The CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) is one of the most important MBA entrance exams in India. Conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT is the gateway to MBA and PGDM programs offered by IIMs and over 1,200 top B-schools across the country.
If you are planning to appear for CAT 2026, this article provides information on CAT dates, notification release, registration, admit card, exam schedule, and result timeline.
This article provides expected timelines for CAT 2026 based on past trends. Final dates, rules, and announcements will be released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) through the official CAT Website
CAT Exam 2026: Highlights
- Exam Name : Common Admission Test (CAT)
- Exam Mode : Computer Based Test
- Conducting Authority : IIMs
- Exam Frequency : Once a year
- Total Duration : 2 hours
- Section : Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
CAT Dates 2026 (Tentative Schedule)
The official CAT 2026 dates will be announced through the notification. Until then, candidates can refer to the expected timeline based on previous years.
| CAT 2026 Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT Registration Start Date | First week of August 2026 |
| CAT Registration Last Date | Second/Third week of September 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Last week of September 2026 |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 Release | First week of November 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | Last Sunday of November 2026 |
| CAT Answer Key Release | First week of December 2026 |
| CAT Result 2026 Declaration | Last week of December / First week of January 2027 |
The information provided in this article regarding CAT Dates 2026, including notification, registration, admit card, exam schedule, and result timeline, is based on previous years trend The actual dates and details may change at the discretion of the IIMs, which are the official conducting authorities of the CAT exam.
Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the official CAT website and official notifications for information.