CAT 2026 News
CAT 2026 Admit Card Date Revised to November 6: Mock Test, Download Steps and Exam-Day Checks
The CAT 2026 admit-card download window has been revised to November 6-29, 2026. Eligible candidates should use only the candidate login at iimcat.ac.in, verify their name, photograph, signature, test city, centre, slot and reporting time, and keep a clear printed copy for the November 29 exam. The official CAT mock test is also scheduled to become available on November 6.
CAT 2026 candidates have received an important timetable update shortly before the exam. The admit card, earlier expected on November 4, is now scheduled to be available from November 6 through November 29, 2026.
The change does not alter the CAT 2026 test date. The examination remains scheduled for Sunday, November 29, in three computer-based sessions. Candidates should rely on the official CAT portal for the login link and treat forwarded download links with caution.
What is the latest CAT 2026 admit-card update?
The CAT 2026 admit cards for eligible registered candidates have reportedly been generated, but the download facility is scheduled to open on November 6. The window will remain available until the examination date, November 29.
A CAT 2026 mock test is also expected on the official website from November 6. The mock is intended to familiarise candidates with the computer-based interface and question navigation; it should not be treated as a prediction of the exact paper difficulty or topic distribution.
This article was checked on November 5, 2026. Candidates should recheck iimcat.ac.in because operational timings and login notices can change.
| CAT 2026 event | Current date or window | What candidates should do |
|---|---|---|
| Admit-card download opens | November 6, 2026 | Log in only through iimcat.ac.in |
| Official mock test | From November 6, 2026 | Practise interface and navigation |
| Admit-card window closes | November 29, 2026 | Download and print well before the exam |
| CAT 2026 examination | November 29, 2026 | Follow the slot and reporting time on the admit card |
How can candidates download the CAT 2026 admit card?
Visit the official CAT website and open the registered-candidate login. Enter the CAT application login ID and password, locate the admit-card option and download the PDF. Save a local copy and print it clearly on A4 paper.
Do not use an unofficial website to enter CAT credentials. If the portal is slow immediately after release, wait briefly and retry rather than sharing login details with another person.
- Open https://iimcat.ac.in/ in a current browser.
- Select the candidate login shown for CAT 2026.
- Enter the registered user ID and password.
- Open and download the admit-card PDF.
- Check every personal and test-centre detail.
- Print a legible copy and keep a backup print.
What should you verify on the CAT admit card?
The hall ticket is not merely an entry document. It tells the candidate where and when to report, which test session has been allotted and which instructions apply at the centre.
Check the spelling of your name, application number, photograph, signature, category details where displayed, test date, test city, complete centre address, session, reporting time and gate-closing instructions. The photograph and text should remain readable after printing.
If a material detail appears incorrect, use the official CAT helpdesk route shown on the portal. Do not edit the PDF or write over a discrepancy.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Name and application ID | Must match the candidate record and identity proof |
| Photograph and signature | Used for identity verification |
| Test centre and city | Determines travel and reporting plan |
| Session and reporting time | Late arrival can affect entry |
| Exam-day instructions | Lists required and prohibited items |
How should candidates use the official CAT 2026 mock test?
Use the mock first to understand the on-screen experience: section sequence, timer, question palette, answer selection, review status and navigation restrictions. CAT sections generally operate with separate time limits, so interface familiarity reduces avoidable exam-day confusion.
A productive run has two parts. First, explore the controls carefully. Second, attempt it under timed conditions without pausing. Record any interface or pacing issue and correct it in subsequent full-length mocks.
Do not infer a guaranteed CAT 2026 question count or difficulty solely from the familiarisation mock unless the official instructions explicitly confirm it. Its strongest value is operational readiness.
What security measures have been reported for CAT 2026?
The CAT organisers have reported additional examination-security measures, including face matching and mobile jammers at selected locations. Candidates should expect identity checks and cooperate with centre staff.
Carry only items permitted in the official admit-card instructions. Phones, smart watches, calculators and other electronic devices should not be assumed to be allowed. The final authority is the instruction printed on the hall ticket and the official CAT guidance.
What should candidates do before November 29?
Map the test centre in advance and estimate travel using the reporting time rather than the test start time. Keep extra time for traffic, security checks and finding the correct gate.
During the final weeks, keep preparation stable. Continue analysed mocks, revise recurring error patterns and practise at the time corresponding to the allotted CAT slot where practical. Avoid rebuilding the entire strategy because of one unusual mock score.
The admit card should trigger logistical preparation, not panic. Once the centre and slot are known, candidates can remove uncertainty from travel, sleep, meals and the pre-exam routine.
- Print the admit card and read every instruction.
- Arrange the permitted original photo identity proof.
- Visit or map the centre location.
- Plan arrival using the reporting deadline.
- Practise the official mock interface.
- Keep sleep and mock timing aligned with the allotted slot.
Source and verification note
The official CAT portal is the primary destination for the candidate login, admit card, mock test and any correction to the schedule. Reports published on November 4 by multiple national education desks consistently state that the revised download window is November 6-29 and that the mock test will open on November 6.
Because login availability can change during a live release, candidates should verify the active link and instructions on iimcat.ac.in before taking action.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be available?
The revised download window is scheduled from November 6 through November 29, 2026.
Where can I download the CAT 2026 admit card?
Use the registered-candidate login on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
Has the CAT 2026 exam date changed?
No. CAT 2026 remains scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions.
When will the official CAT 2026 mock test be available?
The familiarisation mock is scheduled to become available on the official portal from November 6.
What should I check on the CAT admit card?
Verify your name, application ID, photograph, signature, centre address, session, reporting time and exam-day instructions.
Should I carry a printed CAT admit card?
Candidates should print a clear copy and follow the specific document instructions printed on the hall ticket.
What if my admit card has an error?
Use the official CAT helpdesk or contact route shown on iimcat.ac.in and do not alter the PDF yourself.
Is the CAT mock an exact sample of the final paper?
It is primarily a familiarisation tool. Do not assume it guarantees the final paper's difficulty or topic mix.