CAT 2026: Exam Date, Admit Card, Eligibility, Result
by Indian Institutes of Management (convenor: IIM Indore)
- exam date
- 29 Nov 2026
- Where
- Test cities across India (incl. Maharashtra)
- Who can join
- Bachelor's degree with 50% (45% SC/ST/PwBD), or in final year
CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is the computer-based entrance test used by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many other business schools for MBA/PGP admissions, convened this year by IIM Indore. The exam is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions. As of 24 October 2026, registration has closed; admit cards are available to download from 4 November 2026.
Key dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opened | 3 August 2026 | Closed |
| Registration closed (after extension) | 22 September 2026, 5:00 pm | Closed |
| Admit card download | From 4 November 2026 | Announced |
| CAT 2026 exam | 29 November 2026 (three sessions) | Announced |
| Result | First week of January 2027 | Expected |
The registration deadline was first 15 September 2026 and was extended to 22 September 2026, as reported. The result timing is stated as "first week of January 2027" in coverage of the notification, not as a fixed date.
Eligibility
- A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates), from a recognised university.
- Final-year students and those awaiting results can apply; if selected, they join provisionally on submitting a completion certificate by the IIM's deadline.
- Candidates with a professional qualification (CA, CS, ICWA/CMA or FIAI) with the required percentage are also eligible.
- CGPA is converted as per the university's procedure; if none exists, CGPA is divided by the maximum CGPA and multiplied by 100.
Reservation at IIMs
As per the CAT 2026 eligibility document: 15% of seats for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for NC-OBC, up to 10% for EWS, and 5% for PwBD candidates. Category certificates had to be uploaded at registration, and the category cannot be changed afterwards.
Exam pattern
CAT is a computer-based test held in three sessions on one day. It has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The IIMs publish the exact number of questions, sectional time and marking scheme on iimcat.ac.in; check the tutorial there before the exam rather than relying on coaching estimates.
What to do now
- Download your admit card from iimcat.ac.in (available from 4 November 2026) and check the test centre, session and reporting time.
- Read the instructions printed on the admit card about documents to carry on exam day.
- Take the official mock test/tutorial on the CAT website to get used to the interface.
What the score is used for
CAT scores are used by the IIMs for shortlisting for their postgraduate management programmes, and also by many non-IIM institutes. Each IIM has its own selection process and may weigh past academics and work experience along with the CAT score. The CAT 2026 score is reported to be valid until 31 December 2027.
Tips for Maharashtra students
- CAT can also be used for MBA/MMS admissions through Maharashtra's CAP rounds run by the State CET Cell. In the 2026–27 CAP rules, All India candidates could use a non-zero CAT score, but Maharashtra State candidature required a non-zero score in MAH-MBA/MMS CET. If you are a Maharashtra-domicile student aiming for colleges such as JBIMS or other CAP institutes, plan to take MAH-MBA/MMS CET 2027 as well.
- Watch for the MAH-MBA/MMS CET 2027 registration, which opened in January in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions, convened by IIM Indore.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
Admit cards are available for download from 4 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
Can I still register for CAT 2026?
No. Registration closed on 22 September 2026 after a one-week extension from 15 September 2026.
When will the CAT 2026 result come?
The result is expected in the first week of January 2027. No exact date has been fixed.
What is the minimum percentage for CAT 2026?
A bachelor's degree with at least 50% (45% for SC, ST and PwBD). Final-year students can also apply.
Is CAT accepted for MBA admission in Maharashtra?
Yes, for All India candidature seats in the State CET Cell's MBA/MMS CAP. Maharashtra State candidature seats required a MAH-MBA/MMS CET score in 2026–27.
Official sources
- CAT 2026 official website
- CAT 2026 eligibility and reservation
- State CET Cell: MBA/MMS admission notice 2026–27
Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.