Updated 28 September 2026. Dates below are from the CAT 2026 schedule as reported by the official site and major MBA portals — always confirm on iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 registration is closed. The window opened on 3 August 2026 and, after an extension, closed on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. If you registered, your next steps are the admit card (release scheduled for 4 November 2026) and the exam on 29 November 2026. If you missed registration, you cannot apply for CAT 2026 now — look at XAT, NMAT or SNAP instead.
CAT 2026: key dates at a glance
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | 3 Aug – 22 Sep 2026 (extended from 15 Sep) | Closed |
| Application form correction window | To be announced | Watch iimcat.ac.in |
| Admit card download | 4 November 2026 (scheduled) | Upcoming |
| CAT 2026 exam | 29 November 2026 (Sunday), 3 slots | Upcoming |
| Provisional answer key | Early December 2026 (expected) | Expected |
| Result | Late December 2026 – early January 2027 (expected) | Expected |
CAT 2026 is conducted by IIM Indore. The application fee was ₹2,700 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates — see our CAT exam fees guide.
CAT 2026 admit card: how to download
The admit card is only available online. Nothing is posted to you.
- Go to iimcat.ac.in and click the candidate login.
- Log in with the User ID and password you created during registration.
- Open the admit card link on your dashboard once it is live (scheduled for 4 November 2026).
- Check every detail: name, photo, signature, exam date, slot, reporting time and test-centre address.
- Download the PDF and print it on A4 paper. Keep a second printed copy as backup.
If something is wrong (photo, name spelling, category), contact the CAT help desk listed on iimcat.ac.in immediately — do not wait until exam week.
CAT 2026 exam pattern and slot timings
| Slot | Exam time |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
The paper is 120 minutes with a 40-minute lock on each section, in a fixed order: VARC, then DILR, then QA. CAT 2025 had 68 questions (VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22) for 204 marks: +3 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong MCQ, no negative marking on TITA questions. Your reporting time and gate-closing time are printed on your admit card — they are earlier than the exam start, so plan to arrive well before.
What to carry on exam day
- Printed admit card (A4, with your photo and signature clearly visible).
- One original, valid photo ID — for example Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence. The name must match your admit card.
- For PwD candidates: the disability certificate, and scribe documents if you requested a scribe.
Not allowed inside: mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, bags, wallets, and other electronic devices. A basic on-screen calculator is available in the test. Rough sheets and a pen are provided at the centre. Read our full things to carry for the CAT exam list and the exam-day mistakes to avoid.
What to do between now and 29 November
- Take a full mock every week, then two a week from November, in your actual slot timing. Our CAT test series has full-length mocks with sectional analysis.
- Spend more time analysing than attempting. For each mock, list every wrong answer and every question you should have skipped. See our mock test strategy.
- Fix your weakest section first. Top IIMs apply sectional cut-offs, so one weak section can block a call even with a high overall score.
- Know your target. In recent CAT papers, 99 percentile needed roughly 77–95 marks out of 204. Check where your mock scores land with the CAT percentile predictor.
- Do a dry run of the route to your test centre a few days before the exam, at the same time of day as your slot.
After the exam: answer key, result and IIM calls
A provisional answer key and your response sheet are usually released a few days after the exam, with a short window to raise objections (a fee is charged per objection). The result, with overall and sectional percentiles, is expected in late December or early January. Use your expected score in the percentile predictor on exam day, then read IIM call criteria and IIM cut-offs to plan applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is CAT 2026 registration still open?
No. CAT 2026 registration closed on 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM after being extended from 15 September. Late applications are not accepted.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available for download on 4 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in. Log in with your User ID and password to download it.
What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three slots: 8:30 AM–10:30 AM, 12:30 PM–2:30 PM and 4:30 PM–6:30 PM. Your slot is printed on your admit card.
Can I edit my CAT 2026 application form now?
Only during the official correction window, if IIM Indore opens one. Its dates had not been announced as of 28 September 2026 — watch iimcat.ac.in and your registered email.
What ID proof is needed for CAT 2026?
Carry your printed admit card and one original, valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence. The name on the ID must match the admit card.