The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available for download from 4 November 2026, according to the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. The IIMs have marked this date as tentative. As of 3 November 2026, the download link is not live yet.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be held on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions. IIM Indore is conducting the exam this year on behalf of the Indian Institutes of Management. Here is what candidates need to know about the admit card, the test day and what to carry.
- Conducting institute: IIM Indore, on behalf of the IIMs
- Admit card download: From 4 November 2026 (tentative)
- Exam date: 29 November 2026 (Sunday), three sessions
- Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
- Official website: iimcat.ac.in
CAT Admit Card 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducted by | IIM Indore, on behalf of the IIMs |
| Admit card release | 4 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Exam date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Sessions | Three |
| Mode | Computer-based test |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Test cities | About 170 |
| Result | Likely by the first week of January 2027 |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration closed (after extension) | 22 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Fee payment window (for registered candidates) | Extended to 24 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Admit card download | From 4 November 2026 (tentative) |
| CAT 2026 exam | 29 November 2026 |
| Result | Likely by first week of January 2027 |
Registration was first set to close on 15 September 2026 and was later extended to 22 September. The IIMs then gave two more days only for fee payment, for those who had registered on time. A short edit window was opened afterwards for photograph, signature and test city preferences.
How to Download the CAT 2026 Admit Card
- Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in. The IIMs have repeatedly said there is no other website for CAT.
- Click on the candidate login link.
- Enter your User ID and password, which you created during registration.
- Open the admit card link once it is active.
- Check every detail, then download the admit card and print it on A4 paper.
If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery option on the login page. For other problems, contact the CAT help desk listed on the official website.
Details Printed on the Admit Card
- Candidate’s name, photograph and signature
- CAT registration number
- Test date and session (slot)
- Reporting time and gate closing time
- Name and full address of the test centre
- Exam-day instructions
Your slot timing and reporting time will be printed on the admit card. Plan your travel around those timings rather than around timings shared on social media or in earlier years.
If your photo, signature or name looks wrong, report it to the CAT Centre straight away. Do not wait until the test day.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The test runs for 120 minutes and has three sections. Each section is timed separately, and candidates get exactly 40 minutes per section. You cannot switch between sections during that time.
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
A mock test is available on the CAT website, and it is worth taking at least once so that the interface does not surprise you on exam day.
What to Carry on Exam Day
- A printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card
- An original, valid photo ID (as listed in the instructions)
- A scribe authorisation letter, for PwBD candidates who need one
- Any other document mentioned on your admit card
Do not carry phones, smart watches, calculators or other electronic items. An on-screen calculator is available during the test. Rough sheets and a pen are provided at the centre and must be returned at the end.
Exam Day Rules to Keep in Mind
- Reach before the reporting time on your admit card. Late entry is not allowed after the gate closes.
- Identity checks may include photograph capture and biometric verification at the centre.
- Do not write anything on the admit card.
- A candidate can appear only once. Attempting more than one session will lead to disqualification.
- If your computer develops a problem, tell the invigilator immediately.
After the Exam: Result and Score Validity
According to the CAT 2026 information bulletin, results are likely by the first week of January 2027. Scorecards will be available on the CAT website. The CAT 2026 score is valid only until 31 December 2027. After results, each IIM and participating institute runs its own shortlisting, which may include a written ability test, group discussion and personal interview. CAT scores are also accepted by many non-IIM institutions, listed on the CAT website.
Using the Last Few Weeks Well
Once the admit card is out, the exam is just over three weeks away. This is the time to stop adding new topics and focus on timed practice. Take full-length mocks under the 40-minutes-per-section rule, and review every mock carefully, since the analysis teaches more than the attempt itself. In DILR, practise choosing which sets to attempt in the first few minutes. In VARC, keep reading daily so your speed does not drop. A week before the exam, visit or map your test centre route, and keep your admit card and ID together in one folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The official CAT website lists 4 November 2026 as the tentative date for admit card download.
When is the CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions.
What do I need to download the CAT admit card?
You need your CAT User ID and password from registration. Log in only at iimcat.ac.in.
Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 on behalf of the Indian Institutes of Management.
When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
The information bulletin says CAT 2026 results are likely to be declared by the first week of January 2027.
Official Links: CAT Admit Card 2026
| What it is | Official link |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 official website (login, admit card) | iimcat.ac.in |
| CAT 2026 press release, 26 July 2026 (PDF) | Press Release PDF |
| CAT 2026 information bulletin (PDF) | Information Bulletin PDF |
| IIM Indore (CAT 2026 convening institute) | iimidr.ac.in |
