CAT 2026 Notification Out: Registration Begins August 3, Exam on November 29
Published 27 Jul 20263 min read
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have released the CAT 2026 notification on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. This year's Common Admission Test (CAT) will be conducted by IIM Indore on Sunday, November 29, 2026, across approximately 170 test cities in three sessions. The registration process for CAT 2026 will open at 10 am on August 3, 2026, and candidates will be able to submit their applications until 5 pm on September 15, 2026.
CAT remains the gateway to admission at 21 IIMs and several other reputed business schools, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, and IIFT. Typically, the CAT notification is released on the last Sunday of July each year, but this year the website was updated a day ahead of schedule, with the official newspaper notification expected to follow.
Key Dates for CAT 2026
- CAT 2026 registration begins: August 3, 2026
- Last date to apply: September 15, 2026
- Admit card release date: November 4, 2026
- Exam date: November 29, 2026
Admit cards can be downloaded from November 4 until the day of the exam, and will carry each candidate's designated test centre details. CAT 2026 results are expected in the first week of January 2027, and the scores will remain valid for admissions until December 31, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates) from a recognized university. Final-year undergraduate students and those awaiting results can also apply, provided they meet the required conditions. Candidates holding professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or FIAI are eligible as well.
Registration Fee
The CAT 2026 application fee has been raised to Rs 2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, up from Rs 2,600 last year, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates will pay Rs 1,350. Payments can be made via credit or debit card, internet banking, or mobile wallets such as Paytm and PayU. During registration, applicants can also select up to five preferred test cities, with allocation depending on availability once registration closes.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
There are no major changes to the CAT 2026 exam pattern or syllabus this year. The computer-based test will run for 120 minutes, with candidates unable to switch between sections before their allotted time ends. Key highlights of the exam pattern are:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam | Computer-based (online) |
| Total duration | 120 minutes |
| Total questions | 68 |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, QA |
| Time per section | 40 minutes each |
| Section switching | Not allowed before time ends |
The paper includes both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. The marking scheme is as follows:
- Correct answer: +3 marks
- Incorrect MCQ answer: -1 mark
- Incorrect TITA answer: No negative marking
- Unanswered question: No negative marking
Syllabus
IIMs do not release a formal syllabus for CAT, but based on past trends, the exam draws from topics under VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates are advised to check the detailed information bulletin on the official website for complete guidance on eligibility, fees, and exam-day instructions before beginning their preparation.