CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026 (checked 9 November 2026). The official site shows that the admit card download began on 6 November. If you have registered, download it now, check every detail, and use the remaining days for mocks and revision instead of new topics. The only official CAT website is iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 important dates
| Event | Date (from the official site) |
|---|---|
| Registration started | 3 August 2026, 10:00 AM IST |
| Registration ended | 22 September 2026, 5:00 PM IST |
| Admit card download began | 6 November 2026 |
| Test day | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
How to download your CAT 2026 admit card
- Type iimcat.ac.in into your browser yourself instead of following a link from a message.
- Find the “Admit Card / Application Form Download” box and press Login.
- Sign in with the details you used to register.
- Download the admit card and keep both a saved copy and a clear printout.
Check these on the admit card today
- Your name exactly as on your photo ID.
- Your photograph and signature are clear.
- The test centre address, session and reporting time.
- Any instructions printed on the card. They take priority over anything you read elsewhere, including this page.
If something is wrong, contact the CAT help desk straight away at cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in. Do not wait for the last week.
Be careful of fake CAT websites
The CAT site itself warns candidates to verify the URL and to be cautious of unsecured websites asking for personal information or payments. Nobody can change your score or sell you a guaranteed seat. Do not share your login details with a coaching agent or a “helper”.
A 20-day final plan for CAT 2026
| Days left | Focus | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| 20 to 13 | Mocks and weak areas | Two to three full mocks a week, with a full analysis after each |
| 12 to 6 | Accuracy and selection | Revise formulas and error notes; practise leaving hard sets early |
| 5 to 2 | Light practice | One or two mocks at most, in your exam time slot |
| 1 | Rest and logistics | No new material; pack documents and confirm your route |
How to analyse a mock properly
The analysis matters more than the score. Spend at least as long reviewing a mock as you spent taking it.
- Wrong answers: was it a concept gap, a calculation slip or misreading?
- Unattempted but easy: these are the marks you can win fastest.
- Time sinks: note any set that took much too long, and decide when you should have left it.
- Keep an error notebook: reread it during the last week in place of new practice.
Use the official mock and calculator guide
The CAT 2026 site links to an official mock test, a Quick Tour, the Information Bulletin and a Calculator Usage Guideline. Take the official mock at least once, so that the screen, the buttons and the on-screen calculator feel familiar on test day. For the exact pattern, timing and rules, follow the Information Bulletin and your admit card.
Test-day checklist
- Printed admit card and the photo ID mentioned in your instructions.
- Any certificates or forms that apply to your category, from the official list of proformas.
- Leave early, and visit the centre beforehand if it is in an unfamiliar area.
- Sleep well the night before and eat something simple.
- Check the admit card’s list of items that are not allowed before you pack.
Common last-minute mistakes
- Starting a new book or topic in the final week.
- Taking a mock every day without analysing any of them.
- Comparing your mock percentile with friends and losing confidence.
- Printing the admit card only on the last evening.
- Ignoring non-IIM options. The official site lists non-IIM member institutions by state.
What to do after CAT
Keep your response to the exam in perspective, then shortlist colleges and update your CV. Use the calm period to prepare for interviews with a tool such as ChatGPT for practice questions, and check our list of the best AI tools for students. If you are also considering studying overseas, browse our study abroad guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is CAT 2026?
The official site lists the test day as Sunday, 29 November 2026.
Has the CAT 2026 admit card been released?
Yes. The official site shows that download began on 6 November 2026.
What is the official CAT website?
iimcat.ac.in. The site says there is no other website for CAT.
Is there an official CAT mock test?
Yes, the CAT 2026 site includes a mock test link and a Quick Tour.
What should I do if my admit card has a mistake?
Contact the help desk at cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in as soon as you notice it.
How this guide was prepared
On 9 November 2026 we read the dates, warnings and links on the official CAT 2026 home page. We could not read the Information Bulletin’s full text for this page, so this guide does not state the section pattern or marking scheme. The study plan is our own general advice.
Official references
Last checked: 9 November 2026. Follow your admit card and the official site if anything differs.