CAT 2026 Notification Expected Soon; Exam Pattern, Registration Details

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 notification is expected to be released soon by the organising Indian Institute of Management (IIM). Although the official schedule has not yet been announced, previous admission cycles indicate that the notification is likely to be published in July 2026, with the online registration process expected to commence in August 2026. CAT is one of India's most competitive national-level management entrance examinations. It serves as the gateway for admission to postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other participating business schools across the country. Candidates planning to pursue MBA and other management programmes are advised to monitor the official CAT website for the notification, application schedule, and examination guidelines.

CAT 2026 Notification and Expected Registration Schedule

Based on previous years' trends, the official notification for CAT 2026 is anticipated to be released during July 2026. Following the notification, the online application window is expected to open in August 2026. The detailed notification will include important information such as:

• Registration start and closing dates
• Eligibility criteria
• Application fee details
• Exam schedule
• Admit card release date
• Result declaration timeline
• Instructions for applicants

Candidates should complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Section-wise Duration

The CAT 2026 examination is expected to follow the existing computer-based test format unless any revision is announced in the official notification. The examination is likely to consist of three sections:

CAT 2026 Exam Centres and City Preference

During the application process, candidates are expected to select five preferred examination cities while filling out the online application form. The organising institute generally attempts to allot one of the preferred cities selected by the candidate. However, if there is exceptionally high demand for a particular location, the examination authority may allocate a nearby city based on seat availability. Once an examination centre has been allotted, requests for changing the test city are generally not entertained. Therefore, candidates are advised to carefully choose their city preferences while submitting the application form. In the previous admission cycle, the CAT examination was conducted in around 170 cities across India, providing wide geographical coverage for applicants.

CAT Scores Accepted by IIMs and Other Institutes

The CAT score is primarily used for admission to management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). In addition, several non-IIM member institutions and leading business schools across the country also consider CAT scores during their admission process. Shortlisted candidates are generally required to participate in additional selection stages such as:

• Personal Interview (PI)
• Written Ability Test (WAT) or equivalent assessment
• Group Discussion (GD), where applicable

The final admission process varies from one institute to another, with academic performance, work experience, diversity factors, and CAT scores contributing to the overall selection criteria.

CAT 2026: What Candidates Should Expect?

With the official notification expected shortly, MBA aspirants should begin preparing the required documents and keep track of important announcements regarding the examination schedule. Candidates are also advised to review the eligibility requirements, understand the latest exam pattern, and prepare strategically for all three sections of the examination. The official CAT 2026 notification will confirm the complete schedule for registration, admit card release, examination, result declaration, and the subsequent admission process for participating management institutes.