Dashboard · Exams · CAT
CAT
Common Admission Test
MBA entrance for IIMs and other top business schools. 66 questions in 120 minutes across VARC, DILR, and Quant.
Updated 26 Aug 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free CAT preparation on Shishya
Take expert-curated mocks, practise previous year papers, and Ask Shishya when you're stuck — verified by students who cleared the same path. All free, no credit card. Sign in with Google to begin.
✦ Try a CAT question — free, no signup
Vocabulary in ContextIn the passage 'The committee's report was criticized for its pedantic focus on minor procedural details while ignoring substantive policy issues,' the word 'pedantic' most nearly means:
Tap an option to check your answer.
Start with a diagnostic
10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
One email when the official result is out, nothing else.
🧩 Build your own mock — pick exact topics → · every mock readable in हिंदी + 12 languages inside the test
CAT eligibility
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC / ST / PwBD), or a CA / CS / ICWA equivalent.
- Final-year graduating students can apply.
- Professional degrees recognised: CA, CS, ICWA, equivalent.
- Attempts
- Unlimited attempts.
- Nationality
- Open to all — Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals.
CAT cutoffs
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
IIM percentile cutoffs (for shortlist — General category, 2024 batch)
These are shortlisting cutoffs only — final selection weights CAT, academics, work-ex, gender diversity, written assessment + PI.
| Year | Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | IIM Ahmedabad | ≥ 99 overall · ≥ 80 each section |
| 2024 | IIM Bangalore | ≥ 99 overall · ≥ 85 each section |
| 2024 | IIM Calcutta | ≥ 99 overall · ≥ 85 each section |
| 2024 | IIM Lucknow | ≥ 92.5 overall · ≥ 80 each section |
| 2024 | IIM Kozhikode | ≥ 90 overall · ≥ 80 each section |
| 2024 | IIM Indore | ≥ 90 overall · ≥ 80 each section |
| 2024 | New IIMs (avg) | ≥ 80 overall · sectional ≥ 70-75 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
CAT paper analysis — what actually got asked
Topic-by-topic weightage averaged across 2022-2024 papers. Use this to decide where to invest study hours, not where to skim. Source ↗ · verified 2026-05.
VARC
72/198 marks avg
Reading Comprehension (4 passages, ~16 Qs)
~48 marks(24%)Verbal Ability (Para-summary, Para-jumble, Misfit, Para-completion)
~24 marks(12%)
DILR
60/198 marks avg
Logical Reasoning sets (3-4 sets)
~36 marks(18%)Data Interpretation sets (1-2 sets)
~24 marks(12%)
QA
66/198 marks avg
Arithmetic (TSD, Work, Mixtures, Ratio, Percentages)
~30 marks(15%)Algebra + Number System
~18 marks(9%)Geometry + Mensuration
~12 marks(6%)Modern Math (P&C, Probability, Sequences)
~6 marks(3%)
Takeaways for prep planning
- Reading Comprehension is non-negotiable — 16 of the 24 VARC questions are RC. A 6+ wpm reading pace + comprehension accuracy is the single biggest VARC differentiator.
- DILR is the section where the percentile gap widens most — choosing which sets to attempt matters more than solving every set.
- Arithmetic alone accounts for ~40% of QA. A non-Engineering candidate can clear QA cutoffs by mastering Arithmetic + Algebra and being selective elsewhere.
CAT — Frequently asked questions
Is Shishya free for CAT preparation?
How many CAT practice questions does Shishya have?
Are CAT previous year question papers available?
How long is the CAT exam?
Previous year papers
160 questions across all yearsSome years hold a set of questions from that paper, not the full paper — each card shows how many.
2025
32 of 66 questions
Practise these →2024
33 of 66 questions
Practise these →2023
34 of 66 questions
Practise these →2022
33 of 66 questions
Practise these →2021
28 of 66 questions
Practise these →
Mock tests
All my attempts →Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
CAT — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 120 min
Start mock →CAT — Full-Length Mock (Real Pattern: 66Q · 120 min)
FULL66 questions · 120 min
Start mock →
Practice by subject & topic
Full-length subject tests below — 25 questions each, real exam format, instant scoring. Want to drill a single topic? Every topic has its own 10-question test in the syllabus.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
49 QsData Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
87 QsQuantitative Aptitude
44 Qs
🎯 Build my own mock
Tell Shishya exactly what to test you on — topics, size, difficulty — and get a fresh mock in seconds. Leave the box blank and we'll target your weakest topics.
Your rank
vs everyone who has taken this examTake a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
Students
1
Mocks taken
1
Average score
0%
Top score
0%
What can I get from CAT?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
All-India top 200 — IIM ABC likely
100–100% · Rank 1 – 185
- •IIM Ahmedabad — PGP (very high conversion probability with 99.9+ percentile)
- •IIM Bangalore — PGP (high conversion probability)
- •IIM Calcutta — MBA (high conversion probability)
- •Multiple calls from all top IIMs and premier B-schools
- •Focus on interview preparation and academic diversity to maximize conversions
IIM ABC range — Top 1000
100–100% · Rank 185 – 925
- •IIM Ahmedabad — PGP (fees ~25 lakhs, last year's General cut-off ~99+ percentile)
- •IIM Bangalore — PGP (fees ~24 lakhs, cut-off ~99+ percentile General)
- •IIM Calcutta — MBA (fees ~27 lakhs, cut-off ~98.5-99 percentile General)
- •Excellent profile + interview can convert one of IIM A/B/C
- •Also strong shot at ISB Hyderabad/Mohali with work experience
Top IIMs — Interview calls likely
98–100% · Rank 925 – 3,700
- •IIM Lucknow — MBA (fees ~23 lakhs, cut-off ~97-98 percentile General)
- •IIM Kozhikode — MBA (cut-off ~97-98 percentile General)
- •IIM Indore — MBA (cut-off ~97-98 percentile General)
- •IIM Calcutta — MBA (cut-off ~98-99 percentile General, interview matters significantly)
- •Strong chance at FMS Delhi / XLRI HRM with good academics and interview
Mid-tier old IIMs / top new IIMs
96–98% · Rank 3,700 – 7,500
- •IIM Indore / Kozhikode — MBA (fees ~20-23 lakhs, cut-off ~96-97 percentile)
- •IIM Shillong / Rohtak — MBA (cut-off ~95-97 percentile)
- •XLRI Jamshedpur — HRM program (cut-off ~96-97 percentile for HR)
- •FMS Delhi — MBA (strong interview performance needed, cut-off ~98+ percentile)
- •IIM Lucknow — ABM or other sectoral programs (cut-off ~97-98 percentile)
Top tier-2 / new IIMs
92–96% · Rank 7,500 – 15,000
- •IIM Ranchi / Raipur / Trichy — MBA (newer IIMs, fees ~16 lakhs, cut-off ~92-95 percentile)
- •FMS Delhi — MBA (Delhi University, extremely low fees ~20k per year, cut-off ~98-99 percentile typically but interviews matter)
- •XLRI Jamshedpur — BM program (cut-off ~95 percentile for BM)
- •SP Jain Mumbai — PGDM (fees ~18 lakhs)
- •IIM Udaipur / Kashipur — MBA (cut-off ~94-96 percentile)
Good tier-2 / lower tier-1
85–92% · Rank 15,000 – 35,000
- •NMIMS Mumbai — MBA (Narsee Monjee, fees ~23 lakhs, cut-off ~90 percentile)
- •SCMHRD Pune — MBA (Symbiosis, fees ~22 lakhs)
- •IMI Delhi — PGDM (fees ~18 lakhs, cut-off ~90-92 percentile)
- •IIT Bombay SJMSOM — MBA (lower specialisations, cut-off varies)
- •MDI Gurgaon — PGDM (International Business or HR, cut-off ~92-94 percentile)
Tier 2-3 B-school range
70–85% · Rank 35,000 – 1,50,000
Below cutoff range
0–70% · Rank 1,50,000+
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
News & timeline
See older updates →Latest news
IIM Indore has opened CAT 2026 registration from August 3, 2026, with the deadline set for September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Application fee has been increased to Rs 2,700 for unreserved categories and Rs 1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
As per the official schedule announced by IIM Indore, CAT 2026 admit cards will be available for download from November 4, 2026 onwards until exam day. Candidates must download from iimcat.ac.in using their login credentials.
The CAT 2026 notification released on July 26, 2026 confirms the exam will be held on November 29, 2026 across 170 cities in three sessions. Prof Aditya Billore has been appointed as CAT 2026 Convener.
Important dates
CAT 2026 notification released
passedSun, 26 Jul, 2026
Official notification released by IIM Indore on July 26, 2026
CAT 2026 — registration opens
passedSun, 2 Aug, 2026
Registration opens
passedMon, 3 Aug, 2026
Registration started at 10:00 AM on August 3, 2026
Registration closes
4 days awayTue, 15 Sept, 2026
Last date to register is September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Application correction window
9 days awaySun, 20 Sept, 2026
Correction window typically opens few days after registration closes, usually for 3-4 days
Admit card available
54 days awayWed, 4 Nov, 2026
Admit card available from November 4, 2026 until exam day
📈CAT 2026 exam
79 days awaySun, 29 Nov, 2026
Exam conducted in three sessions on Sunday, November 29, 2026 across 170 cities
Answer key release (expected)
86 days awaySun, 6 Dec, 2026
Answer key typically released about one week after exam
CAT 2026 result
116 days awayTue, 5 Jan, 2027
Results expected in first week of January 2027
Syllabus
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
4 long passages with 4 questions each — main idea, inference, tone, vocab in context, author's purpose.
Para Jumbles
TITA-format: arrange 4–5 jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph.
Para Summary
Choose the option that best summarises a 4–6 sentence paragraph.
Odd Sentence Out
Identify the sentence that does not fit the paragraph (TITA).
Para Completion
Choose the sentence that best completes a paragraph.
Sentence Correction
Identify and fix grammatical / structural errors in a sentence.
Critical Reasoning
Strengthen, weaken, assumption, inference questions on short arguments.
Word Analogies
Identify the relationship between word pairs.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Tables-based DI
Single and multi-table data — percentages, averages, comparison.
Bar Charts
Simple, stacked, and grouped bar graphs — calculation and comparison.
Line Charts
Trend interpretation, growth rates, multiple-line comparisons.
Pie Charts
Single and double pie charts — share, percentage and combination problems.
Scatter & Radar Charts
Interpretation of scatter plots, bubble charts, radar / spider charts.
Caselets
Paragraph-based DI sets without graphical aids — pure data extraction.
Mixed / Combined DI
Sets combining tables, charts and text in a single problem.
Venn Diagrams
2-set and 3-set Venn problems — overlaps, exclusive regions.
Logical Puzzles
Grid-based puzzles, distribution puzzles, conditions-based reasoning.
Seating Arrangement
Linear, circular and rectangular arrangements with conditions.
Blood Relations
Family-tree problems, generation tracking, pointing-style relations.
Direction Sense
Compass-based movement, final position and shortest distance.
Syllogism
Two- and three-statement deductions using all/some/no quantifiers.
Coding-Decoding
Letter-letter, letter-number and conditional coding patterns.
Number / Letter Series
Identify next term or missing term in a sequence.
Clocks & Calendars
Angle between hands, day-of-week calculation, leap-year logic.
Games & Tournaments
League/knockout scheduling, points-table-based reasoning.
Routes & Networks
Shortest path, network flow, connectivity puzzles.
Cubes
Cube cutting, painting, and counting problems.
Binary Logic / Truth-Tellers
Truth-teller, liar and alternator problems.
Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic
~40% of QA. The highest-weightage area in CAT.
Algebra
~30% of QA. Linear & quadratic equations, functions and progressions dominate.
Geometry & Mensuration
~15% of QA. Triangles, circles and 2D/3D mensuration are most frequent.
Number Systems
~5–7% of QA. Divisibility and remainders are most-asked.
Modern Math
~5–7% of QA. P&C and probability lead this area.