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CAT Exam Dress Code: CAT 2025 is near, on November 30, 2025. All the candidates might be tense over downloading admit cards, checking their respective slots, and the exam center. However, you should also definitely know the CAT exam dress code 2025. All 375 CAT exam centers across over 170 cities follow the same dress code. In this blog we will know how females and males should get ready for the CAT exam center. Don’t miss these guidelines before your exam.
CAT Exam Dress Code 2025
The main reason for the CAT exam dress code is security and transparency. The following table has the list of dress code guidelines. Let’s check them out.
| Category | Guidelines |
| Clothing | Simple and comfortable outfits. Simple Jackets - Allowed Jackets with a lot of pockets - Not Allowed |
| Footwear | Slippers or sandals preferred. Avoid shoes with thick soles or metal buckles. |
| Jewelry | No metallic jewelry, watches, or accessories allowed. |
| Pockets | Outfits with multiple pockets are not permitted. |
| Headgear | Caps, scarves, and hats are prohibited unless for medical reasons. |
| Electronics | Smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, and phones are strictly banned. |
Note: Before you enter the CAT exam hall security team checks you with metal detectors to ensure a smoother entry.
Also Read, Things to Carry to the Exam Centre for CAT 2025, Check Now
Items NOT Allowed Inside the CAT Exam Hall
1. Electronic Devices
The following items are strictly prohibited:
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Digital watches
- Calculators
- Fitness bands
- Earphones
- Electronic gadgets of any kind
There is no facility to store personal items at the test centre.
2. Stationery & Other Personal Items
The exam centre does not allow:
- Pens or pencils
- Papers
- Notebooks
- Wallets
- Bags
- Goggles
- Any personal stationery
A writing pad and pen will be provided inside the hall for rough work.
3. Jewellery or Metal Accessories
Candidates are not allowed to wear:
- Jewellery
- Metal accessories
- Any item containing metal
These can delay frisking and may cause entry issues.
Also Read, CAT Last-Minute Preparation Tips 2025, Section-wise Strategy
CAT Exam Dress Code for Males: Do’s & Don’ts
For male candidates, dressing comfortably without any styled clothes is recommended. Ie, jackets and jeans with pockets are highly prohibited. Keep it simple and smart.
Dos for Male Candidates:
- Wear casual trousers/pants/jeans that have at least pockets.
- Slippers are highly advised instead of sports shoes. However, in many centers, security tells you to remove them before you enter the exam hall. But you can still wear thin sole shoes.
- Keep your personal things to a minimum as possible.
Don’ts for Male Candidates:
- Avoid apparel with a lot of pockets as you will end up spending a lot of time in security check several pockets.
- Do not wear caps.
- Any silver/gold rings or chains must be avoided.
Advice: Wearing a plain cotton T-shirt and jeans without accessories is usually the best choice. It helps clear security quickly and keeps you comfortable throughout the exam.
Also Read, CAT Revision Strategy 2025, Revision Videos, Study Materials
CAT Exam Dress Code for Females: Do’s & Don’ts
Just like male candidates, female aspirants also must keep their dress simple and comfortable. Let’s see what you can wear on the CAT exam day.
Dos for Female Candidates:
- Wear leggings/trousers that have minimal or no pockets.
- Choose simple sandals or slippers for an easy and fast security check.
- Your makeup should be minimal and natural. So, face verification can be easy.
Don’ts for Female Candidates:
- You must avoid heavy jewelry, ie, earrings, necklaces, or bangles.
- Avoid Mehandi and all on hands to be on the safer side.
- Don’t carry a handbag or purse inside the exam center.
Advice: The ideal look is a simple cotton kurta/T-shirt with leggings/trousers and flat footwear. This can make security check quick and easy.
CAT Exam Dress Code 2025: Exam Day Guidelines
The CAT 2025 exam day guidelines highlight what to wear and what not to carry. These rules are meant to create a fair, secure, and stress-free testing environment.
| Item | Guidelines |
| Clothes | Light-colored, short-sleeved clothes without many pockets. |
| Footwear | Only basic sandals or slippers. Shoes are to be removed before entry. |
| Headgear | Not allowed, except for medical or religious reasons (with documents). |
| Makeup & Henna | Keep minimal makeup; avoid henna or any design on hands. |
| Jewelry | Avoid all metallic ornaments. |
| Electronic Devices | No phones, calculators, or smartwatches allowed. |
| Personal Items | Wallets, purses, and handbags must be left outside. |
Candidates with medical implants or assistive devices should bring a medical certificate for verification.
CAT Exam Day Instructions 2025
Before the CAT exam, you must read the instructions given in your admit card. You can also check them here, simple and easy to understand.
Key Instructions:
- Reach your exam center at least 30 minutes before the reporting time mentioned in your admit card.
- Carry two printed copies of your CAT 2025 admit card on A4-size paper.
- Bring your valid photo ID proof, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID.
- Follow the dress code and security directions strictly.
- Avoid bringing pens, calculators, or stationery. These will be provided in the exam hall (Invigilator gives you a scribble pad and pen).
- Use the Google Maps link on your admit card to locate your exam center.
- Late entry is not allowed once the gates are closed.
Pro Tip: Visit your exam center a day before the exam. It saves time and helps you plan your travel on exam day.
CAT Exam Centres 2025
The CAT 2025 exam will be held in 170+ cities across India. During registration, students can choose up to 5 preferred cities. Once allotted, the exam center cannot be changed later.
| State / Union Territory | CAT Test Cities |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Anantapur Guntur Kurnool Rajahmundry Visakhapatnam Tirupati Vijayawada |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar / Naharlagun |
| Assam | Dibrugarh Guwahati Silchar Jorhat Tezpur |
| Bihar | Patna Gaya Muzaffarpur Bhagalpur Darbhanga |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh / Mohali |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur Bilaspur Bhilai Nagar |
| Delhi | New Delhi (other regions) |
| Goa | Panaji / Madgaon |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad Surat Vadodara Rajkot Gandhinagar |
| Haryana | Gurugram Faridabad Hisar Ambala |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla Hamirpur Kangra |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi Jamshedpur Dhanbad Bokaro Steel City |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru Mysuru Mangaluru Hubli-Dharwad |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram Kochi Kozhikode Thrissur |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal Indore Gwalior Jabalpur |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai Pune Nagpur Nashik Aurangabad |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar Cuttack Rourkela Sambalpur |
| Punjab | Amritsar Ludhiana Jalandhar Patiala |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur Jodhpur Udaipur Kota |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai Coimbatore Madurai Salem |
| Telangana | Hyderabad Warangal Karimnagar |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow Kanpur Varanasi Prayagraj NOIDA |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun Roorkee Haldwani |
| West Bengal | Kolkata Durgapur Siliguri Howrah |
Note: Students should check their admit card carefully for the test city, center name, and slot timing. Reaching early helps avoid rush and confusion.
CAT Exam Dress Code 2025: Conclusion
Finally, with he above CAT exam dress code 2025 guide, you might have understood how to go to the exam center. Follow the dressing guidelines, carry an admit card, and ID proof. Be early, complete your security check early, and write your exam peacefully. All the best, everyone, for your dream towards B-school.
