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CAT Exam Date 2026: The CAT exam takes place every year, it is organised by the Indian Institute of Management. It is one of the most awaited MBA entrance exams that allows candidates to get admission to the best MBA colleges in India that including ISBs and IIMs. The CAT exam date 2026 is expected to be on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The date follows a tradition of the CAT exam taking place on the last Sunday in November every year. The exam will be conducted in multiple sessions and at various centres across India.
CAT Notification Release Date
The official notification for CAT 2026 contains all the necessary information regarding the exam, like the important dates, procedure for filling the online application forms, paying application fees, admit card, and result-related information, and much more. The CAT Notification release date is expected to fall in the last week of July 2026. It is most likely to be announced around July 26, 2026. CAT Notification is uploaded on the official website for CAT, that is www.iimcat.ac.in, and will include details of the tests, including eligible qualifications, application process, relevant dates, etc.
CAT Exam Date 2026
CAT exam date are mentioned in the official notification inviting online applications for the entrance exam. This information is as per the previous year's notification. We will update this page immediately upon the release of the latest notification for the upcoming year. The table below provides all the important dates and information for CAT 2026.
| Parameters | Details |
| Conducting Body | IIM Kozhikode |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based; will consist of MCQs and Non-MCQs |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | November 29, 2026 |
| CAT Exam Fee |
|
| Frequency | Once in a year |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| CAT 2025 Syllabus |
|
| Number of Questions | 68 Questions |
| CAT Exam Total Marks | 204 Marks |
| Number of Test Cities | 170 |
| Marking Pattern |
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| CAT Exam Timing |
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| CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria | Graduation with 50% or more marks |
| Offered Courses | MBA/PGDM |
CAT Exam Calendar 2026
The latest CAT notification contains the calendar for CAT 2026 with all the information regarding the entrance exam. They are tentative in nature and subject to change.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration Start | August 1, 2026 |
| Registration End | September 20, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | September 23, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 20, 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | December 10, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | December 20, 2026 |
CAT Registration Dates
The registration for CAT will commence after the release of the notification. All the dates regarding the registration, filling online applications, and payment of the fee are given in the official notification. CAT registration will start from August 1, 2026, and will end on September 20, 2026. The candidates must ensure timely registration for the CAT exam during these dates only. As the authorities may not grant any extension regarding the registration dates, or may impose a penalty in addition to the registration fee.
Also Read, How To Prepare For CAT 2026, Study Plan, Preparation Strategy
CAT Application Form Dates
CAT Application form dates are the same as the registration dates. While registering, candidates can proceed with filling out the online application forms from August 1, 2026, onwards. The candidates are suggested to fill up the application forms correctly and before the last date. Corrections in the form will be allowed in the 4th week of September 2026 after the submission is made. The last date to fill out the application form is September 20, 2026. The candidates need to fill in their details, including academic and work experience. They can select preferred test centre cities and upload necessary documents like a photograph, signature, and certificates while filling up the application form.
CAT Admit Card Release Date
The CAT Admit Card release date is November 20, 2026, as per the CAT Calendar and previous year cycle. The candidates can download their CAT Admit cards from the official website as soon as released. The call letters are a mandatory document that the candidates must carry along with a valid ID proof to the exam centres. Those who do not have an original ID and admit card will not be allowed to sit in the exam. The admit card generally contains the name of the candidate, roll number, test centre, and the exam timing.
CAT Result Release Date
The result of the CAT exam is what the candidates await the most. The CAT scores are used for shortlisting the candidates for various reputed MBA institutes. The tentative CAT result release date is December 20, 2026. The CAT scorecard will display the candidate's overall score and sectional scores with the percentile rankings.
CAT Exam Schedule 2026
The CAT exam will be conducted three times a day at different centres. The candidates are requested to report to the test centres well in advance, as a lot of checking will take place to avoid the use of any unfair means by the candidates. The venue and timings will be mentioned on the admit cards, and candidates will not be allowed to enter the exam centre at a session other than the one that their admit card holds. The timings for the three sessions are as follows:
| Session | Start | End |
| Morning | 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| Afternoon | 12:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| Evening | 4:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
CAT Exam Date 2026: Conclusion
The CAT is a competitive exam, and successful candidates must take early, deliberate preparation action. Regularly check the official CAT website: iimcat.ac.in for up-to-date information and verify that all application information is accurate to avoid inconsistencies. Dedication and careful planning will ensure that CAT 2026 aspirants are in a good position to succeed on the exam and will subsequently achieve their academic and professional goals.
