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Komal
18 October, 2025
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Common Aptitude Test, popularly known as CAT, is a national-level exam. The CAT 2025 exam date is November 30, 2025, which is getting nearer day by day. Apart from the course preparation, it’s high time to make a note of several other crucial details, such as “What are the things to carry for CAT 2025?”, “What is the CAT exam 2025 dress code?”, and more.
This blog is a quick and essential guide to the IIM CAT entrance exam 2025. It uncovers the list of things to carry for CAT 2025, things you must not carry for the CAT exam, and the CAT exam 2025 dress code. We have also covered the crucial details of the CAT exam, including the CAT exam date, CAT exam fees, and more. Let us quickly dive in to explore!
As the CAT exam 2025 is around the corner, let us quickly take a look at several crucial CAT exam details. Here it goes:
| CAT Exam 2025 Parameters | CAT 2025 Exam Details |
|---|---|
| CAT Full Form | Common Aptitude Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| CAT 2025 Registration Start Date | August 1, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration Last Date | September 13, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Admit Card Download Date | November 5, 2025 – November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT Result | Second Week of January 2026 (Tentative) |
| CAT 2025 Exam Fees | INR 2,600 (General Category) INR 1,300 (SC/ST/PwD) |
| CAT Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Here is a detailed overview of things to carry for CAT exam 2025. Explore what documents to carry for CAT 2025 and other items:
The CAT admit card is the first and foremost crucial document to carry to the exam hall. This is the entry ticket to the exam hall that you must not forget or lose. While the CAT admit cards become available on the official website of IIM CAT, it is mandatory to get the admit card printed for a hard copy. Furthermore, make sure that your admit card contains all the crucial details such as your name, registration number, application number, exam centre name and address, date, timings, and PwD status (if applicable). It must also have your photograph printed, which you have taken during the application process.
Pro Tip: Do not sign or write anything on the admit card. In such a case, your entry to the exam hall would be restricted.
Along with an admit card, having a government-issued ID proof is crucial. You would be required to showcase your proof for being a residential citizen of India or a foreign candidate. The list of ID proofs is generally included in the CAT guidelines. You may take a look here to learn about the valid government ID proofs list:
You would also need two up-to-date and neat photographs during the exam. Make sure that your photograph matches the one uploaded during the time of registration. Photographs must not contain any stamp or signature over them. It is one of the mandatory things to carry for the CAT exam.
Carrying the medical certificate is crucial for those suffering from any medical issues. In case of any emergency, this certification would be required for further processing. Apart from this, individuals belonging to the PwD category must also carry a medical certificate along with a scribe affidavit that supports the PwD claim. Moreover, candidates must make sure that the medical certificate is provided by a certified MBBS doctor.
If you have modified or changed your name recently, you must carry the documents related to the name change. It is one of the crucial things to carry for CAT exam for those who have changed their name. These documents would be required at the time of the name verification process, so that there shall be no mismatches or problems during the procedure.
You may need a COVID self-declaration document to enter the exam hall. However, it is not mandatory unless it is mentioned on your admit card or the official website of the CAT exam, during the time of registration or in the guidelines.
There are several things that you must not carry to the CAT exam centre. The items included in this list are forbidden by the IIM CAT exam centres to maintain security and fairness during the exam. Carrying any of these objects to the CAT exam centre may result in the cancellation or disqualification of the exam. Let us quickly take a look at the things not to carry for CAT exam:
| Item Categories | Things NOT to Carry for CAT 2025 |
|---|---|
| Electronics |
Mobile Phones Calculators Smartwatches Bluetooth Devices Fitness Bands Tablets |
| Accessories |
Wallets Caps/Hats Sunglasses Backpacks Handbags Purses/Clutches |
| Stationery |
Pens & Pencils Geometry Boxes Erasers Rulers Papers (All required stationery is provided by the exam centre) |
| Footwear |
Shoes / Sports Shoes Boots (Only Slippers & Sandals are allowed) |
| Learning Materials |
Notes Cheat Sheets Printed Materials Books Rough Papers |
| Metal Wearables |
Bangles Chains/Necklaces Rings Belts with metal buckles Earrings Nose pins Hair pins & accessories |
| Food & Beverages |
Chocolates Water Bottles (carry transparent ones if allowed by exam centre) Snacks Chewing Gum |
The CAT exam 2025 follows a rigorous dress code policy. It ensures the transparency and fairness of the exam, avoiding post-exam chaos. If you reach the exam hall in the wrong or restricted attire, it could lead to exam delay, cancellation, or even disqualification in extreme cases. Therefore, it is vital for everyone to understand the dress code of the exam thoroughly and prepare their CAT dress code at least a week before the exam. Here are the general guidelines for the CAT exam dress code 2025. Let us explore:
| CAT Dress Code for Males | CAT Dress Code for Females |
|---|---|
| Plain Shirt or Half-Sleeve Shirts/T-Shirts | Plain Tops / Salwar |
| No accessories, including belts, watches, etc. | T-Shirts with Leggings |
| Trousers / Track Pants (without pockets) | Jeans, Denims, or Trousers with no pockets |
| Slippers or Open Sandals | Slippers / Open Sandals |
| CAT Dress Code for Males (Not Allowed) | CAT Dress Code for Females (Not Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Denims with pockets / Cargo Pants | Tops and Kurtis with frills and pockets |
| Full-Sleeve Shirts / T-Shirts / Hoodies | Bottoms with layers and pockets |
| Shoes / Sports Shoes / Boots | Earrings / Clips / Bangles / Hair Accessories |
| Smartwatches / Bracelets / Belts | High heels / Shoes / Boots |
CAT is a national-level exam, which is highly competitive and challenging in India. Missing out on essential things to carry for CAT exam could lead to the cancellation or disqualification of the exam. It is necessary to make a checklist of crucial things you must carry to the CAT exam hall. Candidates are also advised to be aware of the CAT dress code to avoid unnecessary delays or issues on the exam day. Do not take forbidden or unnecessary objects with you to the CAT exam centre. Take the test with full dedication, transparency, and fairness for the best deserving results.
You need to carry a CAT admit card, any one of the valid ID proofs issued by the government of India, such as Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport, etc., and two neat and clean photographs that match the photo uploaded during the time of registration. Additionally, candidates with medical emergencies and PwD candidates require a medical certificate. PwD candidates may also need to show a scribe affidavit. Name change documents are required for those who have recently changed or modified their names.
The photograph size must be under 80 kilobytes. Moreover, only the photographs with 1200 x 1200 dimensions may be uploaded in the CAT exam form. The format of the CAT photograph must be .jpg or .jpeg.
No, mehndi is not allowed in the CAT exam centres as it hinders the process of fingerprint scanning or biometrics. Applying mehndi on your hands during the CAT exam can also lead to disqualification if you cannot verify over biometrics.
No, you cannot wear a hoodie to the CAT exam hall, as hoodies are strictly forbidden in the CAT exam. Any attire that includes layering, hoods, or caps is prohibited for the CAT exam.
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