CAT 2026 Result Date and Next Steps for Hyderabad

CollegeDost Editorial Team Oct 27, 2026

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CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026. Once the exam is over, every student asks the same two questions: When will the result come? and What should I do while I wait?

This guide answers both in simple language, using only what IIM Indore (the institute conducting CAT 2026) has officially published. It also lists the Telangana B-schools that have officially registered to use CAT 2026 scores, so Hyderabad students can plan beyond the IIMs.

CAT 2026 timeline at a glance

All dates below are from the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in:

Registration: 3 August 2026 to 22 September 2026 (extended from 15 September)
Fee payment window: extended to 24 September 2026, only for students who registered by 22 September
Form edit window: 5 October 2026 (10 AM) to 6 October 2026 (5 PM), for photo, signature and test city only
Admit card download: from 4 November 2026 until 29 November 2026
Exam day: Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions
Result: likely to be declared by the first week of January 2027
Score valid until: 31 December 2027

The conducting body is IIM Indore, and the CAT helpdesk number given in the official bulletin is 1800 210 0175.

When will the CAT 2026 result come out?

The official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin says the results are "likely to be declared by the first week of January, 2027."

So expect your scorecard around the end of December 2026 or in the first days of January 2027. Many websites are already giving an exact date. Do not trust any exact date until it appears on iimcat.ac.in.

How you will get your result

Your scorecard will be available on the CAT website after you log in.
IIMs say candidates may also get an SMS.
There is no separate result website. The CAT notice clearly says iimcat.ac.in is the only official website for CAT 2026. Be careful with any other site that asks for your login or payment.

How long is the CAT 2026 score valid?

Your CAT 2026 score is valid only until 31 December 2027. After that date, the scorecard will not be available on the website and no queries about it will be answered.

Tip: download your scorecard as a PDF the day it comes out and save a copy in your email. Many colleges ask for it during interviews.

How IIMs use your CAT score

Many students think a high percentile alone gets them into an IIM. That is not how it works. The CAT bulletin clearly says:

Each IIM sets its own rules, including academic cut-offs and how much weight each part gets.
CAT is an important part, but IIMs can also look at your Class 10, Class 12 and graduation marks, your work experience, and other factors.
Just meeting the minimum eligibility (50% in graduation, 45% for SC / ST / PwBD) does not guarantee a call.

So after the result, read the admission policy of each IIM on its own website. Do not depend on one "cut-off" number shared online.

Reservation in IIMs

As per the CAT 2026 bulletin, IIM seats are reserved as follows:

SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%
NC-OBC: 27%
EWS: up to 10%
PwBD: 5%

Telangana B-schools that registered to use CAT 2026 scores

Apart from the IIMs, other institutes can register to use CAT scores. The official CAT website lists these institutions from Telangana:

Badruka School of Management, Medchal, Hyderabad
Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Kompally, Secunderabad
Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
Institute of Insurance and Risk Management (IIRM), Gachibowli, Hyderabad
Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Hyderabad, Shamshabad. See our IMT Hyderabad college page.
Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management (VJIM), Bachupally, Hyderabad
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal, Hanamkonda
School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli
Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Shamirpet, Hyderabad

Important: the IIMs have no role in how these institutes select students. Each one has its own application form, deadline and interview process. Some use CAT for only certain programmes. Visit each institute's own website to check which programme accepts CAT and when its form closes.

For a wider list, read our guide to the top MBA colleges in Hyderabad.

What to do between the exam and the result

You will have about five weeks between 29 November and the result. Use them well:

1. Apply to non-IIM colleges now

Many college forms close before the CAT result. Do not wait for your score. Shortlist 5 to 8 colleges from the list above and apply on time.

2. Keep your other exam options open

If your CAT went badly, other exams are still ahead. Read our XAT 2027 exam guide. If you want to stay in Telangana, also look at the TS ICET 2027 guide, which is used for MBA admission in state colleges.

3. Start preparing for interviews

IIM and B-school interviews usually ask about:

Your graduation subjects
Your work experience (if any)
Why you want an MBA
Current affairs and business news

Start reading a business newspaper every day and write short notes.

4. Get your documents ready

Keep scanned copies of your Class 10, Class 12 and graduation mark sheets, category certificate (if any), and work experience letters. If you are in final year, remember that IIMs need a certificate from your college confirming you have completed all degree requirements, by the date each IIM sets.

Quick recap of the CAT 2026 paper

For students reading this before the exam, here is the official format:

Total time: 120 minutes
Three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA)
Time per section: exactly 40 minutes; you cannot switch between sections
Mode: computer-based, in about 170 test cities

You can read the full details on our CAT exam page and our CAT 2026 exam-day guide.

Frequently asked questions

1. When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?

The official CAT 2026 bulletin says the result is likely to be declared by the first week of January 2027. The exact date will be announced on iimcat.ac.in.

2. Where can I check my CAT 2026 result?

Only on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, by logging in with your CAT ID and password. You may also get an SMS.

3. How long is the CAT 2026 score valid?

Your CAT 2026 score is valid until 31 December 2027.

4. Which colleges in Hyderabad accept CAT 2026 scores?

The official CAT website lists nine Telangana institutions, including ISB, IMT Hyderabad, IPE, VJIM, Siva Sivani, Badruka, IIRM, the University of Hyderabad's School of Management Studies and NIT Warangal. Check each one's own website for the programmes and deadlines.

5. Will a high percentile guarantee an IIM call?

No. Each IIM uses its own formula, which can include your academic marks and work experience along with CAT. Read each IIM's admission policy on its website.

Confused about where to apply after CAT? Talk to a CollegeDost counsellor for free and get a personalised college list.