If you were refreshing the CAT website on Wednesday expecting your hall ticket, you were not alone, and you did not miss anything. The Indian Institute of Management Indore, which conducts CAT 2026, has pushed the admit card release from November 4 to Friday, November 6, 2026. The hall tickets will now be available for download from November 6 to November 29, the day of the examination.
The change was confirmed in a revised notice from IIM Indore on November 4. The important point is simple: admit cards have already been generated for eligible candidates, but the download link will only open on November 6.
What exactly has changed
Under the original schedule, CAT 2026 admit cards were to be released on November 4. That date has now moved by two days. Everything else around the examination stays in place, including the exam date itself.
- Earlier admit card date: November 4, 2026
- Revised admit card date: November 6, 2026
- Download window: November 6 to November 29, 2026
- CAT 2026 exam date: Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions
- Official website: iimcat.ac.in
- Mock test availability: from November 6, 2026
Treat November 6 as the first day you can download the document, not as a deadline. The window stays open until exam day, but waiting until the last moment leaves almost no time to fix an error.
How to download the CAT 2026 admit card
Once the link is live on November 6, the process is straightforward. Keep your CAT application login details ready before you start, because the site is likely to be busy in the first few hours.
- Visit the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Click on the registered candidate login tab.
- Enter your CAT User ID and password.
- Open the admit card link on your dashboard and download the PDF.
- Take at least two printouts on clean A4 sheets and save a copy on your phone as well.
Download the card only from iimcat.ac.in, and ignore third party links promising early access.
What to check on your admit card immediately
The moment you download the card, do not just file it away. Read every line carefully, because this document decides your entry to the test centre on November 29.
- Your name, photograph and signature, and whether they match your photo identity proof.
- The test centre name and full address, plus the reporting time for your session.
- The session timing, since CAT 2026 will be held in three sessions on the same day.
- Instructions on what to carry, including a valid photo ID and the printed admit card.
If you spot a mismatch, contact the CAT helpdesk through the official website at once. Small spelling differences can cause trouble at the gate, so raise them early rather than on exam morning.
Mock test also moves to November 6
Along with the admit card, IIM Indore has also shifted the official mock test to November 6. The mock test carries sample questions and is designed to familiarise candidates with the exam format and the computer based interface.
Even strong candidates lose marks when they are unfamiliar with on screen navigation or the section timer. Spend an hour with the official mock test before the exam, especially if this is your first CAT attempt.
The institute has not formally cited a reason for the two day delay in its notice. Reports have linked the postponement to stepped up security measures for the examination, including face recognition and the deployment of mobile jammers at some centres, but candidates should rely on the official notice for dates and treat the rest as background, not as exam instructions.
What candidates should do over the next two days
The delay is short, but it changes the rhythm of the final weeks. Use November 5 and the morning of November 6 wisely instead of refreshing the website all day.
Keep your login details ready, plan your travel to the test centre once it is printed on the card, and keep revision light: one full mock, a review of weak areas, and proper sleep will help more than last minute cramming.
Remember, the admit card is your entry pass to the test centre, not a scorecard or an admission offer. Admission decisions come much later, through the selection process of individual institutes.
FAQs
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The admit card will be released on November 6, 2026, after being postponed from November 4. It can be downloaded from iimcat.ac.in.
Until when can I download the CAT admit card?
The download window runs from November 6 to November 29, 2026, the exam day. Download it early to leave time to correct any errors.
Where do I download the CAT 2026 hall ticket?
Only from the official website, iimcat.ac.in, using your CAT User ID and password. Do not use third party links.
When is the CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across designated test centres.
Will the mock test also be available on November 6?
Yes, IIM Indore has said the official mock test with sample questions will be available on the CAT website from November 6, 2026.
The next update to watch is the live link itself on Friday morning. Once it opens, download the card, check every detail, try the mock test, and get back to preparation.
