CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: Documents, Dress Code, Prohibited Items and a Night-Before Checklist
CAT 2026 is on 29 November, and the biggest avoidable risk on that day is not a tough DILR set. It is being turned away at the gate, or losing your calm over a missing document or a banned item. Here is a complete guide to what to carry, what to leave at home, how to dress, how the centre process works and what to do the night before and in the morning.
The Short Answer
Carry a clear printout of your admit card and one original government photo ID whose name matches the admit card. Leave phones, watches, calculators, notes, bags and all electronic items at home or outside. Wear light, simple clothing with no metal, reach the centre by the reporting time on your admit card, not the exam start time, and treat your admit card as the final word on anything below. Small details such as the number of photos or the exact items allowed can differ between listings, so follow the instructions printed on your own admit card.
Slot Timings and Reporting
These follow the usual CAT schedule, so confirm your own slot, reporting time and gate-closing time on your admit card. Plan to reach the centre well before the gate closes. Entry involves document checks, frisking and biometric or photo verification, and there is often a queue. Our slot-wise strategy shows how to plan your day for each slot.
Documents to Carry
Tips - Check the name spelling on your admit card and ID before exam day. If they do not match, contact the CAT helpdesk at once, not on the day. - Do not rely on a phone photo or scan of your ID or admit card. Carry the originals and printouts. - Keep everything in one plain folder that you can hand over easily. - Candidates needing facilitation, such as PwD candidates or those with a scribe, should keep the approved forms and certificates ready and arrive early.
Our CAT 2026 admit card guide covers the download, the checks and what to fix before exam day.
What Not to Carry
- Mobile phones, tablets and laptops
- Calculators. CAT provides an on-screen calculator in the exam.
- Smartwatches, watches, earbuds and any electronic device
- Notes, books and loose paper
- Bags, which many centres do not allow inside, so avoid carrying one
- Metal accessories, such as large belt buckles, heavy jewellery and clips
- Food and drinks beyond what the centre allows
If you must bring a bag or phone, expect that you may have to leave it outside at your own risk, so travel light or go with someone who can hold your things.
Stationery and Rough Work
CAT does not let you carry your own paper. Stationery for rough work is arranged at the centre, so check the instructions on your admit card and follow the staff's directions. Use it to practise writing legibly, since you will do a lot of rough work in DILR and QA.
Dress Code
There is no strict uniform, but the safe rule is light, simple and metal-free.
Centres can be cold in the morning and warm by afternoon, so layers that are easy to remove help. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, leave it at home.
What Happens at the Centre
- Gate check. Staff check your admit card and ID and may frisk you.
- Verification. Your photo may be taken and your biometrics checked.
- Seating. You are assigned a computer. Check that it works and that the screen is clear before you begin.
- Instructions. Read the on-screen instructions carefully, since the exam clock starts only when you begin.
- The exam. Each section is 40 minutes, and you cannot return to a section after the time ends.
- Ending. Follow staff instructions about logging out and leaving.
If you face a problem with your computer, raise your hand and tell the invigilator immediately.
The Night Before
- Pack your folder: admit card printouts, original ID, photograph and any certificates.
- Check the route and the time to reach the centre. If it is in another area, visit it earlier if you can.
- Lay out your clothes, following the dress code above.
- Charge your phone for travel, but plan to leave it outside the exam hall.
- Do a light revision only. Skim your error log and formulas, but do not start new topics.
- Sleep on time. A full night's sleep matters more than another hour of study.
The Morning of the Exam
- Eat a light, familiar meal. Avoid anything heavy or new.
- Carry water if the centre permits, and a small snack for after the exam.
- Leave early, allowing time for traffic and the queue.
- Do not check social media or reactions from earlier slots.
- Keep your admit card and ID in hand when you reach the gate.
Inside the Exam: A Quick Reminder
- Spend the first minutes scanning the section and start with the easiest questions.
- Use the on-screen calculator only when needed.
- Type TITA answers carefully, since they have no options and no negative marking.
- Watch the section timer, not the overall clock.
- Do not panic after a bad section. The next one is a fresh start.
Our guide to the CAT 2026 official mock test helps you practise on the real interface, and our last 30 days study plan covers the rest of your preparation. If nerves are the issue, read our guide on feeling underprepared for CAT 2026.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Arriving at the gate-closing time, instead of the reporting time
- Carrying an ID with a mismatched name, or only a phone copy
- Wearing a watch or metal accessories and being sent back to remove them
- Bringing a bag and having nowhere to leave it
- Heavy last-minute revision that raises anxiety
- Finding admit card errors on exam day, when they should be fixed earlier
What We Do Not Know Yet
- The exact items allowed, the number of photographs and the stationery arrangement can vary, so follow the instructions on your admit card.
- Slot allocation, reporting time and centre are confirmed only on your admit card.
- Any last-minute changes will be announced on the official CAT website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need for CAT 2026? A printed admit card and one original government photo ID that matches the admit card. Also carry a passport-size photograph and any category or PwD certificate if your admit card asks for them.
Which photo IDs are accepted? Commonly Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, voter ID and driving licence. Check your admit card for the final list.
Can I carry a calculator? No. CAT provides an on-screen calculator.
Can I take my phone or watch into the exam hall? No. Phones, watches and other electronic devices are not allowed inside.
Will I get paper for rough work? Stationery for rough work is arranged at the centre. Do not bring your own.
What should I wear? Light, simple clothes without metal, zips or heavy layers, with open footwear or slippers.
When should I reach the centre? By the reporting time on your admit card, well before the gate closes, and not at the exam start time.
What if my name does not match my ID? Contact the CAT helpdesk well before exam day, since an unresolved mismatch can stop you from entering.
When is CAT 2026? 29 November 2026, in three slots.
Final Word
Exam day goes smoothly when the small things are settled in advance: the right documents, simple clothes, an early arrival and a calm morning. Pack the night before, trust your preparation and let your admit card be the final word on anything this guide leaves open. Rules and timings can change, so confirm the latest instructions on the official CAT website and your admit card.
Kavya Kumar
Founder of GRADSCALE, which he architected and built from scratch — the daily drill engine, PYQ access, analytics and leaderboards behind the platform's daily execution system.
