CAT 2026 Admit Card: Release Date, Download Link, Exam Date, Slot Timings and Instructions

CAT 2026 Admit Card: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2026. Candidates who completed the registration process will be able to download their CAT 2026 hall ticket from the official website, iimcat.ac.in, using their registered login credentials. The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions. Candidates should download their admit cards as soon as the link becomes available and verify their examination date, test slot, reporting time and examination centre details before the test.

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Highlights

The CAT admit card is an essential document for candidates appearing for the MBA entrance examination. It contains important information about the candidate and the examination centre. Candidates should check the official portal for the activation of the download link on the scheduled release date.

CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date and Download Link

The CAT 2026 admit card download facility is scheduled to open on November 4, 2026. Registered candidates will be able to access their hall tickets through the candidate login section of the official CAT website.

The CAT 2026 admit card download link will be accessible at iimcat.ac.in once the examination authorities activate the facility. Candidates should use their registered login credentials to access and download the document.

The admit card download facility is scheduled to remain available until the examination date, November 29, 2026. However, candidates should avoid waiting until the last minute to download their hall tickets. Downloading the document in advance will give them sufficient time to check their details, review the examination instructions and plan their journey to the allotted test centre.

Candidates should also note that the scheduled release date does not mean the admit card is already available. They must check the official website for the live download link and any updates to the examination schedule.

How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card?

Candidates can download the CAT 2026 admit card online using their registered login credentials. The following steps explain how to access the CAT hall ticket once the download facility becomes active.

Step 1: Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: Open the registered candidate login section on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter your registered CAT user ID and password.

Step 4: Log in to your candidate account and look for the CAT 2026 admit card download link.

Step 5: Open the admit card and verify your personal information, examination date, test slot and centre address.

Step 6: Download the admit card PDF and save a copy for future reference.

Step 7: Take a clear printout and follow the instructions mentioned on the hall ticket regarding documents and examination-day requirements.

Candidates should retain their login credentials until the admission process is complete. If they encounter a problem while downloading the admit card or notice an error in the details, they should contact the official CAT helpdesk promptly.

CAT 2026 Exam Date and Slot Timings

The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled to take place on November 29, 2026. The computer-based examination will be conducted in three sessions, with each session lasting two hours.

Candidates should carefully check their individual examination slot and reporting time on the admit card. The timings of the three sessions are as follows.

Candidates must follow the reporting time and entry instructions specified on their individual admit cards. They should not assume that the reporting time will be the same as the examination start time.

Reaching the examination centre well before the prescribed reporting time can help candidates complete the required entry and verification procedures without unnecessary last-minute stress.

Details to Check on CAT 2026 Admit Card

After downloading the CAT 2026 hall ticket, candidates should carefully verify all the information printed on it. Any discrepancy should be reported to the examination authorities as early as possible.

The important details to check include:

• Candidate's name and other personal details

• CAT registration number or user identification details

• Candidate's photograph and signature

• CAT 2026 examination date

• Allotted examination slot

• Reporting time and examination timings

• Examination centre name and complete address

• Examination-day instructions

• Documents and identification requirements specified by the authorities

Candidates should ensure that the printed admit card is clear and readable. They should also verify the examination centre's location in advance to avoid confusion on the day of the test.

If any information is incorrect or missing, candidates should follow the official instructions for raising a query or contacting the CAT helpdesk. They should not make unauthorised changes to the admit card.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2026 examination will consist of three sections designed to assess candidates' verbal ability, reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude.

The total examination duration will be 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section. Candidates will not be permitted to switch between sections while answering questions in a particular section.

The CAT 2026 exam pattern is outlined below.

Candidates should prepare for all three sections and practise completing questions within the prescribed time limits. Since candidates cannot switch between sections during their allotted time, time management and familiarity with the examination format are important parts of CAT preparation.

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 should understand the marking scheme before appearing for the examination. The marking system rewards correct answers and penalises incorrect answers to multiple-choice questions.

The CAT 2026 marking scheme is as follows:

The negative marking provision applies to incorrect multiple-choice questions. Candidates should check the official examination instructions for the treatment of non-MCQ questions, which generally do not carry negative marking.

A clear understanding of the marking scheme can help candidates make informed decisions when attempting questions. They should balance accuracy with speed rather than attempting questions without considering the possibility of negative marks.

What Should Candidates Carry for CAT 2026 Exam Day?

Candidates should read the examination-day instructions printed on their CAT 2026 admit cards before leaving for the examination centre.

They should prepare the documents and items required by the examination authorities in advance. Important precautions include:

• Carry a printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card in the format specified by the authorities.

• Carry a valid photo identity document accepted under the official examination instructions.

• Check whether the admit card requires any additional photograph or document.

• Verify the examination centre address and plan the route in advance.

• Reach the centre according to the prescribed reporting time.

• Read the instructions regarding prohibited items and permitted belongings.

• Follow the directions issued by examination staff during entry and verification.

Candidates should not rely on a digital copy of the admit card as a substitute for a printed copy unless the official instructions explicitly permit it. The requirements stated by the examination authorities should take precedence over general advice.

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Important Instructions for Candidates

The CAT 2026 admit card contains information that candidates need to know before appearing for the examination. After downloading the document, candidates should check the allotted slot, centre address and reporting instructions carefully.

Candidates should keep their login details secure and use the official CAT website to access their hall tickets. They should avoid unofficial websites that request unnecessary personal information or claim to provide alternative admit card download facilities.

If a candidate forgets their password, they should check whether the official login portal provides a password recovery option. Candidates facing technical issues or discrepancies in their admit cards should contact the official helpdesk and follow the prescribed resolution process.

Candidates should also remember that the examination date and slot mentioned on their individual admit cards are important. They must follow the reporting instructions provided for their allotted session rather than relying solely on general examination timings.