CAT 2026 Exam Date and Slot Timings
- Cut Off for IITs
- IIM Kashipur Cut Off
- IIM Amritsar Cut Off
- IIM Nagpur Cut Off
- IIM Indore Cut Off
- IIM Udaipur Cut Off
- IIM Ranchi Cut Off
- IIM Raipur Cut Off
- IIM Jammu Cut Off
- IIM Bodh Gaya Cut Off
- IIM Kozhikode Cut Off
- IIM Sambalpur Cut Off
- IIM Bangalore Cut Off
- IIM Sirmaur Cut Off
- IIM Trichy Cut Off
- IIM Visakhapatnam Cut Off
- IIM Lucknow Cut Off
- IIM Shillong Cut Off
- IIM Calcutta Cut Off
- IIM Ahmedabad Cut Off
- IIM Rohtak Cut Off
| Updated On - Aug 1, 2026
CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026, following the pattern of holding the exam on the last Sunday of November. The exam is will be held in three slots in a computer-based format across more than 170 test cities in India.
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CAT 2026 exam will be held in 3 slots including morning slot, afternoon slot and evening slot.
- Slot 1 will be conducted in the morning from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
- In the afternoon session will be conducted the Slot 2 of CAT exam 2026 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
- CAT slot 3 exam will be conducted in the evening from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Reporting time for each slot is 1 hour and 30 minutes before the CAT exam starts and the gate closing time is 15 minutes before the exam.
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Key Summary:
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CAT 2026 Exam Date: Historical Trend Analysis
CAT has been conducted on the last Sunday of November every year since 2020. This year, the CAT exam 2026 is scheduled on 29 November 2026.
- The conducting responsibility rotates among different IIMs every year. IIM Indore is will conduct CAT 2026.
- The examination date has remained in the last week of November across recent years. The historical schedule indicates a consistent examination timeline.
| Year | Exam Date | Conducting IIM | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 30, 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | Last Sunday |
| 2024 | November 24, 2024 | IIM Calcutta | Last Sunday |
| 2023 | November 26, 2023 | IIM Lucknow | Last Sunday |
| 2022 | November 27, 2022 | IIM Bangalore | Last Sunday |
| 2021 | November 28, 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | Last Sunday |
| 2020 | November 29, 2020 | IIM Indore | Last Sunday |
CAT 2026 Important Dates
IIM Indore released CAT official notification on 26 July 2026, mentioning various events and dates for CAT exam 2026.
- CAT registration is scheduled to begin on 3 August and will conclude on 15 September 2026.
- Admit card for CAT 2026 will be issued by IIM Indore on 4 November 2026.
- The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on November 4, 2026.
- IIM Indore will conduct the CAT 2026 examination in 3 slots on 29 November 2026 (Sunday).
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 |
| Correction Window | September 24 - 27, 2026 (tentative) |
| Admit Card | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key | December 3, 2026 (Expected) |
| Result | Third Week of December 2026 (Expected) |
CAT 2026 Slot Timings
CAT 2026 Slot 1 will be conducted from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, and for this slot, candidates should report between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM, with the gate closing at 8:15 AM.
- Slot 2 of CAT 2026 will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and the gate will close at 12:00 PM.
- CAT 2026 Slot 3 will be conducted from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, and students should report between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM.
| Slot | Session | Exam Timing | Duration | Reporting Time | Gate Closing Time |
| Slot 1 | Morning | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 2 Hours | 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Slot 2 | Afternoon | 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM | 2 Hours | 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | 12: 00 PM |
| Slot 3 | Evening | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM | 2 Hours | 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | 4:15 PM - 4:20 PM |
CAT 2026 Reporting Guidelines
Before appearing for the exam, students should read and follow the guidelines properly. IIM Indore will release the official guidelines on the CAT admit card. You can check the guidelines for CAT exam day below.
- Arrive at the exam center before the time mentioned on the admit card.
- Bring the CAT 2026 admit card and a valid photo ID.
- Complete biometric verification before entering the exam hall.
- Electronic devices are not allowed inside the exam center.
- PwD candidates will get time as per the guidelines.
FAQs
Ques. When is CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 will be held on 29 th November 2026 in a computer-based format
- CAT 2026 will be held in about 170 test cities of India.
- CAT 2026 is scheduled to be held in three sessions.
Ques. The CAT 2026 will be conducted in how many slots?
Ans. CAT will be conducted in three slots on 29 th November 2026.
- The expected time slots are Slot 1 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Slot 2 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and Slot 3 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Ques. Where do I register for CAT 2026?
Ans. Candidates can register for CAT 2026 through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, by completing the online application form during the registration period.
- The CAT 2026 registration window is scheduled to open on August 3, 2026, and close on September 15, 2026.
- Register only through the official CAT website.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.