CAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts for the Exam Day

CAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts for the Exam Day

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

SundararajanUpdated on 17 Mar 2025, 02:37 PM IST

Are you getting ready to take the CAT 2025 exam? With its long list of CAT exam guidelines 2025, it can be a daunting task! Candidates should note that the CAT exam is a mind-based, time-sensitive entrance exam that can easily be cracked by applying the right strategy on exam day. The CAT 2025 exam will be held on November 30, 2025, at 170 test cities across India. Read on to find out what you should and shouldn’t carry with you on the big day so that you can ace your CAT test with flying colours.

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT 2025 Exam Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts
  2. CAT Exam 2025: Important Instructions
  3. CAT Exam Guidelines 2025: Do's and Don'ts for the Exam Day
  4. Dress Code and Items to carry or not carry on CAT exam day
  5. What to Carry at the CAT Exam Centre?
  6. List of Do's for CAT 2025 Exam Day
  7. CAT 2025: Exam Day Work Flow for Candidates
CAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts for the Exam Day
CAT Exam Day Guidelines

CAT 2025 Exam Guidelines: 10 Dos and Don'ts

In this article on CAT guidelines and 10 Dos and Don'ts for the exam day, Careers360 will help and guide candidates through the quick CAT 20254 exam day tips to be followed on IIM Entrance Test day to score better. Read the complete article to know the CAT guidelines 2025 and all that it takes to crack the entrance exam and convert to IIMs or other top B-schools.

CAT Exam 2025: Important Instructions

  1. Admit Card: Print on A4 paper using a laser printer. Affix the same photograph used during registration.
  2. Reporting Time: Arrive before the gate closing time. Late entry is not allowed.
  3. Test Centre: Visit the centre a day before to ensure timely arrival. No change in test centre is allowed.
  4. ID Proof: Carry one valid government-issued photo ID. No damaged or smudged IDs are accepted.
  5. Items Not Allowed: No phones, gadgets, watches, stationery, or jewellery. Thick-soled shoes and large buttons are prohibited.
  6. Rough Work: Writing pad and pen provided. Return them after the test.
  7. Exiting the test centre: No candidate shall be permitted to leave the Test Centre before the end of the CAT exam
  8. Bio-breaks: Only in emergencies. Re-frisking is required to enter the exam hall and no extra time given.
  9. Test Day: Parents/guardians are not allowed inside the centre. No re-entry after the exam starts.
  10. Travel & Stay: Candidates must arrange their own travel and accommodation.
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CAT Exam Guidelines 2025: Do's and Don'ts for the Exam Day

Candidates appearing for the CAT 2025 are advised to follow the CAT guidelines below. If any of you do not follow the CAT exam rules, they will be sent out of the centre.

Check the timings

Candidates who appear for the exam must be aware of the timings for the CAT 2025 exam so that they do not miss anything. This is the foremost CAT 2025 exam day tip. In the wake of increasing number of candidates appearing in the CAT exam, candidates are advised to reach the CAT exam centre well in advance, so that the authorities get enough time to check their documents.

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Dress Code and Items to carry or not carry on CAT exam day

Know all the dos and don'ts of the CAT 2025 exam day and things to carry or not carry to the exam centre on test day.

What to Carry at the CAT Exam Centre?

  • CAT exam-related documents such as duly filled-out admit cards and ID card
  • A simple transparent ballpoint pen
  • Additional photograph (For attendance sheet)
  • Personal transparent water bottle

List of Do's for CAT 2025 Exam Day

  • Carry a CAT Admit Card and Photo ID Proof
  • Prior visit to the exam centre of CAT 2025
  • Be on time
  • Check seating arrangements
  • Verification of documents
  • Rough work only on scratch sheet
  • Obey the invigilators
  • Use washroom beforehand to avoid wasting any time on bio-breaks
  • Submit admit card, writing pad

Read More on;

Let us look at each point one by one to understand what is mandatory and should be done by candidates on the day of CAT 2025:

Carry an Admit Card and Valid Photo ID Proof

Important CAT 2025 exam day tip- Carry a hard copy of the CAT 2025 admit card. Note that candidates without a hard copy of the hall ticket of CAT will not be allowed to enter the exam centre at any cost. A duly filled CAT 2025 exam admit card is a mandatory document. Test takers must ensure that the signature and photograph printed on the admit card is legible. Candidates are requested to check the following information on their admit card beforehand:

  • Name of the candidate
  • PwD Status
  • Date and Day of Test
  • Registration Number
  • Reporting/ Entry time at Centre
  • Gate Closing Time of Centre
  • Test Center address
  • Test City
  • Time and Session of CAT 2025

As an important do's of CAT 2025, along with the CAT admit card, candidates have to carry at least one photo ID as proof. Candidates must keep in mind that the photograph and signature provided on the ID proof should be visible and not be smudged or damaged by any means. Candidates who have (a) pacemaker or (b) implants (metal) or (c) other devices (s) for Medical reasons (s) are required to produce a medical certificate for the same. Any of the below-mentioned documents can be used by candidates as photo identity proof on exam day:

  • Passport
  • Voter ID Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Driving License
  • Employer ID Card
  • College ID Card

Note- No candidates were allowed inside the exam hall without an admit card, valid ID proof, and proper frisking. Frisking will be carried out without touching the body through Handheld Metal Detector (HHMD).

Read more- Know CAT evolution over the years

Be On-Time

As per the previous records, candidates are required to report to the exam centre one and a half hours before the exam. Time management is very important in the CAT exam 2025 be it in reporting time or completing the questions accurately. The last entry stops 15 minutes before the exam time.

CAT 2025 Slots and Reporting Time (will correctly be mentioned in admit card):

Sessions

Time Slot

Last Entry Time

Reporting Time

Morning

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

8:15 AM

7:00 AM

Afternoon

12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

12:15 PM

11:00 AM
Evening4:30 PM – 6:30 PM4:15 PM3:00 PM

Check Seating Arrangements In Advance

Once candidates reach the CAT 2025 exam centre, the first thing they need to do is find their respective seats. Lab numbers will not be displayed outside the centre to avoid any crowding at any one place in any situation. At the time of entry, barcode readers were available to scan the CAT admit card. Details about the hall/lab number will be communicated to candidates at the same time.

Verification of Documents

After getting inside the exam centre, an important CAT 2025 exam day tip is that the candidates must get their documents verified. This is an important process because it is only after the verification of the documents that candidates will be allowed to proceed to their respective exam labs to take the test. Candidates are required to paste passport-size photographs and sign on the attendance sheet.

Rough Work On Scratch Sheet

Upon reaching the exam lab, candidates will be provided with five rough sheets to do the calculation work. Candidates will not be allowed to leave before the total duration of two hours is complete. Candidates who answer the questions on the desk, hand, or anywhere else are subject to being penalised. Do your rough work only on the sheets provided by the invigilator. It is directed by the invigilator that candidates should write their names and registration ID on the rough sheets.

Obey The Invigilators

The examiner who is there to assist candidates before, during, and after CAT 2025 is the invigilator. Candidates will have to follow their CAT exam instructions if they do not wish their candidature to be cancelled. In case of any issues, like finding a seat while logging in, any hamper during the exam, submitting issues, etc., candidates can ask for the help of the invigilator. If you have any issues, ask for clarity.

Use Washroom Beforehand

Since time management is an important aspect, candidates are requested to carefully plan everything before the exam. If candidates are feeling uneasy due to sensitivity/exam day pressure, they are advised to use the washroom before the exam starts. As CAT is considered to be the toughest of all MBA entrance exams, candidates are not allowed to use the washroom during the exam duration.

Submit Admit Card, Writing Pad

On completion of the CAT exam 2025, the candidates are advised to follow this CAT 2025 tip: candidates must move out in an orderly manner, one candidate at a time. While leaving the exam lab/hall, candidates will have to submit the rough sheets provided by the invigilator along with a hard copy of their admit card for security reasons. Candidates not abiding by the CAT exam rules may face severe consequences.

Note: Test Day Exception Forms: In case any exceptional situation arises on the day of CAT, candidates will be required to sign an Exception Form.

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List of Don'ts for CAT 2025 Exam Day

  • Say Bye to Personal Belonging
  • Do Not Sign the CAT 2025 Admit Card Beforehand
  • No Unfair Practices
  • Seat Change Request
  • No Bio-Breaks
  • Do Not Peek Into Fellow Test Taker’s Screen
  • Do Not Apply Mehndi/Henna
  • Don’t Wear Restricted Items
  • Do Not Waste Rough Sheets
  • No Companion Allowed

Let us look at each point one by one to understand what is mandatory and should not be done by candidates on the day of CAT 2025:

Say Bye to Personal Belonging

To ensure proper safety measures, no candidate should keep any personal belongings with him/her. Personal belongings refer to the following items:

  • Electronic Gadgets
  • Stationery items
  • Bag/ Mobile/ Calculator/ IPAD/ IPOD/ Bluetooth/ Headset/ Digital Wrist Watch/ Laptop/ Camera.

Do Not Sign Admit Card Beforehand

One of the important CAT 2025 exam day tips is not to sign the admit card for CAT without the presence of an invigilator. Sometimes candidates don’t read the CAT exam instructions and make the mistake of signing the admit cards beforehand. Note that, it is strictly required that candidates sign the CAT 2025 exam admit card in the presence of the invigilator only.

Any candidate’s admit card that is signed before the entry would be considered invalid. Also, candidates must ensure that the signature they provide matches the printed signature, i.e., the one they uploaded at the time of registration.

No Unfair Practices

In CAT 2025, no candidate should use unfair practices to crack the test and get good results. Carrying short notes, writing on hands with a pen/henna, or any such means are strictly prohibited. Any candidate found guilty will not be allowed to carry forward with the test, and their candidature will be cancelled immediately.

Seat Change Request

In no case, seat change requests made by candidates were entertained at the end. Candidates were required to sit only in the seat allotted to them. Before each shift started, the seating area was thoroughly cleaned; monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcam, desk, and chair.

No Bio-Breaks

Any request related to bio-breaks while inside the exam lab will not be entertained by the invigilators. Unless it is a medical emergency, candidates have no option left. Those suffering from diabetes or any other ailment must carry a medical certificate and produce it to the invigilator if any need arises.

Do Not Peek Into Fellow Test Taker’s Screen

No candidate should look or should be interested in what other/fellow candidates are doing. Keep your posture straight and look only at the computer screen provided. Do not peek into what others are doing or which answers they are marking. In case of any confusion/doubt, candidates should only clarify those doubts with the invigilators or test centre officials.

Do Not Apply Mehndi/Henna

This instruction is especially important for female candidates. Usually, in CAT, candidates have to do biometrics, and if mehndi/henna is applied on hand, it may create issues in completing the biometric process.

Don’t Wear Restricted Items

A complete list of items that are restricted/prohibited for candidates to carry/wear in CAT will be soon released by IIM Ahmedabad. Candidates must not wear jackets, jewellery, watches, electronic gadgets, or shoes. If candidates are wearing or carrying any of these items, you will have to deposit them at the entrance gate.

Do Not Waste Rough Sheets

Before starting the exam, the invigilator will provide a writing pad to the candidates, which has to be submitted back once the exam is over.

No Companion Allowed

Until and unless a candidate is a PwD candidate and has asked for a scribe, no friends/companions/relatives accompanying you were allowed to enter beyond the gates of the test centre.

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CAT 2025: Exam Day Work Flow for Candidates

CAT-Work-Flow

CAT 2025 Exam Schedule

CAT Exam TimingActivitiesApproximate time for the activityRemarks
Shift 1Shift 2Shift 3
7:00 a.m11:00 a.m3:00 p.mArrive at the Test centre (candidate’s reporting time)-The gate closes 15 minutes before the test starts time.
7.05 AM11.05 AM03.05 PMLocate your Test Lab number1-5 minutesThe candidate checks the location of the Exam Lab from the Barcode Desk.
7.10 AM11.10 AM03.10 PMScrutiny of admit card1-5 minutes.The first scrutiny of the documents is done at the Entry gate.
7.15 AM11.15 AM03.15 PMDeposit personal belongings (mobile phone, bag, etc.)1-10 minutes.Candidate deposit their personal belongings at the entry gate
7.25 AM11.25 AM03.25 PMFrisking of the candidates3-5 minutes.Assigned Security staff to frisk candidates.
7.30 AM11.30 AM03.30 PMDocument (ID card and admit card) checking at the Test Lab entrance1-10 minutesDocument verification is done.
7.40 AM11.40 AM03.40 PMCandidates reach their Test Labs1-10 minutesCandidate reaches Exam Lab.
7.50 AM11.50 AM03.50 PMCandidates go to the registration desk and sign (manual) on the attendance sheet1-5 minutesCandidate signs the Attendance Sheet available at the Registration Desk.
7.55 AM11.55 AM03.55 PMRegistration Process1-10 minutes.Candidate photograph and IRIS captured as per process.
8.05 AM12.05 PM04.05 PMCandidates check their photo in the registration terminal to ensure it is their photo1-5 minutes.The candidate verifies the captured photo at the Registration Terminal.
8.10 AM12.10 PM04.10 PMThe candidate receives the scribble pad from the invigilator and sits at the terminal1-5 minutes.The candidate checks the allotted Console in the Exam Lab and collects the Writing Pad from the Invigilator
8.15 AM12.15 PM04.15 PMLogin to the Test screen1-5 minutesThe candidate completes the first login.
8.20 AM12.20 PM04.20 PMVerify & confirm the profile information1-5 minutesThe candidate verifies and confirms the profile Information, which he/she had filled in during the CAT 2025 Registration.
8.25 AM12.25 PM04.25 PMRead & agree to the Declaration1-5 minutesThe candidate reads all the instructions given for the Exam and clicks on “Accept”.
8.30 AM12.30 PM04.30 PMTest Starts120 minutesExam starts
10.30 AM02.30 PM06.30 PMTest concludes & the candidate shares the feedback1-5 minutes.After 120 minutes. The exam is over and the feedback page is displayed on the screen. The candidate shares his feedback.
10.35 AM02.35 PM06.35 PMReturn scribble pad1-5 minutes.The candidate returns the Writing pad to the Invigilator.
10.40 AM02.40 PM06.40 PMExit the test Lab and collect the deposited belongings1-5 minutes.The candidate exits the Exam Lab and collects belongings (if any)
10.45 AM02.45 PM06.45 PMExit the CAT 2025 Test Centre
The candidate leaves the Test Center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is mehndi allowed in CAT exam?
A:

If your fingerprints cannot be digitally scanned due to the use of mehndi/henna/ any cosmetic colours, you will not be allowed to take the test.

Q: Do we get rough sheets in CAT exam?
A:

Each candidate is given a rough paper before the examination begins. It is usually a few pages bound together, and additional sheets can be requested if needed.

Q: Is pen allowed in CAT exam?
A:

No, Items such as glasses, handbags, belts, hats, wallets, mobile phones, electronic gadgets, calculators, own stationery, and pens are prohibited.

Q: Is CAT computer based exam?
A:

Yes, CAT is a computer-based test with a duration of 2 hours.

Q: How many rough sheets are given in CAT?
A:

On reaching the examination laboratory, candidates will be given five rough sheets to perform the calculation tasks.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello

As you said you by mistakenly done that,  you don't need to get worry regarding that ,

Just inform the help desk and carry the correct certifications , the state certificate will not disqualify you .

The steps you can follow is -

1. You can check if the correction window is available or not

2. Contact the CAT desk immediately.

Hope this helps

In CAT registration, you cannot create a new user ID with the same mobile number, even if you use a different email ID. Each mobile number and email can be linked to only one account. If you already registered once, the system will not accept a duplicate with that number. To register again, you must use a new mobile number and new email ID. If you lost your old login, you can recover it through the forgot password/user ID option on the CAT portal.



Yes, you can fill the CAT form even if you currently have a backlog. CAT eligibility requires you to be in your final year of graduation or already graduated backlogs don’t stop you from applying.

While filling the form:

  • Enter the aggregate percentage/CGPA of marks you have obtained up to the latest semester for which results are declared (in your case till 4th semester).

  • There will be an option to mention that you have a backlog.

  • If you clear the backlog later, you’ll just need to show the updated marks during admission.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can apply for the CAT exam as a final-year student. You must declare your backlog on the online application form. You do not write about it on the final-year student certificate; that document is to certify your enrollment status. You must clear all backlogs before the final admission process to any MBA college.

Hello,

Thank you for your question!

KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).

CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.

CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.

Hello it will clear your doubt!