CAT admit card 2026 will be released in the second week of November. The hall ticket download date will be shared by the exam conducting IIM, in the CAT 2026 notification. The admit card will have to be download through login at iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates who shall have registered for the exam, will have to use their application number and password to download it. Candidates will have to carry the CAT 2026 admit card to the CAT exam centre as it is a mandatory document of identification. Read on this page complete details related to CAT 2026 admit card.
- How to Download CAT Admit Card 2026?
- CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- Details Mentioned on CAT Admit Card 2026
- Documents to Carry Along With CAT 2026 Admit Card
- CAT Exam Day Instructions 2026
- FAQs Regarding CAT 2026 Admit Card
How to Download CAT Admit Card 2026?
CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29. Candidates will be able to download their admit card until the exam day. However, it is advised to download it as soon as it is released. Given below is the process to download the CAT admit card 2026. 
- Visit the official CAT 2026 website - iimcat.ac.in
- Click on 'Login'
- Enter registration ID and password
- Click on 'admit card'
- Click on download and save the admit card on desktop
Problems in Downloading CAT Admit Card
Om the first day of admit card release, candidates often face login issues. It usually happens due to high web traffic on IIMCAT website of incorrect password. Check below problems that occur in downloading the admit card and how to resolve them.
| Problem |
Solution |
|---|---|
| Technical issue in the official website |
IIM CAT 2026 website may face technical glitches due to heavy traffic on the first day of admit card release. In such a case, do not continuously try to log in. Log out and visit the website after some time to download your CAT admit card 2026. But make sure you have downloaded the admit card atleast a week before the exam date. |
| Slow internet speed |
Check the internet speed of your system. If it is slow, switch to a faster internet connection to download your CAT admit card. Or wait for your interent connection to get back to normal. |
| Wrong password or login credentials |
In case you have forgotten the login credentials, you must use the ‘forgot password’ option given on the IIMCAT website and change the password and use it for downloading the hall ticket. |
Commonly asked questions
There is no option to make changes in the CAT admit card. Details printed on the candidate's hall ticket will be final and non-editable. Incase, there is any error in the details mentioned on the CAT admit card, like name or roll number of the candidate., etc. then that can be rectified by contacting the CAT help desk.
CAT 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CAT 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Aug ' 26 | CAT 2026 application process TENTATIVE |
| Nov ' 26 | CAT 2026 admit card download TENTATIVE |
| 29 Nov ' 26 | CAT 2026 exam |
Details Mentioned on CAT Admit Card 2026
Candidates must check that the following information must be printed correctly on their CAT 2026 admit card.
-
Name
-
Categpry
-
Date of birth
- Photo
- Signature
-
Registration number
-
Date and time of the exam
- CAT 2026 exam slot
- CAT 2026 test location
-
Emergency contact number
-
CAT exam related instructions
Errors to Check in CAT Admit Card 2026
As soon as candidates download the CAT admit card, they are advised to check all the information mentioned on it. The below-listed information on admit card should match the information on CAT application form 2026:
-
Candidate's name printed on CAT admit card 2026 should be same as in application form
-
Registration number on admit card must be the same as registered user ID
-
Date of birth should be the same as mentioned in CAT application form and official documents
-
Caste category status should same as in the application form
-
PwD/DA status should be same as mentioned in the CAT application form
-
Test centre location must be in one of the cities mentioned in the application form
-
Photograph and signature must be clearly visible
How to Correct Errors in CAT Admit Card 2026?
In case, any candidate found an error in their CAT 2026 admit card, the could contact the exam authority to get it corrected. Given below are the contact details:
CAT helpline: 1-800-210-8720 (Toll Free)
Email at cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in
CAT Exam Timings 2026
CAT 2026 exam will be conducted for 2 hours (per session). The exam slots will be allotted to candidates on first-come-first-serve basis (application submission). Given below are the CAT exam timings. Candidates must report to their test centres as per the reporting time mentioned below:
| CAT exam slot |
Exam timing |
Reporting time |
Last entry allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 |
8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
7:00 AM |
8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 |
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
11:00 AM |
12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 |
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
3:00 PM |
4:15 PM |
Also Read:
Documents to Carry Along With CAT 2026 Admit Card
Candidates are required to carry an ID proof issued by the Government of India or their previous college/university along with the CAT 2026 admit card to the examination hall. Candidates must ideally carry the same ID that they mentioned in the CAT application form. Given below is the list of documents that they can carry as ID proof:
-
Aadhaar card
-
Voter ID
-
Passport
- PAN card
- E-Aadhaar
- Ration Card
-
College/University ID
-
Driver's license
Other than the photo ID card and CAT 2026 admit card, candidates will have to carry the following documents if applicable:
- Name change affidavit
- PwD certificate
- Scribe certificate
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.
The digital copy of the CAT admit card will not be accepted at the test centres as a valid document, thus you cannot show it, to gain entry. As per the official guidelines, only the colour print out of the admit card on A4 size sheet will be accepted as valid. Candidates must also affix a passport size photo, preferably the same as uploaded in the CAT application form.
The examination authority does not accept digital admit card as valid document as it is to be signed and stamped by the test centre staff for proof of candidate’s attendance. One copy of the CAT admit card of every candidate is also retained by the authorities, thus the need for the print out.
CAT Exam Day Instructions 2026
CAT admit card 2026 will contain all the important guidelines for the exam day. Shiksha has listed below some key CAT exam day instructions and guidelines that the candidate must follow at the test centre and during the exam:
- Reach the CAT exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned in their admit card.
- Carry only IIM CAT admit card and photo ID card to the exam centre
- Use the Reference Number printed on their admit card to identify the door/wing/lab at the test venue
-
Don't sign the CAT admit card beforehand. It is to be signed only inside the exam hall in front of the invigilator
-
Affix photo on the admit card printouts. The photo should be same as uploaded in the CAT 2026 application form
-
Do not carry mobile phone, calculator, IPad or any other gadgets to the centre
-
Do not carry bags or luggage to the CAT 2026 exam centre as there will be no provision of bag deposit.
- Submit the writing pad and pen provided by the authorities for rough work before leaving the test hall.
- Write name and registration number on the writing pad.
- Leave the invigilator's copy of their CAT admit card 2026 in the examination hall
CAT 2026 Exam Day: Dress Code
- Candidates are advised to wear simple outfits without pockets.
- Jackets, hoodie, coats, cardigans with pocket, caps and headgear will not be allowed.
-
Jewellery that contains metal, clothes with pockets, jackets and footwear are prohibited inside the exam hall.
-
Candidates with metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring medical certificate of the same.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Candidates can paste a recent photo on CAT admit card with face clearly visible, without goggles or caps. They should preferably paste same photo that they uploaded in CAT application form.
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FAQs Regarding CAT 2026 Admit Card
Find important FAQs related to CAT admit card below:
The digital copy of the CAT admit card will not be accepted at the test centres as a valid document, thus you cannot show it, to gain entry. As per the official guidelines, only the colour print out of the admit card on A4 size sheet will be accepted as valid. Candidates must also affix a passport size photo, preferably the same as uploaded in the CAT application form.
The examination authority does not accept digital admit card as valid document as it is to be signed and stamped by the test centre staff for proof of candidate’s attendance. One copy of the CAT admit card of every candidate is also retained by the authorities, thus the need for the print out.
There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
Some B-schools ask for the CAT admit card and some do not, during admission. So, it is better to preserve the CAT admit card even after the exam. One must not discard it until they have secured admission in an MBA college. Having unsigned soft copy may not be helpful if any college asks for it. The signed and stamped copy (by the exam invigilator) of the CAT admit card will be considered actual proof of candidature.
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