MBA aspirants who are planning to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 need to act quickly. CAT 2026 registration is closing today, September 22, 2026, at 5 PM. The registration deadline was earlier scheduled for September 15 but was extended by one week. The latest update confirms September 22 as the final deadline, giving candidates one last opportunity to complete their applications.
CAT is an important management entrance examination for students targeting MBA and other postgraduate management programmes at participating institutes. For candidates who have not yet submitted their application, completing the form and fee payment before the deadline is essential.
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
The most important update for MBA aspirants today is the final registration deadline.
According to the latest information, the CAT 2026 application window will close on September 22, 2026, at 5 PM. IIM Indore, which is conducting CAT 2026, has indicated that there will be no further extension of the registration deadline.
Candidates should therefore avoid waiting until the final minutes. Application form filling, document uploading and fee payment should all be completed before the portal closes.
Important CAT 2026 Dates
- Registration Started: August 3, 2026
- Registration Last Date: September 22, 2026, 5 PM
- Admit Card: November 4, 2026
- CAT 2026 Exam: November 29, 2026
- Result: Expected in early January 2027
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on November 29 across three sessions.
What Should Candidates Do Before the Deadline?
Students who have not completed their CAT application should carefully go through every section before submitting the form. A last-minute application can increase the chances of mistakes or payment-related problems.
Candidates should check:
- Personal details
- Academic information
- Category details
- Photograph and signature
- Test city preferences
- Programme and institute preferences
- Uploaded documents
- Application fee
- Final submission status
Simply filling in the application form is not enough. Candidates should make sure that the required fee has been successfully paid and that the application has been submitted.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 will include three major sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
The examination is scheduled in three sessions, with candidates receiving a fixed amount of time for each section. Recent information indicates a total test duration of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated to each section.
This means candidates cannot treat all three sections as one combined paper. Time management and sectional preparation will remain important parts of CAT preparation.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
Candidates also need to complete the applicable examination fee payment during the registration process.
The reported CAT 2026 fee structure is:
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: ₹1,350
- Other candidates: ₹2,700
The fee is paid during the application process and is required to complete the registration.
Candidates should check the latest instructions on the official CAT portal before making the payment.
What Happens After CAT 2026 Registration?
Once the registration window closes, candidates who have successfully submitted their applications can shift their focus completely towards preparation.
The next major milestone will be the CAT 2026 admit card, scheduled to be available from November 4. After that, the entrance examination will take place on November 29, 2026.
Candidates should use the remaining preparation period to identify their weaker areas, practise mock tests and improve accuracy.
For students who have already registered, this is the right time to review their preparation strategy rather than worrying about the application process.
Why CAT 2026 Is Important for MBA Aspirants
CAT is one of the major management entrance examinations in India. A strong performance can allow eligible candidates to participate in the admission processes of participating management institutes.
However, qualifying in an entrance examination does not automatically guarantee admission. Final selection can depend on the admission criteria of the respective institute, which may include factors such as CAT performance, academic background, work experience, written assessment, interview and other selection components.
Therefore, candidates should check the individual admission policies of the institutes they are interested in.
Last-Minute Checklist for CAT 2026 Applicants
If you are applying today, keep this quick checklist ready:
✔ Complete the application form
✔ Upload the required documents
✔ Check photograph and signature
✔ Verify academic and personal details
✔ Select test city preferences carefully
✔ Pay the applicable registration fee
✔ Submit the application before 5 PM
✔ Save the confirmation/application details
Candidates should preferably complete the process well before the deadline instead of waiting until the final hour.
CAT 2026 Preparation: What to Do Now?
With the examination scheduled for November 29, candidates still have valuable preparation time.
A practical preparation strategy can include:
- Regular sectional practice
- Daily reading for VARC
- Quantitative aptitude revision
- DILR set practice
- Weekly mock tests
- Analysis of mock-test mistakes
- Time-management practice
- Revision of important concepts
Mock tests should not only be used to check scores. Candidates should analyse incorrect answers, questions that consumed excessive time and topics where accuracy is consistently low.
Final Update for MBA Aspirants
The CAT 2026 registration deadline is today, September 22, 2026, at 5 PM. Since the conducting institute has indicated that there will be no further extension, candidates who are still planning to appear should complete their application before the deadline.
After registration, the focus should move towards preparation for the November 29 examination. With a structured study plan, regular practice and proper mock-test analysis, aspirants can make better use of the remaining preparation period.
For guidance related to MBA admissions, entrance exams and the application process, Reliable Study Education Pvt. Ltd. can help students understand their available options and plan their admission journey.
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FAQs
The last date is September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM.
The latest update states that September 22 is the final deadline, with no further extension announced.
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
The admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026.
CAT includes VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability (QA).