Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026? Previous Year Analysis

Which IIM will Conduct CAT 2026?: The Common Admission Test or CAT is the foremost entrance exam for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management and other highly reputed business schools. The convener for the CAT is one of the older IIM colleges, and the candidates remain always curious as to who will conduct CAT 2026.

As of now, the official notification regarding which IIM would conduct CAT 2026 or informally referred to as the CAT 2026 exam organizing IIM, has not been released. Generally, the conducting body of the CAT is revealed at the time the official notification for the exam is issued in July of the examination year. However, on the basis of a well-defined rotation system, we may take a guess.

Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026?

The exam pattern and difficulty level may change slightly depending on the conducting IIM, perhaps reflecting their academic orientation and style. CAT has slowly transformed itself from a paper-based test to one that is computer-based since 2009, with major changes in duration, number of questions, and sectional time limits given, through the various editions. Since 2014, TCS has been the technology partner conducting the computer-based test for and on behalf of the IIMs.

To predict the CAT 2026 conducting IIM, let’s examine the recent history of CAT exam organizers:

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Previous Year CAT Conducting Authorities

Given the rotation and the recent conductors:

• 2021: IIM Ahmedabad
• 2022: IIM Bangalore
• 2023: IIM Lucknow
• 2024: IIM Calcutta
• 2025: IIM Kozhikode

Among the oldest six IIMs, IIM Indore has not conducted CAT since 2020. Hence, in line with the set rotation, IIM Indore is the most likely IIM to conduct CAT 2026. Of course, this is a fold until official announcement issue.

How Is the CAT Conducting IIM Selected?

• The duty of organizing CAT goes round among the six senior-most IIMs comprising IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Indore.
• This rotation among the institutes ensures smooth conduct of the exam in the true spirit of fairness.

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Why Is the CAT Conducting Body Important?

• Sets exam pattern-difficulty level: Every IIM conducts the exam in line with its academic style.
• Ensures procedural fairness and transparency: Registration, exam conduction, and later declaration of results.
• Guides preparation of candidates: Candidates can adapt their preparation strategy because of knowledge of the IIM conducting the exam.
• Maintains Reputation: Ensures the reputation of CAT as one of the foremost management entrances.
• Makes necessary revisions: Changes the pattern from time to time according to requirements of the evolving education system and industry.

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CAT 2026 Important Dates

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What Changes Can I Expect in the CAT 2026?

While holding the CAT exam, IIM Indore has brought about major changes in the conduct of the examination. Downscaling the paper duration to 120 minutes from 180 minutes' duration of the exam, introducing three slots as against two, and adjustment in the number of questions in each section; all happened during the period when IIM Indore was conducting the exam in 2020, which laid the foundation for flexibility and adaptability in the way the CAT exam gets conducted.

Expected CAT 2026 Pattern and Structure

As of now, there is no official announcement regarding major changes in the CAT 2026 exam pattern by IIM Indore. Based on current information and recent trends, the following details are expected:

Potential Changes to Watch For in CAT 2026

• Number of Questions and Distribution: As far as the number of questions in the entire exam and their distribution among different sections is concerned, IIM Indore has previously brought about changes. While nowadays 68 questions are to be expected, slight alterations are still possible, particularly in the DILR section, as in the last couple of years.
• Sectional Emphasis:The sectional emphases include the slender balancing of MCQs and TITA questions and the subtle changes to the difficulty level. Indore is well known for introducing these subtle changes to keep the exam alive.
• Exam Fee and Registration: This has seen some changes in the past. The registration fee should likely remain the same as that of CAT 2025 until officially updated, else.
• Test Cities and Slots:There may be changes in the number of slots and test cities to suit number of candidates and logistical issues, as generally three slots have been considered.

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Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026:Conclusion

With the CAT conduction body playing a major role in designing the experience of the exam, from the pattern to the level of difficulty to making the process fair and transparent, one can very well expect with IIM Indore conducting CAT 2026 that an extremely well-organized exam would take place, worthy of rehearsal with the brand itself. A candidate can selectively strategize his preparation for the exam if he knows the importance of conducting IIM. 

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