Sunday)	November 2026
CAT Result Announcement	First week of January 2026 (tentative)	Last week of December 2026

 

Exam pattern and syllabus

In order to improve their performance, candidates should start preparing for the test at least six to nine months in advance and take many practice exams. To improve practice, a lot of platforms additionally provide free CAT mock test options and series. Understanding the trends and degree of difficulty is aided by going over sample cat papers and solving previous year's or 2024 question papers. It's also very important to practice with last year's cat test paper and prior year's cat paper.

CAT Syllabus

Section	Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading comprehension passages
	Para-jumbles, para-summary, odd sentence out
	Vocabulary and grammar usage
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Data interpretation: tables, charts, graphs
	Logical reasoning: puzzles, seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	Arithmetic: percentages, ratios, averages, profit & loss, time speed distance
	Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number systems
	Modern math: sets, probability, permutations & combinations, trigonometry

 

CAT Exam Pattern

CAT Pattern Particulars	Details
Exam mode	Computer Based Test
Exam duration	2 hours
Sectional time limit	40 minutes per section
Number of sections	3 – VARC, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude
Number of questions	66
Section wise questions	VARC - 24
	DILR - 22
	QA - 22
Marking scheme	+3 for every correct attempt
	-1 for every incorrect attempt
Total marks	198

 

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria

As, CAT is an entrance exam for postgraduate management programs, graduation is the minimum eligibility requirement. Check out the details below.

·         The candidate must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university. The minimum mark required is 50% (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).

·         Candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree program or awaiting results can also take the CAT exam.

·         Candidates with professional degrees, such as CA/CS/CMA, are also eligible for CAT.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many months are enough for CAT preparation? 

Ideally, 6–9 months of focused preparation is sufficient. However, consistent practice and mock test analysis are key to achieving a high percentile.

2. Is coaching necessary for CAT? 

Not necessarily. Many toppers prepare through self-study using online resources, mock tests, and study materials. Coaching helps if you prefer structured guidance and peer learning.

3. How many attempts are allowed for CAT?

There’s no limit to the number of CAT attempts. You can appear as many times as you wish, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

4. What is CAT Exam Result Expected Date?

CAT exam result is usually declared in the first week of January following the exam date (e.g., first week of January 2026 for CAT Exam 2025).