CAT 2024 Exam Day Tips: Key Dos and Don'ts

Photo ID to Carry Along with CAT Admit Card 2024

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:

• Aadhar card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• College/University ID
• Driver's license
• Or any other identity proof issued by the Government of India

Also Read: List of documents and certificates to carry on CAT exam day

Do Not Carry Prohibited Items at CAT Exam Centre

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.

Follow CAT Dress Code

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.

Read CAT Exam Instructions Carefully

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.

Follow the CAT Question Paper Sequence

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:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

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.

Maintain Speed and Accuracy

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.

Keep Calm and Stay Confident

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:

• Items not allowed inside CAT exam hall
• How to approach CAT questions; tips by toppers
• Mistake to avoid on CAT exam day
• CAT exam tutorial and exam day guide
• Official CAT mock test and guide
• CAT preparation: 10 popular myths busted
• Types of Reading Comprehension questions

• How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile

• Common Pitfalls to avoid while solving RC questions in CAT

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