Exam On - 30 Nov '25
CAT 2024 is scheduled to be held on November 24, 2024. It is time to do the final revision and make the exam day plan. Here are the most important CAT exam day tips that you need for performing well in the exam.
CAT 2024 exam is just two days away and it is time to give your preparation the final touch. So revise notes, concepts, formulae and memorise short cuts and tricks to solve lengthy questions in less time. Attempt that one last CAT mock test to keep your confidence high. Go through the official CAT mock test 2024 also to have the experience of the exam before hand. Understand all the CAT exam rules and regulations so that you don’t make any mistake on the exam day. To help CAT 2024 aspirants, we have listed some CAT exam day tips and dos & don'ts to be kept in mind for the exam day. IIM Calcutta has also released the CAT 2024 test day guide, which has all that you need to know about CAT before the exam day. Read the tips below and prepare for the CAT 2024 exam day.
Revise important formulae: On the night before the CAT 2024 exam, revise all the important formulae, concepts and theorems before going to bed. Go through your short notes. Remember, this is not time to start any new topic. Your CAT 2024 preparation must be completed at least a week before the CAT exam so that you can dedicate the last few days to revision. Revise all the concepts and go to bed with a clear and confident mind.
CAT answer key is released in online mode only. The link to download it is made live at official website within a week of the exam. Candidates can download it by using their CAT login ID and password. Given below is the process to download:
The CAT examination body allows candidates to challenge the official answer key. In case a candidate feels any answer shared by the examination body is incorrect, they can challenge it by filling an objection form which is released on the same day as release of the CAT answer key and candidate response sheet. The candidates can fill the objection form by using their CAT login ID and password. Check below: 1. Visit the official website of CAT exam 2. Click on 'Login' 3. Enter CAT login ID and password to sign in 4. Go to 'Objection' tab 5. Click on plus sign to add an objection 6. Check the question number from the PDF of the question paper 7. Enter relevant details 8. Upload supporting document 9. Pay objection fee through credit/debit card or net banking The objection fee is INR 1,200 per objection. Candidates can raise any number of objections. The CAT answer key objection fee will be refunded to only those candidates whose objections will be accepted. Objections that have been submitted once cannot be edited.
Sleep well the night before: To be able to stay alert during the CAT exam, it is important to sleep well in the night before. Sleep for at least eight hours before the CAT 2024 exam day for a calm and relaxed mind during the test. Having a well-rested mind makes a lot of difference when you are attempting a test that includes heavy calculation and logical reasoning.
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Avoid last minute revision: In order to avoid any confusion just before entering the CAT 2024 exam centre, avoid last minute revision. Studying more is not equal to knowing more. So, don’t stretch and don’t stress. For a competitive exam like CAT, it is important that you prepare well throughout the year and not in the last few days or hours. Overall and well-structured exam preparation is the key.
Reach the exam centre before reporting time: CAT 2024 exam will be held in three sessions. The first session will be held from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the second session will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and the third session will be held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 PM. Entry gates of the CAT exam centres will close 15 minutes before the exam time. Reach your test centre on the time mentioned on the admit card for smooth and safe entry to the exam hall.
Carry CAT admit card and ID proof: CAT 2024 admit card is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre. No candidate will be allowed entry into the exam centre without the CAT admit card. Digital copy or photocopy of the CAT admit card 2024 is not admissible, so make sure you carry print outs.
Each candidate is supposed to carry two print outs of their respective CAT 2024 admit card to the exam centre. One copy is to be submitted at the exam centre and the second copy is to be retained by the candidate. Paste your passport-size photo on both the print-outs of the admit card. The photo should be same as the one uploaded with the CAT 2024 application form. Also read: Things to carry and not carry on CAT exam day
Important: Do not sign the CAT admit card beforehand. It is to be signed only at the exam centre in presence of the invigilator.
Along with the CAT 2024 admit card, the candidates need to carry a photo ID proof. You can carry (original and photocopy) of any of the following IDs:
Also Read: List of documents and certificates to carry on CAT exam day
Items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices are prohibited inside the CAT 2024 exam centre. Any candidate found with any of these items will be barred from the exam.
Items prohibited at CAT exam centre
Only CAT 2024 admit card and ID proof/relevant certificates will be allowed inside the exam hall. Pen/pencil and paper will be provided by the authorities for rough work.
Shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms are not allowed. The candidates will be required to take off their shoes outside the exam hall. Socks are allowed inside it. Women candidates must take care not to wear metal hairclips and jewellery made of metal as they will have to take them off during security check. They must not have henna on their palms for proper biometric attendance.
This is one of the most important tips for CAT exam day. To understand the CAT question paper, marking scheme and other rules and regulations, it is imperative to read the exam-related instructions carefully. Missing even a single point is highly risky; it may backfire at any juncture of the exam.
To familiarise oneself with the CAT 2024 exam, one can also take help from the official CAT Mock Test available on the official website IIMCAT. The official CAT mock test will help you familiarise with the actual CAT exam environment and related dos and don’ts.
CAT is the only MBA entrance exam in which the candidate is not allowed to choose the section he/she wants to answer first. The CAT question paper consists of three sections in the following chronology:
Candidates will have to complete the first section i.e. VARC and then move to the second section. Time allotted to each section is 40 minutes and the candidates must ensure they complete the section in exactly one hour as the screen will automatically move to the next section as soon as 40 minutes get over. There is no provision to move from one section to another in between. Candidates must note that they can used only the computer mouse for locking answers and not touch the keyboard. If they touch the keyboard, the screen will freeze.
CAT exam is all about speed and accuracy. In 120 minutes, the candidate is required to answer 66 question (MCQs and non-MCQs both) which includes complex calculations and reading long paragraphs. Thus, it is important for the candidate to take not more than one minute to solve a question. Moreover, since there is sectional restriction in the CAT 2024 exam pattern, the candidate needs to keep up with the pace as there is no chance of going back and solve questions which were left out earlier.
Along with speed, 100 per cent accuracy is of critical importance for there is negative marking of minus one mark for each wrong answer.
The key to succeed in any exam is writing the test with a calm mind. In that sense, CAT is no different. CAT questions could be tricky, lengthy, difficult or easy - all you need to do is keep calm. If you’ll panic, your performance will suffer. You may lose precious minutes which may affect your CAT 2024 result. Also, if you have attempted enough number of CAT mock tests and sample papers, no question will scare you. Even if you haven’t, stay calm and answer the question you know you can answer correctly. Remember, there is negative marking for wrong answer but no marks will be deducted if you leave a question unanswered.
Follow above mentioned CAT exam day tips & be confident of your abilities and tell yourself you can do it!
Read More:
How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
Try Shiksha CAT MOck Test to assess your preparation level and time-management skills.
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