CAT 2026 Exam Date: IIM Indore to Conduct CAT on November 29, Check Pattern and Eligibility
Published 9 Sept 20263 min read
IIM Indore will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 on November 29, 2026, in computer-based mode across three sessions. The exam decides admission to management programs at the IIMs and other participating institutes, and comes with defined eligibility rules candidates must meet before applying.
Registration for CAT 2026 closes on September 15, 2026; candidates can refer to our earlier CAT 2026 registration guide for fees and the step-by-step application process.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
- Admit card release: November 4, 2026
- CAT 2026 exam date: November 29, 2026
- Result: Expected in the first week of January 2027
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test conducted across three sessions on November 29, with a total duration of 120 minutes. The paper is divided into three sections, each allotted 40 minutes:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Minimum Marks
- Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) to apply.
- For SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, the minimum requirement is 45%.
- Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree, or those who have completed all degree requirements and are awaiting results, are also eligible to apply.
- Such candidates, if selected, will be given provisional admission, subject to submitting a certificate from their institution's principal or registrar confirming completion of all degree requirements by the date specified by the respective IIM.
- The application fee is payable only once, regardless of how many participating institutes a candidate applies to.
What This Means for Candidates
With the exam date now fixed at November 29, candidates have roughly 11 weeks from the registration deadline to prepare. Those relying on final-year results should note the provisional admission condition carefully, since final selection stays contingent on submitting proof of degree completion within the IIM's specified timeline.
FAQs
Q: When is the CAT 2026 exam? November 29, 2026, conducted as a computer-based test in three sessions.
Q: How many sections does CAT 2026 have, and how long is each? Three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA — each with a 40-minute time limit, for a total duration of 120 minutes.
Q: What is the minimum percentage required for CAT 2026? 50% in a bachelor's degree for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates; 45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
Q: Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026? Yes, but selection is provisional, pending a certificate of degree completion from their institution.
Q: When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released? November 4, 2026.
Q: When is the CAT 2026 result expected? In the first week of January 2027.