CAT Exam 2025 Dress Code and Things to Carry or Avoid on Exam Day

Latest Updates:

• Downloading of CAT 2025 exam begins on 5 Nov, 2025.
• The exam date of CAT is on 30 Nov, 2025.

CAT 2025 exam 

The CAT 2025 exam will be on 30 Nov, 2025. Under CCTV surveillance, the exam will be conducted and there will be strict rules for preventing cheating, along with other malpractices and leaking the questions. For that, the examination authority releases official rules as well as regulations for the staff members and candidates. The CAT 2025 aspirants must be adequately familiar with the rules and schedule of the day of the examination. This blog will give you a guide on the CAT exam dress code.

CAT Dress Code 2025: Exam Day Guidelines

Before giving the CAT exam, candidates should look below the guidelines that are needed during the exam day.

• Candidates must reach the exam centre of CAT 2025 as per the reporting time mentioned on admit card.
• Candidates are advised to visit the CAT exam centre at least one day in advance by using the Google Maps link provided in the admit card.
• Candidates should carry two printed copies of CAT 2025 admit card on the A4 size sheets.
• Candidates must present CAT 2025 admit card to the invigilator for verifying before the test.
• A writing pad for doing rough work as well as a pen will be given to the candidates at the exam center that must be returned before leaving the exam hall.
• Requests to change the CAT 2025 exam center are not allowed.
• Candidates must not carry electronic gadgets to the exam centre of CAT.
• More than one attempt in the CAT 2025 exam will result in disqualification along with cancellation of the candidature.
• Inside the examination halls, only candidates are allowed and not friends, relatives and guardians.
• Candidates must wear those clothes as instructed in the test day guide.
• Candidates should follow the instructions for biometric attendance as well as the seating arrangement, etc.

CAT 2025: What is the Exam Day Dress Code?

The CAT candidates should keep in mind the dress code regulations during the exam so that they do not face any issues on exam day.

• Any jewellery with metal should not be worn by candidates. Ornaments, fancy jewellery such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings are not allowed. If any candidate is found wearing these items, they will be asked to remove them.
• Candidates with a metal implant or pacemaker, etc, in their body will be required to show a medical certificate for the same.
• Dresses with one or two pockets will be checked carefully. Clothing with multiple pockets, like cargo pants, must be avoided.
• The female candidates are advised to wear minimal makeup as well as present themselves naturally for the test. Additionally, they must avoid applying mehendi or any other body marks that might raise concerns.
• Plain pullovers, cardigans (with no pockets), stocks, and sweaters are allowed in the test lab. Candidates must select dresses without pockets for avoiding additional checks along with saving time.
• They are not allowed to wear clothes with pockets as well as large buttons, or jackets and closed footwear in the exam hall.
• The utilisation of any electronic device is strictly forbidden within the CAT exam room. This involves fitness bands, cell phones, smartwatches and laptops. Candidates should not bring any electronic items, including calculators or pagers, into the testing facility.
• Candidates must not wear a dress with attached caps or hoods as it is completely prohibited. CAT exam dress code advises the candidates to avoid these outfits as they can attract unnecessary attention as well as lead to additional checks.
• Candidates must not bring any personal belongings into the testing area such as sling bags, wallets, and handbags. If any candidate brings these items, they will be disqualified from the CAT exam.

CAT exam dress code for female and male candidates

Comfortable and simple attire should be worn by the male and female candidates in terms of CAT dress code 2025. Simple and comfortable clothing like plain shirts, tops, or T-shirts with trousers or jeans and sandals or open slippers is allowed. They should avoid those dresses with too many pockets.

Things to Carry on CAT 2025 Exam Day

If you are a candidate for the CAT 2025 exam, refer to the things below that should be carried on exam day.

• Candidates must carry their CAT 2025 Admit Card
• Applicants should have their Photo Identity Proof
• Stationary items should be present with the candidates
• Authorization form must be present with the candidates 
• Name Change Document, if it applies to the candidates
• Medical Certificate and Scribe Affidavit, if they are applicable to the candidates
• Documents that have a relation to the name change (if applicable for the candidates)

Candidates must carefully review and ensure that they have all the necessary documents before appearing for the CAT 2025 exam. These documents are essential for identification, verification, as well as adhering to the guidelines of the exam. 

Things Not to Carry to the CAT 2025 Exam Centre

The candidates will have to drop one copy of the admit card, a scribble pad with all pages intact and a pen in boxes at the examination hall before exiting. The things that are not allowed to be carried by the candidates are:

• Bags
• Purses
• Wrist watches
• Calculators
• Scanners
• Cameras
• Mobile phones
• Electronic devices
• Pencil boxes
• Beepers
• Wireless/Bluetooth devices

COVID-19 Guidelines for CAT 2025

Firstly, candidates should follow the prescribed CAT dress code and if they fail to follow that, they can be disqualified. The following points are required to be followed by candidates related to the COVID-19 guidelines for CAT 2025 exam. 

• During the ongoing pandemic, candidates should wear face masks for the whole exam duration of CAT 2025 for minimising the risk of transmission of COVID-19. They might be denied access to the exam hall if they fail to wear a mask.
• Candidates need to strictly follow the guidelines of social distancing in the exam and on the premises. This involves maintaining a safe distance from other individuals and avoiding any physical contact. 
• Sanitizing the hands is necessary before entering the exam hall of CAT 2025. The sanitizers will be provided by the authorities to the candidates.

Consequences of violating CAT exam dress code

The security staff engage in checking everyone in a careful manner at the entry points. If any prohibited items are found among the candidates, they can face penalties from extra checking towards complete disqualification. In this regard, the invigilators may ask the candidates to leave immediately if they observe any dress code violations after they enter the exam hall. Understanding as well as following the CAT dress code is not optional; rather, it is a main part of the exam preparation of the candidates that requires their full attention. The consequences of violating the CAT exam dress code are:

Footwear allowed for CAT exam

Necessary details need to be followed by the candidates in case of footwear that is allowed for the CAT exam. Simple footwear such as chappals, sandals, or slippers with no thick soles or metal attachments is allowed. The candidates must know that any type of footwear with thick soles is not allowed in the examination hall as per the dress code for the CAT exam. Moreover, closed footwear is not allowed in the exam hall. Candidates might be required to remove their footwear outside the examination hall, so they should avoid closed-toe shoes along with socks if possible.

FAQs

Ques: What are the official dress code rules for the CAT exam?

Ans: Candidates must wear comfortable and simple attire without pockets on the day of the CAT exam. This includes t-shirts, pants, jeans, and shorts.

Ques: Are jewellery allowed in the CAT exam?

Ans: No, candidates are not allowed to wear jewellery that has metal during the CAT exam.

Ques: Can I wear shoes or sandals to the CAT exam?

Ans: No, the candidates are not allowed to wear sandals or shoes inside the exam hall of CAT.

Ques: What should I wear to the CAT exam in winter?

Ans: During winter, in the CAT exam, candidates must wear comfortable and simple clothing such as a plain, pocketless T-shirt or shirt, as well as pants or trousers.

Ques: What are the things that should not be carried into the exam hall of CAT?

Ans: Bags, Pencil boxes, Beepers, Purses, Wrist watches, Calculators, Mobile phones, Electronic devices, Scanners, Cameras, and Wireless/Bluetooth devices should not be carried into the exam hall of CAT.

Ques: Are calculators applicable in the exam centre of CAT 2025?

Ans: No, personal physical calculators are not allowed in the exam centre of CAT 2025. However, an on-screen calculator will be made available to the candidates for the calculations.

Ques: Is a watch allowed to be carried in CAT exam centre?

Ans: No, candidates must not wear a watch or other electronics or smart gadgets into the CAT exam centre.

Ques: Can water bottles be carried inside the exam hall of CAT?

Ans: No, candidates must not carry a water bottle inside the CAT exam hall. However, facilities for drinking water will be available outside the exam hall and applicants can access them during the designated break time.

Ques: Is it mandatory to wear a mask on the exam day of CAT?

Ans: Yes, candidates must wear a mask on the exam day of CAT. They will not be allowed in the exam centre without a face mask.

Ques: Are there any particular COVID-19 testing requirements to appear in CAT 2025?

Ans: According to the present guidelines, there are no particular COVID-19 testing requirements to appear in CAT 2025. However, applicants are expected in following the COVID-19 safety guidelines, like wearing masks, practicing social distancing along with sanitizing hands.