CAT Exam Guide: Steps to Apply & Preparation Strategy

By the MasterMan editorial team • Further Studies • Updated August 2026 • 10 min read • Editorial policy

The CAT (Common Admission Test) is the gateway to an MBA/PGP at the IIMs and 1000+ of India’s best B-schools (FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IITs’ DoMS and more). It’s conducted by the IIMs, usually once a year in late November. It rewards clear thinking and speed — not rote learning. Here’s how to approach it.

1. Quick facts

Conducted by: the IIMs (on rotation), once a year, exam in November.
Mode: computer-based test, 2 hours, with sectional time limits (40 minutes per section).
Scoring: normalised and reported as a percentile; IIM calls typically need 99+.

2. Eligibility

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate (generally 50%, with relaxation to 45% for reserved categories). Final-year students can apply. There is no age limit. Confirm exact requirements in the official notification.

3. Exam pattern & marking

VARC — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
DILR — Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
QA — Quantitative Aptitude (arithmetic-heavy, plus algebra, geometry, numbers).
Marking: +3 for a correct answer; −1 for a wrong MCQ; TITA (non-MCQ) questions carry no negative marking.

Sectional timing is strict. You cannot move between sections, so you must build balanced strength across all three — one weak section caps your overall percentile.

4. Step-by-step: how to apply

Register on the official CAT portal (iimcat.ac.in) when the window opens (around August).
Fill the application — academics, work experience, category and programme preferences.
Choose test cities in order of preference.
Upload documents — photo, signature and certificates as specified.
Pay the registration fee (concession for reserved categories).
Download the admit card (usually early November).
Take the exam in November; results are announced in January.
Shortlisting: IIMs/B-schools call you for WAT, GD and Personal Interview based on your percentile and profile.

5. A proven 4–6 month preparation strategy

Months 1–2 — Fundamentals

Build QA basics (start with arithmetic — percentages, ratios, TSD, profit & loss), learn DILR set-solving approaches, and start a daily reading habit (editorials, long-form articles) to power VARC.

Months 3–4 — Practice & sets

Solve topic-wise QA, attempt many DILR sets (selection of the right set is a skill), and do RC passages daily. Begin sectional tests under the 40-minute limit.

Months 5–6 — Mocks are everything

Take 2–3 full mocks a week. The real skill in CAT is question selection and time management — mocks train exactly that. Analyse each mock deeply: which sets to skip, where you lost time, and accuracy per topic.

6. Smart tips

Attempt selection wins CAT — leaving hard questions is a strategy, not a weakness (especially with −1 marking).
Don’t chase 100% attempts; chase high accuracy on the right questions.
Read editorials daily to lift RC speed & comprehension.
Keep a mock analysis journal — your percentile rises from analysis, not just from taking more mocks.

Considering an MBA abroad instead of (or alongside) the IIMs? Compare with the GMAT and see all paths in our Further Studies overview.

Dates, fees, eligibility and pattern are decided by the conducting IIM each year and can change. Always confirm the latest details in the official CAT notification before applying.