CAT 2026 Score Validity: How Long Is Your Score Valid for IIM Admission?

The Common Admission Test or CAT is one of the most prestigious management entrance tests conducted in India. It allows admission to various MBA and PGDM courses in several of the best B-schools across India, including all 21 IIMs in India.

Lakhs of students appear in the CAT test every year to start their career in management and secure a place in a renowned business school.

After the CAT test is over, there is one question that becomes the topic of discussion. For how long will the scorecard of CAT be valid? Can you take the previous year's CAT test score to apply in the following year? Let's find out.

How long is the CAT 2026 Score Valid?

The validity period of the CAT scorecard is limited to just one year. Thus, taking the CAT test in 2026, your scorecard would remain valid only for filling the 2027-2029 batch of the MBA program. The validity period will continue until the last day of December 2027. Thereafter, the scorecard expires.

Until When can you Apply to IIMs and B-Schools?

Your admission is based on the CAT scorecard right after your results are out.

Once your results are out, the cut-off scores are declared by IIMs/B-schools. If you qualify for CAT 2026, you'll be taken to further rounds that are conducted from January to April 2027. The last phase concludes around May/June, and the academic session starts in July 2027.

Let us know the schedule:

Can you Use an old score for the Following Year?

There are many students who inquire whether they will be eligible for admission in 2028 on the basis of their CAT 2026 scores.

If you fail to secure admission in the 2027 batch or if you fail to get admission in the college you wish, you will have to appear again in the CAT 2026 examination in order to apply for 2028 admission.

This way your CAT 2026 scores will not be carried forward at all.

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