CAT 2026 notification is expected soon. The exam will be conducted in November 2026, and candidates can expect to receive their results in January 2027. It's the perfect time for candidates to start their preparation. Suppose you are an aspiring candidate who wants to pass the exam. You need a proper strategy with expert guidance. Every year, 2-3 lakh aspirants take this exam, and only a few of them get a seat in their dream IIM. In this exam, 21 IIMs participate and offer 5300 (approx.) seats. So competition is tough in this CAT exam. If you are a student who doesn't know where to start the journey, what to study, or what things they avoid during preparation, this can also lead to exam failure. This article is about the CAT notification first; just understand the dates and the exam pattern.
CAT Notification 2026: Important Dates
Mentioned below are the expected CAT 2026 Important Dates. Through this, the aspirants will be able to get familiar with CAT 2026 registration date, last date to register, exam date etc.
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CAT 2026 Important Dates & Timeline
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Important Dates
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CAT 2026 Notification Date
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Last week of July 2026 (Tentative)
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CAT 2026 Registration Starts
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First week of August 2026 (Expected)
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CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
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Third week of September 2026 (Expected)
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CAT 2026 Exam Date
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Last Sunday of November 2026 (Tentative)
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CAT 2026 Result Date
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First week of January 2027 (Tentative)
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CAT 2026
CAT exam 2026 will be conducted by one of the IIMs. After the exam, the results will be provided within one month through SMS. Candidates can also visit the official website to check their scores. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the CAT exam. So it is important to create a strategy that will help you get into your dream B-school. Here is what you can expect:
Did you Know: Until the year 2008, CAT was a paper-based test.
CAT 2026: Important Facts
Here is a quick overview of important facts about CAT:
| Name of test |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Purpose of test |
Qualifying test for admission to 21 IIMs and 100+ reputed B-schools across India |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date |
Last Sunday of November 2026 (Tentative) |
| CAT Entrance exam sessions |
3 Sessions/Slots |
| Slot Timing |
Slot 1 (8.30 am to 10.30 am)
Slot 2 (12.30 pm to 2.30 pm)
Slot 3 (4.30 pm to 6.30 pm) |
| Conducted by |
One of the IIMs (To be announced) |
| Exam type |
National level |
| Periodicity |
Once in a year |
| Score/Percentile Validity |
One Year |
| Annual Number of Test Takers |
2-2.5 lakh |
| Pattern of Test |
MCQs and Non-MCQs |
| Number of Questions |
Approximately 66–68 |
| Test Duration |
2 hours |
| Marking Scheme |
+3 for every correct answer
-1 for each wrong answer (MCQs only) |
| Syllabus |
Questions from VARC, QA and DILR |
| Mode of Conduct |
Computer-based test |
| Application Fee (tentative) |
Rs. 2600/- for General & NC-OBC candidates
Rs. 1300/- for SC/ST/PWD candidates |
| Reservation of seats in IIMs and B-schools |
As per the Government of India regulations |
In the last few years, there have been significant changes in the format of the Common Admission Test (CAT). The number of questions changed from 100 in 2019 to 76 in 2020 and then to 66 in 2021, which was a significant change. In 2024–2025, the number was around 66–68 questions. The same pattern is expected to continue for CAT 2026. Registration will be done online on the official website.
FAQs about CAT 2026 Notification
1. Is the CAT 2026 notification out?
No, it is expected in the last week of July 2026.
2. What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2026 in three slots: morning, afternoon, and evening — each lasting 2 hours.
3. When will the official CAT 2026 exam notification be released?
The official notification for CAT 2026 is expected in the last week of July 2026.
4. Is there a way to register for CAT 2026 offline?
No, registration for CAT 2026 will be only online.
5. Is 72 a good score in CAT?
No, it is considered a low score.
6. What is the last date for CAT 2026 registration?
The last date is expected in the third week of September 2026.