Last updated: 5 November 2026
Quick answer: The CAT 2026 admit card can be downloaded from 6 November 2026 (Friday) on the official website iimcat.ac.in, using your CAT login ID and password. The download window stays open until 29 November 2026, which is also the exam day. IIM Indore, the convening institute, moved the release from the earlier date of 4 November. A mock test also goes live on 6 November.
Key highlights
- Admit card download: 6 November to 29 November 2026, only on iimcat.ac.in
- Earlier date: The Information Bulletin had listed 4 November 2026; the media release dated 4 November confirms the new start date
- Exam date: Sunday, 29 November 2026, computer-based, in three sessions
- Mock test: Available on the CAT website from 6 November 2026
- Test cities: Approximately 170 cities across India
- Result: Likely by the first week of January 2027, as per the Information Bulletin
What has changed for the CAT 2026 admit card?
When IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin in July, it said candidates could download admit cards from 4 November 2026. On 4 November, the CAT Centre issued a media release stating that admit cards for all eligible candidates have been generated and can be downloaded between 6 November and 29 November 2026. The official homepage now lists “Nov 06, 2026, Friday: CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Begins”.
In simple terms: you lose two days of the earlier window, but nothing else about the exam has moved. The test date remains 29 November 2026. The media release does not mention a specific release time, so keep checking the login page through the day on 6 November.
CAT 2026 important dates at a glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | 3 August 2026, 10:00 AM IST |
| Registration closed | 22 September 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| Admit card download begins | 6 November 2026 (Friday) |
| Mock test available | From 6 November 2026 |
| Last day to download admit card | 29 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam | 29 November 2026 (Sunday), three sessions |
| Result (likely) | By the first week of January 2027 |
| Score validity | Till 31 December 2027 |
Always confirm dates on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, since IIMs reserve the right to change the test date and time if needed.
How to download the CAT 2026 admit card
- Go to the official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in. Type the address yourself rather than clicking random links on social media.
- Click the candidate Login option on the homepage.
- Enter the User ID and password you created during CAT 2026 registration.
- Open the admit card link on your dashboard once it is activated on 6 November.
- Check every detail carefully, then download the admit card as a PDF.
- Take a clear printout and keep a spare copy safe at home.
The admit card will not be posted or emailed to you. The media release clearly says it can be downloaded only from the CAT website. If you have forgotten your password, use the password recovery option on the login page well before exam week.
What should you check on your admit card?
Once you download it, spend five minutes checking it line by line. The Information Bulletin says the name of your test centre will be indicated on the admit card, and your test city will be one of the five preferences you chose (or a nearby city in rare cases). Look for:
- Your name, spelt exactly as on your photo ID
- Your photograph and signature, clear and correct
- Test centre name and full address
- Exam date and your allotted session
- Reporting time and the instructions printed for exam day
If anything looks wrong, write to the official CAT help desk at cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in immediately. The earlier you raise it, the more time the CAT Centre has to respond. Remember that the bulletin says once a centre is allotted, no change is permitted.
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
According to the official press release, CAT 2026 is a 120-minute computer-based test with three sections. You get exactly 40 minutes per section and cannot switch between sections while answering.
| Section | Time allotted |
|---|---|
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
This is exactly why the official mock test matters. It lets you get used to the interface, the on-screen calculator and the section timer before the real thing.
What are the new security measures for CAT 2026?
The 4 November media release says the IIMs have taken additional measures to keep the exam secure, including face matching and mobile jammers at select locations. For you, this means a few practical things: make sure your photo on the admit card is clearly you, carry your original photo ID, and do not plan on using your phone anywhere near the exam hall.
What should CAT aspirants do in the next 24 days?
With about three and a half weeks to go, this is the time to sharpen, not to start new topics. Here is a simple plan:
- 6 to 8 November: Download the admit card, check details, take the official mock test and note any interface issues.
- Weeks 2 and 3: Take two to three full-length mocks a week in the same session timing as your allotted slot. Spend more time analysing each mock than taking it.
- Fix your section strategy: Decide how you will pick questions in DILR and how many RC passages you will attempt in VARC. Practise that plan, not a new one each time.
- Revise formulas and shortcuts for QA from your own notes. Avoid starting fresh books now.
- Visit or map your test centre a few days before, so you know the travel time on a Sunday.
- Last two days: Light revision, good sleep, documents ready.
If you are still planning which IIMs to target, read our guide on CAT percentile required for top IIMs and the IIM admission process through CAT.
Frequently asked questions
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The CAT 2026 admit card download begins on 6 November 2026, as per the official media release dated 4 November. It stays available until 29 November 2026. No specific release time has been announced.
Why was the CAT 2026 admit card date changed?
The official media release does not give a reason for the change. It only confirms that admit cards for all eligible candidates have been generated and can be downloaded from 6 November. The exam date is unchanged.
Will I get the CAT admit card by email or post?
No. The admit card can be downloaded only from the CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, using your application login ID and password. Beware of any message asking you to pay or share details to “receive” your admit card.
Can I change my CAT 2026 test centre after the admit card is out?
No. The official press release says that once a centre is allotted to a candidate, no change is permitted. The edit window for test city preferences closed after registration.
Is there an official CAT 2026 mock test?
Yes. A mock test with sample questions will be available on the CAT website from 6 November 2026. It helps you understand the exam format and interface, so take it at least once.
When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
The Information Bulletin says CAT results are likely to be declared by the first week of January 2027. The score is valid till 31 December 2027. Please confirm the final result date on the official website when it is announced.
Official links and sources
- CAT 2026 official website (iimcat.ac.in)
- CAT 2026 Media Release on Admit Card, 4 November 2026 (PDF)
- CAT 2026 Press Release, 26 July 2026 (PDF)
- CAT 2026 Information Bulletin (PDF)
