CAT Documents Required 2025: What You Actually Need

Here's something that happened just last year at a CAT center in Pune - a student showed up with everything perfectly organized, admit card printed, ID ready, but got turned away because his photo ID didn't match the name on his admit card. Turns out he'd gotten married recently and updated some documents but not others. Twenty minutes of arguing later, he missed his slot entirely.

The moral of the story? Don't let document issues ruin your CAT 2025 dreams. The exam itself is stressful enough without worrying whether you'll even be allowed inside the hall.

CAT 2025: Documents You Must Have

There are exactly two documents that will get you inside the exam hall, and missing either one means you're going home.

Your CAT Admit Card

This isn't just any printout. It needs to be the official admit card downloaded from iimcat.ac.in with all your details visible. The CAT 2025 Admit Card is the most important document that must be carried on the exam. The barcode, your photo, exam center details, reporting time - everything needs to be legible.

Here's what most people don't realize: you need a hard copy, not just the digital version on your phone. Security won't accept phone screens, even if the admit card is visible. Print it on regular A4 paper using a decent printer. Faded printouts or photocopies of printouts sometimes cause problems.Pro Tip: Get a colored printout of your CAT Admit Card. While Black & White & Color printouts both are accepted, many times your photo and signature are not visible in the Black & White one. Hence, it is always advised to carry a color printout of your CAT Admit Card.

Valid Photo ID That Matches Your Application

Carry an original and a photocopy of a government-authorized ID, such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Passport. The name on this ID must match exactly what you entered during CAT registration. Not similar, not close - the same.

Acceptable IDs include:

• Aadhaar Card (most commonly used)
• Passport
• Voter ID Card
• Driving License
• PAN Card

Note: Student IDs, even from recognized universities, don't count. Neither do company IDs or any other non-government documents.

CAT 2025: Registration Document Requirements

Before you even get to exam day, you need several documents ready for the application process itself.

Photo Requirements During CAT 2025 Registration

Upload a recent photo taken within the last 6 months, preferably with a white or off-white background. The file size should not exceed 1 MB. Make sure to upload a clear and updated photo in the CAT 2025 Registration form, as it will be printed on your admit card and matched with your appearance on exam day.

Common photo mistakes that cause rejections:

• Using old photos that don't look like you anymore
• Backgrounds that aren't white or off-white
• Group photos cropped to show just one person
• Heavily filtered or edited images
• Photos where you're wearing sunglasses or hats

Signature Document

Your digital signature gets printed on the admit card too. It needs to be clear, recognizable, and match how you actually sign documents. Some candidates upload stylized signatures that look nothing like their normal writing - this creates problems during verification.

CAT 2025: Academic Documents You'll Need Later

While these aren't required on exam day, you'll need them ready for the application process and later for college admissions.

Educational Certificates

All your mark sheets from Class 10 onwards need to be available in digital format during registration. Candidates will be required to present their mark sheets and degrees in person during the admission process at the respective colleges if they get selected.

For final year students, provisional certificates or current semester mark sheets work for the application process. But you'll need to submit your final degree by the end of September or October as per the institute’s guidelines.Note: Final year students need not fret over submission of their undergraduate degree as every institute provides ample time for submission of the same.

Category Certificates (If Applicable)

SC/ST/OBC candidates need valid caste certificates. These must be issued by competent authorities and should be recent - some colleges don't accept certificates older than three years.

PwD candidates have additional requirements. If applicable, bring a valid disability certificate authorized by medical authorities.

CAT 2025: What Not to Include in Your Important Documents

Every year, candidates show up with bags full of documents they think they need but don't. These include unnecessary items like:

• Original academic mark sheets
• College ID cards
• Previous exam hall tickets
• Character certificates
• Migration certificates
• Multiple copies of the same documents

These just add to your stress and give you more things to worry about losing.

CAT 2025: Common Problems and Solutions

This is probably the most common reason for rejection at exam centers, and it's completely avoidable with proper planning.

Common Name Variations That Cause Issues

• Middle name included in one document but not the other
• Initials vs. full names (S. Kumar vs. Suresh Kumar)
• Slight spelling differences
• Order of first and last names switched
• Recent name changes after marriage

The Solution: During CAT registration, enter your name exactly as it appears on the photo ID you plan to carry on exam day. Don't use your "preferred" name or a shortened version - use the exact legal name from your ID.

CAT 2025: Regional Variations and Special Cases

Different states have different acceptable ID formats, but the central rule remains the same - government-issued IDs only.

• Aadhaar Card Issues: Some older Aadhaar cards have address mismatches or other minor issues. As long as your name and photo are clear and current, these usually don't cause problems. But if your Aadhaar card still has your childhood photo, consider using a different ID.
• Out-of-State Students: If you're taking CAT in a different state from where your ID was issued, that's perfectly fine. A Karnataka voter ID works in Delhi exam centers, and vice versa.

CAT 2025: Document Preparation Timeline

• During Registration (August 2025): Get all your digital documents ready - recent photo, clear signature scan, and academic certificates in PDF format. Double-check that everything uploads properly and appears clearly in the preview.
• One Month Before Exam: Start organizing your physical documents. Make sure your chosen photo ID is current and easily accessible. If there are any name mismatches between your ID and registration, contact the CAT authorities immediately.
• One Week Before: Print your admit card as soon as it's available (expected around the first week of November). Check the print quality carefully - if anything is unclear, print another copy. Keep the original safe and carry a backup copy if you're paranoid.
• Exam Day Morning: Do a final document check before leaving home. Admit card, photo ID, and nothing else unless specifically required by your exam center.

CAT 2025: Special Categories and Additional Documents Requirements

PwD Candidates: Carry PWD Certificates: If applicable, bring a valid disability certificate authorized by the appropriate medical board. This should be recent and clearly state your disability percentage and category.

Scribe Requirements: If you're using a scribe, additional documentation about the scribe's qualifications might be needed. Check the specific requirements when you apply for scribe assistance while registering for CAT 2025.

OCI/Foreign Nationals: Overseas Citizens of India and foreign nationals have different ID requirements. A passport becomes mandatory in these cases, and additional documentation might be needed during the application process.

CAT 2025 Documents: Digital vs. Physical Documents

Many candidates assume that showing documents on their phones is enough — but that’s a common mistake. For CAT 2025, physical copies are a must. This section breaks down what printed documents you need to carry and why digital versions won’t be accepted at the CAT 2025 Exam Center.

Physical Documents Required

• Printed admit card (mandatory)
• Original photo ID (mandatory)
• Photocopy of photo ID (recommended)

Digital Not Accepted

• Admit card on phone/tablet
• Digital copies of ID cards
• Screenshots of documents

Some candidates think they can just show everything on their phones. This doesn't work - you need actual printed/physical documents.

CAT 2025 Documents: Document Security and Backup Plans

Losing or damaging important documents on exam day can be a nightmare, especially when time is tight. From bad weather to last-minute mishaps, it’s smart to plan. This section offers simple ways to keep your documents safe, plus backup strategies and emergency contacts to help you stay prepared for any situation.

• Keep Everything Safe: Carry documents in a clear folder or envelope where they won't get damaged or lost. November weather can be unpredictable, so protect against rain or humidity.
• Backup Strategy: Keep photocopies of important documents separate from originals. If you lose your admit card on the way to the exam center, having a backup copy might save you.
• Emergency Contacts: Save CAT helpline numbers and your exam center contact details in your phone. If document issues arise, you need to know who to call immediately.

Ending Note: Keep It Simple

The documentation requirements for CAT aren't complicated, but people make them complicated by overthinking or bringing unnecessary items.

You need exactly two things on exam day: your admit card and a matching photo ID. Everything else is either for registration (which happens months earlier) or for admission (which happens after you clear the exam).

Don't let document anxiety affect your exam performance. Get everything sorted well in advance, double-check the obvious things, and then focus your mental energy on actually cracking those questions.

The exam is hard enough without adding preventable stress about paperwork. Thousands of students manage this successfully every year - you can too.