4 days to go for CAT 2025! At this point, your entire focus must be on quick revision and collecting all the important things to carry to the CAT Exam Centre. On the 30th of November 2025, the CAT exam will be conducted online across 170 cities in India. It will be an online (Computer-Based-Test) with 68 questions. The CAT exam 2025 will take place in Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. Each slot will have a different reporting time to reach the test centre. All the candidates appearing for the CAT 2025 are recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before the commencement of the actual examination. 

It’s also compulsory to carry all the important documents for smooth verification purposes. Those candidates who report to the CAT exam centre with insufficient documents will not be allowed to sit in the exam. Also, carrying any kind of unwanted/restricted items will also lead to disqualification.

Prior information about the items that you should carry will save you from such unavoidable circumstances. The upcoming sections of this blog will contain major details about the right documents and other essentials that you must bring and take inside the CAT examination hall. Further, we will also share accurate details about the items that are prohibited at the test centre and exam hall. 

Also Read: CAT Exam Timing 2025

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CAT 2025 Exam Centre: List of Important Documents To Carry 

The CAT exam day is an important event for the candidates appearing for this exam on 30th November 2025. None of you would like to encounter any challenges at the last moment. Thus, we advise you to have a look at the list of mandatory documents that are important to carry for the CAT 2025 exam. Consider keeping two copies of the CAT admit card 2025 and other documents. Check out the detailed list of all the documents and things that every candidate must carry with them. Few documents are exceptional. 

• CAT 2025 Admit Card: Your admit card is a crucial document to appear for the CAT exam 2025. If you have downloaded the admit card from the official website, check that the details are correct. Verify your roll number, full name and additional information. 
• A Government ID Proof: Acceptable ID proofs at the CAT exam centre are Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Driving License, Passport, Voter ID, Employee ID, Driving License, College ID and UID. Make sure that the details on your ID proof are correct and match your CAT admit card. 
• Passport-Size Photograph: Carry 2 copies of your passport-size photograph. The passport-size photograph must match your CAT admit card. A passport-size photograph is necessary to paste in the attendance sheet. 
• PwD Certificate (If Applicable):  If you’re suffering from any kind of physical disability, then a PwD certificate is the most important document to carry on the exam day. This document will act as supporting evidence for your disability claim. 
• Scribe Request Letter (If  Applicable): Another important document for the PwD candidates. Submitting a “Scribe Affidavit” (on the prescribed form by IIMCAT) is compulsory if a PwD candidate is using scribe assistance to write their exam. 
• Name Change Document (If Applicable): Remember to carry your name change document with you if you have recently changed your name due to legal reasons, marriage or divorce. To support your name change, show a notarised copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. 
• Transparent Water Bottle: You can carry a transparent water bottle to the CAT 2025 test centre and also inside the examination hall. The water should be clearly visible and shouldn’t contain any kind of illegal substances. 

What Items Can I Not Carry at the CAT 2025 Exam Centre? 

All the male and female candidates will undergo frisking before entering the examination hall. If found carrying any illegal or restricted items, you’ll be immediately asked to discard them. If any candidate is caught carrying prohibited items inside the exam hall, the CAT exam authorities will immediately disqualify them from appearing for the CAT 2025 exam. At any point, avoid carrying these items and prevent unnecessary delays. 

• Smartphone
• Wireless Earphones
• Headphones
• Smart Watch
• Electronic Calculator 
• Jewellery 
• Bags/Small Wallets/Clutches
• Any kind of edible items like chips, fruits and more
• Beverages (Excluding Water)
• Stationery items like pen, pencil, eraser, highlighter, sharpener, etc.
• Notebooks, diaries or study resources
• Small chits or flashcards
• Metal elements 
• Cap 
• Scanner 
• Analog Watch 
• Digital Camera
• Laptops or Tablets
• Sunglasses, Metal Clips, Bangles, Rings
• Pen 
• Soled Footwear 

Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile

What is the dress code to enter the CAT exam centre?

There is a strict dress code for the male and female candidates. Anyone who doesn’t adhere to the necessary rules and regulations will not get permission to enter the exam hall. A list of a few important guidelines to remember about the dress code is mentioned below. Kindly dress according to the dress code instructions to facilitate smooth and hassle-free entry on the actual exam day. 

• Sweaters, socks, cardigans or pullovers without any pockets are allowed inside the test centre of the CAT 2025 exam. 
• Do remember to carry a medical certificate if you’re wearing a pacemaker or metal implant inside your body. 
• Avoid wearing any kind of jewellery made up of gold, silver, platinum, diamond, etc. Oxidised jewellery or any additional accessories are not allowed at the test centre. 
• Dress up wearing light clothes. For footwear, you can wear slippers with thin soles only. 
• Females can wear jeggings, simple t-shirts or kurtis and trousers. Tie up your hair with a normal rubber band. 
• Male candidates must wear simple jeans, trousers, plain t-shirts or shirts without any logos or prints. 

Final Words 

2.95 lakh is the total number of candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test on November 30, 2025. At present, all the appearing candidates must be undergoing a lot of chaos and mixed emotions. You might also face extreme stress and tension, due to which you might miss out on the essential things to carry at the CAT Exam Centre. Henceforth, we have come up with this blog to guide the students. After reading the content mentioned above, you must be well aware of the dos and don’ts of the CAT 2025 exam.

Don’t wait for the last minute to gather all the mandatory documents. Buckle up now and compile everything today to avoid last-minute stress. Keep your CAT admit card, a valid government ID proof and a passport-size photograph in a single file. This will save you time, and you will not have to juggle to find them after arriving at the test centre. All the best, everyone! Team iQuanta is sending loads of good wishes to each one of you. Just stay calm and patient, and you’ll see good results floating your way very soon. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I carry a calculator inside the CAT exam centre?

Carrying a smart calculator is not allowed inside the CAT 2025 exam centre. You will get access to an on-screen calculator, which you can use for simple calculations. This calculator will pop up on your computer screen. 

What time should I report to the CAT exam centre?

Your arrival time is totally dependent on your CAT exam slot. If you’re a Slot 1 candidate, then arrive by 7:00 AM. The candidates appearing in Slot 2 should arrive by 11:00 AM. If your CAT exam slot appears to be 3, report by 3:00 PM. 

What will happen if I reach the CAT test centre late?

Late arrival will restrict your entry to the CAT examination hall. The security authorities present at the gate of the CAT exam centre will prevent your entry. Until now, no grace period or buffer time has been introduced for the latecomers. 

What should I wear to the test centre for the CAT exam?

Wear comfortable clothes that are simple and breathable. Females should avoid wearing any kind of heels, boots or heavy shoes. Wear lightweight slippers, t-shirts and trousers. Clothes with metal elements or jewellery are not allowed at the centre. 

What are the important documents to carry on the CAT exam day?

The top three documents to carry at the CAT exam centre are the CAT admit card, your passport-size photographs and a valid government ID proof. Ensure that the details mentioned on the admit card and ID proof are correct.