CAT 2026 Registration Date, Last Date, Fee & How to Apply

If you are planning an MBA at an IIM, the CAT 2026 registration date is the first thing you need to track. Missing this window means waiting another full year. This guide covers every date, fee, and step you need for CAT registration 2026. It also explains the CUSAT CAT 2026 registration date, since many students confuse this state-level exam with the national CAT exam.

CAT 2026 Registration Date: Key Dates Table

The table below lists expected CAT exam 2026 registration dates based on past years. The conducting IIM will confirm these in the official notification.

These dates follow the same pattern the IIMs have used for years. The exam falls on the last Sunday of November almost every time. Treat these as planning dates until the official notice comes out. Check our CAT exam page for live updates once registration opens.

CAT 2026 Notification

IIM Indore is expected to release the CAT 2026 notification in the last week of July 2026. The notification names the conducting IIM for that year, since the role rotates each cycle. It also confirms the exam date, fee, syllabus changes, and reservation policy. Read the full document before you start filling the form. It removes any confusion about deadlines later.

Once the notification is out, the CAT exam registration 2026 link goes live the same day or within a few days. The link sits on iimcat.ac.in. No other website hosts the real form. Avoid third-party portals that claim to offer a direct registration link.

How to Register for CAT 2026: Step-by-Step Process

CAT registration 2026 happens fully online. There is no offline or paper form. Follow these steps once the portal opens.

1. Create your login. Go to iimcat.ac.in and click register. Enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. Verify both through OTP.
2. Log in to the portal. Use the User ID and password sent to your email to sign in and start the form.
3. Fill personal details. Add your address, category, and identity details exactly as they appear on your ID proof.
4. Add academic details. Enter your graduation marks, university name, and year of passing. Final-year students can apply too.
5. Add work experience (optional). List your company, role, and duration if you have full-time experience. Internships do not count.
6. Upload documents. Add a recent passport-size photo and a scanned signature in the required format and size.
7. Select programmes and IIMs. Choose the IIMs and programmes you want to apply for. You can select more than one.
8. Choose test cities. Pick up to five test cities in order of preference. List your current city first for convenience.
9. Pay the fee. Use a debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking. Do not refresh the page during payment.
10. Download confirmation. Save the application PDF and fee receipt once you get the confirmation email.

Double-check every field before payment. The correction window only lets you fix your photo, signature, and test city. Your name, category, and academic details get locked after submission.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

The CAT 2026 registration fee is expected to stay close to last year's structure. General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates are likely to pay around Rs 2,600. SC, ST, and PwD candidates are likely to pay around Rs 1,300. The fee is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome. The official notification will confirm the final amount for this cycle.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Check these conditions before you start your CAT exam registration 2026.

• You need a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognised university.
• You need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
• Professional degree holders such as CA, CS, or CMA can also apply.
• Final-year students can register, but they must submit proof of degree completion later.
• There is no upper age limit for the CAT exam.

Meeting these conditions only makes you eligible to sit for the exam. Each IIM sets its own extra criteria for shortlisting candidates for interviews. Check individual IIM admission pages once you clear the exam.

CAT Exam 2026 Registration Last Date: What Happens If You Miss It

The CAT exam 2026 registration last date is expected around September 20, 2026. IIMs rarely extend this deadline. If you miss it, you cannot sit for CAT 2026 at all. There is no late fee window like some state exams offer. Set a reminder a week before the deadline. Server traffic spikes in the final two days, so apply early to avoid technical errors.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT 2026 will likely follow the same three-section structure used in recent years.

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

The exam runs for two hours, split into three slots of 40 minutes each. You cannot switch sections before your time is up. Scores get normalised across different test slots, then converted into a percentile for fair comparison. Start your preparation early with our CAT Preparation Guide to build a strong study plan.

CUSAT CAT 2026 Registration Date

Many students search for "CUSAT CAT 2026 registration date" thinking it is the same as the IIM CAT exam. It is not. CUSAT CAT stands for the Cochin University of Science and Technology Common Admission Test. This is a separate, university-level entrance exam. It covers admission to B.Tech, integrated M.Sc, law, MBA, and other programmes at CUSAT.

The CUSAT CAT 2026 registration cycle has already closed. Here is how the timeline played out this year:

If you missed CUSAT CAT registration 2026, you will need to wait for the CUSAT CAT 2027 cycle. Based on past trends, that registration window should open around late January 2027 on admissions.cusat.ac.in. Bookmark the official CUSAT admissions portal and check it directly each January for accurate dates.

CAT vs CUSAT CAT: Know the Difference

Both exams share the same short name, but they serve different purposes.

• CAT (Common Admission Test): A national exam for MBA admission to IIMs and other top B-schools. Open to graduates from any stream.
• CUSAT CAT: A Kerala-based university exam for B.Tech, law, MBA, and other courses at Cochin University. Open mainly to Class 12 students for UG courses and graduates for PG courses.

Make sure you are checking the right official website. iimcat.ac.in handles the national CAT exam. admissions.cusat.ac.in handles CUSAT CAT.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

Keep these documents ready before you start your CAT registration 2026 form.

• Recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed format
• Scanned signature
• Category certificate, if applicable (SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, PwD)
• Graduation mark sheet and degree certificate, or provisional certificate for final-year students
• A valid, active email ID and phone number for all future communication

Common Mistakes to Avoid During CAT Exam Registration 2026

• Do not enter a temporary email ID. Admit cards and updates go there.
• Do not rush your test city choice. You cannot change it after the correction window closes.
• Do not wait for the last day to pay the fee. Servers slow down near the deadline.
• Do not upload blurry or oversized photos and signatures. This can lead to rejection.
• Do not skip the preview step. Check every field before final submission.

What to Do After CAT Registration 2026

Once your CAT exam 2026 registration is complete, shift focus to preparation. Download mock tests, build a sectional time plan, and revise your formulas. Keep checking iimcat.ac.in for admit card release dates around early November. Also track each IIM's cutoff trends so you understand what score you need. You can also explore other major entrance exams like JEE Main 2027 and NEET 2026 if you are guiding a younger sibling or planning a different career path.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAT 2026 registration date?

CAT 2026 registration is expected to open on August 1, 2026, and close on September 20, 2026. IIM Indore will confirm this in the official notification.

What is the CAT exam 2026 registration last date?

The expected last date is September 20, 2026, based on past years. There is usually no extension, so apply early.

What is the CUSAT CAT 2026 registration last date?

The CUSAT CAT 2026 registration last date for UG and PG programmes was March 25, 2026, after an extension. M.Tech and MBA had separate later deadlines. This cycle is now closed.

Is CAT registration 2026 only online?

Yes. CAT registration 2026 is entirely online on iimcat.ac.in. No offline or paper applications are accepted.

Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?

Yes. Final-year graduation students can register for CAT 2026. They must submit a degree completion certificate later if selected.

How many times can I attempt CAT?

There is no limit. You can attempt CAT as many times as you want, since there is no age restriction either.