CAT 2025 is 5 days away. It is time to do the final revision and make the exam day plan. Here are the most important CAT exam day tips that you need for performing well. Read below.
CAT 2025 exam is just five days away and it is time to give your preparation the final touch. So revise notes, concepts, formulae and memorise short cuts and tricks to solve lengthy questions in less time. Go through the official CAT mock test 2025 to check the latest exam pattern. Attempt it at the same time as your exam slot to have real time experience. Understand all the CAT exam rules and regulations so that you don’t make any mistake on the exam day. To help CAT 2025 aspirants, we have listed some CAT exam day tips and dos & don'ts to be kept in mind for the exam day. Read the tips below and prepare for the CAT 2025 exam day.
Latest: CAT 2025 LIVE updates - slot wise analysis, difficulty level, cut offs
- CAT Exam Day Tips
- Photo ID to Carry Along with CAT Admit Card 2025
- Do Not Carry Prohibited Items at CAT Exam Centre
- Follow CAT Dress Code
- Read CAT Exam Instructions Carefully
- Follow the CAT Question Paper Sequence
- Maintain Speed and Accuracy
- Keep Calm and Stay Confident
- Take CAT Mock Tests
CAT Exam Day Tips
Revise important formulae: On the night before the CAT 2025 exam, revise all the important formulae, concepts and theorems before going to bed. Go through your short notes. Remember, this is not time to start any new topic. Your CAT 2025 preparation must be completed at least a week before the CAT exam so that you can dedicate the last few days to revision. Revise all the concepts and go to bed with a clear and confident mind.
Sleep well the night before: To be able to stay alert during the CAT exam, it is important to sleep well in the night before. Sleep for at least eight hours before the CAT 2025 exam day for a calm and relaxed mind during the test. Having a well-rested mind makes a lot of difference when you are attempting a test that includes heavy calculation and logical reasoning. If you have got the morning slot for CAT, then it is all the more important for you to sleep early.
Avoid last minute revision: In order to avoid any confusion just before entering the CAT 2025 exam centre, avoid last minute revision. Studying more is not equal to knowing more. So, don’t stretch and don’t stress. For a competitive exam like CAT, it is important that you prepare well throughout the year and not in the last few days or hours. Overall and well-structured exam preparation is the key.
Reach the exam centre before reporting time: CAT 2025 exam will be held in three sessions. The first session will be held from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the second session will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and the third session will be held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 PM. Entry gates of the CAT exam centres will close 15 minutes before the exam time. Reach your test centre on the time mentioned on the admit card for smooth and safe entry to the exam hall.
Carry CAT admit card and ID proof: CAT 2025 admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre. No candidate will be allowed entry into the exam centre without the CAT admit card. Digital copy or photocopy of the CAT admit card 2025 is not admissible, so make sure you carry print outs.
Each candidate is supposed to carry two print outs of their respective CAT 2025 admit card to the exam centre. One copy is to be submitted at the exam centre and the second copy is to be retained by the candidate. Paste your passport-size photo on both the print-outs of the admit card. The photo should be same as the one uploaded with the CAT 2025 application form. Also read: Things to carry and not carry on CAT exam day
Important: Do not sign the CAT admit card beforehand. It is to be signed only at the exam centre in presence of the invigilator.
Commonly asked questions
The CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore hovers between 97-100 percentile. The qualifying CAT cut off required for being eligible for IIM Bangalore's Written Ability test (What) and Personal Interview PI is 85 percentile for General category students, whereas for SC candidates, it is 70 percentile. For ST candidates, it is 65 percentile and for PwD candidates it is 60 percentile. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore.
- General category: 80 VARC 75 DILR 75 Quantitative Aptitude 85 (Overall)
- NC-OBC category: 75 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- EWS category: 70 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- SC category: 65 VARC 60 DILR 60 Quantitative Aptitude 70 (Overall)
- ST category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 65 (Overall)
- PwD category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall)
Photo ID to Carry Along with CAT Admit Card 2025
Along with the CAT 2025 admit card, candidates need to carry a photo ID proof. Here's the list of valid photo IDs to carry:
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- College/University ID
- Driver's license
- Or any other identity proof issued by the Government of India
Also Read: List of documents and certificates to carry on CAT exam day
Do Not Carry Prohibited Items at CAT Exam Centre
Items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices are prohibited inside the CAT 2025 exam centre. Any candidate found with any of these items will be barred from the exam.
Items prohibited at CAT exam centre
Only CAT 2025 admit card and ID proof/relevant certificates will be allowed inside the exam hall. Pen/pencil and paper will be provided by the authorities for rough work.
Commonly asked questions
CAT answer key is released in online mode only. The link to download it is made live at official website within a week of the exam. Candidates can download it by using their CAT login ID and password. Given below is the process to download:
- Visit iimcat. ac.in
- Click on the 'login' tab
- Enter CAT login ID and password
- Click on sign in to go to student dashboard
- Look for response sheet/answer key tab
- Click on the link to open the answer key
- Download the PDF and save it The CAT answer key
The CAT examination body allows candidates to challenge the official answer key. In case a candidate feels any answer shared by the examination body is incorrect, they can challenge it by filling an objection form which is released on the same day as release of the CAT answer key and candidate response sheet. The candidates can fill the objection form by using their CAT login ID and password. Check below: 1. Visit the official website of CAT exam 2. Click on 'Login' 3. Enter CAT login ID and password to sign in 4. Go to 'Objection' tab 5. Click on plus sign to add an objection 6. Check the question number from the PDF of the question paper 7. Enter relevant details 8. Upload supporting document 9. Pay objection fee through credit/debit card or net banking The objection fee is INR 1,200 per objection. Candidates can raise any number of objections. The CAT answer key objection fee will be refunded to only those candidates whose objections will be accepted. Objections that have been submitted once cannot be edited.
CAT cutoffs are usually not announced with the CAT result. The CAT cutoffs are also not released to the public.
They are published after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs opens their shortlisting window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.
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Follow CAT Dress Code
Shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms are not allowed. The candidates will be required to take off their shoes outside the exam hall. Socks are allowed inside it. Women candidates must take care not to wear metal hairclips and jewellery made of metal as they will have to take them off during security check. They must not have henna on their palms for proper biometric attendance.
Read CAT Exam Instructions Carefully
This is one of the most important tips for CAT exam day. To understand the CAT question paper, marking scheme and other rules and regulations, it is imperative to read the exam-related instructions carefully. Missing even a single point is highly risky; it may backfire at any juncture of the exam.
To familiarise oneself with the CAT 2024 exam, one can also take help from the official CAT Mock Test available on the official website IIMCAT. The official CAT mock test will help you familiarise with the actual CAT exam environment and related dos and don’ts.
Commonly asked questions
After the declaration of CAT results, IIMs and other top MBA colleges start the candidate shortlisting process. The institutes fix CAT cut offs category wise and invite applicants to appear for Written Ability Test, Group Discussion GD and Personal Interview PI rounds for MBA Admission. In case of IIMs, the institutes release PI shortlist form which the candidates have to fill before a certain deadline. In the PI form, candidates have to mention their personal, academic and professional details along with CAT score. Depending on the application received and the range of CAT scores the institutes the shortlist candidates for What-GD-PI. The What-GD-PI round is conducted by the institutes individually in March and April in online or offline mode. With the result of What-GD-PI and candidates' overall profile, the institutes finalise the list of students for admission. Offer of admission letters to selected candidates are sent via email in May.
Qualifying CAT cut off percentiles of Iims for Written Ability Test (What) and Personal Interview PI are listed below. Candidates who MET the qualifying CAT cut off, were eligible for What-PI round. These qualifying CAT cut offs are for General Category. The cut offs for Reserved category students are lower:
- IIM Ahmedabad: 95 percentile
- IIM Bangalore: 85 percentile
- IIM Calcutta: 85 percentile
- IIM Lucknow: 90 percentile
- IIM Kozhikode: 85 percentile
- IIM Indore: 90 percentile
- IIM Udaipur: 93 percentile
- IIM Shillong: 75 percentile
- IIM Trichy: 93 percentile
- IIM Visakhapatnam: 80 percentile
- IIM Rohtak: 95 percentile
- 1IIM Nagpur: 85 percentile
- IIM Jammu: 93 percentile
- IIM Ranchi: 90 percentile
- IIM Sirmaur: 92 percentile
- IIM Bodhgaya: 93 percentile
- IIM Sambalpur: 93 percentile
- IIM Kashipur: 94 percentile
- IIM Raipur: 93 percentile
- IIM Amritsar: 90 percentile
For complete details of IIM selection and admission process read this article: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/iim-shortlist-selection-admission-criteria-blogId-18787.
Check below how to download CAT result cum scorecard:
- Open iimcat.ac.in
- Click on tab indicating CAT scorecard
- Enter your application number and password
- Click on the tab indicating scorecard
- Download it and save in PDF format
Follow the CAT Question Paper Sequence
CAT is the only MBA entrance exam in which the candidate is not allowed to choose the section he/she wants to answer first. The CAT question paper consists of three sections in the following chronology:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Candidates will have to complete the first section i.e. VARC and then move to the second section. Time allotted to each section is 40 minutes and the candidates must ensure they complete the section in exactly one hour as the screen will automatically move to the next section as soon as 40 minutes get over. There is no provision to move from one section to another in between. Candidates must note that they can used only the computer mouse for locking answers and not touch the keyboard. If they touch the keyboard, the screen will freeze.
Maintain Speed and Accuracy
CAT exam is all about speed and accuracy. In 120 minutes, a candidate is required to answer 66 question (MCQs and non-MCQs both) which includes complex calculations and reading long paragraphs. Thus, it is important for the candidate to take not more than one minute to solve a question. Moreover, since there is sectional restriction, the candidate needs to keep up with the pace as there is no chance of going back and solve questions which were left out earlier.
Along with speed, 100 per cent accuracy is of critical importance for there is negative marking of minus one mark for each wrong answer.
Also Read: CAT 2025 exam pattern
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the CAT results for all the exam slots are announced on the same day.
The general category CAT percentile cutoff at IIM Raipur normally lies between 92 and 95%, though it could differ somewhat depending on the category (OBC, SC, ST) and applicant pool. At somewhat lower percentiles, candidates with a solid academic background and pertinent professional experience may be given consideration. A comprehensive review that takes into account the candidate's performance on the Written Ability Test (WAT), academic background, and personal interview (PI) is required for the ultimate selection. The likelihood of being shortlisted for the following round of the selection process increases with higher scores.
Keep Calm and Stay Confident
The key to succeed in any exam is writing the test with a calm mind. For CAT, it is all the more important. CAT questions could be tricky, lengthy, difficult or easy - all you need to do is keep calm. If you’ll panic, your performance will suffer. You may lose precious minutes which may affect your CAT 2025 result. Also, if you have attempted enough number of CAT mock tests and sample papers, no question will scare you. Even if you haven’t, stay calm and answer the question you know you can answer correctly. Remember, there is negative marking for wrong answer but no marks will be deducted if you leave a question unanswered.
Follow above mentioned CAT exam day tips & be confident of your abilities and tell yourself you can do it!
Read More:
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- CAT exam tutorial and exam day guide
- Official CAT mock test and guide
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 13 hours ago
Yes, PIBM Guwahati Campus accepts valid scores from national-level management entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and ATMA for MBA admissions. Candidates are shortlisted based on their entrance exam scores, academic performance, and overall performance in the institute's selection process, m
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, you can get admission to the MBA programme at Manipal University Jaipur, but not through direct admission without meeting the admission criteria.
For the regular MBA, you generally need:
A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks.
A valid CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Selection is based on your aca
C
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 4 days ago
As a current student at DBS Global University, I can say that yes, the university accepts a valid CAT score for MBA admissions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you can apply through your CAT score, and you do not have to take the universities entrance exam. The best thing about DBS, is t
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
SAGE University, Indore has not mentioned any other accepted entrance exams other than SEE for MBA courses. Generally, CAT is an accepted entrance exam for MBA courses. Therefore, candidate should get confirmation by asking this from admission desk.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, CAT score is not mandatory to get a seat at CSMU for MBA. While the college accepts CAT scores, it also accept scores from other tests like MAT, CMAT, and MHT-CET. If a candidate have not taken any national entrance paper, they can simply sit for the institutional CSMU-CET exam. Seat will be bas
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in TITE - Templecity Institute of Technology and Engineering. The college accepts entrance exams such as: OJEE/ATMA/CAT/MAT. Candidates wishing to get admission into this programme should have passed graduation with at least 50% marks.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at College of Engineering, Pune. The college consider svalid score of entrance exams such as:
- MAH-CET (The primary state-level exam considered for Maharashtra students)
- CAT
- CMAT
- XAT
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, personal interview round for MBA admission is mandatory for all candidates regardless of which exam they apply through. Candidates applying through CAT result for PP Savani University can only skip SLMET written test during MBA admission process.
Their final evaluation will be based on combined
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Xavier Institute of Management and Informatics does accepts CAT scores for admission in MBA programme. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission based on their qualifying exam scores and performance in the PI round.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
Candidates preparing for CAT may not need to prepare for KLMAT Management separately, as the syllabus is the same and the test structure is also similar. However, one should make sure they practice KLMAT sample papers from a month before the exam as the question type and difficulty level will be dif
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Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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