The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Indore is anticipated to release the official notification for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 in the last week of July. This national-level MBA entrance exam is a gateway for admission to the prestigious IIMs and other top business schools across India. Candidates interested in applying should monitor the official CAT website for updates and prepare their documents ahead of the registration window.
CAT 2026 is expected to take place on November 29, 2026, which falls on the last Sunday of November. This timing aligns with the exam’s traditional schedule, allowing candidates to plan their preparation accordingly.
CAT Exam Background and Importance
The Common Admission Test is an annual computer-based test conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotating basis. It serves as a critical selection tool for MBA programs at the Indian Institutes of Management and many other leading business schools. The exam tests candidates on three main areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
Each year, a different IIM is responsible for organizing the exam. This rotation ensures a fair and transparent process. The CAT exam is highly competitive, attracting hundreds of thousands of applicants vying for limited seats in top MBA programs.
Key Dates and Details from Past Years
Looking at the recent history of CAT notifications and exam dates provides insight into the exam’s scheduling pattern:
- CAT 2025: Notification on July 27, conducted by IIM Kozhikode, exam on November 30
- CAT 2024: Notification on July 28, conducted by IIM Calcutta, exam on November 24
- CAT 2023: Notification on August 1, conducted by IIM Lucknow, exam on November 26
- CAT 2022: Notification on July 31, conducted by IIM Bangalore, exam on November 27
- CAT 2021: Notification on July 31, conducted by IIM Ahmedabad, exam on November 28
This pattern shows that notifications are typically released in late July or early August, with the exam held on the last Sunday of November.
What Candidates Should Know About CAT 2026
The upcoming CAT notification will detail the registration process, eligibility criteria, application fees, exam pattern, syllabus, and test centers. Registration usually opens shortly after the notification and remains available for about six weeks. Aspirants are advised to prepare their academic documents, photographs, signatures, and category certificates in advance to avoid delays during application.
The exam format is expected to remain consistent with previous years. CAT 2026 will likely be conducted in three sessions on the exam day, all computer-based. The test will cover three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). No significant changes in the exam pattern are anticipated, but candidates should check official announcements for any updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
A: The notification is expected in the last week of July 2026, likely between July 25 and July 31.
Q: Which IIM will conduct CAT 2026?
A: IIM Indore is scheduled to conduct the CAT exam in 2026.
Q: What is the expected date for the CAT 2026 exam?
A: The exam is likely to be held on November 29, 2026, the last Sunday of November.
