CAT 2024 Dress Code and Things to Carry or Not Carry in CAT Exam

Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )

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Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 21, 2024 17:03 IST

CAT exam is conducted at designated examination centres and candidates have to follow certain rules and guidelines. Know the CAT 2024 dress code and things to carry or not carry to the exam centre on November 24, 2024. Read below.

CAT exam day tips

CAT 2024 exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024 at about 400 centres in 175 cities across India. The exam will be conducted as per guidelines prepared by the examination authority. Candidates taking the CAT exam this year need to be well prepared before reaching the test centre. It is important that they are well aware of the CAT 2024 exam process and requirements so that they don’t make minor mistakes which may lead to inconvenience and/or disqualification.

Latest: CAT 2024 exam live updates: Question Paper Analysis, Slot 1, 2, 3, Answer Keys, Cut Offs 

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Q:   What is the CAT 2024 exam date?

A:

The CAT exam is always conducted on the last Sunday of November every year so the CAT 2024 exam is expected to be conducted on Nov 24, 2024. Official announcement of the CAT 2024 exam date will be made by the convening IIM on Jul 30, 2024. The announcement will be made at the iimcat.ac.in website as well as in all the national dailies across India. We at Shiksha also notify the aspirants through our communication channels. Registrations cum application process for CAT 2024 will begin from the first week of August and end in the third week of September 2024.

Check below CAT exam dates for last five years:

  • CAT 2023: November 26
  • CAT 2022: November 27
  • CAT 2021: November 28
  • CAT 2020: November 29 
  • CAT 2019: November 24

Q:   Will CAT exam 2024 also be conducted in three shifts?

A:

Yes, the CAT 2024 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing guidelines for COVID-19. Since the COVID-9 pandemic appropriate behaviour had to be followed at public places and gatherings, the examination authorities increased the number of exam slots to ensure a limited number of candidates can be accommodated at any exam centre in a given exam slot by following social distancing and seating arrangement with gap. Since then, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2024 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order. The CAT exam slot timings will be - 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Q:   What are the CAT exam slot timings?

A:
CAT exam is held in three slots for the past three years. Earlier it used to be held in two slots of three hours each, but since 2020 it is held in three slots of two hours each. The three slots are conducted between 8 am to 4 pm. The first slot is held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second slot is held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the third slot is held from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. In these three slots, about 2.22 Lacs candidates are accommodated at over 400 test centres in about 150 plus cities across India. The exam slots are allotted to candidates by the examination authorities as per the receipt of applications and candidates cannot request for change of examination slot. They have to give the test in the slot mentioned on the admit card.

CAT 2024 response sheet and answer key PDF

CAT 2024 question paper PDF download slot 1,2,3

CAT 2024 Slot 1 answer key PDF question paper analysis

One of such aspects is knowing the YES and NO of the CAT exam day. Preparing for the CAT 2024 exam day not only means that the candidate has studied all the topics. It also means that the candidate is prepared for the exam day. So, they need to know the CAT exam day guidelines. These CAT exam day rules and regulations include:

  • Reaching the CAT 2024 exam centre on time
  • Carrying CAT 2024 admit card all the necessary documents of identification
  • Not carrying electronic gadgets to the CAT exam centre
  • Wearing clothes as per instructed in the test day guide
  • Following the instructions for biometric attendance and seating arrangement, etc.

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Instructions mentioned on the CAT 2024 admit card is a very helpful tool for the candidates to familiarise themselves with 'dos' and 'don'ts' of CAT. For the convenience of CAT 2024 aspirants, we have listed down things that the candidate must and must not carry to the CAT 2024 exam centre.

Also Read: CAT exam day tips: Dos and Don'ts

CAT 2024: What is the Exam Day Dress Code?

CAT candidates must note the following instructions related to dress code for appearing in the exam. It is imperative to follow the CAT exam dress code to avoid any sort of hassles during the entry:

  • Candidates are not allowed to wear jewellery that contains metal
  • Candidates are not allowed to wear closed footwear, cap, jackets and clothes with pockets and large buttons inside the exam hall
  • Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to present a medical certificate for the same
  • Socks, plain pullovers, sweaters, cardigans (without any pockets) are allowed inside the test lab

Q:   What are the facilities for PwD candidates in CAT exam?

A:
For PwD candidates, facilities in CAT exam include, relaxation of marks in graduation. The minimum score required by PwD candidate in graduation for appearing in CAT exam is 45 per cent aggregate. Apart from that, such candidates are provided scribe service at the exam centre. To avail the service such candidates have to fill the relevant form during registration process. The CAT exam authorities follow government rule viz. PwD candidate which is, 'Person with Benchmark Disability' means a person with not less than forty percent of a specified disability where the specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with disability where the specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority, as defined in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities ACT 2016 (RPwD ACT 2016). The categories of disability are, blindness and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy, autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness, multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d), f) other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD ACT 2016.

Q:   What are the items to carry on the CAT exam day?

A:
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, CAT candidates are required to carry drinking water, hand sanitizer, face mask and gloves along with them. Candidates have to carry drinking water in a transparent bottle and a 100 ml bottle of hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer bottle should also be transparent. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.

Q:   What are the dos and don'ts for CAT exam day?

A:
On the CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines which include cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, following instructions given be the invigilator and following the test navigation for solving the questions. There are some key dos and don'ts that candidates should follow on the CAT exam day, which have been listed below: CAT exam day dos: 1. Reach the examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2. Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos and duly filled COVID-19 declaration form 3. PwD candidates should carry the relevant certificates and documents as prescribed by the examination authorities. 4. Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing the attendance sheet 5. Carry personal drinking water, hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves 6. Cooperate with the test centre staff and follow the instructions 7. While entering the answers, use only the computer mouse. Do not touch the keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking. CAT exam day don'ts: 1. Do not carry prohibited 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. 2. Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it. 3. Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets 4. Don't be late for the exam. The entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam. No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that. 5. Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT. 6. Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab 7. Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.

Q:   Which IIM will conduct CAT 2024 exam?

A:

The top 6 Indian Institute of Management are given the responsibility to conduct the Common Admission Test exam. Each of the top Indian Institutes of Management conducts the exam rotation-wise after a gap of five years. The responsibility to conduct the CAT 2023 was given to IIM Lucknow. Professor Sanjeet Singh had been appointed as the CAT convener. For CAT 2024, IIM Calcutta will be the exam convening institute. IIM Calcutta will be responsible for preparation and conduct of the exam without glitches, in collaboration with TCS  for test labs and centres. The institute will design the question papers, exam pattern and guidelines, as well as manage the conduct of exam and preparation of admit card, answer key and result.

CAT Conducting Indian Institute of Management Over the Years:

  • 2023: IIM Lucknow
  • 2022: IIM Bangalore
  • 2021: IIM Ahmedabad
  • 2020: IIM Indore
  • 2019: IIM Kozhikode
  • 2018: IIM Calcutta
  • 2017: IIM Lucknow
  • 2016: IIM Bangalore
  • 2015: IIM Ahmedabad
  • 2014: IIM Indore
  • 2013: IIM Indore
  • 2012: IIM Kozhikode
  • 2011: IIM Calcutta
  • 2010: IIM Lucknow
  • 2009: IIM Ahmedabad

For more information, you may visit the Shiksha Common Admission Test page. (https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam). I hope this will help you.

Things to Carry on CAT 2024 Exam Day

Below is the list of most important document to be carried to the exam centre.

CAT 2024 Admit Card

CAT admit card is the most important document to be carried to the exam centre. Candidates will not be allowed entry into the examination hall without the CAT 2024 admit card. Each test taker must download their CAT 2024 admit card from the official website before November 24 and affix the same passport size photo as the one uploaded along with the CAT 2024 application form. Also, take two printouts of the CAT admit card 2024 and carry both to the exam hall.

DO NOT sign the CAT admit card beforehand as it has to be done at the exam centre in the presence of the invigilator.

Photo Identity Proof

Items not to carry to the CAT exam centre

At the CAT 2024 exam centre, you will be required to present a photo identity card provided by the Government of India. A secondary identity proof along with the CAT 2024 admit card is mandatory so that the authorities can keep a check on imposters.

As a photo identity proof, you can carry any of the following documents:

•     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 cases where the name of the candidate had been changed due to any event (like marriage, legal name change, divorce), he or she will be required to carry a name change document that supports the new name. This document can be a marriage certificate, divorce degree, etc. Also, carry a notarised photocopy of the supporting document.

Medical Certificate and Scribe Affidavit

Candidates belonging to PwD category will be required to carry a medical certificate supporting the disability claim and a scribe affidavit (on the prescribed form by IIMCAT) to the exam centre. All the documents will be verified by the officials at the CAT exam centre post frisking. No candidate will be allowed to proceed to their computer system without document verification.

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

Only admit card, photo identity card, required Medical certificate(s) and Scribe affidavit (if any) would be permitted beyond the frisking point at the CAT exam centre.

However, candidates coming from far off places, must carry food items and other essentials at the exam centre early to find a place for keeping their belongings safely. It is advised not to carry watches, mobile phones, wallets and other expensive items there will be no arrangement of depositing bags and valuables inside the test centre premises and none of the exam centre staff will take the guarantee of the safety of the candidate’s belongings.

Things Not to Carry to the CAT 2024 Exam Centre

The CAT conducting body has enlisted items prohibited at the CAT exam centres. These include bags, purses, pencil boxes, beepers, wrist watches, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras and wireless/bluetooth devices. Any candidate found with any of these items inside the exam hall will be disqualified. Notepads or any type of written material is also prohibited.

Candidates need not carry a pen. They will be provided with one pen and one scribble pad for rough work in the test lab. 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.

Read More:

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Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

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