CAT Registration 2026: Start Date (Aug 3), Eligibility, How to Apply?
Last Updated:
CAT Exam Registration 2026 is set to begin from August 3, 2026, and the last day to apply is September 15, 2026.The Exam is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026. CAT Exam is India's most competitive MBA entrance exam, granting access to over 100 top B-schools including all 21 IIMs — from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore to IIM Mumbai and beyond. CAT registration fees for 2026 are ₹2,600 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Read this article for a complete, stepwise breakdown of the CAT application form 2026.
CAT Exam Dates 2026
Candidates must complete the CAT 2026 registration through the official website iimcat.ac.in before the registration deadline. The official CAT 2026 notification has confirmed the registration schedule, admit card release, exam date, result timeline, and subsequent MBA admission process. The table below provides a complete overview of the important CAT 2026 dates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Ends | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | Expected September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release | Expected December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Date | Expected December 2026 |
| IIM Shortlist / WAT-PI Process Begins | Expected January–February 2027 |
| Final IIM Admission Offers | Expected April–May 2027 |
Also check: CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
How to Apply for CAT Exam 2026?
Filling the CAT 2026 application form correctly on iimcat.ac.in is the first and most crucial step toward securing admission in the top IIMs. Follow the steps below to complete your CAT online registration 2026 without errors.
Step 1 – Visit the Official Portal
Go to iimcat.ac.in and click on 'Register Now' to initiate your CAT 2026 online registration.
Step 2 – Complete New Registration
Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email Address, and Mobile Number. Your CAT User ID will be sent to your email and password via SMS.
Step 3 – Login & Access Application Form
Log in using the system-generated credentials and access the CAT 2026 application form.
Step 4 – Fill Personal & Academic Details
Enter your personal information, category details, and complete academic history from Class 10th to your highest qualification.
Step 5 – Add Work Experience
Provide full-time post-graduation work experience details in months, if applicable.
Step 6 – Upload Documents
Upload a scanned passport-size photograph (35x45mm) and signature (100x35mm) in .jpg/.jpeg format, with file size not exceeding 80KB each.
Step 7 – Select Programme & Exam City
Choose your preferred IIM management programmes and select up to 6 preferred CAT exam cities in order of preference.
Step 8 – Pay CAT Registration Fees & Submit
Pay the CAT 2026 registration fees (₹2,600 for General/OBC; ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD) via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking and submit the form. A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email ID.
CareerChoice360 Tip: Before filling the CAT 2026 application form, assess your career goals and preferred MBA specialisation — Finance, Marketing, or Operations. Research CAT cut offs and placement records of target IIMs and shortlist colleges accordingly. A timely CAT 2026 registration, focused preparation, structuring a CAT 2026 5 months Preparation Strategy and a strong profile are the four pillars of a successful MBA admission journey.
CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for CAT 2026 must hold a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university. Displayed below is an overview of CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria. Candidates need to review the eligibility criteria before they start filling out the CAT 2026 Apply Online application form.
| Eligibility Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Degree | Bachelor's degree from a recognized university/institution |
| Minimum Marks – General/EWS | 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks – SC/ST/PwD | 45% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Appearing Candidates | Final year graduation students can apply provisionally |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit prescribed by IIMs |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals & Foreign Nationals (NRI/PIO/OCI) eligible |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory; however, considered during IIM selection process |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction on the number of CAT attempts |
| Valid ID Proof Required | Aadhaar Card / Passport / PAN Card / Voter ID / Driving Licence |
| Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC-NC/EWS/PwD candidates must submit valid category certificates |
Read More: CAT 2026 Exam Preparation Guide
Documents Required For CAT Exam Registration 2026
Before initiating the CAT 2026 online registration on iimcat.ac.in, candidates must ensure all required documents are scanned and ready to avoid any last-minute errors while filling the CAT 2026 application form.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Driving License |
| Class 10th Marksheet | For name and date of birth verification |
| Class 12th Marksheet | For academic record verification |
| Graduation Marksheet / Certificate | Bachelor's degree or final year proof |
| Category Certificate | OBC-NC / SC / ST / EWS (if applicable) |
| PwD Certificate | For Persons with Disability (if applicable) |
| Passport Size Photograph | 35x45mm, white background, .jpg/.jpeg, max 80KB |
| Scanned Signature | 100x35mm, .jpg/.jpeg, max 80KB |
Mistakes to Avoid While Filling CAT Application Form 2026
1. Incorrect Date of Birth
Always cross-check your date of birth with your Class 10th marksheet before filling the CAT 2026 application form.
2. Using Someone Else's Contact Details
Enter only your personal, active email ID and mobile number to successfully receive your CAT User ID and login password.
3. Selecting the Wrong Category
Carefully choose your correct category — General / OBC-NC / SC / ST / EWS / PwD — as per your valid category certificate to avoid disqualification.
4. Uploading Blurry or Invalid Documents
Ensure your scanned passport-size photograph and signature meet the prescribed dimensions and are under 80KB for a successful upload.
5. Registering on the Last Date
Avoid waiting until the CAT 2026 registration last date as server congestion and technical issues are common; register well in advance.
CAT 2026 FAQs
Q1. When should I register for CAT 2026? ⌄
CAT 2026 registration begins on 3 August 2026 through the official IIM CAT website. Complete the CAT 2026 application form before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues and secure your preferred exam city.
Q2. Is 40 a good score in CAT? ⌄
A CAT score of 40 marks is generally considered low for top IIMs. However, the CAT percentile depends on overall exam difficulty. Candidates may still get calls from some MBA colleges accepting lower CAT cutoffs.
Q3. Can I crack CAT in 30 days? ⌄
Yes, CAT preparation in 30 days is possible if your basics are clear. Focus on CAT mock tests, previous year papers, time management, and high-weightage topics to improve your CAT 2026 percentile quickly.
Q4. Is CAT registration still open? ⌄
CAT registration is open from 3 August 2026 to 15 September 2026, as announced by IIM Indore. Visit iimcat.ac.in regularly to check CAT 2026 registration dates, deadlines, and latest notifications.
Q5. What is the marking scheme of CAT 2026? ⌄
The CAT 2026 marking scheme awards +3 marks for every correct answer and deducts -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ. There is no negative marking for TITA questions in the CAT exam pattern.
Q6. What is the sectional time limit in CAT 2026? ⌄
CAT 2026 follows sectional time limits of 40 minutes each for VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates cannot switch between sections until the allotted time for that section ends.
Q7. Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper? ⌄
No CAT exam slot is officially tougher than another because IIMs use score normalization. Your CAT percentile is calculated after normalization, ensuring fairness across all exam slots and difficulty levels.
Q8. From where can I download CAT previous year question papers? ⌄
CAT previous year question papers can be downloaded from the official IIM CAT website after the exam or from trusted MBA preparation platforms. Solving CAT PYQs improves speed, accuracy, and exam strategy.
Q9. What is a good CAT percentile for IIM admission? ⌄
A CAT percentile of 98–99+ is generally required for older IIMs, while many new IIMs and top MBA colleges accept 90–95 percentile. Final admission also depends on academics, work experience, and PI performance.
Q10. How many times can I attempt the CAT exam? ⌄
There is no limit on the number of CAT attempts. Candidates meeting the CAT eligibility criteria can appear every year to improve their CAT score and increase their chances of MBA admission to IIMs and other B-schools.