Candidates who completed the CAT 2026 registration process within the extended deadline were subsequently given additional time to complete the application fee payment. The fee-payment deadline was extended to September 24, 2026, up to 5 PM. The additional payment window did not reopen registration for candidates who had not submitted their applications by September 22.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions. The examination will be held as a computer-based test and will be used for admission to postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other participating management institutes.

With the registration phase now over, candidates should shift their focus towards CAT 2026 preparation, admit card updates, mock tests, sectional practice and revision.

CAT 2026: Important Dates

The major CAT 2026 events and dates are given below:

The CAT 2026 registration window opened on August 3 and was subsequently extended from September 15 to September 22. Candidates who completed registration by the final application deadline were allowed additional time to complete fee payment.

CAT 2026 Exam Date

IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The examination will be conducted in three sessions on the same day.

The expected session structure is:

• Morning Session: 8 AM to 10 AM

• Afternoon Session: 12 PM to 2 PM

• Evening Session: 4 PM to 6 PM

Candidates will receive their individual examination slot, test centre and reporting details through the CAT 2026 admit card.

The examination is expected to be conducted across approximately 170 test cities, providing candidates with multiple location options while filling out the application form.

CAT 2026 Registration: Application Window Now Closed

The CAT 2026 application window is no longer accepting new registrations. The final deadline for submitting the application form was September 22, 2026, at 5 PM.

IIM Indore had initially fixed September 15 as the last date. The extension gave candidates an additional seven days to register and complete the application process.

However, candidates should note an important distinction between registration/application submission and fee payment. The registration deadline was not extended beyond September 22. The subsequent extension until September 24 was applicable only for fee payment by candidates who had completed their registration within the prescribed application period.

Therefore, candidates who did not submit their CAT 2026 application by September 22 cannot use the September 24 payment extension to submit a new application.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The CAT 2026 application fee was increased compared with the previous year.

The category-wise fee structure is:

The application fee is non-refundable. Candidates could pay the fee online using available payment methods such as credit card, debit card, net banking and UPI.

One important point for applicants is that there was no separate application fee for every IIM. Candidates could indicate the IIM programmes for which they wanted to be considered through the CAT application process without paying a separate CAT fee for every institute.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 must fulfil the academic eligibility requirements prescribed for the examination.

Bachelor's Degree

Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or educational institution with the prescribed minimum percentage.

The minimum graduation marks are:

• General, EWS and NC-OBC: Minimum 50 per cent marks or equivalent CGPA

• SC, ST and PwD: Minimum 45 per cent marks or equivalent CGPA

Candidates who have completed recognised professional qualifications such as CA, CS or CMA-related qualifications may also be eligible, subject to the prescribed academic requirements.

Final-Year Students

Students currently pursuing the final year of their bachelor's degree can also apply for CAT 2026, subject to the conditions specified in the examination notification.

Such candidates may be admitted provisionally and may subsequently have to submit proof of completion of their degree within the stipulated requirements of the concerned IIM.

No Upper Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for appearing in CAT. Candidates with or without prior work experience can appear for the examination, provided they meet the academic eligibility requirements.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT 2026 will consist of three major sections:

1.    Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2.    Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3.    Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The examination will have 68 questions to be attempted within 120 minutes.

The section-wise distribution is:

Each section will have a 40-minute sectional time limit. Once the allotted time for a section expires, candidates cannot return to that section.

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

The CAT 2026 paper will contain both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions.

The broad marking structure is:

• +3 marks for every correct answer

• -1 mark for an incorrect MCQ response

• No negative marking for incorrect TITA questions

• No marks are deducted for unattempted questions

The maximum score for the 68-question paper will be 204 marks.

Candidates should therefore focus not only on attempting a large number of questions but also on selecting questions carefully. Accuracy remains particularly important in the MCQ component because incorrect answers attract negative marking.

CAT 2026 Sections Explained

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

The VARC section tests a candidate's ability to understand, analyse and interpret written information.

Major areas generally associated with the section include:

• Reading comprehension

• Para jumbles

• Para summary

• Odd sentence out

• Verbal reasoning

• Sentence-based questions

• Critical reading and inference

Reading comprehension carries a substantial portion of the VARC section. Candidates should therefore develop the habit of reading long and complex passages and identifying the author's central argument, tone, assumptions and conclusions.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

The DILR section evaluates analytical thinking and the ability to interpret information presented through different formats.

Important areas include:

• Tables

• Charts

• Graphs

• Caselets

• Venn diagrams

• Arrangements

• Games and tournaments

• Scheduling

• Selection and distribution

• Logical puzzles

• Data-based reasoning

Rather than attempting every question, candidates should learn to identify manageable sets and maximise their score through accurate selection.

3. Quantitative Aptitude

The QA section primarily tests mathematical concepts generally covered during school-level mathematics, along with problem-solving ability.

Important topics include:

• Arithmetic

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Number systems

• Modern mathematics

• Percentages

• Profit and loss

• Ratio and proportion

• Averages

• Time, speed and distance

• Time and work

• Simple and compound interest

• Equations

• Functions

• Permutation and combination

• Probability

Arithmetic generally forms an important component of CAT preparation, making it essential for candidates to build strong conceptual fundamentals.

CAT 2026 Admit Card

With the registration phase completed, the next major milestone for candidates is the CAT 2026 admit card.

The admit card is scheduled to become available from November 4, 2026. Candidates should download it from the official CAT portal once the link becomes active.

The admit card is expected to contain important information including:

• Candidate's name

• Photograph

• Registration number

• Examination date

• Examination session

• Test centre

• Reporting time

• Examination-day instructions

Candidates should carefully verify the details printed on the admit card and follow all instructions concerning reporting, identification documents and permitted items.

What Should CAT 2026 Candidates Do Now?

Since registration is over, the preparation strategy should now move into an intensive phase.

Strengthen the Basics

Candidates should revise fundamental concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, especially arithmetic, algebra and geometry. In VARC, regular reading and comprehension practice can improve accuracy and speed.

Practise DILR Sets Regularly

DILR can be challenging because candidates are required to identify the right approach quickly. Regular practice with different types of sets can help improve question selection and time management.

Take Full-Length Mock Tests

Mock tests should become an integral part of preparation as the examination approaches. Candidates should simulate the actual CAT environment, including the three-section structure and 40-minute sectional limits.

Analyse Every Mock

Taking a mock test alone is not sufficient. Candidates should analyse:

• Questions answered correctly

• Questions answered incorrectly

• Questions left unattempted

• Time spent on individual questions

• Questions that consumed excessive time

• Section-wise accuracy

• Section-wise attempts

• Areas requiring additional revision

Mock-test analysis can help candidates identify recurring mistakes and refine their examination strategy.

Work on Question Selection

CAT is not simply a test of how many questions a candidate can solve. The sectional time restriction makes question selection extremely important.

Candidates should practise identifying:

• Easy questions that can be solved quickly

• Moderate questions requiring calculated effort

• Difficult questions that may consume disproportionate time

The objective should be to maximise the number of accurate attempts rather than attempting questions randomly.

CAT 2026: What Happens After the Exam?

After the CAT examination, IIMs will process candidates' scores and follow their individual admission policies.

CAT scores are used as one component of the selection process. Depending on the institute and programme, other factors may include:

• Academic performance

• Previous qualifications

• Work experience

• CAT sectional performance

• Overall CAT percentile

• Written Ability Test, where applicable

• Personal Interview

• Other institute-specific parameters

Each IIM independently determines its admission criteria and shortlisting methodology. Therefore, meeting a particular CAT percentile does not by itself guarantee admission to an IIM.

CAT 2026 Result

The CAT 2026 result is expected to be announced in the first week of January 2027, according to the published examination schedule. Candidates will be able to check their results through the CAT portal using their login credentials.

The CAT scorecard is expected to contain the candidate's overall and sectional performance, including percentile information.

Candidates should preserve their CAT scorecard because it may be required during subsequent admission and selection processes.

CAT 2026: Key Takeaways

The most important points for CAT 2026 aspirants are:

• CAT 2026 registration began on August 3, 2026.

• The original application deadline of September 15 was extended to September 22.

• The final registration deadline was September 22, 2026, at 5 PM.

• The fee-payment window was subsequently extended to September 24, 2026, at 5 PM, for candidates who had completed registration.

• The registration process is now closed.

• CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026.

• The examination will be held in three sessions.

• The paper will have three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.

• CAT 2026 will have 68 questions carrying a total of 204 marks.

• Each section will have a 40-minute time limit.

• General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates were required to pay ₹2,700.

• SC/ST/PwD candidates were required to pay ₹1,350.

• The admit card is scheduled for release from November 4, 2026.

• The result is expected in the first week of January 2027.

Conclusion

The CAT 2026 registration process has officially moved beyond the application stage, following the September 22 deadline and the subsequent September 24 fee-payment window. Candidates who successfully completed their applications should now concentrate entirely on preparation for the November 29 examination.

With the CAT paper comprising VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude, candidates have limited time to maximise their performance across all three sections. Regular mock tests, detailed analysis, conceptual revision and disciplined time management can form the foundation of the remaining preparation period.

The next major milestone will be the release of the CAT 2026 admit card on November 4, followed by the examination on November 29. Aspirants should continue monitoring the official CAT portal for admit-card availability and other examination-related announcements.