CAT 2025 exam day began with an early-morning rush across major cities, and candidates reported several unexpected moments as they arrived at their CAT exam centres for Slot 1. Here are the top 5 surprising incidents that students shared while us, entering the test venues.
Live updates continue as candidates move in for the 8:30 AM slot, and many are already calling this one of the most dramatic starts in recent CAT history.
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Table of Contents
1. Long Queues Despite Early Reporting Time
Even though IIMs advised students to reach the CAT exam centre 30–60 minutes early, several centres saw unexpectedly long lines. Many aspirants claimed they had never seen such heavy queues at a CAT exam centre before, leading to panic and last-minute rushing.
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2. Strict Document Verification Delayed Entry
This year, centres followed extremely strict CAT exam centre guidelines. Candidates were shocked by:
- Multiple rounds of ID verification
- Manual frisking
- Barcode scanning delays: Some students reported waiting 10–15 minutes just to clear the identity check.
3. Sudden Ban on Certain Wearables & Accessories
Many candidates didn’t expect the CAT exam restricted items list to be enforced so strictly. Commonly confiscated items:
- Smartwatches
- Fitness bands
- Metal hair clips
- Digital wallets
Several aspirants were forced to leave their belongings with family or strangers outside the gate.
4. Confusion Over Classroom Allotment
A surprising number of students reported miscommunication about lab and classroom allotments, especially in large centres. Volunteers redirected candidates multiple times, and some test-takers ran up and down buildings minutes before the exam window opened.
5. High Tension Around Slot 1 Difficulty Predictions
Even before entering the building, candidates were discussing potential CAT slot 1 difficulty level, especially for VARC and DILR.
The fear of a “tough start” created visible stress on the campus, with some aspirants revising formulas right until security checks.
Final Note
These CAT 2025 live updates reflect a mix of exam-day pressure, strict procedures, and unexpected surprises at centres across India. As Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 progress, stay tuned for more updates on difficulty analysis, student reactions, and cut-off expectations.
Read about: CAT 2025 First Impression
