CAT Exam Dates 2026 Out Live: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially released the CAT 2026 Notification on 26 July 2026 on the official website iimcat.ac.in confirming the complete exam schedule for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. As per the notification CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday 29 November 2026 in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities in India. The exam serves as the primary gateway for admission to MBA/PGP programmes at 21 IIMs and numerous other leading management institutes across the country.
CAT Exam Dates 2026 Live Updates: With online registration already underway and closing on 15 September 2026 this is the most important window for MBA aspirants to get their applications in order. Here’s a complete in depth guide covering everything you need to know about the CAT Exam Dates 2026 from registration and eligibility to the exam pattern and result timeline.
CAT Exam Dates 2026 Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Institute | IIM Indore |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test CAT 2026 |
| Notification Release Date | 26 July 2026 |
| Registration Start Date | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration End Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 4 November 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 Sunday |
| Exam Mode | Online Computer Based Test |
| Number of Test Cities | Approx. 170 |
| Number of Sessions | 3 single day |
| Result Declaration | Expected first week of January 2027 |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Sections | VARC, DILR and QA |
| Total Candidates (CAT 2025, for reference) | 2.58 lakh appeared out of 2.95 lakh registered |
CAT 2026 Complete Schedule at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 26 July 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | 3 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Register | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 4 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Response Sheet Release | To be announced typically a few days post exam |
| Answer Key Release | To be announced typically early December |
| Answer Key Objection Window | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | First week of January 2027 |
Since CAT follows a fairly consistent annual pattern candidates can broadly expect the answer key and objection window to open shortly after the exam with the final result following roughly five to six weeks later based on historical trends.
Also Read: CIL MT Answer Key 2026 OUT: Download Answer Key & Raise Objections
About CAT 2026 and IIM Indore
CAT is conducted every year by the IIMs on a rotational basis and for the 2026 cycle this responsibility falls to IIM Indore under the convenorship of Prof. Aditya Billore. Announcing the exam dates Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore emphasised the institute’s commitment to conducting the exam with the highest standards of fairness transparency security and operational excellence noting that CAT has consistently served as a gateway for talented individuals aspiring to contribute meaningfully to business governance and society.
CAT scores are accepted not just by the 21 IIMs but also by a wide range of other top tier business schools across India for admission to their MBA PGP and equivalent programmes making it one of the most widely recognised and heavily attempted management entrance exams in the country.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before registering ensure you meet the following eligibility requirements as confirmed in the official notification
- Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Association of Indian Universities AIU or AICTE.
- Final-Year Candidates: Students in their final year of graduation or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply provided they submit proof of graduation completion by the date specified in the individual institute’s admission requirements.
- Professional Qualifications: Candidates holding professional qualifications such as CA CS or ICWA are also eligible subject to the same minimum percentage criteria.
- There is no age limit or restriction on the number of attempts for CAT.
Candidates are advised to check the official notification carefully since specific IIMs may have additional or slightly varied eligibility requirements for their respective programmes beyond the baseline CAT eligibility.
Also Read: NEET PG Exam Time 2026: Check Exam Date, Timing & Latest Updates
CAT 2026 Application Fee
- General NC-OBC EWS candidates: Approximately ₹2,700
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: Approximately ₹1,350
- Payment can be made online through debit card credit card, UPI or net banking during the registration process.
How to Register for CAT 2026: Step-by-Step Process
Follow these steps to complete your CAT 2026 registration
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in and click on the Registration tab on the homepage.
Step 2: Complete Basic Registration
Fill in your personal details name email ID mobile number and other basic information to generate your registration credentials.
Step 3: Fill the Application Form
Log in and complete the full application form including
- Personal information
- Educational qualification details
- Work experience details if applicable
- Category and reservation details
- Exam centre preferences candidates can typically select multiple preferred test cities
- Communication address
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of your photograph signature and other documents as per the specifications mentioned in the official notification.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the applicable registration fee online through the available payment options debit/credit card, UPI or net banking.
Step 6: Preview and Submit
Carefully review all entered details before final submission since corrections after submission are often limited or unavailable.
Step 7: Save Confirmation
Download and save your application confirmation printout for future reference.
The registration window is open from 3 August 2026 to 15 September 2026 candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last few days since the portal typically experiences heavy traffic close to the deadline.
Also Read: CSIR NET Result 2026 Declared @csirnet.nta.nic.in Check Scorecard, Cut Off & Result Link
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Here’s what candidates can expect on exam day based on the confirmed structure for CAT 2026
- Mode: Online, Computer-Based Test CBT
- Exam Date: 29 November 2026 Sunday conducted in three sessions across the day
- Sections: The exam is divided into three sections
- VARC Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA Quantitative Aptitude
- Total Questions: 68 questions across all three sections
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries +3 marks negative marking of −1 mark applies for incorrect answers to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) no negative marking for Non MCQ Type In The Answer (TITA) questions
- Duration: The exam is conducted in a fixed sectional time bound format with candidates required to complete each section within its allotted time before moving to the next
Since CAT is conducted across multiple sessions slots in a single day IIM Indore applies a normalisation process to ensure fairness across candidates who appear in different sessions accounting for any variation in difficulty level between slots.
Also Read: UPTET Result 2026 declared at upessc.up.gov.in, Pass Percentage, Merit List
CAT 2026 Admit Card
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled for release on 4 November 2026. Here’s what candidates should know
- The admit card will be available for download through the candidate login on iimcat.ac.in.
- It will contain essential details such as the candidate’s name photograph signature category gender address date of birth exam date, slot centre timings and reporting time.
- Candidates must download and carry a printed copy of the admit card to the exam centre along with a valid photo ID.
- Importantly the admit card should be preserved even after the exam since it may be required again during the subsequent admission selection process at IIMs and other participating institutes.
CAT 2026 Test Cities
CAT 2026 will be conducted across approximately 170 test cities throughout India. During registration candidates are typically allowed to select multiple preferred exam city choices and the final allotted centre is communicated through the admit card. Since seat availability in each city is limited and allotted on a first come competitive basis in practice registering early can improve the likelihood of getting your preferred test city.
CAT 2026 Result and Selection Process
Here’s what happens after the exam based on the official schedule and historical trends
- Response Sheet Release: Typically released a few days after the exam allowing candidates to review their recorded responses.
- Provisional Answer Key Release: Usually released within a couple of weeks after the exam giving candidates a chance to estimate their probable score.
- Answer Key Objection Window: A short window during which candidates can formally challenge specific answers they believe are incorrect.
- Final Answer Key and Result: The final result incorporating any approved corrections is expected to be declared in the first week of January 2027.
- IIM Shortlisting: Individual IIMs and other CAT accepting institutes release their own shortlists based on CAT percentile, academic profile, work experience and other institute specific criteria.
- Written Ability Test (WAT) Group Discussion (GD) Personal Interview (PI) Shortlisted candidates proceed to this final stage conducted separately by each institute as part of their admission process.
It’s worth noting that CAT itself does not conduct the final admission process clearing CAT with a strong percentile only makes you eligible to be considered by IIMs and other institutes each of which applies its own shortlisting criteria and conducts its own subsequent selection rounds.
Also Read: MHT CET 2026 CAP Counselling Results Live Today How to Check: Round 1, 2 & 3 Complete Status
CAT 2026 Candidate Trends For Context
Understanding recent participation trends can help candidates gauge the scale of competition
- CAT 2025: Approximately 2.58 lakh candidates appeared out of 2.95 lakh registered candidates.
- CAT 2024: Approximately 2.93 lakh candidates appeared out of 3.29 lakh registered candidates.
While registration numbers can fluctuate year to year CAT consistently remains one of the most heavily attempted postgraduate management entrance exams in India underscoring the importance of thorough preparation and early registration.
What’s New for CAT 2026
According to the official notification there are no major structural changes introduced for the CAT 2026 exam compared to previous cycles the exam pattern sections and overall format remain consistent with recent years. This continuity is generally reassuring for candidates who have already been preparing using recent years’ study material and mock tests since strategies and preparation resources built around the existing pattern remain relevant.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Keep the following ready before starting your application
- A valid photo ID proof Aadhaar card Passport or equivalent
- Educational qualification certificates and mark sheets
- Category certificate SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS if applicable
- PwD certificate if applicable
- Work experience certificates if you wish to include this in your profile relevant for institute level shortlisting later not for CAT registration eligibility itself
- A scanned passport size photograph and signature as per the prescribed format and size
Tips for CAT 2026 Preparation
- Start early and build a structured study plan across all three sections VARC, DILR and QA rather than over focusing on your strongest area.
- Practice extensively with mock tests under timed sectional conditions to build comfort with CAT’s strict time management demands.
- Focus on accuracy in DILR and QA since negative marking on MCQs means guesswork can hurt your overall score more than leaving a genuinely uncertain question unattempted.
- Read widely for VARC regular reading of editorials opinion pieces and varied non fiction content builds the comprehension speed CAT’s RC passages demand.
- Revisit previous years’ papers to understand the typical difficulty level and question style even though structural changes are rare year to year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering at the last minute: The registration window closes on 15 September 2026 don’t risk technical glitches or portal overload by waiting until the final day.
- Selecting exam city preferences carelessly: Since city allotment can be competitive list your preferences thoughtfully and realistically.
- Losing your admit card after the exam: Remember it’s needed again during the later admission process at IIMs and other institutes.
- Underestimating sectional time constraints: CAT’s sectional time bound structure means you can’t simply reallocate time from one section to another mid exam practice accordingly.
- Ignoring official updates: Response sheet answer key and result dates will be announced separately as the exam approaches check iimcat.ac.in regularly rather than relying solely on estimated timelines.
FAQs on CAT Exam Dates 2026
1. When was the CAT 2026 notification released?
The official notification was released on 26 July 2026 by IIM Indore.
2. When is the CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday 29 November 2026 in three sessions.
3. What is the last date to register for CAT 2026?
The registration window closes on 15 September 2026.
4. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card is scheduled for release on 4 November 2026.
5. Which institute is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 on behalf of all participating IIMs under the convenorship of Prof. Aditya Billore.
6. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
Approximately ₹2,700 for General NC-OBC/EWS candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
7. What are the sections in the CAT 2026 exam?
The exam consists of three sections: VARC Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension DILR Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and QA Quantitative Aptitude.
8. When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
The result is expected to be declared in the first week of January 2027.
9. Are there any major changes in the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
No, there are no major structural changes for CAT 2026 the exam pattern remains consistent with recent years.
10. Is there an age limit or attempt restriction for CAT?
No, there is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts for CAT.
Note: Exam dates fee structures and procedural details are based on the official notification available at the time of writing and are subject to updates by IIM Indore. Always cross check the latest information directly on iimcat.ac.in.
Author Profile
- Abdul is the lead editor at Exam Results Updates bringing over 7 years of experience covering education news board exam results and admission updates across India. He's passionate about making exam related information fast accurate and easy to access for students and parents alike.
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