CAT 2025 Prep Tips: Mistakes to Avoid on CAT Exam Day
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
Minor mistake in CAT can cost you dearly. So as you prepare for November 30, here are a few tips for the exam day. Also know common mistakes to avoid on CAT 2025 exam day.
CAT is a highly competitive exam. It is speed based and the only gateway to the IIMs and top MBA colleges in India. The competition is tough and so is the difficulty level of the exam. With 2.95 lakh candidates appearing in CAT 2025, the stakes are high. You cannot make silly mistake at any point of time in the exam.
It is important to be well prepared for the CAT 2025 exam day also to be able to handle pressure well. Many candidates get nervous during the CAT exam and make silly mistakes. One the most common mistakes that CAT test takers make is not reading the questions properly. It is important to understand that CAT is a time bound exam. Candidates will have to take quick decisions. They will have to solve questions from three diverse subjects and maintain speed and accuracy throughout two hours.
Latest: CAT 2025 LIVE updates - slot wise analysis, difficulty level, cut offs
Another common mistake that CAT aspirants make is not knowing the exam day process and guidelines. Many candidates forget to read the guidelines related to reporting time, dress code, documents, etc. because of which they face problem at the time of entry. This can affect the focus of mind.
Apart from that, candidates also need to not study too much or till the last moment. It can cloud their mind and they may forget even those points that they had memorised properly. In this article, we have shared some common mistakes that CAT 2025 test takers need to avoid.
CAT 2025: Mistakes to Avoid on CAT Exam Day
No mugging-up before the exam
On the night before the CAT exam, spend an hour revising important formulae, theorems and shortcuts. Do not start a new chapter or solve a CAT mock test or try to mug up a new topic. CAT is an aptitude test and if your concepts are clear, you will be able to crack it.
Also Read: Most important formulas for CAT 2025
Don’t reach the exam centre late
To avoid last minute rush, start for the CAT exam centre from home early. The process of candidate identification is elaborate thus, it is important to reach the exam centre before time. Check out the location of your test centre in advance to avoid delay on exam day. Check below CAT reporting time for each slot below.
| CAT exam slot |
Exam timing |
Reporting time |
Latest entry allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 |
8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
7:00 AM |
8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 |
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
11:00 AM |
12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 |
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
3:00 PM |
4:15 PM |
Carry important documents
Do not forget to carry two copies of your CAT admit card 2025 and a valid photo ID such as Aadhar card, Voter ID card, passport or driving license. Candidates belonging to to PwD category must carry PwD and scribe certificates. Those who have changed their names, should carry the name change certificate also. Adhere adhere to guidelines viz. the documents as you not be allowed to enter the exam hall if you do not produce the correct documents, under any circumstance. Digital copy of any of the documents will not be accepted.
Also read: Things to carry and not carry on the CAT exam day 2025
Do not rush through CAT questions
Once your are seated in exam hall, wait for the invigilator to announce the start of exam. First of all, read the instructions thoroughly. Make sure you don’t miss even a single point of exam related instructions. Then move to the first section of CAT 2025 exam. Read each question properly and then solve it. Try to solve the easier questions first. Although there is sectional-time limit in CAT due to which one can’t choose the order of sections to solve questions but one can certainly choose to solve easier questions within the section.
Don’t spend more than one minute on a question
CAT 2025 will be of 120 minutes and the total number of questions will be 68. VARC will have 24 questions, DILR will have 22 questions and QA will have 22 questions. You will have to solve each section within 40 minutes. Thus, time-management is very important. Do not aim to solve all the questions. Choose easier ones first. If any question is taking more than one minute to solve, skip it and move to the next question. You can come back to it later but within the time limit. Once 40 minutes are over for a section, the screen will automatically move to the next section. You will not get the option to go back to imcomplete questions.
Also read: CAT exam pattern 2025
Don’t guess the answer
CAT exam has negative marking of -1 for each wrong attempt, so avoid guess work. It is better to leave the question unanswered than mark the wrong option. Also, choose the questions wisely. While practicing CAT mock tests you would have developed the skill of identifying questions from your areas of strength. This is the time to apply that skill.
Also Read: How many questions to solve in CAT 2025 to score 99+ percentile
Follow the dress code
CAT 2025 exam authorities have prescribed some dos and don’ts viz. clothing and items. Candidates are not allowed to carry any electronic, stationary or food items. They are also not supposed to wear metal jewellery, metal accessory, closed footwear, jackets, belts and clothes with pockets. Any candidate violating the rules related to dress code will barred from entering the exam hall.
Also read: CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips – Dress Code and Key Dos & Don’ts
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Don’t Panic
The most important thing to remember on CAT exam day is – not to panic. No matter what the situation is, stay calm. Solve only those questions which you know you can answer accurately. The CAT 2025 question paper may have some questions which will appear tricky or confusing. Take a deep breath, read the question twice and then try to solve it. If you can’t, move on. Do not take the pressure of the on-screen timer. Don’t look at it too often. Take CAT as any other exam. Do not give in to the pressure.
Don’t worry if you don’t think you have performed well in CAT 2025. It’s not the end. You can take another shot at CAT the next year or can take other MBA entrance exams.
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On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry 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.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Yes, CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
A total of 2.58 Lacs candidates appeared for CAT 2025. Check below gender wise break up.
Category | Number of registrations | Number of test takers |
|---|---|---|
Female | 1.10 lakh | 0.97 lakh |
Male | 1.85 lakh | 1.61 lakh |
Transgender | 9 | 9 |
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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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.