CAT 2018: Mistakes you must avoid on the test day

With months of stringent exam preparations, you are all set to appear for CAT 2018 which will be conducted on November 25, 2018. Following the proverb ‘Practice makes a man perfect’, you did preparations including taking mock tests for CAT 2018 to analyse your preparation and develop speed, accuracy and time that will get you a perfect CAT score. You made sure your CAT 2018 preparation was constructive so that you can ace the test but there can be ‘silly or unintentional mistakes’ that can happen on exam day and eventually affect your performance in CAT 2018. Here we are mentioning common mistakes that you must avoid on CAT 2018 exam day –

Not carrying CAT Admit Card to the exam centre – Without CAT 2018 Admit Card, no candidate is allowed to appear for the exam. The admit card of CAT 2018 mentions candidate’s information such as name, CAT 2018 registration number, date of birth, category and also exam details including exam centre name, location, timings and other important exam day instructions for CAT 2018. You need to carry at least 2 copies of CAT 2018 admit card, as one needs to be submitted to the exam invigilator.

Not carrying other required documents – Along with the CAT admit card 2018, the candidate must carry a photo identity proof such as PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Drivers License, College Identity Card, Employee Identity Card, etc. Also, carry 2 recent passport size coloured photograph which needs to be affixed on CAT 2018 admit card before entering in exam centre.

Not checking Test centre details – If you do not check and cross-verify your test centre location for CAT 2018 beforehand, then you might have to face trouble on the exam day locating it and you can get late for the exam. So, if you do not want such hassles to occur on the exam day, make sure you know the location of the allotted test centre for CAT 2018, how to reach there and also, if possible visit it before the exam day.

CAT exam centre

Not reaching the exam centre at reporting time – The exam timings for CAT 2018 is mentioned on the admit cards. The first session of the exam will begin sharply at 9:00 am, and the entry to the exam centre will be done an hour before the exam timings. Therefore, you must reach the allotted exam centre for CAT 2018 by 7:00 -7:30 am.

Gulping down last minute revision notes - This is the most common mistake test takers make i.e. doing last minute revision on the exam day or in the last few hours. This should be avoided by candidates because any new or contradictory information can create confusions in their mind. To qualify CAT exam you need to be a good decision maker so that the exam can be completed in time and precisely. But if you develop confusions at the last minute then this can impact their decision making and hence, they may take too long to solve questions or may end up marking wrong options as answers.

Lacking time management for each section – The exam pattern of CAT 2018 mentions that test duration is 180 minutes for all three sections i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). CAT 2018 is a computer-based test and the time limit set for each section is 60 minutes. Moreover, moving between the sections is not allowed and you need to attempt Section A followed by Section B and then Section C. Therefore, you need to be quick and accurate in solving questions within the time limit for each section of CAT 2018. With proper time management, you’ll be able to attempt maximum correct options.

Letting in negative thoughts – Your thoughts before and during the CAT exam can affect your test-taking ability, therefore, you must avoid any negative thoughts, fear of competition or overthink. This can cause stress and lower your morale. You need to keep yourself relaxed so that you can take the CAT 2018 exam with a sorted mind. To get the best result of your CAT preparation, you need to focus, be determined and avoid any contradictory thoughts.

Not checking instructions on CAT admit card – It is important to abide by instructions mentioned on CAT 2018 admit card for the exam day. The candidates not following the guidelines will not be allowed to take CAT 2018. Therefore, you should check all CAT exam instructions furnished on their admit card including things to carry, things not to carry, as well as other photo and signature-related instructions. You need to put signature on CAT 2018 admit card only before the exam invigilator at the allotted test centre if you do it beforehand, then you will not be allowed to take CAT 2018.

Carrying things not allowed in exam centre – The exam conducting body for CAT 2018 has listed a few things that are prohibited for candidates taking the exam. As per the CAT 2018 guidelines, you are not allowed to carry calculators (on-screen calculators are available), watch (on-screen clock is also available), no stationery, papers or notes (pen and paper for solving questions and rough work will be provided). Other items which are not allowed for CAT 2018 test takers are phones, headphones, wallets, bags, Jewellery, and footwear. Moreover, you should not apply any mehndi/henna tattoo or any cosmetic colour on your palms specifically thumb and fingers because your hands will be scanned for digital fingerprint at CAT exam centre.

Getting stuck on tricky questions – You are well aware about CAT 2018 exam pattern i.e. sections and sectional time duration and related information. Therefore, you should be focused on attempting each section within 60 minutes. But if you get stuck in solving a tricky question in any section then, it may consume more than required time and hence, you will not be able to attempt all questions from the section. Keep in mind, you cannot switch between the sections and have limited time to attempt each section. Moreover, CAT has negative marking and if you face any tricky question that you are not confident about then it is wise to skip the question. You can attempt such questions if some minutes are left after attempting all questions for that particular section as switching questions within the section is allowed.

These are some common mistakes that test takers must avoid, any of the above-listed mistakes can hamper their confidence and hence, performance in CAT 2018.

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