CAT 2026 IIM Indore: Key Changes and What Aspirants Should Know

IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026, with the official notification releasing on July 26, 2026, and registration opening August 1, 2026.

The IIMs rotate the responsibility of organising the Common Admission Test each year. For the 2026 cycle, IIM Indore takes charge — managing everything from the notification and registration to the question paper, answer key, and result. With confirmed dates now in the public domain, aspirants have a clear timeline to plan their preparation and application.

• CAT 2026 notification releases on July 26, 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
• Registration opens August 1, 2026 and closes September 20, 2026.
• CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026, in three slots.
• Total questions: 68 across three sections — VARC, DILR, and QA — for 204 total marks.
• CAT scores are accepted by all 20 IIMs and over 1,200 institutions across India.

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IIM Indore as CAT 2026 Convening Body

Each year one of the 20 Indian Institutes of Management takes full responsibility for organising CAT. For 2026, that institute is IIM Indore. As the convening body, IIM Indore prepares the question paper, runs the registration portal at iimcat.ac.in, issues admit cards, manages exam-day logistics, releases the answer key, and publishes the final result and percentile scores.

IIM Indore was established in 1996 and is located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. It is consistently ranked among India’s top management institutions and has previously served as the CAT convening body. The change in convening body does not affect which institutions accept CAT scores. All 20 IIMs and over 1,200 other management institutions, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, and IITs with MBA programmes, continue to accept CAT 2026 scores.

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CAT 2026 Important Dates

IIM Indore has confirmed a clear schedule for the 2026 cycle. Verify all dates on iimcat.ac.in once the official notification is published on July 26, 2026.

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Key Changes Under IIM Indore for CAT 2026

Experts and test-preparation bodies do not anticipate major structural changes for CAT 2026. The table below outlines what is expected to remain constant and what may vary slightly under IIM Indore’s tenure.

The most likely minor variation is in the MCQ-to-TITA split within each section. Different convening IIMs have historically adjusted this by one to two questions per section. Practise both MCQ-style and open-input TITA formats so you are ready for any split on exam day.

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CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT 2026 is a 120-minute computer-based test with 68 questions across three sections, each with a strict 40-minute timer. You cannot switch between sections once a section’s time runs out.

CAT does not publish a fixed syllabus. VARC tests reading comprehension and verbal reasoning; DILR tests data sets and logical puzzles; QA covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems at post-Class 10 level. IIM Indore will release a free official mock test after the notification — use it to calibrate against the exact 2026 interface before exam day.

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What Aspirants Should Do Now

With the notification releasing July 26, 2026, and registration opening August 1, here is a focused checklist for the weeks ahead.

1. Bookmark iimcat.ac.in — the notification PDF, registration form, admit card, and result all go live on this site. No other portal is official.
2. Check your eligibility now — CAT 2026 requires a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD students). Students in their final year may also apply.
3. Prepare your documents before August 1 — keep a scanned photo, signature, and degree certificate (or enrolment letter for those in their final year) ready in the required file size and format.
4. Start timed section practice immediately — each section has a strict 40-minute limit. Practise VARC, DILR, and QA independently under a timer; do not wait for the notification.
5. Solve CAT previous year papers — CAT 2022 to 2025 papers are available on iimcat.ac.in and are the most accurate benchmark for question style and difficulty.
6. Attempt IIM Indore’s official mock — after the notification releases, IIM Indore will publish a free mock test that reflects the exact 2026 interface and any format adjustments.

Students aiming for the six older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore) typically need a 99 percentile or above. New IIMs and other top management schools shortlist from the 90 to 98 percentile range, depending on the programme and category.

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