The CAT 2026 admit card releases on November 4 on iimcat.ac.in. The exam is on Sunday, November 29 — 68 questions, 204 marks, 120 minutes, across 3 sessions in ~170 cities. Here is the full download guide and exam-day checklist.
Updated: October 23, 2026, 10:30 IST
Quick Read
- CAT 2026 admit card releases November 4 on the official site iimcat.ac.in.
- Exam on Sunday, November 29: 3 sessions, 68 questions, 204 marks, 120 minutes.
- About 2.95 lakh candidates registered this year, per Careers360. Result expected in the first week of January 2027.
The countdown has started for India’s biggest management entrance exam. IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026, and the admit card — the document you must carry to the exam hall — releases on November 4, according to the official notification. Registration closed on September 15 with around 2.95 lakh candidates registered, Careers360 reported. The exam itself is on Sunday, November 29. If you are appearing, this guide covers the download steps, what to check on the card, and what to carry on exam day.
Key dates and numbers
Lock these in. Admit card download opens November 4 on iimcat.ac.in — the only official website. The exam is Sunday, November 29, held in 3 sessions (morning, afternoon, evening) across roughly 170 test cities. Your session and reporting time will be printed on your admit card; sessions are allotted by the exam body, and you cannot choose or change yours.
The paper has 68 questions for 204 marks, to be finished in 120 minutes. The CAT score stays valid till December 31, 2027, which means you can use it for admissions through next year. The result is expected in the first week of January 2027.
How to download the admit card: step by step
- Step 1: Go to iimcat.ac.in. Type the address yourself — do not click admit-card links from random WhatsApp forwards or Telegram groups, which are a common scam.
- Step 2: Click the “Download Admit Card” link for CAT 2026 on the homepage.
- Step 3: Log in with your CAT user ID and password — the same ones you used during registration in August–September.
- Step 4: Your admit card appears on screen. Check every detail: your name, photograph, exam date, session timing, test centre name and address.
- Step 5: Download the PDF and take a clear printout on A4 paper. Print two copies — keep one as backup.
Do this on November 4 itself if you can. The website slows down in the first few hours as lakhs of candidates log in at once. If your photo or name has an error, contact the CAT helpdesk immediately through the contact details on iimcat.ac.in — do not wait till exam week.
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Exam-day checklist: carry this, not that
Carry: your printed admit card, one original photo ID (Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport, or driving licence — the name must match the admit card), and one passport-size photograph in case the centre asks for it. Reach the centre at the reporting time printed on your card, not the exam start time — late entry is not allowed.
Do not carry: mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, bags, or study material. Most centres have no safe storage for these, and carrying a phone into the hall can get you disqualified. Eat a proper meal before leaving — the session runs long, and you cannot leave mid-exam for food.
One practical tip: visit your test centre a day or two before the exam if it is in an unfamiliar part of the city. Morning traffic on a Sunday can still surprise you, and knowing the gate in advance removes exam-day panic. Carry a printout of the centre’s address and a phone screenshot of the route — but remember the phone stays outside the hall.
The paper: 68 questions, 3 sections
The CAT paper is divided into three sections, each with its own time limit of 40 minutes: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. You cannot jump between sections — once a section’s 40 minutes end, the screen moves on. The 68 questions carry 204 marks, which means roughly 3 marks per question, with negative marking for wrong answers in multiple-choice questions.
With about 2.95 lakh candidates competing this year, the paper is as much a time-management test as a knowledge test. Most toppers attempt selectively rather than trying every question — accuracy beats attempts.
What the score unlocks
A CAT score is the entry ticket to the IIMs — all 21 of them — plus top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon and the IIT management departments, which accept CAT scores for their MBA programmes. Each institute then runs its own shortlist on sectional cutoffs, followed by interviews and written tests. Since the score is valid till December 31, 2027, it also covers next year’s admission cycle at institutes that accept it.
Forgot your login? Do this first
If you have lost your CAT user ID or password, do not panic — and do not create a new registration. On iimcat.ac.in, use the “Forgot User ID / Password” link. You will need access to the email ID and mobile number you registered with in August–September, because the reset link and OTP go there. If you changed your number since registration, contact the CAT helpdesk through the site’s contact page. Sort this out before November 4, not on download day.
Marking scheme: how the 204 marks work
The paper’s 68 questions carry 204 marks — roughly 3 marks per question. For multiple-choice questions, a wrong answer costs you 1 mark (negative marking). But CAT also has TITA questions — “type in the answer” — where you type a number instead of picking an option. TITA questions have no negative marking, so attempting them is always safe. This is why strategy matters: many candidates attempt all TITA questions first, then pick the multiple-choice ones they are sure about.
How scores turn into IIM calls
Your raw score becomes a percentile — your rank relative to all 2.95 lakh candidates. For the top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta), general-category candidates usually need 98–99+ percentile overall, plus high sectional percentiles in each of the three sections. One weak section can block a call even with a great overall score — that is why the 40-minute sectional timer matters so much. Newer IIMs and other top schools accept lower percentiles. Each institute publishes its own cutoffs after the result in January.
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FAQ
When is the CAT 2026 admit card released?
November 4, 2026, on the official website iimcat.ac.in. Download it early in the day to avoid website slowdowns.
What if my name or photo is wrong on the admit card?
Contact the CAT helpdesk through iimcat.ac.in immediately. Do not wait till exam week — corrections take time, and centres match your ID against the card.
Can I change my exam session or centre?
No. The session and centre printed on your admit card are final. Reach at the reporting time mentioned on the card — late entry is not allowed.
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