CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Postponed to November 6; Mock Test Also Deferred
Published 4 Nov 20265 min read
IIM Indore has postponed the release of CAT 2026 admit cards from November 4 to November 6, 2026. The official mock test link, originally expected alongside the hall tickets, will also open on the same date. Registered candidates can download their admit cards from iimcat.ac.in using their application login ID and password until November 29, 2026 — the exam day.
The two-day delay compresses an already tight pre-exam window. With CAT 2026 scheduled for November 29, candidates now have less time to verify their allotted test centre, plan travel, and attempt the official mock test before the computer-based exam .
What Changed and Why It Matters
The original schedule had admit cards releasing on November 4. IIM Indore’s official notice confirms that the hall tickets have already been generated for all eligible candidates, but the download portal will not open until November 6 .
The institute has not formally cited a reason for the postponement . Candidates should not interpret the delay as an eligibility issue — generation of admit cards is complete; only the download access has been deferred.
The practical impact is straightforward: candidates lose two days of lead time to review their centre allocation and shift assignment. Given that CAT is a computer-based test conducted across approximately 170 cities in three shifts, early verification of centre details is important for travel planning .
How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card
Once the portal opens on November 6, follow these steps:
- Visit iimcat.ac.in
- Click the CAT 2026 admit card download link
- Log in with your CAT application User ID and password
- Check all details — name, photograph, signature, registration number, exam centre address, allotted slot, and reporting time
- Download and print a copy for exam day
Candidates who have forgotten their login credentials should use the recovery option on the official login page. Do not assume the allotted centre or slot can be changed after the admit card is issued .
The download window remains open until November 29, 2026 — exam day — but candidates are strongly advised to download and verify their admit card well in advance .
CAT 2026 Mock Test Also Opens November 6
The official mock test, designed to familiarise candidates with the computer-based test interface and question format, will also be available from November 6 .
The mock test is not a practice exam in the traditional sense — it is an interface familiarisation tool. Candidates who have not previously attempted a computer-based MBA entrance exam should use it to understand navigation, section transitions, and the on-screen calculator (if available). Given the compressed timeline between November 6 and November 29, attempting the mock test early is advisable.
CAT 2026 Exam Day: Date, Shifts, and Timings
CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three shifts. Each shift lasts 2 hours (120 minutes) and contains three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.
| Slot | Exam Timing | Reporting Time | Gate Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM |
Source: Career Launcher, Physics Wallah, Times Now
Candidates must report to their allotted centre at the reporting time specified on their admit card. Entry after gate closure is generally not permitted.
New Security Measures: Face Matching and Mobile Jammers
IIM Indore has announced enhanced security protocols for CAT 2026:
- Face matching technology will be used for candidate verification at exam centres
- Mobile jammers will be deployed at selected examination centres
These measures are part of the institute’s broader effort to maintain examination integrity. Candidates should cooperate with verification procedures and avoid carrying prohibited electronic devices. Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and any other electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the exam hall .
What to Carry and What to Expect
Carry to the exam centre:
- Printed CAT 2026 admit card (at least one copy; two recommended)
- Original, valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driver’s License)
- Passport-size photographs (as per admit card instructions)
Do not carry:
- Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, or any electronic device
- Bags, valuables, or study material
- Metal jewellery or clothing with pockets (subject to security screening)
Candidates should read the examination instructions accompanying the hall ticket carefully and follow subsequent CAT announcements as they prepare for November 29.
What Happens Next
- November 6, 2026: Admit card download opens; mock test link activates
- November 6–29, 2026: Admit card download window remains open
- November 29, 2026: CAT 2026 exam, three shifts
Candidates should monitor iimcat.ac.in for any further updates. No additional changes to the exam date or shift schedule have been announced.
