The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 notification has been officially released, marking the beginning of the admission cycle for MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several leading business schools across India. According to the notification, the online registration process will commence on August 3, 2026, while the examination is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026. (Source: The Indian Express)

CAT is one of India's most competitive management entrance examinations and is accepted by all IIMs, along with numerous public and private business schools. Every year, lakhs of MBA aspirants appear for the examination to secure admission into flagship postgraduate management programmes.

The application process will be conducted entirely online through the official CAT portal. Candidates must complete registration, fill in personal and academic details, upload the required documents, select preferred test cities, and pay the application fee within the prescribed timeline.

The CAT examination is expected to be conducted in multiple sessions across various test centres nationwide. The paper will assess candidates on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

Candidates are advised to carefully review the official notification for detailed information on eligibility, reservation policy, application fees, examination guidelines, and important deadlines before submitting their applications.

Important Dates

How to Apply for CAT 2026

Candidates can complete their application by following these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT registration portal.
2. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in personal, academic, and work experience details (if applicable).
4. Upload the required documents and photograph.
5. Select preferred test cities.
6. Pay the application fee online.
7. Submit the application and save the confirmation page.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The examination will continue to evaluate candidates across three major sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Candidates should also regularly practice mock tests and previous years' question papers to improve accuracy, speed, and time management.

Preparation Tips

With registration beginning soon, aspirants should:

• Create a structured preparation schedule.
• Strengthen conceptual understanding in all three sections.
• Attempt regular sectional and full-length mock tests.
• Analyse previous years' papers to understand question trends.
• Stay updated with all official CAT notifications and deadlines.

Key Highlights

• The CAT 2026 notification has been officially released.
• Online registrations will begin on August 3, 2026.
• The examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
• CAT scores are accepted by all IIMs and numerous leading MBA institutions across India.
• Candidates should complete the application process within the prescribed registration period and begin their preparation early.