The tentative CAT 2026 Exam Date is 30th November 2026 and the entire examination will take place online. This year, IIMs – the conducting body for the CAT (Common Aptitude Test), will witness a substantial growth in the online registration process and candidates appearing for this challenging competitive exam, which is a straight pathway to get selected by a renowned business institute to pursue a two-year management programme. With only 94 days left for the CAT 2025 Exam Date, candidates are getting indulged in constant assignments, mock test practice and revision.
However, there’s a certain population of candidates who are looking forward to appearing for the CAT 2026 Exam with well-balanced preparation, strong comprehension and excellent time management skills. If you fall in the same category and have decided to appear for the CAT in the latter year, then it’s the right time to obtain updated information about the CAT 2026 Exam Date so that you never miss out on the important deadlines. Note that all this bunch of information is entirely tentative, and you need to keep an eye on the official website for the latest updates.
You can consider the upcoming sections of this comprehensive blog as an ultimate saviour for the 2026 CAT aspirants. Go through the dates regarding the main events, but also regularly visit the official website for timely registration, application correction date, admit card download, result announcement, etc.
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What is the CAT 2026 Exam Date?
Fresh notifications regarding the CAT 2026 Exam Date were expected to be announced around July 2026 last week. Soon, the CAT 2026 registrations will start anywhere between August and September 2026. The last date to register for the CAT 2026 will tentatively revolve around the 3rd week of September 2026. We have already addressed above that 30th November 2026 is the tentative date for the CAT 2026 online examination. The question paper is expected to exhibit 68 questions with a total duration of 120 minutes. There will be 22 questions in Quantitative Aptitude (QA), 24 in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and 22 in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), respectively. Candidates who will appear for CAT in 2026 will also get a sectional time limit – 40 minutes for every section individually. There will be +3 marking for the correct answers and -1 for an incorrect/wrong attempt. CAT has a very streamlined application process, which is easy to follow for beginners, college individuals and full-time job professionals.
CAT 2026 Exam Date: Tentative (Expected)
| Entrance Exam | CAT |
| Full Form | Common Aptitude Test |
| Best Coaching Institute For CAT 2026 Preparation | iQuanta |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Institute Of Management and Technology |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 30th November 2026 – Tentative |
| CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria | A candidate must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks.SC/ST/PwD Candidates must have achieved 40% marks in their bachelor’s degree. Final year candidates awaiting their results can also apply for CAT 2026. If qualified and selected, it’s mandatory to submit a provisional document or certificate approved by the Principal or Registrar. Candidates who have completed any particular professional course from this list: CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with a minimum percentage of 50% can apply for this entrance exam. If you’re an SC/ST/PwD candidate, then 45% is the minimum percentage. |
| CAT Exam 2026 Syllabus | Quantitative Aptitude (QA)Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
| CAT 2026 Question Type | MCQ (Multiple choice questions) TITA (Type in the answer) |
| CAT 2026 Total No. Of Questions | 68 |
| CAT 2026 Paper Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| CAT 2026 Total Score | 204 |
| B-Schools Accepting CAT 2026 Score | 21 IIMs, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, FMS New Delhi, IIFT Delhi, etc |
| Shortlisting Criteria For Admission Into IIMs Through CAT 2026 | Entrance Test Score, GD-PI-WAT Round Performance, Academic Qualifications and Work Experience |
| CAT 2026 Test Centre (States) | 17 |
| CAT 2026 Expected Cut-Off | 95% |
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CAT 2026 Exam Other Important Dates
| CAT 2026 Major Events | Specific Timeline (Tentative) |
| CAT 2026 Notification Announcement | July 2026 – Last Week |
| CAT Exam 2026 Application Start Date | August 2026 – First Week |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 2026 – Last Week |
| CAT 2026 Correction Window | 2026 September – 3rd or 4th Week |
| Download CAT Exam 2026 Admit Card | November 2026 – First Week |
| Admission Test Score Announcement | December 2026 – 3rd or 4th Week |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Objection Date | December 2026 |
CAT 2026 Step-by-Step Registration Procedure
Knowing the CAT 2026 Exam Date is not enough. If you don’t have access to appropriate instructions on how to fill out the CAT 2026 registration form, then this information will be of no use. Most candidates who appear for the first time tend to face extreme difficulty while completing the application process to appear for the CAT. Hereby, we have come up with these crucial guidelines where we have described the entire procedure of registering for the CAT Exam 2026.
- Step 1: Candidates must open the official website: www.iimcat.ac.in to apply for the CAT 2026 Exam.
- Step 2: Navigate to the “New Registration” option available on the virtual dashboard.
- Step 3: Next, you have to enter your basic information.
- Step 4: Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number or email address for verification.
- Step 5: Check your email address or text message for new credentials (User ID and password) and log in.
- Step 6: Enter your personal information, academic scores (10th, 12th and graduation), and work experience (if necessary)
- Step 7: Attach a scanned passport-size image, photograph and other compulsory documents within the specific size and format. Ensure that you have scanned all the documents and that the details are transparent. Candidates from the reservation category will have to submit proof of evidence for verification. A disability certificate is compulsory for the PwD candidates.
- Step 8: Select six different test cities from India based on your location and personal preferences.
- Step 9: Proceed to pay the registration charges through an online mode of payment and wait for confirmation.
- Step 10: Verify your application form to confirm that all the details are correct and you do not need to make any changes.
- Step 11: Tap on the “Submit” option to confirm your CAT application.
- Step 12: Download an e-copy of the application form and take a printout as well for safety purposes.
Take Help From iQuanta for CAT Preparation 2026
Cracking an entrance exam like CAT, which witnesses extreme competition every passing year, requires tremendous hardwork, success and commitment. You can accomplish your target score in the CAT 2026 Exam if you choose iQuanta to receive constant guidance and unlimited resources for conceptual clarity and regular practice. In this section, we are going to highlight our top course features, due to which we have built a diversified student community and garnered trust from them. Read out the pointers mentioned below, and then you’ll be 100% sure to join us for strategic preparation.
- Non-Stop Doubt Clarification From Intelligent Peers and iQuanta Experts
- Variety of Topic-Wise and Section-Wise Questions For Practice
- Live Lectures, Practical Application Classes and Recorded Lessons
- Practice Full-Length Mocks and Sectional Tests For Performance Enhancement
- Non-Engineering students will get access to QA modules, which explain every topic from scratch.
- Get CAT Books, PYQs, and Formula Cheatsheet For Revision and Practice
- 50 Unique Questions To Practice Varied DILR Concepts
- Watch 1000+ Videos On Basic, Moderate to Complex VARC Concepts (For Engineering Students)
Conclusion
Until any notification is out on the official portal, 30th December is the expected CAT 2026 Exam Date. The conducting body has the right to change the CAT 2026 Exam Date and will also provide a suitable reason while making significant modifications in the schedule of a national-level exam, which will be organised across 160+ cities in India. On the other hand, if you’re appearing for the CAT Exam 2025, which will take place on 30th November 2025, then we suggest you join iQuanta’s free crash course or night classes (12-1:30 PM) to fast-track your preparation and achieve guaranteed success in the 2025 CAT Exam. In 2024, more than 500 students cracked the CAT with a whopping percentile of 99% and this year, you can be that shining star. However, candidates aspiring to appear for the CAT 2026 Exam can also enrol in our preparation courses designed for the next year. Get more information about the 2026 CAT Preparation Courses through a one-on-one free virtual counselling session provided by top experts.
iQuanta CAT Course 2026
FAQs
Not as such. Candidates of any age and stream can appear for the CAT until they match the basic eligibility criteria. To gain admission into your dream B-school, you only need to achieve a high score and an overall percentile.
General category candidates will have to pay Rs 2,500 only as the registration charges. Reserved category candidates from the SC/ST/PwD category will be requested to make a payment of Rs 1,250 to confirm their application submission.
Aspiring candidates who are willing to appear for the CAT 2026 will have to visit www.iimcat.ac.in to check for authentic details. For any kind of clarifications related to the CAT 2026 Exam Date, you can drop an email at cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in from a valid email address.
CAT is one of the most popular, toughest and competitive entrance examinations for enrollment into leading B-schools to pursue a full-time MBA programme. This exam is conducted in the English language through the online mode.
30th November 2026 is the tentative date for the CAT 2026 examination. As there’s no confirmation on the official platform, it’s possible but not confirmed that any changes will be made to the final exam date for the CAT 2026. Keep a track of the notifications released on the official website to proceed with the online registration and other essential events.
