CAT 2026 Exam Date, Registration, Cost & Process: Complete Guide

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is the ultimate gateway for MBA and PGDM aspirants in India. Conducted by one of the top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), securing a high score in CAT is mandatory to secure admission into the 21 IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IITs, and other premier business schools.

If you are planning to take the CAT 2026 exam, staying ahead of the timeline, understanding the registration fee (cost), and knowing the exact step-by-step process is crucial to avoid last-minute errors.

Here is the complete guide to the CAT 2026 Exam Date, Registration Date, Fee, and Application Process.

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1. CAT 2026 Important Dates (Expected)

The official CAT 2026 notification is typically released by the convening IIM in the last week of July. Below is the expected schedule based on historical exam patterns:

Note: The exam is conducted in three slots (Morning, Afternoon, and Evening) across 150+ test cities in India.

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2. CAT 2026 Registration Cost (Fee)

The CAT registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid online during the application submission. The fee structure for CAT 2026 is expected to be as follows:

• General / NC-OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹2,600
• SC / ST / PwD Candidates: ₹1,300

Note: Additional bank transaction charges may apply depending on your payment gateway.

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3. Step-by-Step CAT 2026 Registration Process

The entire application process for CAT 2026 is conducted online through the official website: iimcat.ac.in. Follow these steps to register without errors:

Step 1: New Candidate Registration

1. Go to the official website and click on "New Candidate Registration".
2. Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number, and Country.
3. Click on "Generate OTP". Enter the OTP received on your mobile and email to verify your registration.
4. You will receive a unique User ID and Password on your registered email and mobile number.

Step 2: Log In and Fill Details

Log in using your credentials and fill out the detailed application form divided into six sections:

1. Personal Details: Father’s/Mother’s name, category, gender, nationality, and communication address.
2. Academics: Marks obtained in Class 10, Class 12, Graduation degree, and any professional degrees (CA/CS/ICWA).
3. Work Experience: Mention full-time work experience (in months) post-graduation (if applicable).
4. Programmes: Select the IIM courses/programmes you wish to apply for, along with interview city preferences for each. (Applying to IIM programmes is included in the registration fee).
5. Test City Preference: Select up to 6 preferred test cities. The exam authority will allocate one of these cities based on availability.

Step 3: Upload Documents

You must upload scanned copies of the following documents in the specified format:

• Passport Size Photograph: Recent color photo with a white background (dimensions: 30mm x 45mm, format: .jpg/.jpeg, size up to 80 KB).
• Signature: Scanned signature on plain white paper (format: .jpg/.jpeg, size up to 80 KB).
• Category Certificate (if applicable): NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD certificates in the standard format download template from the CAT website.

Step 4: Pay Application Fee and Submit

1. Review your application carefully using the "Preview" button before final submission. Details cannot be edited post-payment.
2. Choose a payment gateway (Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI) and pay the fee.
3. Upon successful payment, a confirmation page will load. Save and download a PDF copy of your completed application form for future reference.

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4. Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026

To register for the CAT exam, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (minimum 45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
• Final Year Students: Candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification exam are also eligible to apply.
• No Age Limit: There is no age restriction or restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.

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5. Prepare a Strategic Action Plan for CAT 2026

With the CAT exam scheduled for November, the mid-year window is the perfect time to accelerate your preparation:

1. Analyze the Syllabus: Understand the structure of all three sections—Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
2. Take Regular Mock Exams: Simulating real exam conditions is the only way to build speed and stamina.
3. Strengthen Your Strengths, Work on Your Weaknesses: Identify section-wise performance drops and practice dedicated topic tests.

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Useful Resources:

• CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy & Syllabus
• Everything You Need to Know About CAT Exam
• All IIM Cut-offs for 2026-28 Batch
• Top MBA Entrance Exams 2026 Guide

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Source: Shiksha.com

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