CAT is held in roughly 170 cities across India. While registering you pick up to 3 test cities in order of preference, and the IIMs allot your centre and slot, which then appears on your admit card.
How test cities are allotted
- You can give up to 3 city preferences in the application form.
- The final city, centre and slot are allotted by the exam conducting team, depending on availability.
- The centre address and reporting time are printed on the admit card released on November 4, 2026.
- A change of centre is generally not allowed once the form is submitted, so choose cities you can easily reach.
Slot timings
| Slot | Typical timing | Reporting time |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (Morning) | About 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Around 7:00 AM |
| Slot 2 (Afternoon) | About 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Around 11:00 AM |
| Slot 3 (Evening) | About 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Around 3:00 PM |
Tips for choosing a test centre
- Pick a city where you can travel the day before without a rush.
- Prefer a city with a good train or road connection from your home.
- Visit or check the route to the centre once the admit card is out.
Slot timings are approximate. The admit card shows your exact timing.
CAT 2026 Exam Center FAQs
How many test cities can I choose for CAT 2026?+
You can choose up to 3 cities in order of preference.
Can I change my CAT exam centre?+
Usually no. Centres are allotted after the form closes, so check the official notification for any change window.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
Official source: iimcat.ac.in
Information on this page is compiled from the official CAT notification at iimcat.ac.in and trends from earlier cycles. Dates marked Expected are estimates, not official announcements. Please confirm all details on the official website.