is CAT Conducted Twice a year or Not

is CAT Conducted Twice a year, and Registration dates

No, the CAT exam is conducted only once a year, usually in the months of November or December. It is held in a computer-based format across various test centers in India. The notification for the exam is generally released in July or August, and the registration process takes place over the next few weeks. Students should prepare well in advance since missing the annual attempt means waiting for the next year’s cycle. 

The registration for CAT 2025 began on August 1, 2025, and closed on September 20, 2025. As of now, the registration window has officially expired, and no new applications are being accepted. 

Candidates who missed this deadline will need to wait for the CAT 2026 notification, which is expected to be released in July 2026, with registrations likely starting in August 2026.

What are the dates for the CAT exam?

The CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025. The registration period was from August 1 to September 20, 2025, and the admit card will be available for download from November 5 to November 30, 2025. The result is expected in early January 2026.

CAT 2025 Dates

Can I register for CAT 2025 now?

No, you cannot register for CAT 2025 now, as the registration period officially closed on September 20, 2025. The application window usually opens in early August and remains active for about six to seven weeks. After the deadline, no late registrations are accepted under any circumstances. However, candidates who missed this year’s registration can start preparing for CAT 2026, as the next registration cycle will likely open around August next year. It’s best to check the official CAT website for updates and announcements regularly.

What are the CAT Exam Dates for 2026?

The tentative CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026, which is expected to be held on the last Sunday of November, following the usual exam schedule. Although the official dates have not yet been released, candidates can anticipate the official notification to be published around July 2026. The registration process is likely to begin in August 2026 and remain open for about six weeks. Applicants should start preparing early and keep an eye on the official CAT website for the latest updates regarding registration, exam centers, and syllabus details. 

Tentative CAT 2026 schedule

Following the CAT exam format : 

Who conducts CAT exams?

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) conduct the CAT exam every year on a rotational basis. Each year, a different IIM is responsible for organizing the entire process, from releasing notifications to conducting the test and declaring the results. For CAT 2025, IIM Kozhikode is the designated organizing institute. 

What is the limit to take the CAT exam?

No, there’s no limit to how many times you can take the CAT exam. You can attempt it every year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. This lets you improve your score and increase your chances of getting into a good business school.

The CAT exam is held once every year, and you can register and appear for it annually if you meet the eligibility requirements at that time.

The primary requirement is to meet the qualification and marks criteria, which includes having a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (or 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)