CAT 2026 Registration Ongoing: Common Mistakes to Avoid While Filling the IIM CAT Exam Form

CAT 2026 Registration: The application window for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is currently open at the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates now have less than a month left, as the registration process, which began on August 3, 2026 at 10 AM, will close on September 15, 2026 at 5 PM. The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, and will be conducted by IIM Indore in three sessions across around 170 cities in India.

The CAT 2026 registration fee is Rs 2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and Rs 1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Since the fee is non-refundable and only limited fields can be edited later, a single careless entry in the application form can cost aspirants dearly — sometimes even their candidature. Scroll down to check the most common mistakes candidates make while filling the IIM CAT exam form and how to avoid them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the CAT 2026 Application Form

1. Waiting for the last date

Thousands of candidates rush to apply in the final 48 hours, when the website faces heavy traffic and payment failures are frequent. Completing the registration well before September 15 leaves room to fix any glitch calmly.

2. Mismatch in personal details

Name, date of birth and category must exactly match Class 10 certificates and other official documents. Any mismatch can create problems during document verification at the IIM admission stage.

3. Using an inactive email ID or mobile number

The user ID and password are sent to the registered email and phone. All future communication — admit card alerts, corrections, results — comes to these contacts, so candidates must use an email and number they will retain until admissions conclude in 2027.

4. Wrong photograph and signature specifications

Uploads that ignore the prescribed dimensions and file size are a leading cause of form rejection. Candidates must upload a scanned passport-size photograph (35x45 mm) and signature (100x35 mm) in .jpg/.jpeg format, with each file not exceeding 80 KB. Avoid selfies, group photos, or signatures in capital letters.

5. Incorrect academic details and percentage conversion

Marks, board names, and year of passing must be entered as per the marksheets. Candidates converting CGPA to percentage should strictly follow their university's official conversion formula, as discrepancies are flagged during IIM interviews.

6. Errors in category and certificate upload

Reserved category candidates (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD) must upload valid category certificates during registration, and fake or invalid certificates can lead to disqualification. NC-OBC and EWS candidates should ensure their certificates are in the prescribed central government format and of the current financial year.

7. Careless test city selection

Candidates can select up to six preferred exam cities. Choosing distant cities casually, or listing them in the wrong priority order, can result in an inconvenient centre allotment that cannot be changed later beyond the limited correction facility.

8. Skipping the work experience section details

Work experience carries weightage in the selection process of several IIMs. Candidates should enter only full-time, post-graduation experience in months, backed by documents, and avoid inflating figures.

9. Not reviewing the form before payment

A correction window usually opens in the fourth week of September, but only limited fields — photograph, signature, and test city preferences — can be edited. Core details like name, date of birth, category, and academic records generally cannot be changed after submission. Reviewing every tab before hitting 'Submit' is therefore essential.

10. Payment errors and missing confirmation

The fee must be paid online, and the transaction should be completed in one go. After payment, candidates must ensure the application status shows 'Submitted' and download/print the confirmation page and form for future reference. An incomplete payment means an incomplete application.

CAT 2026: Key Details at a Glance

• Registration window: August 3 to September 15, 2026 (5 PM)

• Exam date: November 29, 2026 (three sessions)

• Conducting body: IIM Indore

• Application fee: Rs 2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC); Rs 1,350 (SC/ST/PwBD)

• Eligibility: A bachelor's degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), with no age limit; final-year students can also apply

• Official website: iimcat.ac.in

CAT scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs and hundreds of other leading B-schools for MBA/PGDM admissions, making an error-free application the first step of the MBA journey.