CAT Admit Card 2026: Download Link, Release Date, Exam Schedule and Important Instructions

CAT Admit Card 2026: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 6, 2026, by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore. Candidates who have registered for the MBA entrance examination will be able to access their hall tickets through the official CAT website using their registered login […]

CAT Admit Card 2026: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 6, 2026, by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore. Candidates who have registered for the MBA entrance examination will be able to access their hall tickets through the official CAT website using their registered login credentials.

The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026. Candidates should download their admit cards once the link becomes active and check their examination centre, reporting time, and other important details before the exam.

CAT Admit Card 2026: Overview

ParticularsDetails
ExaminationCommon Admission Test (CAT) 2026
Conducting InstituteIIM Indore
Admit Card Release DateNovember 6, 2026
CAT Exam DateNovember 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Examination ModeComputer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam SessionsThree (Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
Exam Duration120 Minutes (40 Minutes per section)
Marking Scheme+3 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect MCQ, 0 for Non-MCQ (TITA)
Login CredentialsRegistered User ID and Password
Official Websiteiimcat.ac.in

The admit card release date and examination schedule have been reported by education news portals. Candidates should confirm the latest status on the official CAT website before attempting to download the document.

CAT Admit Card 2026 Download Link

The CAT 2026 admit card will be available through the registered candidate login portal.

Candidates will need their registered User ID and password to access the hall ticket. The download link will become available once the examination authority activates the facility. Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial websites for downloading their admit cards.

How to Download CAT Admit Card 2026?

Registered candidates can follow these steps to download their CAT 2026 hall ticket:

  1. Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.
  2. Open the Registered Candidate Login section.
  3. Enter your registered User ID and Password.
  4. Submit the login details to access your candidate dashboard.
  5. Click on the CAT 2026 Admit Card Download option.
  6. Check all the details mentioned on the hall ticket carefully.
  7. Download the admit card PDF and save a copy for future reference.
  8. Take a clear A4-size colour printout (ensuring your photograph, signature, and barcode are clearly visible) to carry to the examination centre.

Candidates should download their admit cards well before the examination date to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.

CAT 2026 Exam Date and Shift Timings

IIM Indore is scheduled to conduct CAT 2026 on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The examination will take place in three sessions across examination centres in approximately 170 cities:

Exam SlotSessionExam Timing
Slot 1Morning Session08:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Slot 2Afternoon Session12:30 PM – 02:30 PM
Slot 3Evening Session04:30 PM – 06:30 PM

The individual session, exact reporting time, and gate-closing time will be mentioned on each candidate’s admit card. Candidates should check their allotted slot carefully and plan their journey to the examination centre accordingly.

Details Mentioned on CAT Admit Card 2026

After downloading the hall ticket, candidates should verify the information printed on it. The admit card contains the following details:

  • Candidate’s full name
  • CAT registration number / roll number
  • Candidate’s photograph and signature
  • Date of birth and category
  • PwD status (if applicable)
  • Examination date (November 29, 2026)
  • Allotted examination slot and session timing
  • Reporting time and gate-closing time
  • Examination centre name, test city, and complete address (with Google Maps link, if provided)
  • Emergency contact number and examination-day instructions

If any information appears incorrect or if the photograph/signature is unclear, candidates should immediately contact the CAT helpdesk through the official communication channels at iimcat.ac.in before the examination.

Documents Required on CAT Exam Day

Candidates should keep the following documents ready for examination day:

  • Printed Copy of CAT 2026 Admit Card: Carry a clean A4-size colour printout with a clearly visible photograph, signature, and barcode.
  • Valid Original Photo Identity Proof: Carry an original government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence (photocopies or digital copies are not accepted).
  • Passport-Size Photograph: Carry the same passport-size photograph uploaded during registration for affixing on the admit card/attendance sheet as instructed.
  • Additional Documents (if applicable): Medical certificate, Scribe Affidavit, or Name Change document if specifically required under the admit card instructions.

Candidates should read the instructions printed on their individual hall tickets carefully. A digital copy on a mobile phone will not be treated as a substitute for the required printed admit card.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

CAT 2026 will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) divided into three sections:

SectionSubjectSectional Duration
Section IVerbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)40 Minutes
Section IIData Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)40 Minutes
Section IIIQuantitative Ability (QA)40 Minutes
Total DurationAll 3 Sections120 Minutes (2 Hours)
  • Sectional Time Limit: The total examination duration is 2 hours (120 minutes), with strictly 40 minutes allotted to each section. Candidates will not be permitted to switch between sections during the examination.
  • Marking Scheme:
    • Correct Answer: +3 marks for each correct response (both MCQ and Non-MCQ).
    • Incorrect Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ): -1 mark is deducted for every wrong MCQ answer.
    • Incorrect Non-MCQ (Type In The Answer – TITA): 0 marks (no negative marking for wrong TITA responses).
    • Unattempted Questions: 0 marks (no marks awarded or deducted).

Candidates should refer to the official CAT information bulletin on iimcat.ac.in for the complete examination rules.

What Should Candidates Check Before CAT 2026?

Before leaving for the examination centre, candidates should:

  • Confirm the examination date and allotted slot timing (Morning, Afternoon, or Evening).
  • Check the complete test centre address and locate it a day in advance.
  • Review the reporting time and gate-closing time carefully (no candidate is allowed entry after gate closure).
  • Carry the required A4 printed admit card and original government photo ID.
  • Read all examination-day dress code and prohibited item instructions carefully.
  • Plan the route and travel buffer to the centre in advance.

The examination centre and reporting time vary across candidates. Therefore, candidates must follow the details printed on their own hall tickets rather than relying on general schedules.

Important Links for CAT Admit Card 2026

Important Portal / ActionDirect Link
CAT 2026 Admit Card Login LinkClick Here to Download Admit Card
Official CAT 2026 Websitehttps://iimcat.ac.in/
Conducting Institute Website (IIM Indore)https://iimidr.ac.in/

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When will the CAT Admit Card 2026 be released? The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 6, 2026. Candidates should check the official website (iimcat.ac.in) for the live download link.

Q2. Where can I download the CAT 2026 Admit Card? Candidates can download the admit card from the official website, iimcat.ac.in, through the registered candidate login portal.

Q3. What login details are required to download the CAT hall ticket? Candidates need their registered CAT User ID and Password to log in and download the admit card.

Q4. When will CAT 2026 be conducted and in how many shifts? The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three shifts: Slot 1 (08:30 AM – 10:30 AM), Slot 2 (12:30 PM – 02:30 PM), and Slot 3 (04:30 PM – 06:30 PM).

Q5. Is there negative marking for all questions in CAT 2026? No. While Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) carry a negative marking of -1 mark for each wrong answer, Non-MCQ (Type In The Answer / TITA) questions have no negative marking.

Q6. Is a printed CAT admit card required at the exam centre? Yes, candidates must carry an A4-size printed copy (preferably in colour) of the admit card along with a valid original photo identity proof. Digital copies on mobile phones are not accepted.

Q7. What should I do if there is an error on my CAT admit card? Candidates should immediately contact the CAT examination helpdesk through the official communication channels on iimcat.ac.in and seek correction before the examination date.

Final Update

Candidates appearing for CAT 2026 should keep checking the official CAT portal for the admit card download facility and any further examination-related announcements. Information in this article is based on the published CAT 2026 examination schedule and official updates. Candidates should verify the latest updates directly with the examination authority.