CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026 | Age limit, Qualification, Reservation Criteria

CAT Exam 2026

The CAT exam will be conducted in November, 2026. The CAT exam is primarily used for admission into postgraduate management programs, particularly Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, offered by prestigious business schools in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading management institutions.

CAT Exam Eligibility 2026

The CAT exam eligibility 2026 is very important factor for aspirants aiming to appear for the prestigious exam. The exam date will soon be announced, and it’s important to review the cat eligibility criteria 2026 to understand any changes. The cat eligibility criteria have been outlined and are accessible for those planning to apply for CAT 2026. Numerous colleges accepting CAT scores set high standards, making thorough preparation essential.

Reflecting on the CAT exam 2026, the first week of August 2026 will mark the beginning of the cat 2026 application process. Those intending to apply for this exam must be aware of the cat exam eligibility for IIM, which is a key component for admission into top management institutes. Candidates must check all eligibility criteria and minimum marks required in the Graduation and age eligibility criteria for the upcoming exam.

Highlights of CAT 2026 Exam

Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for the CAT to pursue higher education opportunities in MBA. IIM Calcutta is conducting and taking the CAT 2026. According to the CAT official website, check the below information. If you feel that you are meeting every eligibility for the CAT Exam you need to start preparation for the CAT. And once the Registration date is announced you need to fill up the application form and complete the cat 2026 registration promptly to appear for the exam. The week of September 2026 is a critical period for finalizing applications, and reviewing FAQs on CAT can provide additional insights.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

Applicant should have secured minimum 50% marks graduation. Student appearing in final year are also eligible for CAT exam. CAT exam can be attempted number of times and there is no age limit to apply for the same. The Educational Qualification and the Percentage or CGPA is listed below.

Educational Qualification:-

To appear for CAT, Candidates should have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification. The degree should be awarded by a university that is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). So, aware about official CAT exam eligibility criteria.

For General & NC/OBC category there should be 50% minimum, for SC.ST & PwD category there should be 45% minimum percentage required. Those who satisfy this criteria are eligible for CAT.

Reservation Criteria and Relaxation:-

• The Reserved seats for OBC: 27%
• The Reserved seats for SC Candidates: 15%
• The Reserved seats for ST candidates: 7.5%
• The Reserved seats for the person with disabilities: 5%
• Economically Weaker Section(EWS): Up to 10%

It’s important to note that eligibility criteria for CAT can vary from year to year and among different institutions. Therefore, candidates should carefully review the CAT official notification and the eligibility criteria specified by the specific business schools they are interested in before applying for the exam.

For more details & brief description, you can read below CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria.

Final Year Students:-
Candidates who are in the final year of their bachelor’s degree program are also eligible to apply for CAT. They need to provide proof of completing their degree requirements and obtaining the minimum required percentage or CGPA at the time of admission. Other criteria and minimum marks are also required to apply for CAT.

Certain categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Persons with Disability (PwD) are often provided relaxation in terms of educational eligibility and percentage criteria, as per government regulations.

CAT Age Limit:-

There is no any maximum age limit for appearing in the CAT Entrance Exam. Candidates of any age can apply, provided they meet the educational qualification criteria.

CAT Exam Eligibility Vs IIM Eligibility

As mentioned above about eligibility criteria for CAT exam, now you can also see the below content for IIM selection criteria. Candidates who are willing to take CAT Exam and following eligibility criteria and qualification on the date mentioned in the Notification are required to focus on preparation just after registration of the CAT Exam. There are some requirements that CAT aspirants have to fulfill as below.

IIM CAT Eligibility for MBA:-

CAT Score:- Candidates need to appear for the CAT exam and obtain a competitive score that meets the cutoff set by the specific IIM they are applying to. You can expect the same CAT eligibility criteria.

Minimum CAT Percentile:- Each IIM sets its own CAT percentile cutoff for shortlisting candidates. The cutoff can vary based on factors such as the number of applicants, program popularity, and seat availability.

Academic Performance:- IIMs may consider the candidate’s academic performance (percentage/CGPA) as one of the shortlisting criteria.

Work Experience:- Some IIMs may give weightage to work experience when shortlisting candidates.

Diversity Factors:- Some IIMs aim to have a diverse student body and may consider factors like gender, academic background, and more during the shortlisting process.

Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI):- Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for WAT and PI rounds, where their communication skills, subject knowledge, and overall suitability for the program are assessed.

Final Selection Criteria:- The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in CAT, WAT, PI, academic record, work experience, and other factors. Each IIM may have its own unique criteria and weightage.

Also, refer the CAT registration process, CAT application form, CAT exam pattern, MBA colleges in India accepting CAT exam 2026 score, IIM Admission process, CAT 2024 exam analysis including difficulty level of the exam. Candidate should aware all things which are related to CAT. Take the CAT exam seriously and prepare for CAT with coaching or without coaching wherever you are comfortable.

CAT EXAM DATE

Check below table for the upcoming events and tentative dates.

CAT 2026 application starts from first week of August 2026. CAT application ends in third week of September 2026. Also, you can check the latest CAT exam updates, changes in the CAT exam schedule, and information related to the exam on official website.

CAT Exam Pattern

The Exam Pattern would be same as of CAT 2025. The Detail of Exam based on CAT Exam are given as below:

Mode of exam : Online

Duration of exam : 2 hours

Number of sessions : 2

Total number of questions : 100

Type of questions : MCQ and non-MCQ type

Marking scheme : 3 marks for right answer;

Negative Marks : Minus 1 for each wrong answer.

Important Note : No negative marking for non-MCQ questions.

The exam consists of three sections: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning.

Colleges Accepting CAT

Many prestigious colleges apart from IIMs accept CAT scores, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon. Researching and targeting the right colleges is a crucial part of the preparation strategy. It’s important to understand the CAT cut offs and predict which colleges align with your scores.

CAT Application & CAT Registration

When you apply for CAT exam, understanding the eligibility for CAT exam is fundamental. Preparing for CAT involves a detailed study plan and regular practice, as outlined on the official CAT website. The CAT is conducted annually, and candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to appear in CAT Exam.

Conclusion

Reflecting on CAT 2026 eligibility helps candidates clearly assess their eligibility for the exam. It is advisable to regularly check the latest CAT exam updates released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), as the eligibility criteria set a standard for the examination. The CAT 2026 registration and application process may include minor changes, so staying informed is crucial. Candidates should track CAT cut-off trends to align their preparation effectively with the upcoming exam. To be eligible, aspirants must meet the required educational criteria and minimum marks, with no upper age limit to appear for CAT. Being well-acquainted with all official CAT 2026 eligibility conditions is essential for a smooth application process and overall success.