CAT 2026: Exam on 29 November, Admit Card on 4 November – Registration Closed, Form Correction and Key Dates
CAT 2026 registration closed on 22 September after an extension. The exam is on 29 November 2026 in three slots, with admit cards due on 4 November. Form correction, exam pattern, marking scheme, fee and what to do next for IIM admission 2027-29.
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CAT 2026: Registration Closed, Exam on 29 November
Registration for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 closed on 22 September 2026 at 5 PM, after the original 15 September deadline was extended. The exam will be held on Sunday, 29 November 2026, and admit cards are scheduled for 4 November 2026.
CAT scores are used for admission to MBA / PGP programmes at the IIMs and many other B-schools for the 2027–29 batch. The exam is reported to be conducted by IIM Indore this year.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration closed (extended) | 22 September 2026, 5 PM |
| Form correction window | Expected in the last week of September |
| Admit card | 4 November 2026 |
| Exam date | 29 November 2026 |
| Result | Expected late December 2026 / early January 2027 |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
Form Correction
IIMs usually open a short correction window after registration closes. Reports suggest it will run in the last week of September. Changes are normally limited to details such as test city preferences, photograph and signature, and some academic details. Check your submitted form now so you are ready when the window opens.
Exam Slots and Timings
| Slot | Timing |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
Your slot and test centre will be printed on the admit card. The exam is computer-based and held in about 170 cities.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions (approx.) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 2 hours |
Marking: +3 for a correct answer; −1 for a wrong MCQ; no negative marking for non-MCQ (type-in-the-answer) questions. You cannot switch between sections during the sectional time limit.
Eligibility and Fee (for reference)
- Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD); final-year students may apply.
- Fee: ₹2,700 for General / EWS / NC-OBC and ₹1,350 for SC / ST / PwD.
What to Do Next
- Keep your login ID and password safe, you will need them for the admit card and result.
- Take full-length mocks under the 40-minute sectional limits.
- Track other B-school deadlines, many non-IIM institutes accepting CAT scores have separate applications.
- Download the admit card on 4 November and check your slot and centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is CAT 2026?
On 29 November 2026, in three slots.
Q2. Can I still register for CAT 2026?
No. Registration closed on 22 September 2026.
Q3. When will the admit card be released?
On 4 November 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
Q4. Is there negative marking?
Yes, −1 for wrong MCQs; none for non-MCQ questions.
Q5. When is the result expected?
Around late December 2026 or early January 2027.
Conclusion
With registration over, the next dates to watch are the form correction window, the admit card on 4 November and the exam on 29 November 2026. Use the next nine weeks for timed mock practice across all three sections.