CAT 2026 Notification Soon: Previous 5 years' schedule, conducting IIMs, exam dates and more

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Indore is expected to release the official notification for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 in the last week of July. Candidates can check the official website, iimcat.ac.in, for the notification and other important updates.

CAT, a national-level MBA entrance exam for admission to the IIMs and several other top B-schools, is conducted by one of the IIMs each year. For the forthcoming session, the CAT is expected to be held on November 29, 2026, the last Sunday of November.

The registration process typically begins within a few days of the notification and remains open for around six weeks. Aspirants waiting for CAT 2026 should keep their academic documents, photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable) ready before the application window opens.

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CAT Notification History: Previous 5 years

Here's a look at the CAT notification schedule, conducting IIMs, and exam dates over the past five years.

The notification will include important information such as the registration schedule, eligibility criteria, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, test cities, and other key instructions. Once released, candidates should complete the registration process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

CAT 2026 exam pattern

Like every year, CAT 2026 is expected to be held in three sessions in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The exam is likely to continue with three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). No major changes in the exam pattern are expected. However, aspirants are advised to keep an eye on the official website for the latest updates.