The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the main entrance exams for students who want to study MBA and other management programmes at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other participating institutes. CAT 2026 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode and the official examination schedule was released through the CAT 2026 advertisement. The official CAT website listed registration from August 1, 2026, and the exam was held on November 30, 2026, in three sessions.
Recent Developments:
- The official CAT 2026 registration started on August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST.
- The registration deadline was September 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST.
- CAT 2026 was conducted on November 30, 2026, in three sessions.
- The official CAT advertisement advised candidates to use the CAT website for detailed information about the examination.
Highlights of CAT 2026 Notification
CAT 2025 was a computer-based test conducted for admission to postgraduate, fellow and doctoral programmes offered by IIMs and for programmes of other institutes that accept CAT scores. The official advertisement gave candidates the key information about registration, examination and admission-related requirements.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Institute | IIM Kozhikode |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based test |
| Registration Start | August 1, 2026, 10:00 AM IST |
| Registration End | September 20, 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| Exam Date | November 30, 2026 |
| Exam Sessions | Three sessions |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Notification Release Date
For CAT 2026, the official notification and advertisement were issued ahead of the registration process. Career Mantra listed July 31, 2026, as the CAT 2026 notification release date, while its earlier guidance described the release as being around the last week of July. The official CAT website confirms that registration opened on August 1, 2026. Therefore, students should treat the official CAT website and advertisement as the final authority for the examination schedule.
CAT 2026 Registration
Candidates had to complete the CAT application online. The registration window opened on August 1, 2026, and closed on September 20, 2026. Students were required to provide the information asked for in the application form and follow the instructions given on the official CAT website.
CAT 2026 Eligibility
Candidates seeking admission through CAT need to meet the eligibility rules given in the official CAT advertisement. A recognised bachelor’s degree is the basic academic requirement, with the prescribed minimum marks and relaxation rules for eligible reserved categories. Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree can also apply, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official advertisement.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT tests candidates in three broad areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The examination was conducted in three sessions on November 30, 2026.
| Section | Area |
| VARC | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
| DILR | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
| QA | Quantitative Ability |
CAT 2025 Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
| Notification / Advertisement | July 31, 2026 (as listed by Career Mantra) |
| Registration Begins | August 1, 2026 |
| Registration Ends | September 20, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 30, 2026 |
| Result | First week of January 2026 (tentative in official advertisement) |
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The official CAT 2026 advertisement prescribed an application fee of ₹2,600 for candidates in the general category and ₹1,300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Candidates should always check the official advertisement for fee details before applying.
Admission Through CAT
A CAT score is used as one part of the admission process. IIMs and other institutes can have their own selection rules, which may include academic performance, work experience, written assessment, group discussion, personal interview or other components. Candidates should check the admission policy of each institute separately.
Conclusion
CAT 2025 was an important opportunity for students planning to pursue management education. The registration process began on August 1, 2026, and the exam was held on November 30, 2026. Students preparing for future CAT attempts should follow the official CAT website for the latest dates and instructions instead of relying only on unofficial schedules.
FAQs
1.What is CAT?
CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by the IIMs.
2.When did CAT 2026 registration start?
CAT 2025 registration started on August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST.
3.When was the CAT 2026 exam held?
The exam was held on November 30, 2026, in three sessions.
4.What are the main sections in CAT?
The three sections are VARC, DILR and QA.
5.Where can candidates check official CAT information?
Candidates should use the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
References
Career mantra website: Find India’s Top Colleges/Universities suitable for you | Get Admission in Top Universities in Abroad | Common Application Form https://www.careermantra.net/
You can also read these:
Top Colleges in Delhi Archives – Career Mantra https://share.google/mQ0ghJ8iGLjrIBCTJ
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