CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts: Check Important Instructions, Guidelines, What to Carry

Table of Contents

1. Official CAT 2025 Exam Day Instructions by IIM Kozhikode
2. CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos
3. CAT 2025 Exam Day Don’ts
4. Things to Carry and Not Carry in CAT 2025 Exam Centre
5. CAT 2025 Exam Day Check List
6. CAT 2025 Exam Day Mistakes To Avoid
7. CAT 2025 Exam Day Flow Chart
8. CAT 2025 Exam Slot Wise Reporting Time, Exam Time
9. CAT 2025 Exam Day Rules 

1. Official CAT 2025 Exam Day Instructions by IIM Kozhikode 
IIM Kozhikode has released CAT Exam Day Guidelines 2025 to candidates. The instructions outline mandatory exam-day rules including carrying a printed admit card with photo, a valid government ID, and following reporting timelines. Candidates must avoid prohibited items, follow biometric and frisking procedures, and comply with dress code and conduct guidelines to avoid disqualification. Check complete CAT Exam Day Instructions 2025 below.

1. Print all the pages of this Admit Card on an A4 size paper using a laser printer and carry the same on the day of Test for verification. Admit Card is valid only if the candidate's photograph and signature images are legibly printed. Please affix the same photograph as uploaded while registering for CAT at the indicated place (besides the printed photograph). The candidate must produce the Admit Card for verification at the time of the test. This Admit Card is valid only for the test date and session time as specified in the 'Test Day Details' section.

2. Candidate must carry any one of the original and valid Photo Identification Proof issued by the government – PAN card / Driving License / Voter ID / Passport / Aadhaar Card (With photograph) / E-Aadhaar / Ration Card / Identification Affidavit along with the Admit Card. The Photo Identification Proof should not be damaged or smudged.

3. Candidate must reach the centre as indicated against Reporting / Entry time at centre. No candidate shall be permitted to enter after the Gate Closing Time.

4.. No candidate shall be permitted to leave the Test Centre before the end of the Test.

5. Candidates are advised to locate their Test Centre and its accessibility at least a day before the test so that they can reach the Test Centre on time on the day of the test.

6. A writing pad and pen will be provided to the candidates for rough work, which will have to be returned after the test. Candidates should clearly write their name and application number on the writing pad.

7. Mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery items, papers, wallets, goggles, etc. will NOT BE ALLOWED inside the Test centre. Candidates must NOT wear any jewellery or other items containing metal. There is no facility for safekeeping of candidates’ personal belongings outside the Test Hall and the Test Conducting Authority is not responsible for its damage or loss if any.

8. Shoes / footwear with thick soles and garments with large buttons are NOT permitted.

9. Candidates attempting to appear for more than once will be disqualified from CAT 2025.

10. Candidates need to make their own travel and stay arrangements for attending the test.

11. The Admit Card is provisional, subject to the condition that the candidate has fulfilled the eligibility conditions like academic qualification, category, PwD status etc., as mentioned in his/her application, which is subject to verification in the consecutive stages of the selection process.

12. Requests for change of the Test Centre will NOT be entertained.

13. Parents / Guardians accompanying the candidate will not be allowed inside the test centre.

14. Bio-breaks are to be avoided during the exam except for emergency or medical conditions. If a candidate takes a bio-break, he/she will be re-frisked upon re-entry to the lab and any time lost due to this process will not be compensated under any circumstances.

15. Violation of any of the above guidelines including impersonation or breaking of code of conduct for CAT 2025 will lead to cancellation of candidature and / or legal action.

Follow these CAT 2025 exam instructions to avoid last-minute issues at exam centre. Next, based on these CAT Exam Day Instructions 2025, check CAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts 2025 below.

2. CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos 
Preparing for CAT exam day is as important studying for the exam for months. Read and follow the important CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts starting with what you must remember to do.

• Recheck Admit Card details: You should recheck your Name, CAT Application Number, Test Centre address, CAT exam slot and reporting time at centre and other details in your CAT admit card 2025. Ensure that all your details are correct. If there is any error, contact CAT Exam centre help desk by email or phone (details given at the end of the article)
• Print and Carry your CAT Admit Card Hard Copy: To enter CAT exam center, you will require hard copy of your admit card with passport size photo affixed on it. If not done till now, download your CAT Admit Card from CAT Website, take print on A4 size paper, fix your identical photograph in the given space on it. Read more about how to download CAT admit card 2025.
• Keep your Photo ID Ready: One of the important CAT exam day dos is that you need original copy of your Photo ID to show at the exam gate. Following photo IDs are acceptable for CAT Exam:

  • Aadhar card

  • Voter Id card

  • Passport

  • PAN Card

  • Driving License

• Visit your CAT Exam Centre Before Exam Day: This is an important part of CAT exam day preparation. Use the Google map link embedded on the electronic version of the Admit card to locate the test centre and visit it before exam day. Also check for 2-3 days the approximate time it takes to reach exam centre. This will help you plan for the exam day. Identify mode of transport and commuting time at least a day before the CAT Exam Day in order to reach the test centre on time.
• Choose Correct Dress for CAT Day: Choose what you wish to wear on CAT exam day well in advance. The dress should keep you comfortable throughout the CAT exam day and should allow to sit for two hours while taking the exam. However, make sure that your dress does not violate the CAT exam dress code which does not allow garments with large buttons or footwear with thick. Read complete details on CAT 2025 Dress Code.
• Arrive at CAT Centre in Time: You must reach the CAT test center as per the reporting time for your allotted exam slot. IIM CAT exam day instructions ask candidates to reach exam centre 90 minutes before the start time of the exam.
• Locate Your Testing Room & Seat: You will not find display of seating arrangement outside CAT Exam Centre. IIMs have stopped displaying the mapping of 'Candidate Application Number and the Lab Number' outside the test venue. However, the help is provided to the candidates individually at the time of the entry to the test venue. So go inside the test center first and the security staff will guide you which testing room you should go to.
• Items You Can Carry Inside CAT Test Centre: Check complete list of items you can carry and not carry to exam centre below.  Don’t carry prohibited items to avoid unnecessary last-minute stress!
• Ensure to Mark Attendance: Mark your attendance in the Form with signature when asked for, in the CAT testing room after completion of biometrics. If you fail to mark attendance, you may be treated absent from the exam.

Next in the CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts list is list of things that you must not do!

3. CAT 2025 Exam Day Don’ts
After going through the CAT exam day dos, it is also very much necessary to know what are the CAT Exam Day Don’ts 2025. Check this list of CAT Exam Day Don’ts.

• Don’t carry Prohibited Articles in CAT Exam Centre: While going to take CAT exam, you should not carry and wear the following dresses and items:
  • Do not wear oversized Jackets or heavy Jewellery or Shoes with thick soles
  • Do not wear Garments with large Buttons
  • Do Not carry Electronic Watch, Mobile Phone, Bag, Wallets etc to the CAT test centre.
  • No Stationery items like Pen, Pencil, Eraser etc. are allowed in the testing hall
• Don’t Apply Mehndi or Henna: Do not apply Henna (Mehndi) on your hands (palm side). It is a very important CAT exam day don’t for the girl candidates who apply Mehndi regularly on their palms. On the day of the test, your digital finger print scan will be captured and applying Henna (Mehndi) on palm side may be a hindrance in getting your biometrics captured. If your finger prints cannot be digitally scanned, you will not be permitted to take the test.
• Don’t Ask for Bio Break during CAT Exam: Set your Bio Clock as per the CAT exam timing. Do not request for a bio-break while inside the Exam Lab unless it is a medical emergency. No bio breaks are allowed during the 2 hours of the CAT exam.
• Only PwD candidates can have companion at CAT Centre
  Unless you are a Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidate and have asked for a Scribe, no one is allowed to enter the CAT test centre gate with you.
• Don’t Resort to Unfair Means: Do not attempt to speak or ask any thing with other candidates in the exam hall. If you do, you will run the risk of getting debarred. Each question is placed at different serial number for each test taker.

Follow above CAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts 2025 to have a hassle-free exam day experience. Next, check out list of things to carry and not carry to CAT Exam Centre.

4. CAT Exam Day What to Carry and Not Carry 2025
An essential part of CAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts 2025 is that you should remember to carry some important items, and must not carry prohibited items. Read CAT 2025 Exam Day What to Carry and Not Carry in the following section.

You can carry only a very few items in CAT exam centre. Check things to carry and not carry in CAT 2025 Exam Centre. 

CAT Exam What to Carry?
Check the list of CAT exam day what to carry items below:

1. CAT 2025 Admit Card
2. Photo Identity Proof
3. Medical Certificate(s) if required
4. Scribe Affidavit if required  

Candidates will be provided with one pen and one writing pad. After the exam, you have to deposit a copy of admit card, pen and scribble pad (with all pages intact). You can also carry small food items, a water bottle and other personal essentials to the exam centre.

Remember, there are no arrangement to deposit mobile phone, bags or other valuables inside the test centre premises.

CAT Exam What Not to Carry? 
Check the list of CAT exam what not to carry items below:

1. Watch and Calculators
2. Mobile phones or any other electronic gadgets
3. Wallet, Purse or other items
4. Pencil/Pen/Paper/Notepad and other stationary items are also not allowed

Any candidate found with any of these items inside the exam hall will be disqualified and debarred from the exam. We hope this section has answered the question - what to carry for CAT Exam?  

5. CAT 2025 Exam Day Check List 

If you want a handy CAT exam day check list 2025 to help you prepared for the D-day, check the list below. This CAT exam check List 2025 takes care of virtually everything you need to prepare for the CAT exam day. 

1. Recheck all details on the CAT admit card
2. Print and carry a hard copy of the CAT admit card
3. Carry a valid government photo ID
4. Wear simple and comfortable clothes (avoid metallic items, thick-soled shoes, heavy jackets or jewellery)
5. Reach the exam centre well before reporting time
6. Locate your exam hall and assigned seat
7. Carry only the allowed items: Admit Card, Photo ID, Water bottle (if permitted)
8. Do not carry mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery, wallets, purses, books or bags
9. Do not apply mehndi/henna on hands as it may interfere with biometrics
10. Follow all CAT exam day instructions and guidelines at the centre

6. CAT 2025 Exam Day Mistakes To Avoid
Many students lose marks not because of lack of preparation, but due to avoidable errors under pressure. Keeping these CAT Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid will help you stay calm and perform better:

• Avoid arriving late at the exam centre.
• Avoid forgetting your printed admit card or valid photo ID.
• Avoid wearing restricted items like metal accessories, smartwatches or thick-soled shoes.
• Avoid spending too much time on a single difficult question.
• Avoid panicking and randomly marking answers without proper reasoning.

Also read CAT 2025 last minute preparation guide.  

7. CAT 2025 Exam Day Flow Chart 
The CAT exam follows a structured process from entry to exit to ensure verification of candidates and smooth conduct of the exam. The flow below will help you understand what to expect at every step so you can remain calm and prepared on exam day.

8. CAT 2025 Exam Slot Wise Reporting Time, Exam Time  
After understanding important CAT 2025 exam day dos and don’ts, check the minute to minute CAT exam day schedule for Slot 1, 2, 3. All steps the flowchart above are broken down for each exam slot. 

CAT 2025 Slot wise Timings: Check Slot 1, Slot 2 & Slot 3 Time

CAT 2025 will be conducted in on November 30, 2025 in three slots: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. Duration for each slot is 2 hours long. Candidates must report 90 minutes before their slot for biometric verification and document checks. Here are the exact CAT 2025 exam timings and reporting times for all three slots in the table below:

In short, 

• CAT 2025 Slot 1 Time is 8:30 AM- 10:30 AM. 

• CAT 2025 Slot 2 Time is 12:30 PM- 2:30 PM.
• CAT 2025 Slot 3 Time is 4:30 PM- 6:30 PM.

CAT 2025 Slot 1 Timing, Flowchart, Important Instructions  

CAT 2025 Slot 1 reporting time, exam start time, exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:

CAT 2025 Slot 2 Timing, Flowchart, Important Instructions  

CAT 2025 Slot 2 reporting time, exam start time, exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:

CAT 2025 Slot 3 Timing, Flowchart, Important Instructions  
CAT 2025 Slot 3 reporting time, exam start time, exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:

9. CAT 2025 Exam Day Rules 
IIM Kozhikode has released CAT Exam Day Rules 2025 for candidates taking CAT exam. Important CAT exam rules are as below: 

• Candidates should carry a printed Admit Card with Photo
• Candidates should carry a valid Government ID,
• Candidate must report on time.
• Candidates must not carry prohibited items,
• Candidate should follow biometric and frisking procedures, and comply with dress code and follow CAT exam rules to avoid disqualification.

Free CAT Resources: CAT Cut Offs, Score Vs Percentile, Predictor
MBAUniverse.com has launched free CAT 2025 resources to help you set clear CAT targets and optimise your preparation and college applications. First, check the required CAT Cut Offs 2025 percentiles for shortlisting at 21 IIMs and top Non-IIMs. Next, check the required score using CAT Score vs Percentile 2025. Finally, estimate your percentile before and after the exam using the CAT Percentile Predictor 2025. 

In summary, CAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts 2025 are important guidelines and instructions that are issued by IIMs for candidates. Following above CAT Dos and Don’ts on Exam Day will ensure that you can smoothly take the CAT 2025 Exam on November 30, 2025. Remember to save CAT 2025 exam day Dos & Don’ts PDF and CAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines PDF from links in the article. Follow above CAT exam instructions 2025 and CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips to avoid last-minute issues at exam centre. All the best for the D-Day! 
 

Also Read: CAT 2025 Exam, CAT Mock Test 2025, CAT Percentile Predictor 2025, CAT Score Vs Percentile 2025, MBA Admission 2026, Top MBA Colleges in India, MBA Entrance Exam 2025-26