How Your Outfit Might Affect Your GD/PI Score

Exam On - 30 Nov '25

Senior Manager - Content

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 17:48 IST

First impression is the last impression. So check out key tips on how to dress well for GD/PI round of MBA admissions.

GD/PI preparation - The way you dress up creates a long-lasting impression in the minds of people. Many experts claim that dressing is an important factor in creating the first impression especially in a corporate or formal setting. You'd remember going to school all neat and tidy.

However, one may ask, how does someone’s outfit matter is his/her skills are top class. According to the top international fashion designer Tom Ford, “Dressing well is a form of good manners”. And who would not be impressed with good manners! Therefore, it is often asked to dress formally during job interviews or Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI) sessions of MBA admissions.

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Dressing well helps in maintaining confidence and composure. A lot can be achieved in interviews and group discussion rounds by dressing well. The way you present yourself in front of people who can help you in becoming a future manager matters a lot. You may want to leave a good impression on your future teachers with clean, immaculate dressing reflecting a sense of sincerity and discipline.

Q: When is the correct time to appear for CAT exam?

The pre-final/final year is a good time to appear for CAT. Pre-final year because by the time you will graduate, you will get the confirmation on your admission. If you are unable to clear the exam in the pre-final then you can attempt again in the final year and as you already have taken it once, you have a good chance to score good marks. If you are not able to make in these two attempts then attempt CAT after gaining the work experience of 1-2 years.

Q: Which IIM will conduct CAT 2025?

CAT exam is conducted by any one of the top 6 Indian Institute of Management on rotation basis. Each of the top IIM conducts the exam after a gap of five years. The responsibility to conduct the CAT 2024 was given to IIM Calcutta. For CAT 2025, IIM Kozhikode will be the exam convening institute. IIM Kozhikode will be responsible for preparation and conduct of the exam without glitches, in collaboration with TCS for test labs and centres. The institute will design the question papers, exam pattern and guidelines, as well as manage the conduct of exam and preparation of admit card, answer key and result. CAT Conducting Indian Institute of Management Over the Years:

2024: IIM Calcutta

2023: IIM Lucknow

· 2022: IIM Bangalore

· 2021: IIM Ahmedabad

· 2020: IIM Indore

· 2019: IIM Kozhikode

· 2018: IIM Calcutta

· 2017: IIM Lucknow

· 2016: IIM Bangalore

· 2015: IIM Ahmedabad

· 2014: IIM Indore

· 2013: IIM Indore

· 2012: IIM Kozhikode

· 2011: IIM Calcutta

· 2010: IIM Lucknow

· 2009: IIM Ahmedabad

Q: What is CAT 2025 exam date?

CAT 2025 exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025. Official announcement of the CAT exam date 2025 was made on July 27, 2025, along with the release of the official notification of CAT 2025. The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November. The exam is conducted on a single day in three slots.

Along with the exam date, the CAT 2025 notification will have CAT registration and admit card dates. CAT 2025 registration dates are August 1 to September 13, 2025.

Six tips to dress for GD/PI round of MBA admissions

We have been taught since childhood that ‘the first impression is the last impression’. Naturally, we always try to show our best side in the first meeting. Three key ways to make a good impression are – good behavior, politeness or dressing sense. Let's take a look at some key tips for dressing well for GD/PI.

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1. Neat & Tidy Formal Clothing

Formal dressing is recommended for GD/PI at MBA institutes. Male candidates can wear formal suits or formal shirts and trousers. Tie and blazers are not compulsory, but if you are comfortable in wearing these, you can wear them. Female candidates can wear a formal shirt accompanied with either a formal skirt or trousers. Again, the blazer is an option. Dirty spots on your outfit may leave a bad impression on the interviewer. Make sure whatever you wear is neat and tidy. On the day of GD/PI, take care of where you sit, where you keep your hands and how you eat so that the tidiness of your outfit is maintained.

2. Creased / Ironed

Iron your dress beforehand. Do not wait till the date of GD/PI. Get your outfit ready a night or a day before. A messy outfit depicts a messy person. Therefore, look smart by wearing smart. Wear a well-ironed pair of suit so as to look well dressed.

Q: What are the CAT exam slot timings?

CAT exam is held in three slots for the past three years. Earlier it used to be held in two slots of three hours each, but since 2020 it is held in three slots of two hours each. The three slots are conducted between 8 am to 4 pm. The first slot is held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second slot is held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the third slot is held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. In these three slots, about 2.22 Lacs candidates are accommodated at over 400 test centres in about 150 plus cities across India. The exam slots are allotted to candidates by the examination authorities as per the receipt of applications and candidates cannot request for change of examination slot. They have to give the test in the slot mentioned on the admit card.

Q: Where and how to check CAT 2025 notification?

CAT 2025 notification will be released online as well as offline. The online notification of CAT 2025 exam will be released at iimcat.ac.in website and the offline notification will be issued in all the national dailies – Hindi, English and Vernacular. Aspirants can either check the notification and CAT 2025 exam dates online at the official website or in the newspapers (to be published in the last week of July 2025).

Q: What are the items to carry on the CAT exam day?

Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.

Also Read: Top GD/PI topics for MBA admission

3. Wear Light Colours

Opt for a light-coloured outfit on the day of the interview or group discussion. Colours like light blue, light baby pink, white, off-white, light brown or light grey can be worn. Both girls and boys can wear any of the above-mentioned colours. Dark colours are mostly meant for evenings, while interviews are generally scheduled in the mornings or afternoons. It is not that you can’t wear dark colours. Just make sure, it doesn’t look over the top. Also, neon colours are a big no-no.

4. Comfortable Clothes

Whatever you wear should be comfortable. Do not wear clothes that are either too tight or too loose. If your clothes are not of your size, then get them altered beforehand. Girls should make sure that the skirts they wear should not be too short. Be comfortable in what you are wearing. Else, your discomfort might harm the way you present yourself.

5. Dress Smartly

Looking smart has its benefits. However, looking smart doesn’t guarantee selection, but yes it does play a role in leaving good impression.

6. Clean Footwear

Your footwear is an important part of your dressing. Wear footwear that compliments your outfit. Formal shoes with formal outfits are the norm, so follow that. Also, make sure that your shoes are squeaky clean. Check your shoes once again before entering the interview room.

All the best!

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About the Author

Vipra Shrivastava

Senior Manager - Content

Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio

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