CAT 2024: Exam Day Do’s & Don'ts PDF Download

CAT 2022 was conducted on November 27, 2022, and candidates were all geared up to give their best to qualify for MBA/PGDM admissions into 20 IIMs and other top management colleges in India. The exam was conducted by IIM Bangalore in 150 test cities across various states in the country. Every year, more than 2 lakh students apply for the CAT exam and work their fingers to the bone to crack it. However, no amount of preparation or any strategy will help you pass the exam if you’re not aware of the CAT exam instructions.

You should familiarize yourself with the CAT 2023 Exam Day Do's and Don'ts before entering the testing facility so that you can appear in the exam without being subjected to various types of problems before or during the CAT exam.

Along with the CAT exam day guide with detailed instructions, conducting IIM will release the workflow of the day. Last year, IIM Bangalore released the CAT day work flow that shares how you should proceed on arriving at the test centre:

CAT Day Work Flow

CAT Exam Guidelines: Key Activities and Time Slots

CAT Exam Day Do's and Dont's

The set of CAT 2023 exam day guidelines contain 10 Do’s and Don’ts for the exam day. Let’s first begin with the important CAT exam day 10 Do’s followed by 10 Don’ts.

10 Important Do’s for CAT 2022 Exam Day

1.  Collect Your CAT 2023 Admit Card

• The hard copy of the CAT 2023 Admit Card, which is the most significant document to be carried on Test Day, should be the first item to bring for the CAT exam. 
• Download your CAT admit card from the CAT website if you haven't already, print it out on an A4 piece of paper, and paste your similar photo in the designated spot.
• Your Name, CAT Application Number, PwD status, Test Date and Day, Test Times and Session, Reporting/ Entry Time at Center, Gate Closing Time at Center, Test City, and Test Center Address should all be double-checked. 
• The following is the CAT Test day's slot-wise schedule:

2. Carry Your Original Photo ID

The most important things to carry for CAT exam day are your original photo ID proof as advised in your CAT Admit Card namely:

• Aadhar card, 
• College ID, 
• Employer ID, 
• Driving License, 
• Passport, 
• PAN Card, 
• Voter ID, 
• Identification Affidavit along with the Admit Card

3. Arrive at CAT Exam Centre on Time

Exam slots for the CAT 2023 will be in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Here are the exam timing and reporting time at the CAT centre. You must arrive at the CAT exam centre on time to avoid being turned away from the CAT test centre in 2023:

• You are encouraged to arrive at the CAT exam centre on time since it will take longer to complete the security check and biometrics because of social distance conventions.
• Determine your means of transportation and travel time at least one day before the exam to ensure that you can get to the testing location in enough of time.
• Use the Google map link embedded in the electronic version of the CAT 2023 Admit Card  to locate the Test Centre.

4. Locate Your Testing Room & Seat: No Display Outside the Test Centre

• You will not find Display of Seating Arrangement outside CAT Exam Centre. 
• Mapping of 'Candidate Application Number and the Lab Number' will NOT be displayed outside the test venue, but the same will be provided to the candidates individually at the time of the entry of the candidate to the test venue and post their Admit Card and Photo Identification Proof verification. 
• So don’t panic and go inside the test centre first.

5. Other things to carry for CAT exam

• Other items to bring to the CAT exam centre are your own mask and gloves, a clear water bottle, two ordinary pencils, and any test-related paperwork (Admit Card, ID Card etc.). 
• You don't need to bring anything else with you to the CAT exam because it won't be allowed inside the testing facility.

6. Type of Clothes & Other Accessories Allowed Inside CAT Test Centre

• You can wear Socks, plain Pullovers/Sweaters/Cardigans (without any pockets) inside the Exam lab. 
• Candidates with metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body would bring a supporting medical certificate of the same at the Test Centre are also allowed.
• However, all other personal belongings would be kept aside. IIMs/CAT Test centre authorities would not take any responsibility for any loss of the items.

7. Use Wash Room Before the Exam

• Use the restroom before the exam starts as you cannot use it while it is taking place. 
• Additionally, you must maintain silence and remain in line when entering the test centre, going through the frisking procedure, having your documents and biometrics verified, and leaving the test centre following the exam.

8. Ensure to Mark Attendance

Mark your attendance in the Form with signature when asked for in the CAT testing room after biometrics.

9. Answer CAT question by Using Mouse

• At the Console, use the Mouse to select the right Option as answer for an MCQ and to use the on-screen Keyboard to answer a Non-MCQ. 
• Avoid use of key board of the Console as it will lock your computer.

10. Non MCQs: Choose to answer first

• Answering a Non-MCQ is easier as you will have to simply key in the correct answer of the question in the given space. 
• Besides all the Non-MCQs in each section are no penalty questions, so you lose nothing even if your answer is wrong.

10 Don’ts for CAT 2022 Exam Day

After going through the CAT exam day do’s, it is also very much necessary to know what is prohibited at CAT exam centre. Below are shared 10 CAT day Don’ts

1. Don’t Wear Jackets, Jewellery, Shoes

• You shouldn't bring any of the items on the IIM's list to the CAT exam location. 
• No coats, jewellery, digital watches, electrical devices, or shoes are permitted on the applicants.
• Additionally, applicants are prohibited from bringing bags, wallets, or mobile phones inside the CAT exam centre. 
• You must leave any of these things at the test centre entrance gate if you are wearing or carrying them. 
• Any loss of them is not the responsibility of the CAT exam centre.

2. Don’t Apply Mehndi (Henna) on Palm Side

• Do not apply Henna (Mehndi) on the palm side. It is a very important CAT exam day don’t for the girl candidates who apply Mehndi regularly on their palms. 
• Applying Henna (Mehndi) on palm side may be a hindrance in getting your biometrics captured. 
• If your finger prints cannot be digitally scanned due to reasons like applying Mehndi / henna / any cosmetic colours etc., you will not be permitted to take the test.

3. Don’t Arrive Late

• Do not request entry into the Test Centre after the gates are closed. 
• Make sure to reach at least half an hour before the exam commencement time.

4. Don’t Request Bio Break during Exam

• Do not request for a bio-break while inside the Exam Lab unless it is a Medical emergency. 
• No bio breaks are allowed during the 2 hours of the CAT exam.

5. Don’t Use Computer Key Board

• Do not use the keyboard of your console at any point of time. 
• Using it will lock your computer system and your precious time is wasted. 
• Instead use mouse to answer the CAT questions

6. Don’t be confused in Using Navigation tools to answer CAT questions

While answering the questions, Candidates can use the following options:

• Save & Next: Saves Response/Answer and moves to the next Question
• Clear Response: Clears the selected Response/Answer for the given question only
• Mark for Review & Next: Would mark the question for review for later. The question may either be answered or may not be answered. If answered, the Response/Answer would be recorded and also marked for review later. At the end of the section time, this question would be considered as ‘Answered’.

The ability to track the progress of a question has been made available to applicants for CAT 2023. The status of each question will be shown in the Question Palette on the right side of the screen. On the right side of the question-answer panel, four colour icons will show the state of the question.

• Green – Answered questions but not marked for review.
• Red – Questions visited but neither answered, nor marked for review.
• Grey – Questions not visited or viewed.
• Violet – Marked for review but not answered.
• Violet with a green tick mark as a subscript – Questions answered but marked for review It will be better to practice on it with official CAT mock test and understand the process instead of getting confused on the Exam day.

7. No Friend is Allowed Inside

• None of your friends or family members who are travelling with you are permitted to pass past the Test Center gate unless you are a PwD candidate and have requested a scribe. 
• Do not invite them to accompany you. 
• They will need to return from the exam centre gate even if they do come.
• Therefore, avoid engaging in any disputes with the security personnel or the exam centre employees over forced entrance.

8. No Cheating or Disturbance

• Do not disturb other Candidates nor attempt to cheat or copy answers from others during the Exam. 
• Avoid attempting to appear for CAT 2022 Exam more than once. 
• Candidature will be cancelled if a candidate is found to appear for the test multiple times

9. No Change of Exam Centre/Console

• Do not request for change of CAT Test Centre/Exam Lab/Console on the CAT Exam Day.

10. Save your writing paper

• Avoid wasting writing pad pages because each candidate will only receive one during the exam. 
• After the test, do not take any pages from the writing pad outside the exam lab.

For any issues during the test, you are supposed to raise your hand to notify the invigilator. Stay seated and explain the issue to the invigilator who approaches you. Under no circumstance, should you move from your seat until the end of exam time.
CAT 2023 Last Minute Preparation Tips are also shared by CAT toppers who are studying in IIMs, SPJIMR, IMT and other B-schools. Check last minute CAT 2022 preparation tips from toppers

Dress Code and Items to carry or not carry on CAT exam day

Know all the dos and don'ts of the CAT 2023 exam day and things to carry or not carry to the exam centre on test day.

What to Carry at the CAT Exam Centre?

CAT exam-related documents such as duly filled admit cards, ID card

• A simple transparent ballpoint pen
• Additional photograph (For attendance sheet)
• Personal hand sanitizer (50 ml)
• Personal transparent water bottle

Read more about the list of common mistakes made by aspirants on the exam day prepared by experts at EduRev.

What Not to Carry to the CAT 2022 Test Centre?    

The exam authority of CAT has forbidden many things inside the exam hall, and any student is not allowed to take the exam if found in the possession of those things. The following items are not allowed inside the CAT 2022 examination hall:

• Wristwatches
• Mobile Phone
• Purse/Handbag
• Log Tables
• Calculator
• Camera 
• Wireless/Bluetooth Devices
• Other Electronic Gadgets
• Geometry/ Instrument/ Pencil box

Relief to Carry Accessories Against CAT Exam Day Authorization Form

Though candidates are not allowed to carry any accessories and electronics inside the examination hall, they can take them inside only if they are necessary for their medical health and prescribed by an MCI-approved doctor. In that case, the CAT authority will issue the candidate an authorization form, which is necessary to carry to the examination hall to get permission.

Last Minute Preparation Tips for CAT 2023

1. Evaluate Yourself: With just a few days remaining, one should evaluate their performance prior to the exam as well. Practice revision questions.  
2. Time Yourself: The sectional time limit for CAT 2022 is 40 minutes. The candidates need to manage their time well. At this stage, one should focus on speed and accuracy rather than learning any new concepts.
3. Avoid Picking New Topics: With only a few days remaining for CAT 2022, aspirants should avoid studying new topics. As starting with a new topic just prior to the D Day will only lead to confusion and will reduce the quality of understanding. It is better that the aspirants revise and polish the topics which they have already prepared.  
4. Proper Diet and Sleep well:  It is important that one takes proper care of themselves. Avoid unhealthy and junk food as you don't want to fall sick before your exam. It is very important to take proper sleep and rest a day before the D-day. Having an incomplete sleep will affect your performance during the exam.
5. Avoid last-minute revision: The last few hours before the exam is meant only to relax your mind and body. Taking any sort of stress must be avoided. And taking anything new that you have never studied before is a complete No. 
6. Try meditating: The last few days before the D-day should be full of relaxation, it is suggested to meditate for 30-45 minutes. This will calm you even more and boost your concentration power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to CAT Exam Day Guidelines

What are the things allowed in CAT exam?

Important things to be carried on CAT Exam Day:

1. Admit Card is a Must to Carry for CAT Exam
2. Carry a Government Issued Photo Identity Card
3. Forbidden Items for CAT 2023
4. Scribe Affidavit and Medical Certificate
5. Stationery Items that Can be Carried
6. Authorisation Form
7. Documents Related to Name Change

Forbidden Items for CAT 2023

1. Watches.
2. Mobile Phone.
3. Handbag.
4. Pencil Box.
5. Calculator.
6. Camera.
7. Electronic Gadgets.
8. Headphones/Earpiece.
9. Log Table.

Is there any dress code for CAT exam?

Choosing what to wear to the CAT exam centre should not be a tough task for you. The exam authorities expect candidates to dress in simple and plain clothes.

• Candidates must wear comfortable dresses. 
• Next, the dress must be plain and simple.
• Additionally, candidates can wear clothes that do not have long sleeves or pockets. 
• For girls' CAT dress, it is advised not to wear scarves or carry any. 
• Do not over-accessorise while appearing for the CAT exam.

Read more about CAT Exam Day Dress Code from here.

Can we go to washroom during CAT exam?

No candidate is allowed to leave the exam hall in the middle of the test. Hence the candidates are advised to visit the washroom before the CAT Exam so that they can complete the CAT Exam without any discomfort.

What should I do the day before CAT exam?

The last thing you should do is try and cram a bunch of studying in before the test. Cramming is not going to help you one bit on the test. You’ll do better if you walk into the test rested, alert, and confident.

EduRev has prepared the last minute guidance tips for aspirants like you so that you have a stress and interruption free exam!