The CAT 2026 registration window has closed after the extended deadline ended at 5 PM on September 22, 2026.
IIM Indore had originally scheduled registration to end on September 15 before extending the deadline by one week. With applications now closed, registered candidates should focus on the next three stages: the application correction facility, admit card release and CAT examination on November 29.
Candidates who missed the registration deadline should note that the upcoming correction window will not reopen fresh applications.
Students can also read our earlier update, CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Extended to September 22, for the registration timeline.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Registration Closed | September 22, 2026 at 5 PM |
| Application Correction Window | Exact dates awaited |
| Admit Card Available From | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| Expected Result | First week of January 2027 |
CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore in three sessions across test centres in approximately 170 cities. Admit cards are scheduled to be available online from November 4.
IIM Indore will provide a short application-edit facility after registration.
According to the announced process, candidates will be able to modify only:
The correction facility is therefore not a complete application-edit window. Candidates should not expect to change every field submitted in the CAT form.
The exact opening and closing dates of the correction facility have not yet been officially announced.
Registered candidates should keep checking the official CAT portal instead of relying on dates shared through unofficial social-media posts.
Yes. Test city preferences are one of the fields that can be edited during the correction window.
Candidates were asked to provide multiple preferred test cities while completing the application. Final allocation will depend on availability.
If your travel circumstances have changed or you selected the wrong city preferences, the correction period will be the opportunity to review them.
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4 to November 29, 2026.
Candidates should download it through the official CAT website and carefully check details such as:
Do not wait until November 29 to download the admit card.
If there is an error or discrepancy, identifying it early gives candidates more time to follow the official helpdesk process.
CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026.
The computer-based test will have three sections:
The examination will last 120 minutes, with a strict 40-minute limit for each section.
With registration now complete, aspirants should gradually shift from syllabus completion towards:
Taking mocks alone is not enough. Candidates should analyse why they lost marks and whether the problem came from concepts, poor question selection, calculation errors or time pressure.
CAT is not the only MBA entrance examination in the current admission cycle.
Students targeting institutions such as XLRI, NMIMS or Symbiosis may also need XAT, NMAT or SNAP depending on their college shortlist.
For a complete comparison of exam patterns, dates, attempts and target colleges, read our CAT vs XAT vs NMAT vs SNAP 2026–27 Guide.
Candidates who missed CAT registration should also review this comparison before deciding which alternative entrance examination to apply for.
The objective should be to choose exams based on the business schools you actually want to join, rather than simply registering wherever applications remain open.
If you have successfully registered, your immediate checklist should be simple:
There is no need to make unnecessary changes to an application that is already correct.
If you are unsure which MBA/PGDM colleges to target based on CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP or other entrance exams, iYou Global Education can help with college shortlisting, exam strategy and admission planning.
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