CAT Exam Date 2026: Schedule, Important Dates, Registration, Slot Wise

CAT 2026 exam date 2026 is one of the most searched topics among MBA aspirants in India. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted every year by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis and is accepted by more than 1600 MBA colleges across the country. As per past trends, the CAT exam date 2026 in India is expected to fall on the last Sunday of November, which is 29 November 2026.

The official confirmation of the CAT exam date 2026 India and time will be announced through the CAT 2026 notification date, expected in July 2026. Until then, candidates can rely on previous years’ patterns to plan their preparation.

CAT Exam Date 2026 

CAT exam schedule 2026 will include details related to registration, admit card, exam date, answer key, and result declaration. Below is a quick overview of CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates must track all CAT 2026 important dates carefully to avoid missing any deadlines. These dates include notification release, registration start, application last date, and exam date.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for CAT 2026, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• Graduation with minimum 50% marks from a recognized university

• For SC/ST/PwD candidates, minimum 45% marks

• Final-year students or candidates awaiting results can apply

• Candidates with professional degrees such as CA, CS, CMA, ICWAI are also eligible

CAT Registration Process 2026

CAT exam 2026 registration dates are expected to begin in August 2026. The application process is completely online.

1. Visit the official website – iimcat.ac.in.

2. Click on New Registration

3. Enter basic details to create login credentials

4. Verify details using OTP

5. Fill personal and academic information

6. Upload passport-size photo and signature

7. Select preferred test cities, IIMs, and courses

8. Add work experience (if any)

9. Pay the application fee and submit the form

CAT Exam Pattern

The CAT exam is conducted in computer-based mode and divided into three slots on the same day.

CAT Exam Date 2026 Slot Wise

CAT exam date 2026 slot wise schedule will be announced along with the admit card. As per previous trends, the exam is conducted in three slots:

• Slot 1: Morning session

• Slot 2: Afternoon session

• Slot 3: Evening session

The exact CAT exam 2026 date and time for each slot will be mentioned on the candidate’s admit card.