CAT 2025 Slot Timings and Test Centre Details: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is one of the most sought-after management entrance exams in India. Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis, CAT serves as the gateway to top IIMs and B-schools across the country. Every year, more than 2.5 lakh aspirants register for the exam, making it one of the most competitive and prestigious tests in the nation.
While preparation and strategy are key for success, one crucial aspect candidates often overlook is understanding their CAT 2025 slot and centre details. Proper awareness of your exam slot timing, test centre location, and exam-day instructions can save you from unnecessary stress and ensure a smooth experience. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from CAT 2025 slot timings, exam centres, and city options to reporting instructions, travel tips, and FAQs.
Latest Updates – Check Live CAT 2025 Exam Analysis Here
Also Check Slot-wise CAT Live Analysis Here –
Table of Contents
CAT 2025 Slot Timings – Overview
The CAT 2025 exam is will be conducted on Sunday, November 30, 2025 in three slots – Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3.
Each slot will last 2 hours (120 minutes) and include three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
CAT 2025 Exam Time
| Slot | Exam Timing | Reporting Time | Gate Closure Time |
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM |
Note: The official timings will be mentioned on the CAT 2025 Admit Card, which will be released on the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
Also Check – CAT 2025 Admit Card Release Date
How CAT 2025 Slot and Centre Are Assigned?
The IIMs use an automated allocation process to distribute candidates across slots and centres. This process ensures fairness and logistical efficiency.
Key factors influencing allocation include:
- City Preferences: The cities you select during registration are considered first.
- Seat Availability: Each test centre has a limited capacity per slot.
- Administrative Distribution: The IIMs maintain balance across regions and slots to ensure smooth conduct.
Once your CAT slot and exam centre are assigned, they cannot be changed under any circumstances. Hence, double-check your preferences during the application process.
CAT 2025 Admit Card: Slot and Centre Details
The CAT 2025 Admit Card is released on its official website on 12th November. Candidates can download the hall ticket using their login credentials on the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
Details Mentioned on CAT 2025 Admit Card:
- Candidate’s Name and Registration ID
- Slot Timing (Morning, Afternoon, or Evening)
- Exam Centre Name, Address, and Google Map Link
- Reporting and Gate Closure Time
- Photo and Signature of Candidate
- Important Exam Day Guidelines
Note: Candidates must print the admit card on A4-size paper and carry it along with an original photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID).
How to Check CAT 2025 Slot and Centre Details on Admit Card
Follow these steps to access your slot and centre information:
- Visit the official IIM CAT website – iimcat.ac.in
- Click on the ‘Download CAT 2025 Admit Card’ link
- Log in using your CAT ID and password
- Download the admit card and verify your slot, date, and centre address
- Use the Google Map link to check the location in advance
Tip: Always verify the route to your exam centre at least one day before the test to avoid delays.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 – Number of Questions, Duration
The CAT exam pattern is expected to remain similar to previous years. Each slot will include the same number of sections and follow a strict sectional time limit.
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions (Approx.) | Nature of Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 minutes | 24 | MCQ + TITA |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes | 22 | MCQ + TITA |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 40 minutes | 22 | MCQ + TITA |
Total Duration: 120 minutes
Total Questions: 68
Note: Candidates must attempt each section within the given time limit, as switching between sections is not allowed.
CAT 2025 Exam Centres: Test Cities and Centres Details
CAT 2025 will be held across 155+ test cities in India to ensure wide accessibility for candidates. When filling out the application form, aspirants can select up to 5 preferred test cities in order of priority. The exam authorities will allot CAT 2025 exam centres based on availability.
| State / Union Territory | Test Cities (Expected) |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Guntur, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar-Naharlagun |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar |
| Bihar | Arrah, Aurangabad (Bihar), Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna |
| Chandigarh (UT) | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Bhilai Nagar, Bilaspur, Raipur |
| Delhi (NCT) | Delhi, New Delhi |
| Goa | Panaji, Madgaon |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Valsad |
| Haryana | Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat |
| Himachal Pradesh | Bilaspur (HP), Hamirpur, Kangra, Shimla, Solan |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Belagavi (Belgaum), Bengaluru, Hubballi (Hubli), Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi |
| Kerala | Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar, Amravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Raigad, Solapur, Thane |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur |
| Puducherry (UT) | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Bhatinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala |
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Alwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Durgapur, Hooghly, Kolkata, Siliguri |
*The list of CAT 2025 test cities provided above is based on the latest available information. However, the final allocation of test cities and centres is subject to change at the discretion of the CAT conducting the IIM. Candidates are advised to verify their assigned test city and exact exam centre details on the official CAT 2025 Admit Card
Pro Tip: Choose a test city closest to your residence to avoid long travel and last-minute stress. Always select alternate nearby cities as backup options.
How to Download the CAT Exam Centres 2025 PDF?
Candidates can check the official CAT 2025 exam centres PDF on the IIM CAT website. It includes all the test cities, which helps candidates to choose the preferred centres while filling out the application form. Below are the steps to download CAT exam centres list PDF –
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Visit the official IIM CAT website – iimcat.ac.in.
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Click on the “CAT 2025 Notification” or “Information Bulletin” link.
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Find the section titled “List of Test Cities / Exam Centres.”
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Click the Download PDF button to save the file.
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Open the PDF to view all CAT 2025 exam cities and test centres.
Also Check –
Download CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF
Download CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF
CAT Exam Day Strategy- Managing CAT 2025 Slot and Centre
Your slot and centre details are more than just logistics—they can significantly influence your mindset and performance. Here’s how to manage them smartly:
1. Plan Your Journey
If your test centre is far from your home city, arrive a day early and stay nearby. This helps you avoid travel fatigue and ensures you’re well-rested.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Center
Visit the centre location a day before the exam. Check entry points, parking facilities, and the nearest public transport options.
3. Sleep and Eat Smartly
Morning slot candidates should go to bed early. Afternoon or evening slot candidates should eat lightly and stay hydrated before the exam.
4. Pack Essentials the Night Before
Keep your admit card, ID proof, and a transparent water bottle ready. Avoid carrying prohibited items like phones, watches, or calculators.
5. Practice Time Management by Slot
If your slot is in the morning, take mock tests at that time to align your biological clock. Similarly, practice afternoon or evening tests accordingly.
CAT 2025 Exam Day Rules and Instructions
To maintain fairness and security, the IIMs enforce strict exam-day protocols. Non-compliance may lead to disqualification.
Key Instructions:
- Reach the centre 90 minutes before your slot time.
- The gate closes 15 minutes before the exam begins.
- Biometric verification and frisking are mandatory.
- Personal items like phones, smartwatches, or wallets are not allowed.
- You will receive a rough sheet and a pen for calculations.
- Candidates can leave only after the exam concludes.
Tip: Failure to follow instructions or reporting late may result in denial of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many slots are there in CAT 2025, and what are their timings?
A: CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three slots:
- Slot 1: 8:30–10:30 AM,
- Slot 2: 12:30–2:30 PM,
- Slot 3: 4:30–6:30 PM
Q: How do I check my CAT 2025 exam centre details?
A: Your exam centre address and Google Map link are available on your CAT 2025 Admit Card.
Q: Can I change my CAT slot or exam centre after release?
A: No. Slot and centre changes are not permitted once the admit card is issued.
Q: What documents are mandatory on exam day?
A: You must carry your admit card and one valid government ID proof.
Q: What if I reach the exam centre late?
A: Candidates arriving after gate closure will not be permitted entry under any condition.
