CAT 2026 Cohort Now Open

Crack CAT 2026
the Structured Way.

Live two-way classes, daily practice, 15+ full-length mocks, and deep post-test analysis — all in a cohort of just 27 students. Founded and taught by Abhishek Leela Pandey.

Cohort Size27 Students Only

FormatLive Online

Duration8 Months

StartsApril 2026

View Curriculum → Free Prep Resources ↗

Live Cohort — Starting From

INR 19,999 _{+ GST}

Mocks-only plans from INR 2,999

Live two-way sessions with ALP Sir
Daily structured practice sets
15+ full-length CAT mocks
Post-test strategic analysis
VARC, DILR & QA modules
GDPI preparation included
Recorded session access
Doubt resolution every session

Enrol / Enquire →

Seats are limited to 27 per cohort.
Enquire to confirm availability.

30Full-Length CAT Mocks

30Sectional Tests

400+Hours of Live Teaching

27Students Per Cohort

About the Exam

What is CAT?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most competitive MBA entrance exam — conducted annually by the IIMs. A strong CAT score is the gateway to IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMI and hundreds of top B-schools across India.

Conducted By

IIMs (rotating)

Exam Frequency

Once a year

Exam Month

November

Total Duration

2 Hours

Total Questions

68 Questions

Total Marks

204 Marks

Marking Scheme

+3 / −1

Mode

Computer Based

Section 01

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

24 Questions 40 Minutes 72 Marks

The most time-pressured section. RC passages form the bulk — typically 4–5 passages with 4–5 questions each. VARC also tests Para-jumbles, Para-summary, and Odd Sentence Out. Reading speed, inference ability and vocabulary in context are the key skills tested.

Reading Comprehension~16 Qs

Para-jumbles~3 Qs

Para-summary~3 Qs

Odd Sentence Out~2 Qs

Section 02

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

22 Questions 40 Minutes 66 Marks

DILR is set-based — you get 4–5 sets of 4–5 questions each. The trick is set selection: some sets are designed to be unsolvable under time pressure. Strong logical reasoning, data handling, and set-reading speed determine your score here more than raw computation.

Logical Reasoning Sets~10 Qs

Data Interpretation Sets~10 Qs

Section 03

Quantitative Ability

22 Questions 40 Minutes 66 Marks

QA tests Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Maths. Around 30% of questions are non-MCQ (TITA — Type in the Answer), which carry no negative marking and are strategically important. Speed and accuracy together determine performance here.

Arithmetic~8 Qs

Algebra~5 Qs

Geometry & Mensuration~4 Qs

Number Systems~3 Qs

Modern Maths~2 Qs

Score to Percentile

CAT 2025 — Score vs Percentile

CAT uses a scaled scoring system — your raw marks are normalised across exam slots to account for difficulty variation. The table below reflects actual CAT 2025 data.

Percentile Total Scaled Score Typical Target Colleges

99.99% 132.79 IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore

99.95% 118.37 IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta

99.90% 111.48 IIM A, B, C, L, K

99.50% 93 IIM A, B, C, L, K, I, S

99.00% 84.8 IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR

98.00% 76 IIM Indore, Shillong, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR

97.00% 70 IIM Udaipur, Trichy, Ranchi, MDI, IMT

95.00% 62.3 IIM Nagpur, Bodhgaya, IMI Delhi, TAPMI

90.00% 51.50 IIM Sambalpur, Sirmaur, FORE, GIM

85.00% 44.2 LIBA, XIME, XIMB, Christ University

80.00% 38 SDMIMD, BIMTECH, IPE Hyderabad

75.00% 33 Various private B-schools

Source: CAT 2025 official data. Scaled scores are normalised across exam slots. College cutoffs vary by category (General / OBC / SC / ST) and change every year.

Who Can Apply

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CAT has straightforward eligibility requirements. No age limit, no attempt limit — just a graduation degree and the right percentage.

🎓

Educational Qualification

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from a university recognised by UGC / AICTE / MHRD. Correspondence and distance learning degrees from recognised universities are also accepted.

📊

Minimum Percentage

At least 50% aggregate marks in graduation for General / EWS / NC-OBC candidates. 45% aggregate marks for SC, ST and PwD (Differently Abled) candidates. CGPA is converted to percentage using your university's formula.

Final Year Students

📅

Students in the final year of graduation can apply. Provisional admission is allowed, but you must submit your degree proof and complete graduation by December 31, 2026 — failing which, admission is cancelled.

💼

Professional Degrees

Holders of professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA or FIAI with the required percentage (50% General / 45% SC-ST-PwD) are also eligible — even without a traditional Bachelor's degree.

🔁

No Attempt Limit

There is no limit on the number of times you can appear for CAT. Many students crack CAT in their second or third attempt. You can keep attempting each year until you achieve your target score.

🚫

No Age Limit

CAT has no upper or lower age limit. Working professionals, career gap candidates, and students of any age can apply — as long as they meet the educational qualification and percentage requirements.

Category Minimum Graduation % Reservation (IIM Seats)

General / EWS 50% Open / 10% EWS

NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer OBC) 50% 27% reservation

SC (Scheduled Caste) 45% 15% reservation

ST (Scheduled Tribe) 45% 7.5% reservation

PwD / DA (Differently Abled) 45% 5% reservation (horizontal)

CAT eligibility only qualifies you to appear for the exam. IIM admission criteria — including sectional cutoffs, academic profile, work experience — are set separately by each IIM.

Plan Your Year

CAT 2026 Important Dates

All dates below are tentative based on CAT 2025 patterns. Official dates will be announced by IIM Kozhikode (expected to conduct CAT 2026) on iimcat.ac.in.

JUL

2026

Official CAT 2026 Notification

IIM Kozhikode releases the official CAT 2026 bulletin with exam date, registration window, eligibility, syllabus, and application fee details.

AUG

2026

CAT 2026 Registration Opens

Application window opens on iimcat.ac.in. Registration fee: INR 2,400 for General / OBC candidates · INR 1,200 for SC / ST / PwD candidates.

SEP

2026

Registration Closes

Last date to submit the CAT 2026 application form (typically third week of September). No extensions are granted — don't wait till the last day.

OCT–NOV

2026

Admit Card Download

CAT 2026 admit cards available on iimcat.ac.in approximately 2–3 weeks before the exam. Contains exam date, slot timing, and test centre details.

29 NOV

2026

CAT 2026 Exam Day Expected

Computer-based test conducted in 3 slots across 150+ cities in India. Duration: 2 hours. Sections: VARC (40 min) · DILR (40 min) · QA (40 min). No breaks between sections.

DEC

2026

CAT 2026 Results

Results typically declared in the last week of December on iimcat.ac.in. Scorecard is valid for 1 year. IIM shortlisting calls follow shortly after results.

JAN–MAR

2027

IIM Shortlisting & GDPI

IIMs send shortlisting calls based on CAT score + academic profile. WAT-PI rounds conducted from January to March 2027. Final admission offers by April 2027.

⚠️

All dates are tentative based on CAT 2025 patterns. Official CAT 2026 dates will be published on iimcat.ac.in in July 2026. This page will be updated as soon as official dates are announced.

What You'll Learn

Course Curriculum

Every module is sequenced to build from foundations to exam-day mastery — with no gaps and no filler.

Module 01

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension — strategy & approach
RC 111 — 111 RC passages
Para-jumbles & para-summary
Odd sentence out
Vocabulary & RC Lexicon
Grammar for CAT

Module 02

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

CAT DILR Practice Tool — puzzle foundations
Seating arrangements & grids
Games & tournaments
Data interpretation — all formats
Caselets & mixed sets
Set selection strategy

Module 03

Quantitative Ability

Arithmetic — ratios, percentages, time-work
Number systems & divisibility
Algebra — equations, functions, inequalities
Geometry & mensuration
Modern maths — P&C, probability
QA shortcut frameworks

Module 04

Mock Tests & Strategic Analysis

15+ full-length CAT-pattern mocks
Post-test time distribution analysis
Attempt vs. accuracy mapping
Negative marking & risk calibration
Section-wise improvement plans
Last-mile revision strategy

Module 05

XAT / IIFT / SNAP Preparation

Decision making — XAT specific
GK & current affairs — IIFT & SNAP
Exam-specific mock tests
XAT essay writing

Module 06

GDPI Preparation

Mock interviews — IIM & top B-school panels
Stress interviews & rapid-fire rounds
PI WAT preparation
Profile building & SOP guidance
GD topics & group discussion strategy

The Process

How a GRADSKOOL Cohort Works

Every week follows the same proven rhythm — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Live Session

Two-way live class where you articulate reasoning aloud. Every concept is built through structured questioning — not passive watching.

Daily Practice

Targeted practice sets assigned after each session. Questions chosen to reinforce specific thinking patterns — not random drilling.

Mock Test

Full-length CAT-pattern mocks at regular intervals — designed to simulate exam pressure and surface your actual behavioural patterns.

Post-Test Analysis

Detailed breakdown of every mock — time distribution, attempt vs. accuracy, behavioural blind spots, and a personalised action plan.

Plans & Pricing

CAT 2026 — Plans & Pricing

Twelve plans — from full live preparation to section-only coaching, standalone mocks, and books. Pick what fits.

Try before you invest → Attempt a Free CAT Mock ↗

The 9-Stage Learning Framework

At GRADSKOOL, every topic follows a structured 9-stage loop — from first introduction to zero-doubt mastery. No step is skipped. No concept is left half-understood.

Self-Paced

Video Introduction (English)

Concept overview · Exam relevance · Mental priming

Video Introduction (Hindi)

Same concept · Wider accessibility · No language barriers

Live — with ALP Sir

Live Concept Session

First-principles teaching · Logic before shortcuts · Interactive

Basic Quiz

Immediate application · Concept validation

Practice Live Session

Dedicated problem-solving · Speed + confidence

Advanced Quiz

Exam-level difficulty · Mixed application

Doubt Resolution

Dedicated support · No gaps carried forward

Self-Paced

Cheat Sheet

Key ideas · Patterns & triggers · Revision-ready

Session PDFs

Class notes · Solved examples · Reference material

Where CAT Takes You

Top Colleges — Cutoff & Placements

CAT scores are accepted by 1,200+ colleges across India. Below are the most targeted — with actual CAT 2025 cutoffs and latest placement data.

📌

IIMs have two cutoffs — a low qualifying cutoff (official minimum) and a much higher actual call cutoff (what you realistically need). The table below shows the actual call cutoff — what most shortlisted candidates scored. Cutoffs vary by category, gender, and academic profile every year.

IIM BLACKI — Old IIMs

College CAT Cutoff (General) Avg. Package (2025) Highest Package Fees (Approx)

★

IIM Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

99.5%+ INR 30.08 LPA INR 1.10 Cr INR 25.3 L

★

IIM Bangalore

Bengaluru, Karnataka

99%+ INR 34.88 LPA INR 1.15 Cr INR 26.3 L

★

IIM Calcutta

Kolkata, West Bengal

99%+ INR 34.23 LPA INR 1.45 Cr INR 27 L

★

IIM Lucknow

Lucknow, UP

97–98% INR 32.3 LPA INR 75 L INR 20.75 L

★

IIM Kozhikode

Kozhikode, Kerala

97–98% INR 28.05 LPA INR 72 L INR 23.5 L

★

IIM Indore

Indore, MP

96–98% INR 29.57 LPA INR 70 L INR 22.5 L

New IIMs

—

IIM Shillong

Shillong, Meghalaya

90–95% INR 22–24 LPA INR 45 L INR 17–19 L

—

IIM Trichy, Udaipur, Raipur, Ranchi, Kashipur

CAP Process (Common Admission Process)

90–95% INR 18–22 LPA INR 35–45 L INR 14–18 L

—

Baby IIMs (Jammu, Bodh Gaya, Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Nagpur, Amritsar)

CAP Process

80–90% INR 13–17 LPA INR 25–35 L INR 12–16 L

Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT

★

FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies)

New Delhi

99%+ INR 32–34 LPA INR 70 L INR 2 L

★

SPJIMR Mumbai

Mumbai, Maharashtra

98%+ INR 30–32 LPA INR 65 L INR 20 L

★

MDI Gurgaon

Gurgaon, Haryana

95–97% INR 25–28 LPA INR 55 L INR 21 L

★

IIFT Delhi / Kolkata

Delhi & Kolkata

95–97% INR 22–26 LPA INR 50 L INR 18 L

★

IMI Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, GIM, FORE

Various locations

85–94% INR 12–18 LPA INR 30–40 L INR 12–18 L

Data sourced from official IIM placement reports and verified sources for 2025. Cutoffs are indicative actual call cutoffs for General category — not official qualifying cutoffs published by IIMs. Cutoffs vary every year based on exam difficulty, applicant pool, and individual profile. Category-wise cutoffs (OBC, SC, ST, PwD) are significantly lower.

Student Voices

What CAT Students Say

Learning from ALP sir is something special. He explains every topic from multiple perspectives and always focuses on the best approach. His teaching doesn't just solve questions — it builds the right way of thinking.

Keshav Mundra

CAT 2025

99.1 %ile

The structure and execution are unlike anything I've experienced. The two-way live classes are what make GRADSKOOL stand apart. I could clear every doubt in the session itself — no pending backlogs.

Vanshaj Jaiman

CAT 2025

98.4 %ile

From my CAT journey to XAT, sir stood with us at every step. The GDPI prep — mock interviews, stress rounds, the material — all perfectly aligned. GRADSKOOL changed my trajectory completely.

Sameer Ansari

XAT 2025 → IIM Convert

97.8 %ile

Common Questions

CAT Course — FAQs

Everything you need to know before joining the CAT 2026 cohort.

When does the CAT 2026 batch start and what is the schedule? +

The CAT 2026 cohort begins in July 2026, aligned with the CAT notification. Sessions run on a fixed weekly schedule — typically 4–5 sessions per week covering VARC, DILR and QA. The exact schedule is shared at onboarding. The programme runs through the exam in November and continues with GDPI preparation through March 2027.

Why is the batch size capped at 27 students? +

The 27-student cap is not a marketing choice — it is the maximum at which two-way teaching is genuinely possible. Beyond 27, students stop asking questions mid-session and the class becomes a lecture. Every GRADSKOOL cohort has had this limit since the beginning.

Are CAT sessions live or can I access recordings? +

All sessions are live and two-way — you can ask questions, get your reasoning corrected in real time, and engage with the material. Recorded access is provided for every session so you can revise at your own pace. There is no substitute for attending live, but no session is lost if you miss one.

Is CAT GDPI preparation included in the course fee? +

GDPI preparation — mock personal interviews, GD rounds, WAT essays and AWT for IIM-A — is included in the Live + CAT Mocks + GDPI plan. It is also available separately through the PI WAT GD programme at ₹5,999. If you are on a mocks-only or books-only plan, GDPI preparation can be added at any point.

Can a working professional manage the GRADSKOOL CAT course? +

Yes — and a significant portion of every CAT cohort is working professionals. Sessions are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. Recorded access means you never fall behind if work demands increase around deadlines. ALP sir is aware of the professional context and the pace accommodates it without diluting the content.

What is the refund policy for GRADSKOOL courses? +

Digital products — live sessions, mocks, tool access — are non-refundable once access is granted. Printed books can be returned within 7 days of delivery if unused and undamaged. For any refund queries, WhatsApp us at +91 6360597966.

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