CAT 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Registration Start | August |
| Registration Last Date | September 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 23, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | January 2027 |
| Application Fee (General) | ₹2,400 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST) | ₹1,200 |
| Attempts Allowed | No limit (age: minimum graduation, no upper limit) |
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Dates above are based on official announcements. Always verify on the official exam website before applying.
CAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria
- Must have passed or be appearing in Class 10+2 (or equivalent)
- Required subjects as per exam norms (PCM for engineering; PCB for medical)
- Minimum aggregate marks: 50% (General), 40–45% (SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
- Attempts: No limit (age: minimum graduation, no upper limit)
CAT 2027 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions / Format | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 questions (16 MCQ + 8 TITA) | ~72 marks |
| DILR | 20 questions (14 MCQ + 6 TITA) | ~60 marks |
| QA | 22 questions (14 MCQ + 8 TITA) | ~66 marks |
| Total | 66 questions | 198 marks |
Negative Marking: -1 for wrong MCQ; 0 for TITA (Type In The Answer)
CAT 2027 Syllabus
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading Comprehension (4–5 passages)
- Para Jumbles
- Para Summary / Odd Sentence Out
- Sentence Correction (rare)
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Tables
- Venn Diagrams
- Arrangements & Sequencing
- Games & Tournaments
- Networks & Routes
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Arithmetic (Ratio, %age, P&L, Time-Speed)
- Algebra (Equations, Functions)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number System
- Permutation & Combination, Probability
CAT 2027 Qualifying Cutoff
| Category | Cutoff | Approx. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ percentile (overall) | 85+ in each section |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ percentile | 85+ in each section |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ percentile | 80+ in each section |
| IIM Lucknow / Kozhikode | 97–98 percentile | 75+ in each section |
| New IIMs / State B-schools | 85–95 percentile | Varies |
College Cutoffs via CAT 2027
| College & Branch | Cutoff | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (PGP) | 99+ percentile | 20–30 seats/section |
| IIM Bangalore (PGP) | 99+ percentile | Top 600 shortlisted |
| IIM Calcutta (PGP) | 99+ percentile | Top 600 shortlisted |
| FMS Delhi | 98+ percentile | Very high value/fee |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ percentile | Strong work-exp preferred |
How to Apply for CAT 2027
- Visit the official exam website
- Register with valid email and mobile number
- Fill in personal, academic and contact details
- Upload photo, signature, and required documents
- Select exam city preferences
- Pay application fee online
- Submit and save confirmation / application number
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Keep your application number safe. You will need it to download admit card and check results.
FAQs | CAT 2026-27
What is the CAT 2027 exam date?+
CAT 2027 will be conducted on November 23, 2026 (Sunday). Registration opens in August 2026. The exam is held in 3 sessions across 170+ cities in India.
What CAT percentile is needed for IIM Ahmedabad?+
IIM Ahmedabad typically shortlists candidates with 99+ overall percentile. Sectional cutoffs are usually 85+ in VARC, DILR, and QA. However, the final selection is holistic academic performance (10th, 12th, graduation) and work experience also matter.
Is work experience required for CAT?+
Work experience is not mandatory for CAT registration or IIM admission. However, most IIM batches have a mix of freshers and experienced candidates. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta give weightage to work experience in their final selection.
How many attempts are allowed for CAT?+
There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT. You can appear every year. Only the best score is considered by IIMs. CAT score is valid for 1 year only.