CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines: Check Documents To Carry, Dos and Don'ts, Dress Code, Timings

CAT Exam Day Guidelines are released by the conducting IIM at iimcat.ac.in. Candidates appearing for CAT 2023 exam need to follow the exam day guidelines issued by the exam conducting IIM. CAT 2023 Admit Card has been released online on November 7 for candidates to download till the exam day. Download CAT 2023 Admit Card

Candidates will also have submit a duly filled Self Declaration Form on the exam day. Other than that, carrying a valid photo Id proof is also mandatory to enter the exam hall. CAT 2023 exam day guidelines include details of frisking (security check before entry), document verification, and IRIS and photo registration at CAT 2023 exam centers.

Candidates should report at 7:00 AM for the forenoon session, 11:00 AM for the afternoon session, and 3:00 PM for the evening session. Entry will not be allowed after 8:15 AM, 12:15 PM, and 4:15 PM for the respective slots. Avoid carrying items prohibited in the exam hall- Mobile Phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery items, goggles, wallets, papers, jackets, etc. 

The article takes you through the exam day guidelines for CAT 2023 and will also help you understand do’s and don’ts for the exam day. 

CAT 2023 Exam Day Work Flow

CAT 2023 will be conducted on November 26, in three shifts at 400+ test centers located in India. Candidates must be well aware of the process they have to follow on CAT 2023 exam day. Before starting with the exam, candidates will have to go through a few formalities. 

• On arrival at the test center, firstly the candidates need to locate their lab and go through the process of frisking. 
• Post completion of this task, document verification will be done and candidates will be assigned their systems. 
• Finally, candidates will have to complete the registration process and login to the test screen to begin the exam.

CAT Exam Day Guidelines: Key Activities and Timings

CAT Admit Card 2023

The first and foremost thing a candidate needs to do is to download of admit card from the official website. Post downloading, the candidate needs to check all particulars including:

• Name 
• Registration Number 
• Exam Date 
• Time / Session 
• PwD status 
• Test city 
• Test Center address 
• Reference Number

What to Carry for CAT exam day

Carry Admit Card: Candidates must carry a hard copy of the admit card to the allotted exam center.Download CAT admit card from the official website and the verify the details. Students can affix their passport size photo similar to the one uploaded in the application form. Photo Identity Proof: Along with the admit card, it is mandatory to carry a photo identity proof. Candidates can carry any of the following documents as proof of identity:

• College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card)
• Employer ID
• Driving License
• Passport
• PAN Card
• Voter ID
• Aadhaar Card

Name Change Document: In case any candidate has changed his/her name either due to marriage or any other cause, then they must carry the certificate in support of the new name.

Medical Certificate and Scribe Affidavit: PwD candidates must carry a valid medical certificate that supports their disability claim. Students to avail the scribe facility need to carry a scribe affidavit in a format prescribed by the IIMCAT. 

What not to carry on CAT exam day

As per the conducting body, the following listed items are not allowed to carry inside the CAT exam centre: Bags, purses, pencil boxes, beepers, wrist watches, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras and wireless/bluetooth devices.

CAT Exam Dress Code

Candidates must follow the CAT exam dress code as prescribed by the aonducting authority. Here are the things allowed to wear on the day of the exam:

• Dress with too many pockets are not allowed.
• Hoodies or caps are not permitted.
• Wearing jewelry or ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings are prohibited.
• Smartwatch or fitbands are not allowed.

CAT Exam Day Guidelines: Locate Test Center using Google Map Link Feature on the Admit Card

Often candidates have difficulty locating the exact location of their CAT test center and this leads to unavoidable delays on the exam day. To avoid such situations, IIM has introduced a new Google Map Link feature on the electronic version of CAT Admit Card using which the candidates can check the exact location of their allotted test center. To access the same, candidates just need to download their CAT admit cards and click on the google map link to get the directions to the exam center.

Check CAT 2023 Topic-Wise Weightage

CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines: Frisking of Candidates

At the entry point, candidates will be frisked using handheld metal detectors. Separate enclosures and security personnel will be available for frisking male and female candidates.

• Only socks and plain sweaters/cardigans without any pockets will be permitted inside the lab.
• It is mandatory to bring supporting medical certificate if candidates have metal implants, pacemaker, etc. in their body.
• No personal belongings will be allowed beyond this point.

CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines: Document Verification

The candidate’s admit card (affixed with the photograph), original ID proof, will be checked on the desk. The photograph and signature of the candidate should be clearly printed and visible on the ID proof and must match with the name printed on the Admit Card.

CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines: Biometric Verification

Post document verification, candidates will move inside the test lab.

• They would be asked to proceed with biometric registration- IRIS and photo registration.
• Candidate’s IRIS will be scanned and photograph will be captured.

• Candidates will be required to sign the Attendance Sheet.

CAT 2023 Dos and Don’ts at Exam Center 

A list of the do's and don’ts for the exam day is tabulated below: 

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CAT 2023 Exam Day Guildelines for PwD Candidates

PwD candidates are given an additional 13 minutes 20 seconds to complete each section of CAT examination.

• Separate rooms are assigned either on the ground floor or floors accessible by elevators. 
• Special coordinators are provided for PwD candidates. 
• PwD candidates with Scribe are required to carry the Scribe Affidavit duly signed by the candidate and the scribe.
• For candidates specifying the requirement of a wheelchair (as indicated in their admit cards), the same will be provided. 
• ‘Zoom’ feature will be enabled on the candidate’s test console (for visually impaired candidates) as per the requirement mentioned in the admit card.

It is essential to appear for CAT 2023 in order to get admission to MBA in 21 IIMs and 1200+ other top MBA colleges in India. The exam is therefore referred to as IIM CAT and is conducted by IIMs on an annual basis. Thus, getting nervous before examination is but obvious, out of which ignorance to ‘The’ day formalities is possible. Therefore, it is important to keep a check on the last moment preparation to appear for a great, hassle-free examination.

CAT 2023 Exam Commencement: Important Instructions

• Virtual keyboard shall be used for Non-MCQ questions with the help of mouse.
• Each section has to be completed in 40 minutes, which means 120 minutes in total.
• No seat change requests will be entertained by the officials. Candidates can only sit on the seats assigned to them. 
• Bio-breaks are not permitted to candidates once they enter the assigned lab.
• Candidates with Diabetes or other medical conditions need to produce a certificate showing the same.
• Candidates cannot leave the test center before the completion of test time.
• Before leaving the test center, candidates have to drop their Admit Card, pen and Scribble Pad in the boxes provided.
• Candidates who have opted for the services of a scribe need to present the Scribe Affidavit duly signed by them and the scribe.

CAT 2023 Test Pattern: Key Points

• Timer displayed at the top right hand corner will show the remaining time left for each section. On completion of 40 minutes, the answers will automatically get locked and submitted.
• While answering questions, candidates can use the following information:
  • Save & Next (save responses and move to next question)
  • Clear Response (clears selected response)
  • Mark for Review & Next (mark the question for review at later stage of exam)
• On the right hand side, candidate can see the status of attempted questions.
  • Green: answered and not marked for review
  • Red: neither answered nor marked for review
  • Grey: questions not visited
  • Violet: questions marked for review without answers
  • Violet with green tick: questions marked for review with answers.
• Candidates will also be able to see the Question Paper, Profile, Instructions, and Online Calculator on their screens.
• Once the paper is complete, candidates are required to fill in an online feedback form. 

Quick Links for CAT Revision:

• CAT Important Questions for Quant
• CAT Important Questions for VARC
• CAT Important Questions for DILR

CAT 2023 Authorization Form

Candidates need to carry the CAT 2023 Authorization Form provided by IIM if they wish to carry any prohibited or exceptional items to the Test Lab due to any medical reasons. 

CAT 2023 COVID-19 Guidelines

While appearing for CAT 2023 candidates will have to follow the COVID-19 guidelines. 

• Self Declaration Form for CAT 2023: Candidates are requested to download, fill and bring the self-declaration form on the day of the examination. Candidates reaching the examination center without a self-declaration form will not be allowed to take the examination.

• Social Distancing will be followed at the exam center
• All the equipment that a candidate will use will be sanitized. 
• Wearing a mask is mandatory to enter the exam hall. Also, candidates will have to wear the mask during the time of examination also. 
• The body temperature of candidates will be checked with thermal guns. If the body temperature is above normal or the candidate is showing any symptoms of flu, fever, etc will be detained in the other rooms for further checking. 

Following these CAT 2023 Exam Day Guidelines would be mandatory for all aspirants. Not following the guidelines and instructions carefully may lead to disqualification from taking the exam.

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