When it comes to cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT), many aspirants discuss preparation, mock tests, and strategies, but they often overlook an important factor that can affect your success on the CAT exam day: your slot timing. The CAT 2025 exam is conducted in 3 different slots on a single day. From planning for CAT exam preparation to knowing the exact exam slot details and understanding the trends from previous years, it can help you enhance your exam day strategy. Let’s dive deep into the CAT 2025 exam timings, analyze timing trends over the years, and discuss how these timings can affect preparation and performance.
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CAT 2025 Timing: Slot-Wise Schedule
CAT 2025 is expected to follow the same three-slot structure.
| Slot | Session | Reporting Time | Gate Closure | Exam Time |
| Slot 1 | Morning | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 | Afternoon | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 | Evening | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
Once the gates get closed, no candidate will be allowed inside the test center under any circumstances.
CAT Exam Timings Trends (2015-2024)
Let’s understand the slot-wise exam timings and changes over the years:
| Year | Slot 1 Timing | Slot 2 Timing | Slot 3 Timing | Total Slots |
| 2015 | 9:00 – 12:00 | 2:00 – 5:00 | – | 2 |
| 2016 | 9:00 – 12:00 | 2:30 – 5:30 | – | 2 |
| 2017 | 9:00 – 12:00 | 2:30 – 5:30 | – | 2 |
| 2018 | 9:00 – 12:00 | 2:30 – 5:30 | – | 2 |
| 2019 | 9:00 – 12:00 | 2:30 – 5:30 | – | 2 |
| 2020 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
| 2021 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
| 2022 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
| 2023 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
| 2025 | 8:30 – 10:30 | 12:30 – 2:30 | 4:30 – 6:30 | 3 |
What Changed in 2020?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CAT 2020 reduced the exam duration from 3 hours to 2 hours, which led to the introduction of a third slot for the first time in the history of the CAT exam. This new structure continues after the pandemic because it allows for better slot management and accommodates an increased number of test-takers for the CAT exam.
How Are CAT Slots Allotted?
You cannot choose your CAT slot; the conducting IIM will assign slots randomly on the basis of test city availability and center capacity, total number of CAT aspirants, and logistics and fairness balancing. Candidates will get to know their exact slot and center only after downloading the CAT 2025 admit card, which is expected to be released by October 25, 2025.
Why Do CAT Exam Timings Matter?
The CAT aspirants must keep in mind that your performance can vary drastically based on the time of day you’re writing the exam. Let’s know more.
Morning Slot (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM)
- Best suited for early risers
- The brain is relatively fresh, which will lead to better concentration power during the D-day.
- Candidates must reach the test center by 7:00 AM.
Afternoon Slot (12:30 PM – 2:30 PM)
- This slot is considered a neutral slot.
- Candidates have enough time to prepare mentally and revise.
- You must be aware of post-lunch heaviness if you eat heavy during lunch.
Evening Slot (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM)
- This evening slot is perfect for night owls or those who work best later in the day.
- Waiting hours can cause you to overthink or burn out by the time of the exam.
Does the CAT Slot Affect Your Percentile?
While IIMs follow the normalization policy to ensure fairness among different slots, students often perceive some slots as easier and some as tougher.
- CAT 2021 Slot 2 was considered difficult for LRDI
- CAT 2022 Slot 3 had complicated QA
- CAT 2023 Slot 1 had lengthier RCs
Candidates should work harder and smarter to improve their accuracy and speed, regardless of which slot they attempt.
Official Instructions on CAT Exam Timing from CAT Bulletin
While the CAT 2025 bulletin is awaited, let’s read out what the CAT 2024 bulletin mentioned:
- The test will be conducted in three sessions: 8:30 to 10:30, 12:30 to 2:30, and 4:30 to 6:30.
- Candidates must report at least 1 hour before the exam start time.
- Gates will get closed 15 minutes before the exam begins.
- Candidates who arrive late will not be allowed to appear for the exam.
How to Align Your Preparation with CAT Exam Timings
Candidates will get to know about their slot until October; here’s what you can do to improve your strategy as per your exam timing to reduce tiredness or burnout.
- During Morning—Give full-length mocks from 8:30 am weekly.
- During Afternoon—Practice VARC sets between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.
- During Evening—Take sectional mocks of full CATs from 4:30 pm onwards.
Candidates can also start rotating their mock timing every week, like during week 1, attempt mocks in the morning; week 2, attempt mocks in the afternoon; and week 3, attempt mocks in the evening. This will develop a habit, and you will perform well regardless of your assigned slot. Your adaptability abilities can be a game-changer for your CAT 2025 exam timings. Whether you feel fresh in the morning, or your energy levels are high during the evening, train your brain to perform consistently across all time zones.
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FAQs: CAT 2025 Exam Timings
No, the conducting IIM randomly assigned the CAT slots based on test city, capacity, and logistics.
No. CAT authorities normalized the CAT scores across slots using a statistical method to ensure fairness.
Candidates should practice mocks in all three possible time slots to build adaptability and prepare their minds and bodies for any slot.
