The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have announced the CAT 2026 exam date on July 25, 2026, through the official notification.
The Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions. Along with the exam date, the CAT exam notification also confirms a 44-day registration window, beginning on August 3 (10:00 AM) and closing on September 15 (5:00 PM).
This year’s notification also revises the CAT application fee to ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
The examination will be conducted across approximately 170 test cities, while admit cards will be available for download from November 4, 2026.
Read ahead to know the complete CAT 2026 Exam Date, including registration deadline and other important events.
CAT 2026 Exam Dates Out
IIM have released CAT 2026 exam dates on its official website.
Candidates should check the complete CAT exam schedule and application deadline to avoid missing any event. Check important dates below:
CAT 2026 Exam Date: Highlights
Here are the key highlights of the CAT Exam 2026 notification shared below:
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Sessions | 3 |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration Ends | 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Registration Window | 44 Days |
| Admit Card Release | 4 November 2026 |
| Test Cities | Approximately 170 |
| General Fee | ₹2,700 |
| SC/ST/PwBD Fee | ₹1,350 |
CAT 2026 Timeline
Take a look at the complete CAT 2026 schedule for reference purposes:
| Event | Date | Gap Before Next Event |
| Notification Released | 26 July 2026 | 8 days |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 | 44 days |
| Registration Closes | 15 September 2026 | 50 days |
| Admit Card Release | 4 November 2026 | 25 days |
| CAT 2026 Exam | 29 November 2026 | – |
Timeline Insights
- Candidates get 44 days to complete the application process.
- There are 75 days between the registration deadline and the examination.
- Admit cards will be available 25 days before the exam.
CAT 2026 Exam Date: How Much Time Is Left for Preparation?
The official CAT exam schedule gives aspirants almost four months between the opening of registration and the examination. A practical preparation split is as follows:
| Month | Focus Area |
| August | Complete syllabus and strengthen concepts |
| September | Topic-wise practice and sectional tests |
| October | Full-length mocks and performance analysis |
| November | Revision, previous mocks and exam strategy |
This timeline allows candidates to balance CAT syllabus completion with sufficient CAT mock-test practice before exam day.
CAT 2026 Registration Begins on August 3
The CAT 2026 application process starts on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM. During CAT 2026 registration, candidates will have to complete the following steps:
- Create their CAT login.
- Fill in personal and academic details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Select five preferred test cities.
- Pay the CAT registration fee online.
- Submit the application before 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM).
CAT Exam 2026 Will Be Conducted Across Approximately 170 Test Cities
CAT is one of India’s largest MBA entrance examinations. Some important pointers are:
- Test centres will be located in approximately 170 cities.
- Candidates can choose five preferred cities during registration.
- One city will be allotted based on availability.
CAT 2026 Admit Card Date
Candidates can download the CAT admit card from 4 November 2026 until the examination date. The admit card will include:
- Exam session
- Reporting time
- Test centre address
- Candidate details
- Exam-day instructions
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 exam date is now confirmed. This gives aspirants a clear schedule for registration and preparation. With the application window open from August 3 to September 15 and the exam on November 29, 2026, this is the right time to complete your registration and begin focused preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026 (Sunday).
When does CAT 2026 registration begin?
The registration process starts on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
You can submit your application until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM).
How many sessions will CAT 2026 have?
The computer-based exam will be conducted in three sessions.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card will be available from November 4, 2026.
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