CAT 2025 Exam Day Checklist: Documents, ID Proofs & Items to Carry at Test Centre

CAT 2025 Exam Day Checklist: Documents, ID Proofs & Items to Carry at Test Centre

Ongoing Event

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

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 30 Jun 2025, 04:35 PM IST

Planning to take the CAT 2025 exam and wondering what to carry to the CAT 2025 test centres? The CAT 2025 exam is expected to be conducted on November 30, 2025. The exam will be conducted in CBT mode across 375 test centres in more than 170 cities. With a few months left for the CAT 2025 to take place, being well-prepared with the right documentation is important. Keep reading this article to find more information on the essential documents required for the CAT exam 2025.

LiveCAT 2025 Registration LIVE: IIM Kozhikode to close registration tomorrow; IIM admission criteriaSep 12, 2025 | 10:02 PM IST

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) will close the registrations for CAT 2025 for admission to MBA and other management courses for the academic year 2025-26.

If you are looking forward to register for the CAT 2025 for admission to MBA and other management programmes, follow the 6 simple steps given below.

Official Website

  • Go to the official portal of IIM CAT 2025 at iimcat.ac.in.

New Registration

  • On the homepage, look for the new registration link and click on it.

Registered Candidate Login

  • Graduates who have already registered but haven’t filled the application form yet, can directly register through the ‘registered candidate login’ using user ID and password.

Details to Fill

For new registrations, candidates are required to fill the following given points to complete the registration.

  • Name of Candidate
  • Note: Candidate name should be entered exactly as it appears in 10th/SSC Certificate.
  • Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
  • Email Address
  • Confirm Email Address
  • Country
  • Mobile Number
  • Code
  • Confirm Code
  • Confirm Mobile Number
  • Candidates will have to generate an OTP by clicking on the generate OTP button. They will be redirected to CAPTCHA to fill and submit. To verify the mobile number, enter the OTP received and click on “Validate the OTP” tab. After validation, you will be able to submit the registration form.
  • Registered applicants will receive the User ID and Password on the registered email address and or on the registered mobile number. Overseas candidates will receive both User ID and Password on registered email address.

CAPTCHA

Applicants will have to retype the characters displayed in the CAPTCHA box provided. “The CAPTCHA box (as displayed above) is a special set of characters displayed on the screen,” the official notification reads.

Declaration

After filling all the requisite details, candidates must select the “I Agree” checkbox in the Declaration section to enable the submit button. The declaration is for candidates that they are committing to be honest and fair in all their actions and that the information provided in the CAT 2025 Registration Form is correct and true.

“Providing wrong information can lead to the cancellation of your right to appear in the examination or to be considered for the admission process as mandated by the appropriate authority. It is mandatory to agree to the contents in the Declaration to proceed to submit the form,” the notice on the website reads.

Read More

What to Carry at CAT 2025 Test Centres?

This Story also Contains

  1. Forbidden Items at CAT Exam Centre
  2. Special Provisions at CAT Exam Centre: Affidavit, Medical Certificates & more
  3. CAT 2025 Exam: General Instructions
  4. CAT 2025 Dress Code Guidelines
  5. What are the Documents to Carry for CAT exam?
CAT 2025 Exam Day Checklist: Documents, ID Proofs & Items to Carry at Test Centre
What to Carry at CAT 2025 Test Centres?

Here is a checklist of all the important things that you will need to carry for the upcoming CAT 2025 examination.

CAT 2025 Admit Card

The CAT admit card is one of the most important documents required for the CAT exam. Without this, the candidate will not be able to move further. Candidates can download the CAT 2025 admit card by visiting the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

Make sure you get your CAT 2025 admit card printed, ensuring it has all essential documents such as the candidate’s name, application number, registration number, exam date and time, exam centre address and PwD status. Make sure you affix your photograph during the application process.

Government-Issued Photo Identity

Another mandatory item on the list is a valid government-approved photo ID. Some of the acceptable IDs include:

  • Aadhar Card

  • Voter ID

  • UID

  • Driving License

  • Passport

  • PAN card

Two Passport-Size Photographs

Along with the CAT admit card and photo IDs, candidates must ensure that they carry two passport-size photographs, which will be required during the exam. Make sure you carry the same photo which you uploaded during registration with you on the day of the CAT exam.

Documents Related to Name Change

In case your name has changed recently (due to marriage or other legal reasons), you must ensure that you carry the relevant legal documents. This will be required to avoid any mismatches during the CAT exam verification process.

Medical Certificate

Candidates suffering from any medical emergency must ensure that they carry a medical certificate issued by an MBBS doctor. This certificate will be required for taking any breaks or medical emergencies.

Forbidden Items at CAT Exam Centre

Apart from carrying important documents to the CAT exam centre, there are some documents and items which are banned and are not allowed at the exam centre. These include:

  • Watches

  • Cameras

  • Mobile phones

  • Calculators

  • Pen/Pencil Box

  • Metal Jewellery

  • Headphones/Earpiece

  • Electronic Gadgets

Since the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in online mode, therefore, all candidates are requested to carry minimal stationery. Candidates are only allowed to carry pens, pencils a scale for rough work. While the examination centre will provide rough sheets.

*Make sure you do not carry these forbidden items, which will lead to the disqualification of the candidate.

Special Provisions at CAT Exam Centre: Affidavit, Medical Certificates & more

  • PwD candidates must carry a valid medical certificate indicating their disability. Candidates requiring a scribe must carry the prescribed scribe affidavit.

  • Those candidates who have name changes due to marriage or other reasons must bring with them respective legal and government-stamped proofs.

  • All these documents will be verified at the exam centre before being allowed entry.

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CAT 2025 Exam: General Instructions

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

The CAT admit card is one of the most important documents that candidates must carry for the CAT exam. Make sure to affix your passport-size photograph on the admit card same as the one uploaded in the CAT form. It must also be ensured that the application number is printed on the CAT admit card as it is the primary reference identity of the candidate.

Furthermore, the authorities would not take into consideration the soft copy of the CAT admit card, instead, it must be printed on A4 size paper. Recheck the following details mentioned on the CAT 2025 admit card:

  • Name of the candidate
  • Application Number
  • PwD status
  • Date and day of the test
  • Test time and session
  • Reporting/ Entry time at Centre
  • Gate Closing Time of Centre
  • Test City
  • Test Center address
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CAT 2025 Dress Code Guidelines

The CAT conducting body has established specific CAT dress code regulations that CAT aspirants have to adhere to on the CAT exam day at the allotted test centre.

  • Simple and comfortable clothes
  • Sandals or slippers with thin soles
  • Female candidates must opt for simple t-shirts, jeans, leggings, and Kurti
  • Male candidates can wear formal pants, jeans, shits, and T-shirts
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What are the Documents to Carry for CAT exam?

The first thing to appear for the CAT exam is to download the admit card and check the CAT test centre. Read the instructions mentioned in the CAT admit card carefully. Also, check whether the exam centre mentions the required conditions for the CAT exam. Following is the list of things and documents to carry in CAT exam 2025:

Photo Identity Proof

Along with the CAT admit card another important document to be carried at the CAT exam centre is the photo ID proof issued by the Government of India. This is done so that the test centre authorities can keep a check on the imposters. Also, carry two passport-size photographs to the CAT test centre.

As a photo identity proof, a candidate can carry any of the following:

  • PAN Card
  • Voter ID
  • Passport
  • Aadhar Card
  • UID
  • Employer ID
  • Driving License
  • College ID( must be supported with a valid debit/credit card)

It must be noted that the original photo ID proof has to be carried instead of the Xerox copy of the photo ID.

Stationery Items

As per the CAT paper pattern 2025, the entrance exam is conducted in a computer-based mode. Moreover, a pen and paper are provided to the candidates at the CAT exam centre itself. So, stationary items are not necessarily needed.

Authorization Form

Candidates must carry an IIM-provided authorisation form to carry any prohibited or exceptional items inside the exam lab due to medical reasons. Candidates need to contact the CAT centre to get such authorisation (if any).

Medical Certificate and Scribe Affidavit

Candidates belonging to the PWD category are required to carry a medical certificate supporting the disability claim and a scribe affidavit (on the prescribed form by IIMCAT) to the exam centre. Candidates must be thinking of the scribe affidavit meaning. It is basically for the candidates for whom someone else will write the CAT exam question paper. All the documents are verified by the officials at the CAT exam centre post-frisking. No candidate is allowed to proceed to their computer system without document verification.

Name Change Document

Candidates are required to carry a name change document that supports the name change in case their name has been changed due to any event (like marriage, legal name change, or divorce). The list of such documents includes marriage certificates, divorce decrees, etc. To support these documents, carry a notarized copy.

What not to Carry at CAT 2025 Test Centre?

There is an entire list of prohibited items, mentioned by the CAT conducting authorities, which are not allowed to be carried to the test centre of CAT 2025. These items are:

  • Bags/ Mobile/ Calculator/iPads/ IPOD/ Bluetooth/ Headset/ Digital Wrist Watch/ Laptop/ Camera are not allowed inside the CAT exam hall.
  • Do not carry any electronic gadgets such as beepers, electronic devices, or scanner devices.
  • Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring a medical certificate of the same at the CAT exam centre.
  • Candidates are not allowed to wear jewellery that contains metal.
  • Beyond the frisking point, candidates are not allowed to wear footwear, metal headpins or clips inside the examination hall.
  • Do not carry pencil boxes inside the examination hall. Candidates are required to make their own arrangements for personal belongings at the CAT exam centre 2025.

Note: Socks, plain pullovers/sweaters/cardigans (without any pockets) are allowed inside the exam lab.

CAT Exam Centre 2025: Additional Instructions for Candidates

  • Reach the CAT exam centre 2025 an hour before the commencement of your slot’s timing.
  • If the candidate has to travel a long way to reach the examination hall, the candidate is requested to make necessary arrangements for travel, accommodation, food and any other expenses.
  • Follow the instructions for biometric attendance and seating arrangement, etc.
  • Do not apply henna or mehndi on the palm side.
  • Cooperative behaviour with the test centre staff is highly requested from the candidates during the document verification process and frisking.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Things to carry in CAT exam?
A:
  • CAT Admit Card 2025
  • Photo Identity Proof
  • Stationery Items
  • Authorization Form
  • Medical Certificate and Scribe Affidavit (If applicable)
  • Name Change Document (If applicable)
Q: What should we carry for a CAT exam?
A:

Do not carry any other item apart from the CAT 2025 admit card and photo ID proof.

Q: Are calculators allowed in CAT?
A:

It should be noted that the use of a calculator is allowed in the CAT exam, but students are not allowed to bring their personal calculators. Instead, the exam provides an on-screen calculator that can be accessed on the computer during the CAT exam.

Q: Can I carry water bottle in CAT exam?
A:

No, candidates are not allowed to carry water bottles inside the CAT examination hall.

Q: Is gold jewellery allowed in CAT exam?
A:

At the CAT examination centre, candidates must ensure that they do not wear any jewellery or carry any metal. Candidates should avoid wearing earrings, nose studs, necklaces, anklets, bangles or any other metal ornaments.

Q: What do you take on CAT exam day?
A:

The list of items that shall be carried out by the candidate on exam day has been listed in this article. 

Q: Can I wear jeans in CAT exam?
A:

Wear comfortable clothes and avoid having multiple pockets in pullovers, and sweaters as the same have not been allowed by the authorities. 

Q: Is pen allowed in CAT exam/ is pen and paper allowed in CAT?
A:

Since CAT is a CBT or computer-based test, you don't need to carry any standard items like a pen, pencil or eraser to the centre. You will be given a pencil and a piece of paper for roughwork.

Q: Can I appear for more than one slot for the CAT exam?
A:

No, each candidate can appear for the CAT exam in one slot only.

Q: Will the CAT exam centre have space for safely keeping mobile phones?
A:

Most of the CAT exam centres have some arrangements for storing a candidate's mobile phones and other important items. However, the safety of such items cannot be guaranteed and the candidate is instructed to not bring them to the exam centre.

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Questions related to CAT

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Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects