CAT Exam Date 2026 (Out), Check Notification, Exam Schedule & Important Dates

CAT 2026 Important Dates 

The table below presents the confirmed CAT 2026 schedule as per the official Information Bulletin.

 Previous-Year CAT Exam Date Trends

The Indian Institutes of Management strictly adhere to a highly standardised, traditional timeline execution year after year. Historically, the examination has been conducted on the last Sunday of November. 

By analysing the previous cycles, we can establish a clear trajectory for the upcoming year:

 As seen from the data points above, the CAT exam date registration window consistently remains functional for approximately 45 to 50 days, occasionally offering a short extension of 5–7 days to accommodate last-minute applications.

CAT Exam Day Structure

According to structural mandates mapped out in the CAT 2025 Advertisement and Information Bulletin, the test administration utilises a centralised, computer-based testing format. Because of the enormous volume of applicants testing simultaneously nationwide, CAT is usually conducted in multiple sessions on a single day.

The exam day format involves:

• Three Independent Slots: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening sessions.

• Strict Sectional Divisions: A total duration of 120 minutes (2 hours), with exactly 40 minutes designated for each of the three functional evaluation spaces. Candidates cannot switch between sections arbitrarily.

• Core Curriculum: The layout measures capability parameters across specific frameworks. Aspirants should align their practice plans exactly with the updated CAT Syllabus 2026.

Step-by-Step CAT Exam Date Registration Process

When the CAT 2026 registration portal goes live on the official portal (iimcat.ac.in), candidates must complete a sequential, multi-stage application. Missing the CAT exam 2026 registration deadline will completely disqualify you from taking the test, as no offline forms or late submissions are entertained.

1. New Candidate Registration: Input your foundational profile data (Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Active Mobile Number) to generate a unique User ID and password.

2. Profile Completion: Log in to fill out exhaustive academic milestones (10th, 12th, and Graduation scores), professional work history, and select your specific program options across various IIM campuses.

3. Test City Allocation: You are typically permitted to choose up to five preferred test cities in order of convenience.

4. Document Upload: Correctly upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and relevant category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) matching the precise dimensions outlined in the official reference bulletin.

5. Fee Payment: Conclude the registration process by processing the non-refundable registration fee using secure digital payment methods.

To ensure absolute procedural accuracy and avoid trivial errors that could invalidate your candidature, check out our comprehensive walkthrough on [CAT Registration 2026].