The official Common Admission Test (CAT) notification for 2026 is finally live. Registration starts on August 3. The exam is scheduled for Sunday, November 29. This brings much-needed clarity to lakhs of MBA aspirants. However, many students worry about complex registration rules. Knowing the truth helps you avoid costly errors during the application process.
Many aspirants believe age or old marks limit their career chances. The official notification confirms there is no upper age cap. Final-year students or those with backlogs can also apply. This flexibility allows diverse working professionals to pursue management studies. You just need to follow specific eligibility conditions mentioned in the official document.

A common mistake among applicants is creating multiple registrations. You must use only one valid email and phone number. Duplicate forms lead to immediate cancellation of your application. Ensure your Other Backward Classes-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) certificates are current. Outdated category proofs will likely face rejection during the final verification process.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Manual calculators are allowed | Only on-screen calculators provided |
| Experience is strictly mandatory | No work experience required |
| Score lasts two years | Valid for one cycle only |
Students often panic about performing manual calculations during the exam sessions. Instead, the test provides an on-screen calculator for all candidates. Sectional time limits also apply strictly to every section. Never round off your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) scores without proof. Such errors can trigger application defects or lead to rejection.
Aspirants often misunderstand how scores are calculated across different shifts. The marking process uses normalisation to equate percentiles for all students. Your raw scores are not compared directly across different test sessions. Your CAT 2026 score remains valid for the 2027 admissions cycle only. Success depends on following the gate-close and dress-code rules.