CAT Exam 2027: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Cut-offs & Preparation Tips

• Exams
• November 12, 2026

It is 8:30 on a Sunday morning. Your friends are still asleep, but you are sitting at a computer, a 40-minute timer is ticking, and a tricky Reading Comprehension passage is staring back at you. Over the next two hours, this screen will decide which MBA doors open for you. That is the Common Admission Test, and every year lakhs of aspirants walk into this exam with one big dream: a seat at an IIM or a top B-school.

If you are planning for CAT Exam 2027, you are already ahead of the crowd. In this guide, we explain eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, cut-offs and a simple preparation plan, so you know exactly where to begin.

What Is the CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test, better known as CAT, is the national-level entrance test for students planning an MBA after graduation and PGDM programmes in India. One of the IIMs conducts it every year on a rotation basis, and the score is accepted by the IIMs and many other leading B-schools. The test is computer-based, held in English and conducted once a year.

IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026. The institute for CAT 2027 has not been announced yet, and it is fine to ignore that guessing game. The conducting IIM changes, but the exam structure has stayed largely stable in recent years.

CAT Exam 2027 Date: What We Know So Far

The official CAT Exam 2027 notification and examination date have not yet been announced. Based on previous examination cycles, the notification and registration process may take place around July and August 2027. However, candidates should wait for the official announcement on the CAT website before relying on any dates or deadlines.

CAT Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility for CAT [Common Admission Test] is simple, and it is the same each year unless the notification says otherwise:

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. The requirement is 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
• Final-year students can apply, provided they meet the marks requirement and submit the required proof later.
• There is no age limit, and you can attempt CAT any number of times.
• Work experience is not compulsory. Fresh graduates and working professionals can both apply.

One thing parents often ask: clearing CAT does not guarantee an IIM seat. Each IIM has its own shortlisting rules, so always read the criteria of the specific programme you want.

How to Apply for CAT 2027

CAT registration is fully online on iimcat.ac.in. The steps are the same each year, but always read the Information Bulletin first.

• Register with your name, date of birth, email ID and mobile number, exactly as on your ID proof.
• Log in and fill in your Class 10, Class 12, graduation and work experience details.
• Choose your exam city preferences. Allotment is done by the conducting IIM, so your first choice is not guaranteed.
• Select the IIM programmes and other participating institutes you want to apply to.
• Upload documents such as a category or PwD certificate if applicable, and pay the fee online.

The CAT 2027 registration fee has not been announced yet. Candidates should check the official notification for the applicable fee, payment instructions and document requirements before submitting their application.

CAT Exam Pattern

The CAT 2026 examination follows a three-section format with a total duration of 120 minutes. The following table explains the latest available exam pattern. The CAT 2027 notification will confirm whether any changes are introduced.

A few points that matter more than the table:

• Every correct answer earns 3 marks. A wrong MCQ answer costs 1 mark. Type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions have no negative marking.
• You cannot move between sections. When 40 minutes end, the screen shifts to the next one.
• The exam runs in three slots, and scores across slots are normalised.

This is the current format, as followed in CAT 2026. The CAT 2027 notification will confirm if anything changes.

CAT Syllabus: Section-wise Breakdown

Here is something many beginners do not know. The IIMs do not release a chapter-wise CAT syllabus. Students rely on the three section names and the pattern seen in past papers. So the CAT exam syllabus below is a practical guide, not an official list.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Reading Comprehension forms the biggest part of this section. Alongside it you will see para-jumbles, para-summary, odd sentence out and similar verbal questions. Speed reading is not the aim here. Understanding the author’s point is.

Topics to cover:

• Reading Comprehension passages on varied subjects
• Para-jumbles
• Para-summary
• Sentence completion and correction
• Odd sentence out

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section is built around sets. Each set gives you a situation, such as a table, a graph, a caselet or an arrangement puzzle, followed by a few questions. The skill being tested is choosing the right sets, not solving every set.

Common set types:

• Tables, bar graphs and line charts
• Caselets and Venn diagrams
• Seating and other arrangements
• Scheduling, games and tournaments
• Networks and routes

Quantitative Ability (QA)

Expect arithmetic, algebra, geometry and mensuration, number system and modern maths such as permutation, combination and probability. Arithmetic usually gets a heavy share, so strong basics in percentages, ratios, time and work and speed-distance pay off quickly.

Topics to cover:

• Arithmetic: percentages, profit and loss, interest, ratio, averages, mixtures and alligations, time-speed-distance, time and work
• Algebra: linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, logarithms, progressions
• Geometry and mensuration: triangles, circles, polygons, coordinate geometry, areas and volumes
• Number system: divisibility, remainders, factors, HCF and LCM
• Modern maths: permutation, combination, probability, set theory

CAT Cut-offs: What You Should Actually Know

Students often search for one magic CAT cut-off, but it does not exist. There is no single cut-off for CAT. Each IIM and B-school sets its own shortlisting criteria, which can include overall and sectional percentile requirements. These differ by programme and category and can change every year.

The CAT score is also only one part of selection. Many institutes consider academic record, work experience, diversity and the personal interview. Your score is valid for the admission cycle linked to that year’s exam.

Candidates exploring MBA colleges in Delhi NCR should check each institute's official admission criteria rather than relying on general cut-off figures. A practical lesson: do not neglect any one section, because many institutes look at sectional performance too.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2027

If you are starting around now, you have close to a year. That is enough time for steady preparation without burning out. Here is a simple way to divide it.

Phase 1: Build the Base (first 3–4 months)

Revise school-level maths, starting with arithmetic. Begin a daily reading habit of 30–45 minutes: editorials, long-form articles and essays. Do not rush into mocks yet.

Phase 2: Practise by Topic (months 5–8)

Move to sectional practice. Solve one or two DILR sets every day with a timer. Learn to leave a difficult question quickly. In CAT, skipping is a skill.

Phase 3: Mocks and Analysis (months 9–11)

Take full-length mocks every week, and spend as much time analysing each one as you spent attempting it. Note where marks were lost: concept gap, careless error or poor time use.

Phase 4: Final Month

Revise your notes, attempt the official CAT mock on iimcat.ac.in to get used to the interface, and protect your sleep.

A quick example on negative marking: if you answer 20 MCQs correctly and 8 wrongly, you score 60 minus 8, which is 52. Those 8 guesses cost you 11 marks overall, so guess only when you can eliminate options with confidence. For TITA questions, there is no penalty, so attempt them when you have a reasonable approach.

Three mistakes to avoid: taking mocks without analysing them, ignoring VARC because you are strong in maths, and changing study material every month.

How IP Education Can Support Your CAT Journey

Most students and parents will ask similar questions. Where do I start? How do I manage college and CAT? How do I know that my plan is working? Our goal at IP Education is to give clear and truthful advice from the beginning. If you are a first year student looking to get your future planned out or a final year graduate wanting to start late, our team can help you to understand the exam, create a realistic timeline and decide on a study plan that can fit into your schedule. A relaxed plan at the start tends to be more effective than a rushed one at the last minute.

Conclusion

Although the CAT Exam 2027 is far off, it is rare for high scorers to panic; they have a clear strategy. Know your eligibility criteria, the sections (there are three), practice and make sure you visit iimcat.ac.in regularly for the official notification and CAT Exam date. Start building daily habits to create a solid foundation. Follow your mocks as much as possible so on your Sunday morning in the exam hall you’ll feel very familiar with the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the CAT Exam 2027?

The official date has not been announced. Based on previous examination cycles, CAT 2027 is expected to take place in late November 2027. Wait for the notification on iimcat.ac.in.

2. Who is eligible for CAT 2027?

A candidate with a bachelor’s degree and at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwD) can apply. Final-year students can also apply, and there is no age limit. Confirm the final criteria in the official notification.

3. What is the CAT exam syllabus?

The IIMs do not publish a detailed chapter-wise CAT syllabus. The exam covers three areas: VARC, DILR and QA. Topics are understood from past papers and the official mock test.

4. Is there negative marking in CAT?

Yes, for MCQs. A correct answer gives 3 marks and a wrong MCQ answer deducts 1 mark. TITA questions carry no negative marking, and unattempted questions get zero.