How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year 2026? Let's Find Out!

Overview:  Have you ever thought, "How many times CAT exam is conducted in a year"? The CAT is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams given by more than 3.29 lakh aspirants. Read on to know the timeline of the CAT exam here!

• The Common Admission Test is the leading and most given MBA entrance exam in India. It is conducted once a year on the last Sunday of November.
• For 2026, the CAT MBA exam is scheduled to be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2026 by one of the IIMs. 

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• The aspirants who are targeting CAT 2026 should be well aware of the CAT exam timeline and the critical dates around it. 
• The CAT exam registration process begins in August and remains active until September, while the CAT admit card download process starts in the first week of November. 

Scroll down to know more about the "How Many Times in a Year CAT Exam is Conducted, and the duration of the CAT MBA entrance exam here!

Check | What is the maximum number of times one can attempt the CAT Exam?

How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year? 

One of the most asked questions by the MBA aspirants is "How many times CAT exam is conducted in a Year? Well, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is an essential exam for getting into the best business schools in India.

It takes place every year in November, conducted by one of the Indian Institutes of Management. Since the CAT plays a crucial role in securing admission to top B-schools, it’s essential to uphold its quality and standards.

Administering the CAT exam more than once a year could potentially compromise its quality, which is why it is carefully planned and conducted annually.

Check | Why is CAT Exam Important?

What is CAT Exam 2026?

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for admission into MBA and PGDM programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 other B-schools across India.

The exam primarily tests you on three sections:

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

It’s a computer-based test (CBT) known for its tricky questions and time pressure. A good CAT score can open doors to the top business schools in the country, making it one of the most sought-after exams in India.

Check | How to prepare for CAT exam?

Practice Full-Length CAT Mock Test 2026 by Supergrads

So, How Many Times is CAT Conducted in a Year?

CAT is conducted only once every year. Yes, you heard that right! Despite its massive popularity and the lakhs of aspirants who appear each year, CAT is held just once a year.

So, for candidates wondering how many times CAT exam is conducted in a year, the official response remains consistent once a year, without exception.

Usually, the exam is held on the last Sunday of November. It’s a single-day exam with multiple time slots (we’ll discuss this later). But in terms of frequency, one exam per year only.

This means you only get one chance each year to appear for CAT. If things don’t go your way, you’ll have to wait for the next year’s attempt.

Check | How to get good scores in CAT exam?

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Why is CAT Conducted Only Once a Year?

Many students wonder why the CAT is not held twice a year like other entrance exams (e.g., CMAT or NMAT). The reasons are:

• IIMs have one academic intake per year, so they only need CAT scores once.
• CAT is a complex, highly competitive exam involving many students, multiple testing centers, and tight coordination — it’s logistically challenging.
• Conducting the exam more than once might affect standardisation and fairness. 

Thus, for anyone asking how many times CAT exam is conducted in a year, the once-a-year format aligns with the admission process of most top-tier management colleges.

So, once a year works best for CAT for quality and consistency.

Is CAT Conducted Multiple Times in a Day? 

Yes, it is! Even though CAT happens once a year, it’s conducted in multiple CAT slots on the same day. The CAT exam is generally conducted in three slots:

• Morning session (usually 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM)
• Afternoon session (12:30 PM – 2:30 PM)
• Evening session (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM)

Each slot has a different set of questions, but the overall difficulty level and structure remain balanced to ensure fairness.

Read more: CAT Exam is for What Purpose

Can You Take CAT Multiple Times in a Year?

 Well, No. You can appear for CAT only once in a year. Even if CAT is conducted in three different time slots on the exam day, you can only register and appear for one slot once per year.

That being said, there is no limit to the number of times you can take CAT in your lifetime. Many students take the CAT multiple times across different years, either to improve their score or target better CAT colleges.

• Some students appear in their final year of graduation and again after gaining 1–2 years of work experience.
• Others retake CAT to improve their percentile and apply to higher-ranked B-schools.

Read More | How to prepare for CAT quantitative aptitude questions

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Who Conducts the CAT Exam Every Year?

CAT is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year. One of the 21 IIMs is selected as the conducting body.

Here’s a quick look at previous years:

Last 10 Year's CAT Exam Timeline

Here is the complete list of the last 10 years' CAT exam dates and the conducting IIMs:

CAT Exam Conducting Year	CAT Exam Date	CAT Exam Conducted at IIM
2025	November 30, 2025	IIM Kozhikode
2024	November 24, 2024	IIM Calcutta
2023	November 26, 2023	IIM Lucknow
2022	November 27, 2022	IIM Bangalore
2021	November 28, 2021	IIM Ahmedabad
2020	November 29, 2020	IIM Indore
2019	November 24, 2019	IIM Kozhikode
2018	November 25, 2018	IIM Calcutta
2017	November 26, 2017	IIM Lucknow
2016	December 4, 2016	IIM Bangalore

Check: Best MBA Colleges in India Without CAT

When is CAT Conducted Every Year: The Timeline

While exact dates change slightly each year, the overall timeline remains roughly the same.

Event	Tentative Schedule
CAT Notification	Last week of July
CAT Exam Registration Begins	First week of August
CAT Exam Registration Ends	Mid to Late September
CAT Exam Application Correction	Last week of September
CAT Exam Admit Card Release	Mid-October
CAT Exam Date	Last Sunday of November
CAT Exam Result Declaration	Last week of December

Read more: How to prepare for Number System CAT Questions

How Should You Prepare Knowing You Have Just One Attempt a Year for CAT Exam?

Knowing that you only get one attempt per year should motivate you to plan wisely. Here’s what you can do:

1. Start your Preparation Months Before

It is best to be prepared well before the final exam day. To get a good start, it is advised to begin your preparation 6-9 months in advance. During this duration, you will be able to understand the basics as well as the important topics of the three sections. 

2. Know the Syllabus

Next is to focus on the CAT exam syllabus for all three sections: QA, VARC, and DILR. Having a deep knowledge of the important topics, a detailed syllabus and which sections to target more helps you score high in the CAT exam.

3. Take Mock Tests

Another important step to boost your preparation is to take mock tests. This will help to improve your speed and accuracy for all three sections. Also, it helps you to understand the types of questions asked and the level of difficulty the exam maintains.  You can also practice the free mock test available on our website.

4. Solve the Previous Year's Papers

Next is to solve the previous years as soon as possible. It will also give you the idea of the exam pattern, the difficulty level of the questions and the sections. You can get the CAT previous year papers free of cost at Toprankers.

5. Analyse your Performance  

Last but not least, analyse your performance after attempting the mock tests or previous year papers. This will give you the idea of your accuracy level, your weak and strong areas. Also, keep a track of your performance as this will boost your confidence for the main exam.

Can Working Professionals Appear for CAT 2026? 

Yes! Many working professionals take the CAT exam to boost their career or switch fields. In fact, several top B-schools prefer candidates with work experience.

Here are the basic eligibility criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
• No upper age limit
• No minimum or maximum attempts

The CAT exam is for everyone, so whether you’re a fresher or a working individual, you are eligible if you meet the basic academic requirements.

Explore: Complete List of Arithmetic CAT Questions with Solutions

Conclusion

Understanding how many times the CAT exam is conducted in a year is more than just a factual inquiry; it helps you determine your preparation cycle, set goals, and avoid last-minute surprises.

The CAT exam is conducted only once a year, usually on the last Sunday of November, in three slots on a single day.

So, make every attempt count. You can ace the exam and land in your dream MBA college with the right strategy, focused preparation, and consistent practice.

Check | Watch free demo classes here!