CAT 2026 Registration Closing Soon: Key Dates, Fees, and Eligibility

What's Official

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 registration window is rapidly approaching its closure. Aspirants aiming for IIMs and other top management institutes must complete their application process by September 15, 2026, at 5 PM. This is a hard deadline; the portal will close, and no further applications will be accepted.

IIM Indore is the conducting body for CAT 2026. Mark your calendars: the exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026. All registration and official updates will be handled through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. Ensure you are using the correct portal to avoid any issues.

The application process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail:

Candidates are strongly advised to complete their application well in advance of the deadline. Waiting until the last day risks encountering technical glitches, payment gateway issues, or internet connectivity problems, which could prevent timely submission.

CAT 2026 Important Dates & Fees

The application fee for CAT 2026 varies by category. Candidates must pay the fee online during the application submission process. This fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the number of IIM programmes or campuses selected.

Remember that additional transaction charges may apply depending on your chosen payment method. Plan your payment accordingly.

• ▸CAT 2026 Registration Last Date: September 15, 2026
• ▸Registration Closing Time: 5 PM
• ▸CAT 2026 Exam Date: November 29, 2026
• ▸Conducting Institute: IIM Indore

CAT 2026 Application Fee Structure

• ▸SC, ST, and PwBD Categories: ₹1,350
• ▸General, EWS, and NC-OBC Categories: ₹2,700

Eligibility at a Glance

Before proceeding with your CAT 2026 application, it is imperative to verify that you meet the detailed eligibility requirements. While meeting these minimum criteria is essential, it does not automatically guarantee admission to an IIM.

Typically, candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories) from a recognized university. Those in the final year of their Bachelor's Degree or awaiting results can also apply provisionally. However, they must complete all degree requirements by a specific date, usually by July 31st of the admission year, and produce proof of their qualification.

It is crucial to understand that individual IIMs and other participating management institutes independently decide their specific admission and shortlisting criteria. These criteria often go beyond the basic CAT eligibility, considering factors like academic performance, work experience, diversity, and performance in Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Therefore, you must refer to the admission policies of the specific IIMs and B-schools you are targeting to ensure you meet all their requirements.

Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based examination designed to assess various aptitudes crucial for management education. While the exact structure for CAT 2026 will be detailed in the official notification, historically, the exam is divided into three main sections:

The CAT exam is known for its rigorous time constraints and often includes negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates must develop a strong test-taking strategy to maximize their scores. For the precise number of questions in each section, the allocated time per section, and the specific negative marking scheme for CAT 2026, always refer to the official CAT 2026 notification released by IIM Indore. Do not rely on outdated information.

Section/Subject-wise Priority Breakdown

Effective CAT preparation demands a strategic approach to each section. While the weightage can vary slightly, a balanced focus is always key:

To master these areas and identify your strengths and weaknesses, practicing regularly with topic-wise quizzes and mock tests on Aspirant Arcade is highly recommended. Our platform helps you drill down into specific concepts and build speed and accuracy across all sections.

30-Day Preparation Roadmap: The Final Sprint

As the registration window closes and the exam date of November 29, 2026, draws closer, it's time to solidify your final preparation strategy. This 30-day roadmap conceptualizes your last crucial month leading up to the CAT exam, a period to be planned for starting now:

This roadmap is a template; adapt it based on your strengths, weaknesses, and the insights gained from your mock test analysis. Consistency and strategic revision are paramount in these final days.

Cutoff / Rank Expectation

Predicting exact CAT cutoffs or rank expectations for 2026 is speculative, as these figures are highly dynamic. Cutoffs vary each year based on several factors, including the overall difficulty of the exam, the total number of candidates appearing, and the specific admission policies of individual IIMs and other participating institutes.

Generally, IIMs release their shortlisting cutoffs post-CAT results. These cutoffs also differ across various IIMs and their respective programs (e.g., General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, PwBD categories will have different cutoffs). While you can refer to previous years' cutoff trends to get a directional estimate, consider them as indicative guides only. Your primary focus should be on maximizing your raw score and percentile, rather than fixating on a specific number. A strong performance in CAT opens doors not just to IIMs but to a plethora of other esteemed B-schools across India. Always check the official websites of your target institutes for their specific admission criteria post-CAT results.