CAT
Common Admission Test
CAT is the primary gateway to all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 other business schools in India. It tests Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Around 250,000 candidates take it each year.
Last updated
Frequency
Once a year (November)
Duration
2 hours
Format
Online
Score range
198 (scaled score)
Eligibility
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Conducting body
IIMs (rotating basis)
Registration fee
Approx. $30 (₹2500) general
Source: IIMs (rotating basis). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: IIM CAT — official site.
Last verified: 14 June 2026.
Universities that accept CAT
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