The CAT 2026 schedule has been officially adjusted ahead of the national management entrance test. Conducted by IIM Indore, the highly competitive computer-based test is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026, across 170 Indian cities. The examination will strictly follow a three-shift format.
Candidates preparing for the CAT 2026 must note that the official admit card release date has been postponed from November 4 to Friday, November 6, 2026, with downloads commencing at 10:00 AM IST.
Each individual session is strictly timed at 120 minutes (2 hours), with a dedicated allocation of 40 minutes per section.Candidates can download hall tickets and access official mock tests directly via the official portal at iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 Timetable Details
The anticipated three-slot timetable for exam day is structured as follows:
- Slot 1 (Morning): Exam runs from 08:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Reporting begins at 07:30 AM).
- Slot 2 (Afternoon): Exam runs from 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM (Reporting begins at 11:30 AM).
- Slot 3 (Evening): Exam runs from 04:30 PM to 06:30 PM (Reporting begins at 03:30 PM).
Notify Key Dates
- November 6, 2026 (Friday): CAT 2026 Admit Cards and the official mock test become available for download starting around 10:00 AM IST.
- November 29, 2026 (Sunday): CAT 2026 Exam Day.
- December 2026 (Expected): Release of the candidate response sheets, provisional answer keys, and final results
The evaluation features a total of 68 questions spread across three standard structural segments: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates are strictly barred from toggling between sections during their allotted time.
Following the main exam day on November 29, the next critical timeline milestones include the publication of candidate response sheets, provisional answer keys, and the subsequent declaration of final results, all expected to roll out progressively in December 2026.
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
The revised admit card release date is November 6, 2026.
The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in three shifts on the same day.
