CAT Exam 2027: Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Preparation Guide
Planning to take the CAT exam in 2027? Before you start preparing, it helps to understand how the exam works, who can apply, what you need to study, and what happens after the result.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam used for admission to MBA, PGDM and other management programmes offered by the IIMs and many other business schools in India. The exam tests candidates in three areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
This CAT 2027 guide brings the important information together in one place. You can check the CAT eligibility criteria, go through the CAT syllabus, understand the CAT exam pattern, and find resources for preparation and previous year questions.
CAT 2027 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Courses | MBA, PGDM & other management programmes |
| Accepted By | IIMs and participating B-schools |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | VARC, DILR & Quantitative Ability |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
What is CAT Exam?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a management entrance exam conducted every year by one of the Indian Institutes of Management. The institute responsible for conducting the exam changes on a rotational basis.
CAT is primarily used for admission to MBA, PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes. All IIMs use CAT scores as part of their admission process, while many other management institutes also accept CAT scores.
The exam has three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Your CAT percentile is an important part of the admission process, but colleges may also consider other factors such as academic performance, work experience and performance in their own selection rounds.
CAT Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | VARC, DILR & Quantitative Ability |
| Accepted By | IIMs and other MBA colleges |
| Purpose | Admission to MBA & PGDM programmes |
CAT Eligibility Criteria
Before filling out the application form, check whether you meet the CAT eligibility requirements.
The main requirements relate to your bachelor’s degree, marks and category. Students who are in the final year of their bachelor’s degree can also apply.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification |
| Minimum Marks | 50% aggregate marks; 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Nationality | Indian and foreign nationals can apply as per official guidelines |
If you’re unsure whether your degree or marks meet the requirements, check our detailed CAT Eligibility page before applying.
Note: Always check the latest CAT notification for the final eligibility requirements because the rules can be updated.
CAT Selection Process
Clearing CAT is only one part of getting admission to an MBA programme. After the exam, each IIM or B-school follows its own selection process.
The general process looks like this:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register for CAT and submit the application form |
| 2 | Download the admit card and appear for the exam |
| 3 | Check your CAT result and percentile |
| 4 | Apply to the IIMs and other B-schools that accept your CAT score |
| 5 | Shortlisted candidates may have to attend WAT, GD and/or PI, depending on the institute |
| 6 | The institute makes the final admission decision using its selection criteria |
The final selection isn’t based on the CAT score alone. Institutes may also look at your academic record, work experience and performance in the selection rounds.
CAT Exam Pattern
CAT is conducted as a computer-based test with three sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability.
Each section tests a different set of skills. VARC focuses mainly on language and reading comprehension, DILR tests reasoning and interpretation of data, while QA covers mathematical aptitude.
For a detailed breakdown, including the marking scheme and question types, see our CAT Exam Pattern page.
CAT 2027 Exam Pattern
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Sections | VARC, DILR & Quantitative Ability |
| Total Questions | As per the latest official notification |
| Question Types | MCQs & Type In The Answer (TITA) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, no negative marking for TITA |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section |
CAT Syllabus
CAT does not have a fixed official syllabus in the same way that some other competitive exams do. However, the questions generally cover certain topics across the three sections.
VARC
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section includes areas such as:
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Para Summary
- Odd One Out
- Sentence Completion
DILR
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning can include:
- Tables
- Charts
- Graphs
- Data Interpretation
- Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles
- Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Ability
The Quantitative Ability section generally covers:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Number System
- Modern Mathematics
You can find the topics in more detail on our CAT Syllabus page.
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
CAT scores are used by the IIMs and many other management institutes for their admission process.
However, having a CAT score doesn’t mean that every college follows the same admission criteria. Institutes can use different combinations of CAT percentile, academic performance, work experience and their own selection rounds.
| Institute Type | Admission Through |
|---|---|
| Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | CAT + Institute Selection Process |
| Government MBA Colleges | CAT |
| Private MBA & PGDM Colleges | CAT |
| Autonomous Business Schools | CAT |
Some institutes may also conduct Written Ability Tests, Group Discussions or Personal Interviews before making the final admission decision.
For more information, visit our CAT Colleges page.
CAT Preparation Resources
Preparing for CAT becomes much easier when you know what to study and how the exam is structured. Instead of trying to cover everything at once, start with the basics and build your preparation around the exam pattern.
CareerMint has separate resources for the important parts of CAT preparation:
| Resource | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| CAT Eligibility | Eligibility requirements and qualification details |
| CAT Syllabus | Section-wise topics for VARC, DILR and QA |
| CAT Exam Pattern | Exam structure, marking scheme and question types |
| CAT Preparation Strategy | Practical tips and a structured approach to preparation |
| CAT Previous Year Question Papers | Previous questions for practice |
| CAT Colleges | Information about colleges accepting CAT scores |
If you’re just starting your preparation, our CAT Preparation Strategy can help you plan what to do first.
Why Do Students Take CAT?
For many management aspirants, CAT is the main entrance exam they prepare for because its score is accepted by the IIMs and a large number of other business schools.
A CAT score can be used for admission to management programmes and can lead to postgraduate study in areas such as:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Consulting
- Operations
- Human Resources
- Product Management
- Business Analytics
The exam is competitive, so preparation usually involves understanding the syllabus, practising different question types and improving speed and accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions About CAT
What is the CAT exam?
CAT, or the Common Admission Test, is a national-level management entrance examination conducted annually by one of the IIMs. It is used for admission to MBA, PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes.
Who conducts the CAT exam?
One of the Indian Institutes of Management conducts CAT each year. The conducting IIM changes on a rotational basis.
What is the eligibility for CAT?
Candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least 50% aggregate marks. The minimum requirement is 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Final-year bachelor’s degree students can also apply.
You can check the detailed requirements on our CAT Eligibility page.
Is there any age limit for CAT?
No. There is no age limit for appearing in CAT.
What is the mode of the CAT exam?
CAT is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) at designated examination centres.
How long is the CAT exam?
The CAT examination has a total duration of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section according to the information in the current page content.
Which subjects are included in CAT?
CAT has three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Which colleges accept CAT scores?
CAT scores are accepted by the IIMs as well as government MBA colleges, private MBA and PGDM colleges and other participating business schools.
The admission requirements vary from one institute to another.
Is CAT compulsory for MBA admission?
No. CAT is not the only MBA entrance examination in India. Some institutes accept other exams such as XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP and NMAT.
How should I prepare for CAT?
Start by understanding the CAT syllabus and exam pattern. Then create a study schedule, practise questions regularly, solve previous year papers and take mock tests.
After each mock or practice session, spend some time looking at your mistakes. This helps you identify the topics that need more work.
Are CAT previous year question papers useful?
Yes. Previous year questions can help you understand the type of questions asked in CAT and give you a better idea of how the different sections are tested.
You can practise them through our CAT Previous Year Question Papers resource.
Is CAT difficult?
CAT is a competitive management entrance exam, and the difficulty level can vary from year to year. Your preparation, familiarity with the topics and ability to manage time during the exam all matter.
Can I prepare for CAT without coaching?
Yes. Coaching is not compulsory. Candidates can prepare through self-study using books, online resources, mock tests and previous year questions.
The important part is having a realistic study plan and following it consistently.
What is a good CAT percentile?
There isn’t one percentile that works for every college. The required percentile varies depending on the institute, category and its admission criteria.
If you’re comparing colleges, check the individual institute’s latest admission requirements rather than relying on a single general cutoff.
Where can I find CAT study resources?
CareerMint provides dedicated resources for CAT, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, preparation strategy, previous year questions and colleges.