EXAMS

CAT 2025 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts: Important Instructions, Guidelines, and What to Carry

Srijita Saha • 13 Mins read • 28 Nov 25

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips Key Dos and Don'ts

CAT 2025 exam day tips include key strategies for effective time management and question prioritization. Aspirants must start with VARC, focusing on Verbal Ability first for quick marks. Then, tackle Reading Comprehension selectively. After this process, they must move to DILR, choosing easier sets to build confidence before the challenging QA section. In QA, they must scan all questions to identify and solve the easier ones first. Avoid getting stuck on difficult problems by using a skip-and-return strategy. Arrive early at the exam center to manage time for verification. Maintain focus on your screen and read guidelines carefully to avoid careless mistakes.

Key Points:

Start with VARC, then DILR, and end with QA.
Prioritize easier questions within each section.
Use the skip-and-return strategy in QA.
Arrive early and stay focused during the exam.

The summary of these tips ensures a structured approach to maximize performance on CAT 2025 exam day.

Candidates should prioritize questions based on difficulty and familiarity. Attempt easier and more familiar questions first to secure marks quickly. This approach maximizes the score by ensuring straightforward points are not missed due to time constraints. Master time allocation through regular mock practice. These simulations replicate actual exam pressure and allow practice in allocating the 40-minute limit across different question types.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Quick Highlights

The quick highlights for the CAT Exam Day are provided below.

Particulars	Details
Exam Date	November 28, 2025
Duration	120 minutes
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA (40 minutes each)

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Time Management

Time management remains crucial. Avoid spending too long on any single question. Use a skip-and-return strategy to ensure all manageable questions are attempted. Mock tests are vital for preparation. Regularly practicing under timed conditions builds speed and accuracy. Analyze performance to refine time allocation strategies. Shortcuts and techniques can enhance efficiency. Familiarize yourself with these methods during preparation. They help solve problems faster on exam day. Arrive early at the exam center. This prevents last-minute stress and allows time for verification. Focus solely on your screen during the test. Read instructions and questions carefully. Impatient reading leads to mistakes. Prioritize accuracy over speed for better results.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Guide aspirants to success

Strategic planning and practice are key to overcoming common challenges. Follow these tips for a confident exam day.

Start with easier questions for quick marks.
Use a skip-and-return strategy for time management.
Practice regularly with timed mock tests.
Learn shortcuts and techniques for efficiency.
Arrive early at the exam center.
Read instructions and questions carefully.
Prioritize accuracy over speed.

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CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Exam Hall Items

Allowed Items

Allowed items in the exam hall include pens, pencils, erasers, and a transparent water bottle.

Pens
Pencils
Erasers
Transparent water bottle

Ensure all allowed items are carried to maximize comfort during the exam.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited Items in the exam hall include electronic devices, notes, and unauthorized materials.

Electronic devices such as phones and calculators are not allowed.
Notes, books, or any written material are forbidden.
Unauthorized items like food, drinks, and bags must be left outside.

Ensure compliance with these rules to avoid disqualification. Prohibited Items disrupt the fairness of the exam.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Biometric Verification Rules

Verification Steps

Verification Steps for biometric verification start with identity confirmation.

Scan fingerprints or facial features.
Compare biometric data with records.
Confirm match to proceed.

These Verification Steps ensure secure and accurate identity verification.

Common Issues

Common issues in CAT 2025 include poor time management and strategic errors during the exam.

Rushing through questions without prioritizing the easier ones first.
Spending too much time on individual questions causes panic.
Neglecting strict adherence to sectional timing limits.

Common issues can be mitigated by practicing time allocation and using a skip-and-return strategy.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Exam Interface Navigation

Key Features

The Key Features of the CAT 2025 exam interface enhance time management and strategic question selection.

Sectional timing strictly limits each part to 40 minutes.
Questions can be attempted out of order for optimal scoring.
Marking for review helps manage difficult questions efficiently.

These Key Features allow candidates to prioritize and maximize their performance within the exam's constraints.

Navigation Tips

Navigation Tips for CAT 2025 start with prioritizing easier questions in each section to maximize scores.

Attempt Verbal Ability questions first in VARC for quick marks.
Select easier Data Interpretation sets in DILR to build confidence.
Focus on strong-topic questions in QA to ensure accuracy.

Navigation Tips help manage time effectively across CAT sections.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts On-Screen Calculator Usage

Basic Functions

Basic Functions of a calculator include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Addition combines numbers.
Subtraction finds the difference.
Multiplication calculates the product.
Division determines the quotient.

These basic functions are essential for everyday calculations.

Advanced Features

Advanced Features in CAT 2025 help optimize time management. Prioritize easier questions first to secure quick marks. Use mock tests to practice time allocation.

Attempt Verbal Ability before Reading Comprehension in VARC.
Skim the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sets to select easier ones.
Start Quantitative Ability with strong topics, easy questions.

Advanced Features ensure an effective exam strategy. Implement skip-and-return for difficult questions. Master shortcuts to solve problems faster.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Rough Work Policies

Allowed Materials

Allowed Materials for rough work in CAT 2025 include blank sheets provided at the exam center.

Use these sheets for calculations and notes.
Do not bring personal paper or materials.
Allowed Materials ensure a fair testing environment.

Submission Rules

Submission Rules dictate how to manage time effectively during CAT 2025. Prioritize easier questions first to maximize scores. Avoid spending too long on any single question.

Attempt questions based on difficulty and familiarity.
Practice with timed mocks to improve time allocation.
Use a skip-and-return strategy for efficient progress.

Following these submission rules ensures optimal performance in CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Section Attempt Sequence

Strategy Tips

Strategy Tips for CAT 2025 start with the optimal section sequence: VARC, DILR, then QA.

Begin with VARC to quickly score on Verbal Ability.
Move to DILR for easier sets to build confidence.
End with QA to tackle time-intensive questions last.

Within sections, prioritize easier questions first to maximize accuracy and efficiency.

In VARC, attempt VA before RC, selecting easier passages.
In DILR, skim sets to pick the easiest ones initially.
In QA, start with strong topics like arithmetic, then move to harder areas.

Strategy Tips can significantly improve your CAT 2025 performance by optimizing your section attempt sequence.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Slot Strategy Differences

Morning Slot

The Morning Slot for CAT 2025 exams requires strategic planning. Start with VARC to build confidence. Then move to DILR and finish with QA.

Attempt VA questions first in VARC for quick marks.
Select easier DILR sets to maximize accuracy.
Scan QA questions to prioritize based on difficulty.

Arriving early helps manage exam day stress. Maintain focus on your screen throughout the test. The Morning Slot demands careful time management.

Afternoon Slot

The Afternoon Slot of CAT 2025 requires strategic planning to maximize performance. Start with VARC, then DILR, and finish with QA. This sequence aligns with the exam's structure and builds confidence.

Attempt VA questions first in VARC for quick scoring.
Select easier DILR sets to maintain accuracy.
Scan QA questions to prioritize based on difficulty.

Adjust your approach within sections based on difficulty and mock test insights. Be flexible to skip and return to challenging questions. The Afternoon Slot demands adaptability and focus.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Time Management Mistakes

Common Errors

Common errors in CAT 2024 included rushing through questions without strategic prioritization.

Rushing through questions without strategic prioritization
Spending excessive time on individual questions
Neglecting sectional timing adherence

Avoidance Tips

Avoidance tips for CAT 2025 include strategic question prioritization to maximize scores.

Prioritize easier questions first in each section.
Use mock tests to practice time allocation.
Implement a skip-and-return strategy for difficult questions.

Avoidance tips ensure efficient time management and higher accuracy on exam day.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Overthinking Pitfalls

Signs of Overthinking

Signs of Overthinking include excessive time spent on individual questions, leading to poor time management.

Getting stuck on difficult problems.
Neglecting easier questions due to fixation on hard ones.
Panic and rushed decisions in the final minutes.

Overthinking can be identified by a lack of strategic question prioritization during exams.

Attempting questions in order rather than by difficulty.
Missing out on quick marks from simpler questions.
Reduced overall accuracy and unanswered questions.

Recognizing signs of overthinking helps in developing better exam strategies.

Prevention Strategies

Prevention Strategies for overthinking include prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively.

Prioritize easier questions first to secure quick marks.
Use mock tests to practice time allocation.
Implement a skip-and-return approach for difficult questions.

Applying these prevention strategies helps maintain focus and efficiency during exams.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Reviewing Marked Questions

Review Techniques

Review Techniques help CAT aspirants manage time effectively during the exam.

Prioritize easier questions first to secure quick marks.
Implement a skip-and-return strategy for difficult questions.
Use shortcuts and techniques to solve problems faster.

Applying these review techniques can significantly improve performance in CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Anxiety Management Strategies

Pre-Exam Prep

Pre-Exam Prep reduces anxiety by focusing on effective time management. Practice under timed conditions to simulate exam pressure. Develop a strategy to prioritize easier questions first.

Start with Verbal Ability questions in VARC for quick scoring.
Skim DILR sets to select easier ones early.
In QA, tackle familiar topics like arithmetic before harder ones.

Implementing a skip-and-return approach helps complete all accessible questions. Regular mock tests refine your timing and strategy. Pre-Exam Prep ensures confidence and efficiency on exam day.

During Exam

During the exam, manage anxiety with these strategies to enhance performance on November 28, 2025.

Take deep breaths to calm nerves and maintain focus.
Use positive affirmations to boost confidence.
Implement time management techniques to avoid rushing.

During the exam, these strategies help reduce anxiety and improve focus and efficiency.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Technical Glitch Handling

Common Glitches

Common glitches in CAT 2025 include poor time management and strategic errors.

Rushing through questions without prioritizing.
Spending too much time on individual questions.
Neglecting sectional timing adherence.

These common glitches can be avoided by implementing strategic approaches.

Prioritize questions based on difficulty and familiarity.
Master time allocation through mock practice.
Use a skip and return strategy.
Apply shortcuts and techniques for faster solving.

Preparation phase mistakes also contribute to common glitches on exam day.

Insufficient timed practice.
Delayed introduction of mock tests.
Inadequate sectional balance in preparation.

Exam day execution guidelines help mitigate common glitches in CAT 2025.

Arrive early to avoid delays.
Read guidelines and questions carefully.
Focus on accuracy over speed.

By understanding and addressing these common glitches, CAT aspirants can improve their performance.

Resolution Steps

Resolution Steps begin with identifying the technical glitch's source.

Check hardware connections first.
Restart the device to clear temporary issues.
Update software to the latest version.

Implementing these resolution steps can swiftly address common technical problems.

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts Historical Exam Trends

Trend Analysis

Trend Analysis of CAT 2024 reveals common time-management mistakes. Aspirants often rush through questions without strategic prioritization, spend too long on individual questions, and neglect sectional timing adherence.

One key error is attempting questions sequentially rather than prioritizing easier ones first. This approach leads to wasted time on difficult questions, reducing overall accuracy and the number of questions answered. Candidates should focus on familiar and less time-consuming questions to maximize their score.

Another mistake is fixating on a single question, causing a collapse in timing strategy. This results in panic and incomplete sections. A systematic skip-and-return approach, spending a maximum of 2-3 minutes per question, helps maintain time management.

Neglecting the 40-minute sectional time limit is also common. Candidates must respect this hard deadline to avoid automatic section transitions. Proper time allocation through mock practice can help develop this skill.

Strategic approaches for CAT 2025 include prioritizing questions based on difficulty and familiarity. Regular timed mock tests are essential for mastering time allocation. Using shortcuts and techniques can also improve efficiency.

Preparation phase mistakes, like insufficient timed practice and delayed mock test introduction, impact exam day performance. Candidates should start with untimed practice, then transition to timed problem-solving. Early mock tests help identify and refine time-management strategies.

Inadequate sectional balance during preparation leads to imbalanced performance. Equal study time across all sections and regular sectional tests are crucial. This ensures mastery of high-weightage topics across sections.

On exam day, arrive early to avoid delays and maintain focus on your screen. Read guidelines and questions carefully to avoid careless mistakes. Accuracy is paramount; solving fewer questions correctly outperforms solving many with low accuracy.

The optimal sequence for CAT 2025 sections is VARC, DILR, then QA. This aligns with the exam's order and builds confidence and accuracy gradually. However, candidates must adapt based on slot difficulty and personal strengths.

Trend Analysis guides effective preparation and execution strategies for CAT 2025. By understanding past mistakes and applying strategic approaches, aspirants can improve their performance.

Prioritize easier questions first.
Use a skip-and-return strategy.
Respect sectional time limits.
Practice with timed mocks.
Balance preparation across sections.
Arrive early and stay focused on exam day.
Adapt the section sequence based on difficulty and strengths.

Future Predictions

Future Predictions for CAT 2025 suggest optimal section sequences based on historical data and expert advice.

The commonly recommended sequence starts with VARC, followed by DILR, and ends with QA. This approach aligns with the exam's structure and builds confidence gradually. It prioritizes accuracy in the initial sections, minimizing negative marking risks.

Alternative strategies within sections involve tackling easier questions first. In VARC, start with Verbal Ability before moving to Reading Comprehension. For DILR, skim all sets to select the easiest ones initially.

In QA, scan all questions to identify and attempt easier ones first. This method helps maximize scores by focusing on strengths and managing time effectively. Adjusting strategies based on slot difficulty can further enhance performance.

By applying these future predictions, CAT aspirants can optimize their exam strategy for better results.

Start with VARC for quick scoring and confidence.
Move to DILR to pick easier sets and build momentum.
End with QA, prioritizing easier questions to manage time.

Read More:

CAT 2025 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts: FAQs

Ques: What are the common time-management mistakes CAT aspirants made in 2024?

Ans: In 2024, CAT aspirants often rushed through questions without prioritizing, spent too much time on individual questions, and neglected the 40-minute sectional timing, leading to incomplete sections and lower scores.

Ques: How can CAT aspirants avoid rushing through questions in 2025?

Ans: To avoid rushing, prioritize easier and more familiar questions first to secure quick marks. After completing these, use the remaining time to tackle more difficult problems, ensuring no easy points are missed due to time constraints.

Ques: What is the recommended time allocation strategy for CAT 2025?

Ans: Allocate 40 minutes strictly per section. Use timed mock tests to practice distributing time across different question types, analyzing performance to identify which categories consume too much time relative to success rate.

Ques: How can the 'skip and return' strategy help in CAT 2025?

Ans: Implement a 'skip and return' approach by spending a maximum of 2-3 minutes per question. If unable to solve within this time, mark it for review and move on, ensuring all accessible questions are completed before revisiting harder ones.

Ques: What shortcuts and techniques should CAT aspirants use in 2025?

Ans: Familiarize yourself with shortcuts, tricks, and formulaic approaches to solve problems faster. Build strong fundamentals first, then increase speed gradually to tackle both routine and challenging questions efficiently.