CAT Exam Date 2026: Check Notification, Exam Schedule & Important Dates

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's premier MBA entrance exam for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other top B-schools. Staying updated with the CAT Exam Date and other important events is essential for planning your preparation effectively.

The official CAT 2026 notification has not yet been released. However, based on previous years' trends, candidates can estimate the expected registration schedule, exam date, admit card release, and result timeline.

CAT 2026 Important Dates 

To help you track every important event, the table below presents the tentative CAT 2026 schedule based on previous years' trends. 

 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].