CAT 2027: Common Admission Test
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s premier national management entrance examination conducted annually on a rotational basis by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). CAT scores are the mandatory gateway for admission into 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Departments of Management Studies, and over 100 top-tier business schools.
Examination Highlights & Structure
| Exam Name | CAT 2027: Common Admission Test |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Examination Level | National Level Postgraduate Entrance |
| Frequency & Mode | Once a year (Last Sunday of November) • Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration & Total Marks | 120 Minutes (2 Hours) with 40-Minute Sectional Timers • 198 Marks (66 Questions) |
| Official Convener Portal | https://iimcat.ac.in |
Eligibility Criteria & Statutory Norms
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes strict sectional time-limit; candidates cannot switch sections)
Total Questions: 66 Questions (Multiple Choice Questions & Non-MCQ TITA questions)
Marking Scheme: +3 marks for every correct answer, -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ, 0 marks for unattempted or TITA questions.
| Section Name | Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 Questions | 72 Marks | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 Questions | 60 Marks | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 Questions | 66 Marks | 40 Minutes |
CAT 2027 Exam Date & Crucial Schedule
When is the CAT 2027 exam date?
The CAT 2027 exam date is scheduled for Sunday, November 28, 2027, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as a nationwide computer-based test for MBA admissions. Official registration opens in early August 2027 via iimcat.ac.in with admit cards released by late October 2027.
| Milestone / Event | Expected / Notification Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official CAT Notification Release | Last Week of July 2027 | Upcoming |
| Online Registration Window | First Week of August – Mid September 2027 | Expected |
| Admit Card Download Commences | Fourth Week of October 2027 | Expected |
| CAT 2027 Examination Date | Last Sunday of November 2027 | Expected |
| Official Scorecard Declaration | Second Week of January 2028 | Expected |
Syllabus Breakdown & Subject Highlights
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- •Reading Comprehension Passages (Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Science)
- •Para Jumbles with and without options
- •Para Summary & Completion
- •Odd Sentence Out
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- •Caselets & Data Tables
- •Bar Graphs, Radar Charts & Line Graphs
- •Games & Tournaments
- •Matrix Arrangements & Seating Layouts
- •Network Diagrams & Venn Diagrams
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- •Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit/Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Ratio/Proportion)
- •Algebra (Linear & Quadratic Equations, Polynomials, Inequalities, Modulus, Logarithms)
- •Geometry & Mensuration
- •Number Systems & Modern Math
Target Cutoffs & Participating Institutes
| Institution | Cutoff Benchmark | Fee Estimate | Median CTC / Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (PGP) | 99.5+ Percentile | ₹26.5 Lakhs | ₹34.4 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore (PGP) | 99.3+ Percentile | ₹26.0 Lakhs | ₹35.3 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta (MBA) | 99.2+ Percentile | ₹27.0 Lakhs | ₹35.1 LPA |
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS Delhi) | 98.5+ Percentile | ₹2.0 Lakhs | ₹34.1 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai (PGDM) | 95+ Percentile (Profile + Score) | ₹22.5 Lakhs | ₹33.0 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon (PGDM) | 95+ Percentile | ₹24.0 Lakhs | ₹27.6 LPA |
Topper Strategy & Preparation Roadmap
Master Reading Comprehension by engaging with international journals (The Economist, Aeon Essays, Project Syndicate) daily to build reading speed and analytical assimilation.
Practice 2-3 complex DILR sets every morning under timed 10-12 minute constraints to cultivate cognitive pattern-recognition.
Focus intensely on Arithmetic and Algebra, which constitute roughly 70-75% of the Quantitative Aptitude section.
Take at least 25-30 full-length proctored mock examinations during the final four months and conduct 3-hour forensic post-mock error analysis.
Official Statutory Sources & Citations
Campus Gupshup editorial intelligence is compiled and verified against official gazette publications and statutory regulatory portals:
Centralized convener portal maintained by the Indian Institutes of Management for registration, guidelines, and scorecard verification.
Department of Higher Education policy guidelines governing National Institutes of Management and reservation norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum percentile required for an IIM call through CAT?
While top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) have minimum sectional cutoffs around 80-85 percentile in their brochures, the actual composite call cutoff for General category candidates regularly exceeds 99.2+ percentile due to intense competition.
Is work experience mandatory to appear for CAT?
No. Final-year undergraduate students and fresh graduates without any work experience are fully eligible to take CAT and receive admission calls.
Are calculator devices permitted during the CAT exam?
Physical handheld calculators are strictly prohibited. However, an on-screen basic digital calculator is integrated into the computer-based testing interface for arithmetic calculations.