The CAT 2026 notification is the single most-awaited document for every MBA aspirant this month. As per the official schedule pattern followed each year, the Common Admission Test notification is released in the last week of July on iimcat.ac.in, and it triggers the full admission cycle for the IIMs and 1,300+ B-schools that accept CAT scores. If you are targeting a 99-percentile score, understanding the CAT 2026 notification early — the expected exam date, registration window, eligibility, and pattern — is the first strategic move of your preparation.
This guide breaks down everything a serious candidate needs to know about the CAT 2026 notification, structured so you can convert intent into an action plan. All confirmed details will appear on the official portal once the notification is released; the timeline below reflects the standard annual cycle.
CAT 2026 Notification: Key Highlights
The Common Admission Test is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management on a rotational basis. As per the official cycle, the CAT 2026 notification is anticipated in the last week of July 2026, with the exam expected on the last Sunday of November 2026. Candidates should treat the following as the expected framework and verify each field against the official notification when it goes live on iimcat.ac.in.
- Conducting body: Indian Institutes of Management (conducting IIM to be confirmed in the official notification)
- Notification release: Expected last week of July 2026 (as per the official annual cycle)
- Registration window: Expected early August to third week of September 2026
- Exam date: Expected last Sunday of November 2026
- Mode: Computer-based test (CBT), three slots of 2 hours each
- Official website: iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step
Once the CAT 2026 notification is live, registration opens on the official portal. The process is straightforward but detail-sensitive — a single error in category, work experience, or academic data can complicate your admission later. Follow these steps:
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your User ID and password.
- Complete the application form: personal details, academic record (Class X, XII, graduation), and work experience.
- Select test cities in order of preference (you typically choose up to five).
- Upload a scanned photograph and signature as per the official specifications.
- Pay the application fee online. Fee concessions apply for SC/ST/PwD candidates as stated in the notification.
Register early. Late registration invites server congestion, and rushed forms produce avoidable mistakes. Our structured mentoring inside the All-Access Pass programme includes a form-filling checklist so no field is left to chance.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility bar for CAT is deliberately broad so that talent from every discipline can compete. As per the standard criteria:
- A Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognised university.
- Final-year graduation students are eligible to apply and appear.
- There is no upper age limit to write CAT.
Meeting eligibility is only the entry ticket. IIM shortlists are driven by your CAT percentile combined with academic profile, diversity factors, and the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview (WAT-PI) stage.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is a 2-hour computer-based test split into three sections, each with a sectional time limit that you cannot carry over:
- VARC — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR — Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA — Quantitative Aptitude
The paper mixes MCQs (with negative marking of -1) and non-MCQ TITA questions (no negative marking). Any change to the section count or duration will be specified in the CAT 2026 notification, so confirm the final pattern from the official information bulletin.
How to Start Preparing After the Notification
The notification date is your real starting gun. With roughly four months to the exam, a disciplined, section-balanced plan is what separates a 99-percentiler from the pack. A high-ROI approach:
- Diagnose first: Take a full-length mock to find your weakest section before you build a schedule.
- Fix fundamentals in QA — arithmetic, algebra, and number systems carry disproportionate weight.
- Read daily for VARC — reading comprehension rewards a long-built reading habit, not last-minute cramming.
- Drill DILR sets — set selection is the real skill; practise identifying solvable sets fast.
- Mock, analyse, repeat — the analysis after each mock matters more than the mock itself.
You can experience our teaching method before committing — book a free demo class, or check upcoming sessions on the class schedule. Aspirants who want live, structured coaching can explore our live online classes. And if you want to earn a fee waiver on the way in, attempt the scholarship test.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
As per the standard annual cycle, the CAT 2026 notification is expected in the last week of July 2026. The confirmed date will be announced on the official website iimcat.ac.in.
When is the CAT 2026 exam expected to be held?
CAT is traditionally held on the last Sunday of November, so the CAT 2026 exam is expected in late November 2026. The exact date will be specified in the official notification.
What is the eligibility for CAT 2026?
A Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) is required, and final-year students may also apply. There is no upper age limit, as per the standard CAT eligibility criteria.
How many sections are there in the CAT exam?
The CAT exam has three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA — each with a separate sectional time limit within the overall 2-hour computer-based test.
Which IIM will conduct CAT 2026?
CAT is conducted by the IIMs on a rotational basis. The conducting IIM for 2026 will be officially confirmed when the CAT 2026 notification is released on iimcat.ac.in.
