Exam Centers for the Common Admission Test for the 2025 iteration will be spread across 170 test cities. You will have the option to select any 5 cities as per your preference. There will be a preference list for your choices, for example, you can choose Mumbai as preference 1, Pune as preference 2, Goa as preference 3, and so on. You must note that Gurgaon and Faridabad have been declared as a single city in Haryana, similarly, Noida and Greater Noida have been clubbed as one city in Uttar Pradesh. You will be allowed to change test center preferences during the application edit window if necessary.

The complete list of test centers will be announced on the official website at iimcat.ac.in. There is no guarantee that you will be allocated your first preference in CAT exam centers. Hence, be sure to select test centers suitable for you to commute. Your test center will be mentioned in your Admit Card, slated to release on November 5, along with a Google Maps link to facilitate your commute.

In case, you face any discrepancies in your test center on exam day then escalate the issue first with the officials at the test center and if not resolved then use your CAT ID to the dedicated CAT helpline number or official mail. The exam help desk number is 1-800-210-1088 (tollfree).

Also Check:

• CAT 2025 Question Paper
• CAT 2025 Cutoff

Can I Change my CAT Exam Center?

You can change your exam center during the edit window that will open after September 20, 2025, after the CAT registration process officially closes. While filling out the application form, you can make changes to your exam center preferences as many times as you want before you save and proceed to the next step.

Once the edit window closes, you will not be able to make any changes to your exam center preferences.

What to Carry to CAT Exam Center?

There is a list of items that you can carry to the center on exam day, the most essential being your CAT Admit Card. Here are some essentials:

1. Hard Copy of CAT Admit Card 2025 (Affix the same photograph that you used in the Application form on the admit card)
2. Identity Proof

Will they allow Bags to be Carried inside CAT Exam Center?

Bags will not be allowed to be carried inside the exam center. Many exam centers have dedicated spaces to keep your bags which you can collect after the exam. Keep your water bottles, keys, and other accessories in the bag. It is best to carry only your Admit Card and Identity proof when you commute to the exam center. Your wallets/purses will not be allowed inside the test center, hence ensure you safekeep them.

Is there a Facility to Safekeep Belongings at CAT Exam Center?

Most test centers have spaces to safekeep your belongings, but the centers do not take responsibility if your belongings are lost. One previous year test taker stated that his bags were kept on the first floor in a dedicated space while the exam was conducted on the second floor. Another candidate shared her experience that her belongings were kept with the watchman of the test center, and hence they were safe.

How are CAT Exam Centers Allotted?

The exam centers are randomly allocated. Test takers have tried to find the algorithm of how centers are allocated with hypotheses like working professionals being allotted centers close to their residence. None of the hypotheses have been proved to be true. The test centers are allocated on a random basis, and there have been instances of candidates being allotted test centers 600 KM away from their residence. There have also been cases of applicants being allotted their third or fourth preferences.