CAT 2026 Exam Centres: Complete Guide to Choosing Your CAT Test Centre

Every year, lakhs of CAT aspirants ask the same question: Where will my CAT exam be conducted?

Understanding CAT exam centres, CAT test cities, and how exam centres are allocated can reduce a lot of anxiety before the exam. Mockat

For CAT 2026, exam centre planning is important because the exam will be conducted across multiple cities in India through computer-based testing centres. If you choose your test city preference wisely while filling the CAT application form, you can avoid unnecessary travel stress on exam day.

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about CAT 2026 exam centres, including:

CAT exam cities and test centres
How to choose your CAT test city
How exam centres are allotted
Exam day rules at CAT centres
Facilities available at CAT exam centres

Overview of CAT Exam Centres and Test Cities

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most competitive MBA entrance exam and the gateway to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many top B-schools.

The CAT exam is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted under strict supervision at authorised test centres across the country.

For CAT 2026:

The exam is expected to be conducted in late November 2026
It will be held in three slots on a single day
The exam will take place across approximately 170 cities in India
Each city may have multiple CAT examination centres

Official CAT centres are equipped with modern computer systems, CCTV monitoring, secure login systems and backup power supply to ensure a smooth testing experience. Candidates can choose up to five cities for CAT exam centre allotment during the registration process.

Regardless of the exam city or test centre, the CAT exam pattern and exam duration remain identical for all candidates. Candidates must report to the CAT exam centre 90 to 120 minutes before the scheduled start time of the exam.

CAT 2026 Exam Structure (Quick Reference)

Parameter	CAT 2026 Details
Mode of exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Total questions	68
Exam duration	120 minutes
Sectional time limit	40 minutes per section
Negative marking	-1 for incorrect MCQs
Test cities	~170 cities across India

What is CAT and How the Exam is Conducted

The Common Admission Test is conducted by one of the IIMs each year on behalf of all IIMs and other participating business schools.

The exam is organised through secure testing centres across India, ensuring fairness and standardisation.

Key features of CAT exam administration:

Computer-based test environment
CCTV surveillance at all CAT exam centres
Biometric verification of candidates
Air-conditioned exam halls
Backup power systems

Because the CAT exam is conducted in multiple slots and locations, candidates are evaluated using score normalization, ensuring fairness across all exam slots.

Understanding CAT 2026 Exam Centre Terminology

When preparing for CAT, you will encounter several terms such as:

CAT exam centre
CAT test centre
CAT examination centre
CAT exam city
CAT test city
examination hall

These terms refer to different levels of exam location.

Key Differences

Exam City

The city where your CAT exam will take place. One exam city may have several exam centres.

Exam Centre

The building or institution where the exam is conducted.

Examination Hall

The specific computer lab or room where you will sit for the exam.

Your CAT 2026 admit card will display the exact exam centre address, including the building name and test centre details.

CAT 2026 Exam Centres List (Expected Coverage)

The CAT exam is conducted across metro cities, state capitals and major regional centres.

While the exact CAT 2026 exam centre list will be released in the official notification, the distribution generally follows previous patterns.

Example State-wise CAT Exam Cities

State	Major Test Cities
West Bengal	Kolkata, Siliguri
Andhra Pradesh	Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada
Tamil Nadu	Chennai, Coimbatore
Maharashtra	Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune
Karnataka	Bengaluru, Mysuru
Telangana	Hyderabad

Large cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad usually have multiple exam centres to accommodate the large number of candidates.

This city-wise expansion of CAT examination centres helps reduce travel time for candidates.

How to Choose Your CAT Test City in the Application Form

Your only opportunity to influence your CAT exam centre is during the CAT application form submission.

Candidates are usually allowed to select up to five preferred test cities.

Smart Strategy for Selecting CAT Test Cities

Choose cities based on:

distance from home
travel convenience
availability of transportation
familiarity with the city

Example Preference Strategy

Preference	Suggested Choice	Reason
1	Home city	No travel stress
2	Nearby metro	Multiple exam centres available
3	College city	Familiar environment
4	Nearby backup city	Alternative option
5	Major city in state	Higher centre availability

Choosing realistic preferences increases the chances of receiving a convenient CAT test centre.

CAT 2026 Admit Card and Allotted Test Centre

Once registration is completed, candidates will receive their CAT admit card.

The admit card includes:

candidate name and photograph
exam date
CAT slot timing
exam city
full exam centre address
reporting time
centre code

Candidates cannot change the exam centre after the admit card is released.

This is why selecting the right test city during registration is important.

Facilities at CAT Exam Centres

CAT exam centres are selected based on strict infrastructure requirements.

Official CAT centres usually provide:

well-equipped computer labs
high-speed internet connectivity
backup power supply
air-conditioned testing environment
CCTV surveillance
secure candidate login systems

These facilities ensure that every candidate experiences standardized exam conditions.

CAT Exam Day Reporting Time and Entry Process

Candidates must report to the CAT exam centre 90 to 120 minutes before the scheduled exam time.

This time is required for:

identity verification
biometric verification
document checking
security checks
seating allocation

Mandatory Documents for CAT Exam Day

Candidates must carry:

printed CAT admit card
valid photo ID proof

Candidates who fail to carry these documents may not be allowed to enter the exam centre.

CAT Exam Day Checklist

Stage	Time Before Exam	What to Do
Reach exam city	90–120 minutes	Locate the exam centre
Security check	60 minutes	ID verification
Entry to exam hall	30–40 minutes	Find assigned computer
Exam duration	120 minutes	Attempt exam calmly

Candidates should avoid carrying:

mobile phones
smart watches
electronic gadgets
bags or notes

Preparation for CAT Exam Centres and Exam Day

To perform well in CAT, candidates should prepare not only academically but also logistically.

Preparation centres offer both offline and online classes for CAT preparation to help students build conceptual clarity.

One of the best ways to prepare is through full-length mock tests that simulate the real CAT exam environment.

You can practice with Mockat resources:

CAT Mock Tests
https://mockat.com/compete/full-length

CAT Sectional Tests
https://mockat.com/compete/sectional-tests

CAT Topic Tests
https://mockat.com/compete/topic-tests

These help aspirants become familiar with CAT interface, slot timing and exam pressure.

Common Mistakes Related to CAT Exam Centres

Many candidates make simple mistakes that increase exam-day stress.

Common mistakes include:

selecting unrealistic test cities
not checking the exam centre location in advance
reaching the exam centre late
forgetting admit card or ID

To avoid these problems:

verify the exam centre address early
visit the location a day before if possible
plan your travel in advance

Summary: Choosing the Right CAT 2026 Exam Centre

Your CAT exam centre can influence your comfort level and exam-day confidence.

To ensure a smooth experience:

choose test cities carefully in the application form
check your admit card details immediately after release
reach the exam centre early
follow exam-day guidelines strictly

With proper planning, your exam centre becomes just another location where you perform your best.

Focus on accuracy, calmness and smart question selection, and you will maximise your CAT performance.

FAQs on CAT 2026 Exam Centres

How many CAT exam cities are there?

CAT is typically conducted in around 170 cities across India, with multiple test centres in major cities.

Can I choose my CAT exam centre?

You cannot choose the exact centre. You can only select preferred exam cities, and the exam centre is allotted automatically.

Can the CAT exam centre be changed later?

No. Once the CAT admit card is issued, the allotted exam centre is final.

What documents are required at the CAT exam centre?

Candidates must carry a printed admit card and a valid photo ID.

When should I reach the CAT exam centre?

Candidates should report 90–120 minutes before the scheduled exam time.