CAT 2024 Exam Day Mistakes You Must Avoid

There are a number of CAT exam day mistakes you must avoid to ensure a smooth experience. Due to the high competition and limited seat intake, candidates tend to get nervous on exam day, ruining all their efforts and hard work. They need to remain calm and stay focused on confidently attempting the exam without making any mistakes. One of the most common mistakes test-takers make is not being aware of the guidelines and instructions that must be followed on exam day. No matter how great your strategy is to clear the exam, there is a chance of ruining the exam if you have no idea what to carry to the exam centre, what items are prohibited, or what the dress code is. Such mistakes can significantly impact your performance, so it's essential to approach the exam with a well-thought-out strategy and a clear mind. Take a look at the common CAT 2024 exam day mistakes you must avoid.

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Common CAT 2024 Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid

Below are the most common mistakes that MBA aspirants make subconsciously or due to exam anxiety. Look at the list of CAT exam day mistakes to avoid mentioned below.

Showing up Late

The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024, in three shifts. The reporting and exam time is mentioned on the CAT admit card. It is crucial for candidates to stay informed about the reporting time and reach the CAT exam centre before the gate closing time. Pack everything you might require before the exam day and sleep on time. Being late to the CAT exam centre might create a lot of rush and chaos, which will also affect the exam performance. Provided below is the reporting and exam time for the CAT 2024 exam.

Not Checking Seating Arrangements in Advance

Candidates must find their assigned seats as soon as they arrive at the CAT 2024 exam venue. To prevent crowding at any one location under any circumstance, lab numbers will not be displayed outside the CAT exam centre. Bar code readers were available to scan the CAT admit card at the time of entry. Candidates will receive information on the hall/lab number simultaneously. In case you face any trouble while finding your allocated seat, get help from the invigilator.

Not Getting Documents Checked

This is a crucial step because candidates won't be permitted to enter their respective exam halls to take the test until the documents have been verified. In addition to attaching passport-size photos, candidates must also sign the attendance sheet. Ensure you get all the necessary documents checked, such as admit card, valid photo ID proof issued by the Govt. of India, medical certificates (if required), and others.

Not Completing the Biometric Verification Process

Candidates must complete the biometric verification process after finishing the document verification process. Before proceeding to take the exam in the exam centre, one must do this last step. Candidates would have to sign the attendance sheet and have their left thumb impression and photo taken at the time of the biometric verification. What the female applicants need to keep in mind is that they shouldn't put henna on their hands since it will make biometric verification more difficult. On the day of the CAT 2024 exam, it is crucial to avoid making this mistake.

Not Reading the Questions Properly

Time is a challenge for CAT applicants, however, it is very crucial to read every question patiently and understand its essence. Not scanning the questions can result in the intake of insufficient or wrong information which can result in incorrect answers. Make sure you have a clear head while taking the exam so that you can interpret the questions well and give the correct answer. Try to keep calm and focus on your screen.

Also Read: Important Topics for CAT 2024

Rushing Too Much

Making haste just to attempt the entire paper is one of the most common mistakes candidates make which should be avoided at any cost. It is always advisable to properly assess the paper instead of mindlessly attempting the questions. Rushing to solve answers is not an ideal way to approach the questions. The CAT exam has negative markings; thus giving incorrect responses can lower your score and ruin your exam. Be mindful and take your time to read every question carefully so that you can give correct and thoughtful answers. 

Not Staying Motivated

Staying motivated and believing in exam preparation can help a lot in boosting your confidence and keeping stress aside. Do not keep looking at the on-screen timer as it may take up a lot of your time. Approaching the CAT question paper with doubts and anxiety can shift the focus of the candidate which can hamper the final score. Sometimes exam anxiety clouds your mind and makes you unable to think properly while submitting the responses. Have a positive mindset and attempt every question with confidence. Have a proper sleep before the day of the exam so that you can keep a clear head and feel refreshed.

Spending a Lot of Time on One Question

Spending too much time on every question can lead to a lack of time in the end which can affect the final performance of an individual. If any question is appearing as confusing or tricky, take a deep breath and go through it again. If you are still unable to comprehend it, move on to the next question. Aspirants must not waste a lot of time on the difficult questions, instead, they must try winding up the questions they are most confident about.

Not Recognizing the Importance of Time

Along with finishing the exam, one must also face the problem of finishing the given portion in the allotted time because there is no going back to a section that has already been finished. Candidates must therefore be aware of the time limit and how they will handle it when tackling the paper. While preparing for CAT 2024, work on your time management skills. Take as many CAT mock tests as you can so that you can practice time management and learn how to complete the entire paper in the given time.

Not Reading the Instructions Displayed on the Screen

After logging in to the system, a set of instructions will pop up on the screen. Read the guidelines and instructions carefully and follow them carefully in order to avoid any mistakes. Missing out on anything important may lead you into trouble.

Also Read: Do’s & Don’ts for Writing the CAT 2024 Exam

Guessing the Answer

Guessing the answer in the CAT exam is not the right strategy as 1 mark is reduced for every wrong attempt. It is better to leave the questions unanswered than answer them incorrectly. Guesswork has no place in the CAT exam.

Not Carrying Important Documents

It is of utmost importance to carry a hard copy of the CAT 2024 admit card, a valid photo ID for verification, Medical Certificates & Scribe Affidavit (for PwD candidates), name change documents, and all the prerequisites prescribed by the conducting body. Applicants will not be allowed to enter the examination hall without the important documents. A digital copy of the admit card or photocopy of the ID proof will not be allowed.

Not Using the Rough Sheet

Candidates will receive five rough sheets when they arrive at the exam centre to complete the calculation task. Before the entire two hours have passed, candidates won't be permitted to leave. Candidates who answer the questions on the desk, in their hands, or elsewhere will be subjected to punishment. Candidates are only allowed to use the sheets provided by the invigilator for their rough work. The invigilator instructs candidates to write their names and registration IDs on blank sheets of paper. Make sure you return the rough sheets before exiting the exam hall.

Not Following the CAT Dress Code

It is very important to wear clothes as per the CAT guidelines and instructions. Metal objects, jewellery, and ornaments are not allowed in the examination hall. Also, candidates should not wear closed footwear, belts, jackets, and clothes with pockets.

Carrying Electronic Gadgets

Gadgets such as smartphones, Bluetooth/wireless devices, headphones, beepers, calculators, etc. are not allowed in the examination hall. Also, stationary or food items are prohibited. Any student found in the possession of any of the aforementioned things will be disqualified from the exam.

Also Read:  CAT 2024 Study Plan for Students in Final Year of Graduation

General Instructions for CAT 2024 Examination

• After 8:15 AM for slot 1, after 12:15 for slot 2, and after 4:15 PM for slot 3, do not request access to the CAT test centre. The candidate's exam will be cancelled.
• Devices of any kind are not allowed in the exam lab. If it happens, the candidate will not be allowed to take the test.
• Any effort to cheat or copy answers from peers will result in the cancellation of the paper.
• Stay away from any disputes with the test centre staff or applicants.
• Except in case of a medical emergency, requests for bio-breaks inside the exam lab will not be granted.
• On the day of the exam, there will be no consideration for requests to switch to the test centre, console, or lab.
• There won't be any extra writing pads provided to the candidates, so don't waste any pages.
• After the examination, it is not permitted to take any pages from the given writing pad outside the exam centre.
• Applying henna or mehndi on the palm side will make it difficult to obtain the candidate's biometric fingerprint, which is necessary to access the testing facility.

Hope the CAT 2024 exam day mistakes provided in this article helped you in building confidence. By sticking to the tips shared here, an aspirant can score well and get admission to the desired management institute. 

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