CAT 2026 registration window will close on September 15, 2026. Candidates need to choose a total of five test city preferences while filling the form. The preferred CAT exam city is allotted based on availability.
Things to Know Before CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
CAT registration 2026 is ongoing. The last date to apply for the CAT 2026 exam is September 15. Candidates must fill and submit the CAT application form by 5 PM. Candidates who fail to fill the CAT exam form before the last date are not allowed to appear for the exam. While filling the CAT application form, candidates have to choose a total of 5 test city preferences. IIM Indore will allocate a test centre in any of the five cities based on availability. CAT 2026 test city and exam slot is allocated on first come first serve basis.
How CAT Exam City Allotment Work Across 5 Preferences?
Candidates have to fill the online application form by visiting the CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. While filling the form, candidates have to choose five different test cities from the drop-down in order of preference. CAT application form does not allow candidates to choose same test city more than once.
Allotment of the test city, test centre, and session slot is carried out after the registration deadline closes, subject to availability. In rare cases where an applicant cannot be allotted to any of the five preferred test cities, the candidate will be allotted to a nearby test city.
CAT test city and centre allotment is strictly subject to availability. An applicant will be assigned one of their preferred test cities only if capacity permits, or assigned a nearby test city if preferences cannot be accommodated. Before submitting the form, candidates must verify their test city choices and ensure the correct order of preference. Applicants should also review all personal data, contact details, and academic entries before they submit the form.
Personal details, including candidate name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number, cannot be edited after the registration process is completed.
Commonly asked questions
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should check previous years’ question papers. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is important.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.
CAT is a speed-based test of analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or Commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advanced-level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Hope it was helpful!!!
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
Read Full Bio