CAT 2026 Exam Centres List (Available): Check City Wise CAT Test Centres Here

There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.

CAT exam is held in about 170 cities across India. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred test location. The list of test cities for CAT is available in application form. Candidates should choose the test city carefully as the request to change the test city later may or may not be accepted due to non-availability of seats at the centres in that particular city. Given below are the cities where CAT exam is usually held.

 

CAT 2026 application form will be released in the first week of August 2026. CAT 2026 registration dates will be announced in the last week of July through an official notification.

There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.

Candidates need the following documents while filling the CAT application form:

• A recent passport size photo (color against white background)
• Scanned signature with black pen on white paper
• Any photo ID card like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport 
• Class 10 marksheet 
• Class 12 marksheet 
• Graduation marksheet 
• Permanent address proof 
• Work experience documents Reserved category students need to upload Category Certificate along with the CAT application form. The Certificate is available on the CAT website. Candidates can download, fill it, get it attested by competent authority and upload it as PDF with the CAT application form. 
• The PwD category students also have to fill the PwD form and Scribe affidavit along with the exam application form. This is necessary for getting scribe facility and PwD facility at the test centre. The CAT application form is same for students from all categories. Those belonging to a particular category (SC/ST/PwD) will be required to mention it in the relevant field of the CAT form.

The digital copy of the CAT admit card will not be accepted at the test centres as a valid document, thus you cannot show it, to gain entry. As per the official guidelines, only the colour print out of the admit card on A4 size sheet will be accepted as valid. Candidates must also affix a passport size photo, preferably the same as uploaded in the CAT application form.  

The examination authority does not accept digital admit card as valid document as it is to be signed and stamped by the test centre staff for proof of candidate’s attendance. One copy of the CAT admit card of every candidate is also retained by the authorities, thus the need for the print out.

Yes, CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Exam timing of each slot will be:

• First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 
• Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

CAT 2026 registration and application link will be available at iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates will have to apply for the exam by visiting the exam website. 

There are over 170 cities where CAT exam is held. These 170 cities are spread across India consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to five cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of CAT application process. In the CAT application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 5. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the five cities carefully. They must choose their home city of city of current residence as the first preference. The test city option can only be changed during the form correction window. After that, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.

Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.

On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:

CAT exam day dos:

1. Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
2. Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
3. PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents. 
4. Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet 
5. Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions 
6. 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
7. Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.

CAT exam day don'ts:

1. Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
2. Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
3. Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets 
4. Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam. 
5. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
6. Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
7. Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
8. Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.

CAT exam centre address and location is mentioned on the admit card. The test centre is allotted in the city of first preference as mentioned in the CAT application form.

No, there is no provision of changing the test centre after the CAT admit card has been released. In fact, there is no option to change the test centre allotted at any point of time during the exam cycle. Candidates get only one opportunity to change the test city choice at the time of form correction. Thus, it is very important to select test cities very carefully in the CAT application form. They must choose their first city preference as home town or the city where they are likely to be on the exam day or choose a city which is the closest to their hometown and they can reach there on time on the exam day. Also, to be allotted the desired test city, candidates must fill the CAT application for at the earliest, as the exam slot and test centres are allotted on first cum first served basis. If the seats get filled fore centres in one city, candidates are allotted a centre in the second city of their preference. Moreover, the CAT admit card is released a month before the exam so candidates must check the location of their allotted centre much in advance and make arrangements for reaching there on exam day on time.

The CAT admit card is a main document of identification of the candidate. It is the proof that the candidate has fill the examination form and is eligible to appear in the exam. To help in candidate identification, the following details are mentioned on every candidate's CAT admit card. Candidate's name Candidate's roll number Candidate's gender Candidate's category Candidate's date of birth Candidate's signature Candidate's photo Candidate's address Examination year Examination date Examination slot Examination timings Reporting time Test centre address Google link to locate test centre Along with these details, other information such as exam day guidelines, examination process in the test lab, items to carry, items not to carry, activities prohibited, dress code and entry process are also mentioned on the CAT admit card. 

Once the CAT application form is submitted, candidates are not allowed to make changes in it. In case, you've made errors, you need to fill a fresh CAT application form and pay the fees again. However, editing of certain fields such as photo, signature and test city preference is allowed during form correction process which starts 2-3 days after the CAT registration process concludes. The form correction window is opened for 3-4 days during which candidates can edit only these three fields. If they have made a mistake in any other field, they cannot edit it. No request for changes is accepted by the examination authorities. Thus, it is very important to fill the CAT application form correctly with valid details. Candidates must keep the important documents such as Aadhaar card, class 10, class 12, graduation certificates, birth Certificate address proof, work experience documents, etc. To cross check the information while filling the form. They must also be very careful in selecting Iims and courses as they will be eligible for only those Iims and courses which they shall have selected in the CAT form.

Scribe facility is available for PwD candidates in the CAT exam. They are given 13 minutes extra per section to complete the test.