The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore is scheduled to release the CAT 2026 admit card on November 6, 2026, for candidates registered for the Common Admission Test (CAT). The hall ticket will be made available through the official examination website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards by logging in with their registered User ID and password.

The admit card release has been postponed from the originally announced date of November 4 to November 6, 2026. IIM Indore issued a revised notification confirming the new date. The exact time for activation of the download link has not been announced, and candidates can check the official portal periodically for the latest update.

The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across designated examination centres in India. The examination is one of the most important national-level management entrance tests for admission to postgraduate management programmes, particularly the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other leading business schools.

Candidates are advised to download their hall tickets as soon as the link becomes active, carefully verify all the details printed on the document and take a clear printout for examination-day requirements.

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Important Highlights

The important details regarding the CAT 2026 admit card and examination are provided below.

CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date Postponed

Candidates were initially expecting the CAT 2026 admit card to be released on November 4, 2026. However, the examination authorities subsequently revised the schedule and postponed the release to November 6.

IIM Indore confirmed the revised date through an official notification issued on November 4. Accordingly, candidates who have completed the CAT 2026 registration process will be able to access their hall tickets through the official examination portal on the revised date.

The exact release time has not been specified by the examination authorities. Based on previous CAT examination cycles, the admit card download link may be activated at different times during the day. Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial claims regarding a fixed release time.

The official CAT website should be treated as the primary source for confirmation of the admit card download facility.

CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Link

The CAT 2026 admit card will be available through the official examination website.

Official Website: https://iimcat.ac.in/

Candidates can also access the registered candidate login facility through the following link:

CAT 2026 Candidate Login: https://cdn.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/32842/101262/login.html

The download link will be accessible after the examination authorities activate the admit card facility. Candidates will need their registered login credentials to download the hall ticket.

Aspirants should avoid using unofficial websites or third-party links claiming to provide CAT admit cards.

How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card?

Once the download link is activated, registered candidates can follow the steps below to obtain their CAT 2026 hall ticket.

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

2.    Click on the Registered Candidate Login option.

3.    Enter the CAT 2026 User ID and password.

4.    Complete the required verification process, if displayed.

5.    Click on the Login button to access the candidate dashboard.

6.    Locate the CAT 2026 Admit Card download link.

7.    Click on the download option to access the hall ticket.

8.    Download and save the admit card PDF.

9.    Take clear printouts of all required pages on A4-size paper.

Candidates should retain multiple copies of the downloaded admit card to avoid last-minute difficulties. It is advisable to keep a digital backup as well.

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Details Mentioned on the Hall Ticket

The CAT admit card is an essential examination document containing the candidate's identification details, examination schedule and allotted test centre information.

After downloading the hall ticket, candidates should carefully verify the following information:

• Candidate's full name.

• CAT 2026 registration or application number.

• Roll number, wherever mentioned.

• Date of birth.

• Category details.

• Gender.

• Candidate's photograph.

• Candidate's scanned signature.

• Examination date.

• Allotted examination session or slot.

• Reporting time.

• Examination centre name and complete address.

• PwD/DA status, wherever applicable.

• Important examination-day instructions.

Candidates must ensure that their photograph and signature are clearly visible and that their personal details match the information submitted during registration.

Any discrepancy should be reported immediately to the CAT helpdesk rather than waiting until the examination day.

CAT 2026 Exam Date and Shift Timings

IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026, in three separate sessions.

The examination will be held according to the following schedule:

Each candidate will be assigned a particular examination session. The allotted slot, reporting time and examination centre details will be mentioned on the individual admit card.

Candidates must carefully check their assigned shift and plan their travel accordingly. They should reach the examination centre well before the reporting and gate-closing times specified on the hall ticket.

It is important to note that candidates cannot independently select or change their examination slot after the allotment has been made.

CAT 2026 Official Mock Test Expected Along with Admit Card

The official CAT 2026 mock test is also expected to be made available along with the admit card facility.

The mock test will help candidates familiarise themselves with the computer-based examination interface and understand how to navigate between questions and sections.

Taking the official mock test can be particularly useful for candidates who are appearing for CAT for the first time.

The mock test can help aspirants understand:

• The general layout of the computer-based examination.

• How to navigate between different questions.

• How to select and change answers.

• How to use the available examination interface.

• How to manage the examination screen and question navigation.

• How to become comfortable with the computer-based testing environment.

Candidates should make use of the official mock test before November 29 to become familiar with the examination interface. However, the mock test should be treated as a practice resource and not as a guarantee of the exact questions that will appear in the actual examination.

CAT 2026: Documents to Carry to the Examination Centre

Candidates must carry the required documents to the examination centre for identity verification and entry.

The important documents generally include:

1.    A clear printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card.

2.    An original, valid government-issued photo identity proof.

3.    A recent passport-size photograph, if required by the admit card instructions.

The acceptable photo identity documents include:

• Aadhaar Card.

• PAN Card.

• Passport.

• Voter ID Card.

• Driving Licence.

Candidates should carefully follow the instructions printed on their individual admit cards regarding the photograph and identification documents.

A digital copy of the admit card on a mobile phone should not be treated as a substitute for the required printed copy.

What to Do If There Is an Error in the CAT 2026 Admit Card?

Candidates should carefully examine the admit card immediately after downloading it.

If there is an error in the candidate's name, date of birth, registration number, photograph, signature, category or other personal information, the issue should be reported to the examination authorities without delay.

The admit card details cannot ordinarily be edited directly by candidates through the login dashboard. Therefore, candidates should contact the official CAT helpdesk for assistance.

The CAT 2026 helpdesk details are:

Email: cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in

Contact Number: +91 731 2439402

Helpdesk Working Hours: Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Candidates may also use the grievance facility available through the CAT candidate login portal, wherever applicable.

It is particularly important to report any discrepancy in the photograph or signature because these details are used during identity verification at the examination centre.

Can Candidates Change Their CAT 2026 Examination Centre After Admit Card Release?

Candidates should note that the allotted examination centre, test venue and examination slot are generally final once the admit card has been issued.

The examination authorities do not ordinarily permit candidates to change their allotted test centre city, venue or session after the allocation process.

Therefore, candidates must carefully check the complete address of their examination centre immediately after downloading the admit card.

Those who have been allotted a centre in an unfamiliar location should make the necessary travel arrangements in advance. It is advisable to check the route, approximate travel time and available transportation facilities before the examination day.

CAT 2026: Important Examination-Day Instructions

Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 should follow all instructions mentioned on their admit cards and those communicated by the examination authorities.

Some important precautions include:

• Carry a printed copy of the admit card.

• Bring an original and valid photo identity proof.

• Affix a passport-size photograph wherever instructed.

• Reach the examination centre before the reporting deadline.

• Follow the security and identity verification procedures.

• Do not carry prohibited electronic devices or unauthorised materials.

• Follow the instructions provided by the examination centre staff.

• Avoid carrying unnecessary personal belongings.

• Carefully read the examination instructions before beginning the test.

Candidates should also check the gate-closing time mentioned on the admit card. Reaching the centre after the permitted entry time may result in denial of entry, even if the candidate has registered successfully for the examination.

CAT 2026 Examination: What Candidates Should Know

The Common Admission Test is a national-level management entrance examination conducted for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes at the Indian Institutes of Management and several participating business schools.

CAT scores are used by IIMs for their respective admission and shortlisting processes. Other participating management institutions also accept CAT scores according to their individual admission policies.

The examination assesses candidates across three major areas:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section evaluates English language proficiency, reading comprehension, verbal reasoning and the ability to understand and interpret written information.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section assesses analytical ability, logical thinking, data interpretation and problem-solving skills. Candidates are required to analyse information presented through different formats and arrive at logical conclusions.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

This section tests mathematical aptitude and numerical problem-solving skills. Questions generally assess concepts from areas such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry and other quantitative topics.

Candidates should continue revising important concepts and practising mock tests during the remaining preparation period.

CAT 2026: Preparation Strategy for the Final Weeks

With the examination scheduled for November 29, candidates have entered an important phase of their preparation. The availability of the admit card and official mock test will also help them plan their final revision.

A focused preparation strategy can make a significant difference during the final weeks.

Revise Important Concepts: Candidates should revise important topics from VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability rather than spending excessive time learning entirely new concepts.

Practise Full-Length Mock Tests: Regular mock tests can help candidates improve speed, accuracy and time management.

Analyse Mock Test Performance: Merely attempting mock tests is not sufficient. Candidates should identify weak areas, understand mistakes and work on improving their performance.

Improve Time Management: CAT requires candidates to manage their time effectively across three sections. Practising under timed conditions can help develop an appropriate examination strategy.

Avoid Excessive Last-Minute Preparation: Candidates should maintain a balanced preparation schedule and avoid unnecessary stress immediately before the examination.

Familiarise Yourself with the Test Interface: The official mock test should be attempted to understand the computer-based examination environment.

CAT 2026: Important Dates at a Glance

The important CAT 2026 examination events are summarised below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?

The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 6, 2026. The date was revised from the earlier scheduled date of November 4.

Q2. Where can candidates download the CAT 2026 admit card?

Candidates can download their admit cards through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.

Q3. What login credentials are required to download the CAT admit card?

Candidates need their registered CAT User ID and password to access the candidate login portal and download the hall ticket.

Q4. What is the CAT 2026 examination date?

The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on November 29, 2026.

Q5. How many sessions will CAT 2026 have?

The examination will be conducted in three sessions: morning, afternoon and evening.

Q6. What are the CAT 2026 examination timings?

The three examination slots are scheduled from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

Q7. Will the CAT 2026 admit card release time be announced?

The examination authorities have confirmed November 6 as the release date but have not specified an exact release time. Candidates should check the official portal for updates.

Q8. Will the official CAT 2026 mock test be available?

The official mock test is expected to be released along with the admit card facility. Candidates should check the official website for its availability.

Q9. Can candidates change their examination centre after downloading the admit card?

The allotted examination centre, venue and session are generally final after the admit card is issued. Candidates should verify their allotted details carefully.

Q10. What should candidates do if there is an error in the admit card?

Candidates should immediately contact the official CAT helpdesk through the designated email address or telephone number to report the discrepancy.

Conclusion

The postponement of the CAT 2026 admit card release to November 6 has given registered candidates a revised date to look forward to as they prepare for one of India's most competitive management entrance examinations.

IIM Indore is expected to activate the hall ticket download facility through iimcat.ac.in, allowing candidates to check their allotted examination centres, test sessions and other important details. The official CAT mock test is also expected to become available along with the admit card facility.

With the CAT 2026 examination scheduled for November 29, candidates should download their admit cards promptly, verify all the information, arrange the necessary examination documents and continue their final preparation.

Aspirants are advised to regularly visit the official CAT website for the latest updates regarding the admit card, mock test and examination-day instructions. Proper preparation and timely completion of all pre-examination formalities will help candidates avoid unnecessary difficulties on the examination day.