CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts: Check Important Guidelines, Instructions, Rules
CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts are important guidelines and instructions that are issued by IIMs for candidates to ensure smooth conduct of the exam. CAT 2024 is being held today, November 2024. Read important CAT exam day Dos & Don’ts and CAT Exam Day Guidelines. Also check things to carry and things not to carry to CAT exam center, how to locate your exam center, seat and other important details.
Table of Contents
- CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos
- CAT 2024 Exam Day Don’ts
- CAT Exam Day Instructions by IIMs
- Things to carry or not carry in CAT Exam
- CAT 2024 Exam Day Guidelines by IIMs
- CAT 2024 Exam Date & Time
1. CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos
Read and follow the important CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos & Donts.
1.1 Recheck Admit Card details
You should recheck your Name, CAT Application Number, PwD status, Date and Day of Test, Test Times and Session, Reporting/ Entry time at Centre, Gate Closing Time at Centre, Test City, Test Centre address. Ensure that all your details are correct. If there is any error, contact immediately CAT 2024 Exam centre help desk by email - cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in or call 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free), Monday to Saturday 9:00AM to 6:00PM (excluding National holidays).
1.2 Print and Carry CAT Admit Card Hard Copy
You will require hard copy of your admit card with your passport size photo affixed on it. If not done till now, download your CAT Admit Card from CAT Website, take print on A4 size paper, fix your identical photograph in the given space on it. Keep your Admit Card ready for the exam day.
1.3 Keep your Photo ID Ready
One of the important dos among CAT 2024 Exam day Dos & Donts is that you need one original Photo Id to show at the Exam Gate. Following photo IDs are acceptable for CAT Exam:
- Aadhar card,
- Voter Id card,
- Passport
- PAN Card
- Driving Licence
- Identification Affidavit
- Any other original photo ID document acceptable at Exam centre.
1.4 Visit your CAT Exam Centre a Day Before Exam
It is very much necessary. Use the Google map link embedded on the electronic version of the Admit card to locate the Test Centre. You should check the distance, mode of conveyance, time taken to reach at the testing venue by visiting the CAT exam centre a day before the exam day. This will help you avoid any delay and glitch during your commutation from your residence/place of stay to the testing venue.
It will be better to make prior necessary arrangements for travel, food, accommodation and any other expenses. Identify mode of transport and commuting time at least a day before the CAT Exam Day in order to reach the Test Centre on time on the day of the Exam.
1.5 Choose Correct Dress for CAT Day
Choose a dress that you wish to wear on CAT exam day. The dress should keep you comfortable throughout the CAT exam day and should allow to sit for two hours while taking the exam. However, make sure that your dress does not violate the CAT day dress code which does not allow garments with large buttons or footwear with thick soles. Read complete details on CAT 2024 Dress Code.
1.6 Arrive at CAT Centre in Time
You must reach the CAT test center as per the reporting time for your allotted exam slot. IIM Calcutta has suggested to reach exam centre 90 minutes before the start time of the exam. If you are late, you may not be allowed to enter the CAT 2024 test center. Check CAT Slot wise Activity wise timings below.
1.7 Locate Your Testing Room & Seat
You will not find Display of Seating Arrangement outside CAT Exam Centre. IIMs have stopped displaying the Mapping of 'Candidate Application Number and the Lab Number' outside the test venue. However, the help is provided to the candidates individually at the time of the entry to the test venue. So go inside the test center first and the security staff will guide you which testing room you should go to.
1.8 Items You Can Carry Inside CAT Test Centre
You can wear and carry following inside the CAT center:
- What to wear for CAT Exam? You can wear Socks, plain Pullovers/Sweaters/Cardigans (without any pockets) inside the Exam lab.
- Metal Implants and Pacemakers: Candidates with metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body should bring a supporting medical certificate of the same at the Test Centre.
1.9 Use Wash Room Before the Exam
You will not be allowed to use wash room during the exam, so use it before the exam begins. Besides, you are required to maintain silence and remain in Queue keeping social distancing norms during - entry to the Test Centre; security frisking process; document verification & biometric verification. Same process will follow while exiting the Test Centre after the exam
1.10 Ensure to Mark Attendance
Mark your attendance in the Form with signature when asked for, in the CAT testing room after completion of biometrics. If you fail to mark attendance, you may be treated absent from the exam.
1.11 Answer CAT question by Using Mouse
At the Console, use the Mouse to select the right Answer for an MCQ. Use the on-screen Keyboard to answer a Non-MCQ as you need to type in the answer. You should not use Computer key board as it will lock your computer.
CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos & Donts tips mentioned in this article are important to follow.
2. CAT 2024 Exam Day Don’ts
After going through the CAT exam day dos, it is also very much necessary to know what is prohibited at CAT exam centre. Check these CAT Exam Day Donts.
2.1 Don’t carry Prohibited Articles in CAT Exam Centre
While going to take CAT exam, you should not carry and wear the following:
- Do Not Wear Jackets, Jewellery, Shoes with Thick Soles
- Do Not Wear Garments with large Buttons
- Do Not Carry Electronic Watch, mobile phone, bag, wallets at the CAT test centre.
- No Stationery items like Pen, Pencil, Eraser etc. are allowed in the testing hall
2.2 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. On the day of the test, your digital finger print scan will be captured and 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.
2.3 Don’t Request Bio Break during Exam
Set your Bio Clock as per the CAT exam timing. 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.
2.4 Only PwD candidates can have companion at CAT Centre
Unless you are a PwD candidates and have asked for scribe, none of your friends and relatives accompanying you are allowed to enter beyond the Test Centre gate. Don’t ask them to come with you. Even if they come, they will have to go back from the test centre gate. So, do not involve yourself in any arguments with the security staff or test center staff for forceful entry.
2.5 Don’t Resort to Unfair Means
Do not disturb other Candidates or attempt to copy answers from others during the Exam. If you do, you will run the risk of getting debarred. Each question is placed at different serial number for each test taker. Avoid attempting to appear for CAT 2024 Exam more than once. Candidature will be cancelled if a candidate is found to appear for the test multiple times
3. CAT Exam Day Instructions by IIMs
IIM Calcutta will release the CAT 2024 Exam Day instructions a day before the exam. These also carry CAT exam day dos and donts and you need to follow them meticulously. CAT exam day instructions clarify on some of the CAT Exam Day Tips and Tricks to take exam comfortably without any panic
- When to Reach CAT exam centre
- What to Carry at CAT exam Centre
- Which are the prohibited items at Exam centre
- Flow chart How to proceed on the test day
4. Things to carry or not carry in CAT Exam
What to Carry for CAT Exam is an important question that you must keep in mind while planning for the exam day.
Things to Carry for CAT Exam
Check the list of things to carry in CAT exam:
- CAT 2024 Admit Card
- Photo Identity Proof
- Medical Certificate(s) if required
- Scribe Affidavit if required
Candidates will be provided with one pen and one scribble pad. They will have to drop the one copy of admit card, pen and scribble pad (with all pages intact) in the boxes at the exam hall before exiting.
While only above documents will be permitted after the frisking point at the CAT exam centre, candidates should carry food items, water bottle and other personal essentials to the exam centre. Remember, there are no arrangement for depositing bags or valuables inside the test centre premises. If you are thinking of where to keep phone during CAT Exam, then be ready to keep it in your car/vehicle or handover to someone you trust.
So only take things to carry for CAT exam as listed above.
Things not to carry to the CAT exam centre
Check the list of items and important document not to carry to the exam centre:
- Watches, mobile phones, calculators, cameras, wireless/bluetooth devices and other electronic gadgets
- Wallet, Purse or other expensive items
- Pencil/Pen/Paper/Notepad and other stationary items are also not allowed
Any candidate found with any of these items inside the exam hall will be disqualified and debarred from the exam. We hope this section has answered the question: what to carry for CAT Exam.
5. CAT Exam Day Guidelines by IIMs
IIM Calcutta will issue CAT 2024 exam day guidelines a few days before CAT exam date November 24, 2024. These guidelines carry following important CAT Exam Day for test takers:
- CAT Exam structure: Type of Questions
- How to take computer based CAT exam
- Navigation Process through the test
- How to answer the questions
We will update this article when official CAT Exam Day Guidelines are issued by IIM Calcutta.
6. CAT 2024 Exam Date & Time, Flowchart, Important Instructions
After understanding important CAT exam day dos and donts, the CAT exam day activity to take the exam should also be understood. Following are the slot wise CAT Exam Day Activities.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Morning Slot: Exam Date, Time, Flowchart, Important Instructions
CAT 2024 Slot 1 is the morning slot on Nov 24, 2024. CAT Slot 1 reporting time, Exam start time, Exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:
|
Time
|
Activity
|
Approximate Time Required
|
Important Instructions
|
|
7.00 am
|
CAT 2024 Slot 1 (Morning Slot) Reporting Date, Time
|
Candidate’s reporting time
|
Gate closes 15 minutes before the Test start time.
|
|
7.05 am
|
Locate your Test Lab number
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the location of the Exam Lab from Barcode Desk.
|
|
7.10 am
|
Scrutiny of Admit Card
|
1-5 minutes.
|
First scrutiny of the documents done at the Entry gate.
|
|
7.15 am
|
Deposit personal belongings
(mobile phone, bag etc.) |
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate deposit their personal belongings at the entry gate
|
|
7.25 am
|
Frisking of candidates
|
3-5 minutes.
|
Assigned Security staff to frisk candidates.
|
|
7.30 am
|
Document (id card and Admit Card) checking at the Test Lab entrance
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Document verification done.
|
|
7.40 am
|
Candidates reach their Test Labs
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate reaches Exam Lab.
|
|
7.50 am
|
Candidates go to the Registration Desk and signs (manual) on attendance sheet
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate signs Attendance Sheet available at the Registration Desk.
|
|
7.55 am
|
Registration Process
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate photograph captured and IRIS scanned as per process.
|
|
8.05 am
|
Candidates check their photo on the registration terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies captured photo at the Registration Terminal.
|
|
|
to ensure it is their photo
|
|
|
|
8.10 am
|
Candidate sits at the terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the allotted Console in the Exam Lab. Pen and scribble pad placed at the terminal.
|
|
8.15 am
|
Login to Test screen
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate completes first login.
|
|
8.20 am
|
Verify & confirm profile information
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies and confirms the profile Information, which he/she had filled during the CAT 2024 Registration.
|
|
8.25 am
|
Read & agree to Declaration
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate reads all the instructions given for the Exam and clicks on “Accept”.
|
|
8.30 am
|
CAT 2024 Slot 1 (Morning Slot) Exam Date, Start Time, End Time
|
120 minutes.
|
Exam starts
|
|
10.30 am
|
Test concludes & candidate shares the feedback
|
1-5 minutes.
|
After 120 minutes. Exam gets over and the feedback page is displayed on the screen.
Candidate shares his feedback. |
|
10.35 am
|
Return Admit Card, pen and
Scribble Pad |
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate drops the Admit Card, pen and scribble pad in the boxes provided for the same
|
|
10.40 am
|
Exit Test Lab and collect the deposited belongings
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate exits the Exam Lab and collects belongings (if any)
|
|
10.45 am
|
Exit the Test centre
|
-
|
Candidate leaves Test Centre.
|
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Afternoon Slot: Exam Date, Time, Flowchart, Important Instructions
CAT 2024 Slot 2 is the afternoon slot on Nov 24, 2024. CAT Slot 2 reporting time, Exam start time, Exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:
|
Time
|
Activity
|
Approximate Time Required
|
Important Instructions
|
|
11.00 am
|
CAT 2024 Slot 2 (Afternoon Slot) Reporting Date, Time
|
Candidate’s reporting time)
|
Gate closes 15 minutes before the Test start time.
|
|
11.05 am
|
Locate your Test Lab number
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the location of the Exam Lab from Barcode Desk.
|
|
11.10 am
|
Scrutiny of Admit Card
|
1-5 minutes.
|
First scrutiny of the documents done at the Entry gate.
|
|
11.15 am
|
Deposit personal belongings
(mobile phone, bag etc.) |
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate deposit their personal belongings at the entry gate
|
|
11.25 am
|
Frisking of candidates
|
3-5 minutes.
|
Assigned Security staff to frisk candidates.
|
|
11.30 am
|
Document (id card and Admit Card) checking at the Test Lab entrance
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Document verification done.
|
|
11.40 am
|
Candidates reach their Test Labs
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate reaches Exam Lab.
|
|
11.50 am
|
Candidates go to the Registration Desk and signs (manual) on attendance sheet
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate signs Attendance Sheet available at the Registration Desk.
|
|
11.55 am
|
Registration Process
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate photograph captured and IRIS scanned as per process.
|
|
12.05 pm
|
Candidates check their photo on the registration terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies captured photo at the Registration Terminal.
|
|
|
to ensure it is their photo
|
|
|
|
12.10 pm
|
Candidate sits at the terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the allotted Console in the Exam Lab. Pen and scribble pad placed at the terminal.
|
|
12.15 pm
|
Login to Test screen
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate completes first login.
|
|
12.20 pm
|
Verify & confirm profile information
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies and confirms the profile Information, which he/she had filled during the CAT 2024 Registration.
|
|
12.25 pm
|
Read & agree to Declaration
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate reads all the instructions given for the Exam and clicks on “Accept”.
|
|
12.30 pm
|
CAT 2024 Slot 2 (Afternoon Slot) Exam Date, Start Time, End Time
|
120 minutes.
|
Exam starts
|
|
02.30 pm
|
CAT 2024 Exam Ends and candidate shares the feedback
|
1-5 minutes.
|
After 120 minutes. Exam gets over and the feedback page is displayed on the screen.
Candidate shares his feedback. |
|
02.35 pm
|
Return Admit Card, pen and
Scribble Pad |
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate drops the Admit Card, pen and scribble pad in the boxes provided for the same
|
|
02.40 pm
|
Exit Test Lab and collect the deposited belongings
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate exits the Exam Lab and collects belongings (if any)
|
|
02.45 pm
|
Exit the Test centre
|
-
|
Candidate leaves Test Centre.
|
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Evening Slot: Exam Date, Time, Flowchart, Important Instructions
CAT 2024 Slot 3 is the evening slot on Nov 24, 2024. CAT Slot 3 reporting time, Exam start time, Exam end time and other activities involved on the exam date are as below:
|
Time
|
Activity
|
Approximate Time Required
|
Important Instructions
|
|
03.00 pm
|
CAT 2024 Slot 3 (Evening Slot) Reporting Date, Time
|
Candidate’s Reporting time
|
Gate closes 15 minutes before the Test start time.
|
|
03.05 pm
|
Locate your Test Lab number
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the location of the Exam Lab from Barcode Desk.
|
|
03.10 pm
|
Scrutiny of Admit Card
|
1-5 minutes.
|
First scrutiny of the documents done at the Entry gate.
|
|
03.15 pm
|
Deposit personal belongings
(mobile phone, bag etc.) |
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate deposit their personal belongings at the entry gate
|
|
03.25 pm
|
Frisking of candidates
|
3-5 minutes.
|
Assigned Security staff to frisk candidates.
|
|
03.30 pm
|
Document (id card and Admit Card) checking at the Test Lab entrance
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Document verification done.
|
|
03.40 pm
|
Candidates reach their Test Labs
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate reaches Exam Lab.
|
|
03.50 pm
|
Candidates go to the Registration Desk and signs (manual) on attendance sheet
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate signs Attendance Sheet available at the Registration Desk.
|
|
03.55 pm
|
Registration Process
|
1-10 minutes.
|
Candidate photograph captured and IRIS scanned as per process.
|
|
04.05 pm
|
Candidates check their photo on the registration terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies captured photo at the Registration Terminal.
|
|
|
to ensure it is their photo
|
|
|
|
04.10 pm
|
Candidate sits at the terminal
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate checks the allotted Console in the Exam Lab. Pen and scribble pad placed at the terminal.
|
|
04.15 pm
|
Login to Test screen
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate completes first login.
|
|
04.20 pm
|
Verify & confirm profile information
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate verifies and confirms the profile Information, which he/she had filled during the CAT 2024 Registration.
|
|
04.25 pm
|
Read & agree to Declaration
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate reads all the instructions given for the Exam and clicks on “Accept”.
|
|
04.30 pm
|
CAT 2024 Slot 3 (Evening Slot) Exam Date, Start Time, End Time
|
120 minutes.
|
Exam starts
|
|
06.30 pm (07.10 pm for PwD candidates)
|
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Exam Ends and candidate shares the feedback
|
1-5 minutes.
|
After 120 minutes. Exam gets over and the feedback page is displayed on the screen.
Candidate shares his feedback. |
|
06.35 pm
|
Return Admit Card, pen and
Scribble Pad |
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate drops the Admit Card, pen and scribble pad in the boxes provided for the same
|
|
06.40 pm
|
Exit Test Lab and collect the deposited belongings
|
1-5 minutes.
|
Candidate exits the Exam Lab and collects belongings (if any)
|
|
06.45 pm
|
Exit the Test centre
|
-
|
Candidate leaves Test Centre.
|
In summary, CAT 2024 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts are important guidelines and instructions that are issued by IIMs for candidates. Following CAT Exam Guidelines and Rules and Regulations as listed above will ensure that you can smoothly take the CAT 2024 Exam on November 24, 2024. Remember to save these CAT exam day Dos & Don’ts and CAT Exam Day Guidelines.
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