CAT 2026 admit card: download from 6 November, mock test and exam-day rules
Apply before 29 Nov 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
The IIMs have announced that CAT 2026 admit cards can be downloaded from 6 November to 29 November 2026, only from the official website iimcat.ac.in, using your CAT application login ID and password. The exam is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three shifts, and the official mock test goes live on the same website from 6 November.
The media release also says that candidates will go through face matching at the test centre and that mobile jammers will be used at select locations. Here is what that means for you, and what to do in the next few days.
CAT 2026 admit card at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Admit card download | 6 November to 29 November 2026 |
| Where | iimcat.ac.in only (log in with your CAT ID and password) |
| Exam date | Sunday, 29 November 2026 |
| Shifts | Three; your shift is printed on the admit card |
| Shift timings (as reported) | 8:30 to 10:30 am, 12:30 to 2:30 pm, 4:30 to 6:30 pm |
| Official mock test | On iimcat.ac.in from 6 November 2026 |
| Security | Face matching at the centre; mobile jammers at select locations |
| Conducting IIM | IIM Indore |
Some earlier news reports gave 4 November as the admit card date. The IIMs' media release says downloads open on 6 November, so go by the official date. The release also says the IIMs may change the exam date or time if needed, so keep checking the official website.
How to download the CAT 2026 admit card
- Open iimcat.ac.in. Do not use links shared on WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
- Log in with the user ID and password you created while applying.
- Open the admit card link on your dashboard and download the PDF.
- Take two or three clear printouts on A4 paper. Keep a copy of the PDF on your phone and in your email too.
If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password" option on the login page well before exam week, not on the night before.
Check these details on the admit card
Read the admit card once, slowly, as soon as you download it. Check:
- your name, photograph and signature;
- your registration number;
- the exam date and your shift;
- the reporting time, which is earlier than the exam start time;
- the full address of your test centre;
- the instructions for exam day.
If anything is wrong, such as a wrong photograph or name, contact the CAT helpdesk listed on the official website at once. Do not wait until the last week.
Face matching and mobile jammers: what changes for you
Face matching means your face will be checked against the photograph you uploaded with your application. Go to the centre looking roughly like that photograph: avoid a heavy change in look, and be ready to remove a mask or cap at the check. Carry the original photo ID that the admit card asks for; a photocopy or a phone picture is usually not accepted.
Mobile jammers at select locations simply mean phones will not work inside, which matters only if you planned to call someone after entering. Tell your family your expected exit time beforehand, and plan how you will get home.
Above all, reach early. Security checks for a few hundred candidates take time, and the gate closes at the time printed on the admit card.
Use the official mock test
The official mock test on iimcat.ac.in is the closest you will get to the real exam screen before 29 November. Its value is not the score. It is the interface:
- how the timer and the section lock work;
- how to mark a question for review and come back to it;
- how type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions are entered with the on-screen keypad;
- where the calculator is and how slow it is to use.
Take it once, under exam conditions, in the same time slot as your actual shift. After that, any mistake you make on the day should be about the questions, never about the screen.
A simple plan for the next few days
- This week: download the admit card, check the details, print it, and visit or map your test centre. Note how long the journey takes at the time of your shift.
- Same week: take the official mock once, then go back to your regular mocks.
- Every day until the exam: one sectional in your weakest section and one timed set of previous-year CAT questions, followed by a proper review of mistakes.
- Last three days: no new topics. Light revision, normal sleep, and one short practice session to stay in rhythm.
For timed practice with step-by-step solutions, use the free CAT previous year questions on Target Campus, sorted by year, slot and section. Our post on the CAT 2026 exam pattern and last-month plan covers the sections and marking in detail.
Frequently asked questions
When can I download the CAT 2026 admit card?
From 6 November to 29 November 2026, on iimcat.ac.in, using your CAT application login ID and password.
What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three shifts. Your shift and reporting time are printed on your admit card.
Is there an official CAT mock test?
Yes. The IIMs have said the official mock test will be available on the CAT website from 6 November 2026. Use it to get used to the exam screen and the on-screen calculator.
What if my admit card has a mistake?
Contact the CAT helpdesk given on iimcat.ac.in immediately, with your registration number and a screenshot of the error.
Do I need to carry an ID proof?
Yes. Carry the printed admit card and the original photo ID asked for in the admit card instructions. Your face will also be matched with your application photograph at the centre.