CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule: Notification, Registration, Admit Card, Result Dates; Download Calendar

The CAT 2026 exam schedule is structured to give candidates ample time for preparation and registration. Based on previous years' patterns, the CAT 2026 exam dates follow a consistent calendar. Here is the complete CAT exam schedule 2026 table.

The CAT 2026 notification release date is July 26, 2026. The official CAT 2026 notification will be released on the last Sunday of July 2026 by the conducting IIM. The CAT 2026 notification will contain all important information including the CAT exam date, CAT registration dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and other key details. Candidates are advised to visit the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in on CAT 2026 notification release date to download the complete document and read it carefully before the registration window opens. Read more about CAT notification 2026.

CAT registration dates 2026 are spread over about 50 days from early August to mid September 2026. Candidates must complete their registration within this window to appear for the exam. CAT 2026 exam registration schedule allocates approximately 50 days for candidates to register and submit their applications.

CAT 2026 registration start date is expected to be August 1, 2026. Candidates can begin filling their CAT registration on the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in from this date. The CAT registration process involves creating a user account, filling personal and academic details, selecting test cities, and paying the registration fee. Candidates are advised to start the CAT registration early to avoid last-minute technical issues. Early registration also increases chances of getting preferred test cities, as city allotment is based on availability during the CAT registration dates 2026 window.

The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM. This is the final deadline to submit your CAT application. No registrations will be accepted after the CAT registration last date. Candidates must ensure they complete all sections of the application, upload required documents (photograph, signature, category certificates if applicable), and make fee payment before the CAT 2026 registration last date to ensure their participation in the exam.

Read more details about CAT 2026 registration process.
 

The CAT 2026 form correction window is a short period after the CAT registration last date when candidates can make limited corrections to their application. The CAT 2026 form correction window will remain open for approximately 3-4 days, allowing candidates to edit specific fields in their application. To access the CAT 2026 form correction window, log in to iimcat.ac.in with your credentials and navigate to the relevant sections. There is no fee for corrections during the form correction window.

CAT 2026 Form Correction Window Dates are September 24–27, 2026. Check more details about CAT Application Form Correction Window.
 

The CAT admit card dates 2026 are the period when candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website. CAT Admit Card 2026 Release Date is expected to be November 12, 2026. Candidates can download their CAT admit card 2026 by logging into iimcat.ac.in with their registered user ID and password. Candidates must take multiple printouts of the CAT admit card and carry it along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre. 

Read more about CAT admit card dates 2026.
 

The CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026 (Expected). CAT 2026 exam duration is 120 minutes (2 hours). The CAT 2026 exam timings are: Slot 1 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Slot 2 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and Slot 3 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Candidates must reach their designated test centre well in advance before their slot begins. Check below the CAT Exam dates and timing for three different slots:

Complete details about the CAT Exam Slot 1 timing, exam reporting time and the entry to the exam centre are given below. No candidate is permitted to enter the CAT test centre after the close of entry at CAT exam centre. 

CAT 2026 Exam Date & Time for Slot 1: Morning Session

•    CAT Exam Slot 1 Date: November 29, 2026
•    CAT Exam Slot 1 Time: 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM
•    CAT Exam Slot 1 Reporting Time: 7.00 AM
•    CAT Exam Slot 1 Entry Closing Time: 8.15 AM 

 

Complete details about the CAT Exam Slot 2 timing, exam reporting time and the entry to the exam centre are given below. No candidate is permitted to enter the CAT test centre after the close of entry at CAT exam centre. 

CAT 2026 Exam Date & Time for Slot 2: Afternoon Session

•    CAT Exam Slot 2 Date: November 29, 2026
•    CAT Exam Slot 2 Time: 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM
•    CAT Exam Slot 2 Reporting Time: 11 AM
•    CAT Exam Slot 2 Entry Closing Time: 12.15 PM
 

Complete details about the CAT Exam Slot 3 timing, exam reporting time and the entry to the exam centre are given below. No candidate is permitted to enter the CAT test centre after the close of entry at CAT exam centre.

CAT 2026 Exam Date & Time for Slot 3: Evening Session

•    CAT Exam Slot 3 Date: November 29, 2026
•    CAT Exam Slot 3 Time: 4.30 PM to 6.30 PM
•    CAT Exam Slot 3 Reporting Time: 3.00 PM
•    CAT Exam Slot 3 Entry Closing Time:  3.15 PM 
 

The CAT answer key dates 2026 follow soon after the exam, allowing candidates to evaluate their performance. The CAT answer key dates are expected to begin from December 3, 2026, approximately one week after the CAT exam date. The CAT 2026 answer key will be released on the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in. Candidates can use the CAT answer key to estimate their score before the official results are declared. The CAT answer key dates also include a period for candidates to raise objections to the official answer key if they believe any answer is incorrect.

Read more about How to download CAT 2026 Answer Key. 
 

CAT result date 2026 is when candidates can check their official CAT scores and percentiles. The CAT result date 2026 is expected to be December 21, 2026. The CAT 2026 result will be released on iimcat.ac.in, and candidates can download their scorecard by logging in with their credentials. After the CAT result date, candidates should begin monitoring calls from IIMs for CAT exam 2026 based on their performance.

Read more details about how to download CAT result 2026.
 

Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 must carefully follow all exam day instructions issued by the conducting IIM. Non-compliance with any instruction may lead to disqualification. Read all CAT 2026 exam day instructions carefully before the exam date.

Documents to Carry:

• Hall Ticket: Carry a printed copy of your CAT 2026 admit card. Entry to the exam centre without admit card is not permitted under any circumstances.
• Photo ID: Carry a valid original government-issued photo identity proof — Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License.
• Photograph: Carry passport-size photographs identical to the one uploaded during CAT 2026 registration. You will be required to affix it on the admit card at the exam centre.

Biometric Verification:

• Fingerprints: Both left and right fingerprints will be captured at the exam centre. Ensure fingers are clean and free of any coating such as mehndi, ink, or paint.
• Photograph: A live photograph will be taken at the venue and matched with the photo uploaded during registration.
• Face Covering: Do not wear caps, mufflers, or any head or face coverings at the time of biometric verification.

Prohibited Items:

• Electronic Devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, and any other electronic gadgets are strictly not allowed inside the exam hall.
• Study Material: Books, notebooks, rough sheets, and printed material are not permitted.
  Other Items: Wallets with excessive cards, jewellery, and accessories may be checked at the entry gate. Keep them minimal.

Technical Issues:

• In case of any technical problem during the exam, immediately inform the invigilator. Do not attempt to resolve it yourself.
• In rare cases of technical disruption, candidates may be moved to another system or centre. Candidates unwilling to cooperate will be disqualified.

CAT 2026 Exam Day Helpdesk:

• For any exam day issues, contact the CAT Candidate Helpdesk at 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free), Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• You can also email [email protected] with your User ID for any registration or exam-related queries
   

In summary, CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026. CAT exam timings 2026 are: Slot 1 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Slot 2 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and Slot 3 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The official CAT 2026 notification is expected on July 26, 2026, followed by registration from August 1 to September 20, 2026. All dates mentioned in the above article are tentative and based on previous years' trends. Official dates will be confirmed in the CAT 2026 notification on iimcat.ac.in.