The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is one of the most important MBA entrance examinations in India. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across multiple test cities. Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 will be able to check their results and download their scorecards online through the official CAT website.
According to the expected timeline, the CAT 2026 result is likely to be announced in late December 2026 or the first week of January 2027. The scorecard will contain the candidate’s overall and sectional scaled scores along with percentiles.
1.CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date / Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | September 15, 2026 |
| Form Correction | Expected in late September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key & Objection Window | Early December 2026 |
| CAT Result | Expected late December 2026 / First Week of January 2027 |
2. CAT 2026 Exam Date and Pattern
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026. The examination will be conducted in three separate sessions – morning, afternoon and evening.
The total examination duration will be 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section. Candidates will not be allowed to move between sections during the examination.
The CAT exam consists of approximately 66 questions divided into three sections:
| Section | Duration | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 40 Minutes | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
| DILR | 40 Minutes | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
| QA | 40 Minutes | Quantitative Ability |
The question paper contains both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.
3.CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
Candidates will receive 3 marks for every correct answer.
For incorrect MCQs, one mark will be deducted. However, TITA questions do not carry negative marking for incorrect responses.
Since CAT is conducted in multiple sessions, raw scores are normalized and converted into scaled scores to account for differences in difficulty levels between slots.
The percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below a candidate’s scaled score.
3. CAT 2026 Result Date
The CAT 2026 result is expected to be released in late December 2026 or the first week of January 2027.
After the result is declared, candidates will be able to access their CAT scorecards online. The scorecard will contain details such as:
Overall scaled score
Section-wise scaled scores
Overall percentile
Sectional percentiles
Candidate details
The CAT score is expected to remain valid for the applicable admission cycle, with the scorecard validity extending through December 31, 2027, as indicated in the provided information.
4.How to Download CAT Scorecard
Candidates can follow these steps to download their CAT 2026 scorecard:
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Click on the CAT 2026 Scorecard or result link.
- Enter the required login credentials.
- Submit the details.
- The CAT 2026 scorecard will appear on the screen.
- Check the overall and sectional scores and percentiles.
- Download and save the scorecard for future admission purposes.
Candidates are advised to keep a copy of their scorecard safely as it may be required during the MBA admission and selection process.
5.CAT 2026 Registration Fee
The registration fee mentioned for CAT 2026 is:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
5.CAT Score vs Percentile
The exact percentile obtained from a particular score can vary depending on the difficulty level of the examination and normalization across different sessions. Based on the indicative estimates provided, candidates can use the following as a broad preparation benchmark:
| Expected Percentile | Approximate Score Range |
|---|---|
| 99.5+ Percentile | 80+ Marks |
| 97–99 Percentile | 65–75 Marks |
| 90–95 Percentile | 54–63 Marks |
These figures are only indicative estimates and should not be treated as official CAT 2026 cutoffs.
6.What Happens After CAT Result?
A good CAT percentile is an important part of the MBA admission process, but it does not automatically guarantee admission to an IIM or other B-school.
After the result, institutes may shortlist candidates based on factors including:
Overall CAT percentile
Sectional percentile
Academic performance
Class 10 and 12 marks
Graduation performance
Work experience
Academic diversity
Gender diversity
Other institute-specific selection criteria
Shortlisted candidates may then have to participate in selection rounds such as Personal Interview (PI), Written Ability Test (WAT) or other evaluation processes, depending on the institute.
8. CAT 2026 Result: Important Points for Candidates
Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 should remember the following:
The exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
The exam will be conducted in three sessions.
The total duration is 120 minutes.
There are three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
Correct answers carry 3 marks.
Incorrect MCQs attract a one-mark penalty.
TITA questions have no negative marking.
Scores are normalized across different sessions.
The result is expected in late December 2026 or January 2027.
Candidates can download the scorecard online using their login credentials.
9. CAT 2026 Result – FAQs
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026.
When is the CAT 2026 result expected?
The result is tentatively expected in late December 2026 or the first week of January 2027.
Where can I download the CAT 2026 scorecard?
Candidates can download the scorecard through the official CAT website after the result is declared.
How many sections are there in CAT 2026?
There are three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
Is there negative marking in CAT?
Yes. Incorrect MCQ answers generally attract a one-mark negative score, while TITA questions do not carry negative marking.
Does CAT percentile guarantee admission to an IIM?
No. Admission depends on the respective institute’s selection criteria, including CAT percentile, academics, work experience and performance in subsequent selection rounds.
10. Conclusion
The CAT 2026 result will be an important milestone for MBA aspirants targeting IIMs and other leading management institutes. With the examination scheduled for November 29, 2026, candidates should focus on preparation while keeping track of official announcements regarding the answer key, result and admission process.
Candidates should rely on the official CAT website for the final result date, scorecard details and other official announcements.