CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Extended: New Date, Exam Schedule and Important Details

Candidates preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 have received additional time to complete their applications. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have extended the registration deadline for CAT 2026 from September 15th to September 22nd, 2026, at 5 pm. The examination authorities have also stated that the revised deadline will not be extended further. The registration window for CAT 2026 opened on August 3rd. Candidates who have not yet submitted their applications can now use the additional week to complete the registration process, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee. The authorities have advised applicants not to wait until the final hours, as last-minute technical issues or heavy traffic on the application portal could create difficulties.

CAT 2026 Examination Date

The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled to take place on November 29th, 2026, which falls on a Sunday. The examination will be conducted in three sessions and will have a total duration of 120 minutes.

The question paper will consist of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

• Quantitative Ability

CAT 2026 will be conducted in around 170 cities across the country. While completing the application form, candidates can select up to five preferred test cities. However, the final test centre will depend on availability. In cases of high demand, candidates may be allotted a centre close to one of their selected preferences. Once a centre has been allotted, candidates will not be permitted to change it.

What Candidates Should Know About the Application

The extended CAT 2026 registration window provides candidates with additional time to complete the application accurately. Applicants should check all details carefully before submitting the form and ensure that the registration fee has been successfully paid within the deadline.

Candidates should particularly check:

• Personal and academic information entered in the form

• Uploaded photograph and signature

• Preferred test city selections

• Payment status

• Final submission and confirmation of the application

After the registration window closes, candidates who have successfully completed their applications will receive a limited opportunity to edit certain details. The edit facility will cover the photograph, signature, and test city preferences.

Important Dates for CAT 2026

With registration now extended, candidates should keep track of the next stages of the examination process. The admit cards are scheduled to be released on November 4th, 2026, while the examination will be held on November 29th.

The CAT is conducted for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management and is also accepted by several other management institutions. The examination therefore attracts a large number of candidates seeking postgraduate management programmes.

A Further Window for Applicants

EducationNewsNetwork notes that the revised deadline gives candidates who are yet to apply a further opportunity to complete the registration process without having to wait for another examination cycle. The extension also means that applicants now have a clearly defined final date to complete their forms. Candidates should use the additional time to verify their eligibility, review application details, and ensure that all required steps have been completed before September 22nd.

What Happens After Registration?

Once applications close, candidates can turn their attention fully towards preparation for the November examination. The three sections of the test require preparation across language comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and quantitative skills.

Candidates should also keep their login details and application information safely stored for future reference. The admit card will contain important information about the examination centre and other instructions.

TopEducationNews will bring together important CAT 2026 information as the examination moves towards the admit card and test stages. Candidates should continue checking official CAT communications for any further changes or instructions before the examination.