CAT COVID-19 Guidelines: Mask, Sanitizer, Social Distancing

Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )

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Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Nov 16, 2022 13:43 IST

CAT 2022 exam is on November 27. Read complete COVID-19 related guidelines for CAT 2022 test takers. These guidelines have to be strictly followed by both students and CAT exam centre staff.

 

CAT 2022 exam will be conducted on November 27 at over 400 test centres in 150 cities across India. The examination authority will conduct the exam according to the COVID-19 guidelines determined by the Government of India which includes sanitization of the CAT exam centres, temperature check at the entry, physical distancing, use of face masks and hand sanitizers, etc. IIM Bangalore, the convening institute of CAT 2022, has released the rules and regulations for following COVID-19 related protocol along with the CAT admit card. Check important guidelines below. 

CAT 2022 exam will be conducted in three shifts to ensure there is no overcrowding at the test centres and the seating arrangement can be done as per the guidelines for physical distancing. The exam duration will be two hours and there will be a gap of two hours between each shift so that the centres can be sanitised before the next lot of CAT candidates make entry. Read below some key COVID-19 guidelines to follow at the CAT 2022 exam centre. 

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CAT 2022 self declaration

CAT COVID-19 self declaration

CAT 2022 Exam Day Guidelines for COVID-19

  • Candidates must maintain physical distance starting from point of entry at the CAT test centre till his/her exit from the premise.
  • Candidates must bring their own facemask, gloves, personal hand sanitizer (50ml) and transparent water bottle.
  • They must also carry two ballpoint pens and test-related documents (CAT 2022 admit card, ID card, etc.). No other items will be permitted inside the test venue.
  • Candidate must sign the self-declaration appropriately and show the same to the CAT test centre staff at the gate to gain entry.
  • Body temperature of the candidates will be checked at the entry of the CAT test venue with a thermo gun.
  • Candidates having symptoms of fever, cough and cold would be made to sit in a separate room with adequate safety measures.
  • Mapping of 'Candidate Application Number and the Lab Number' will NOT be displayed outside the CAT test venue, but the same will be provided to each candidate individually at the time of entry.
  • Candidates are required to follow directions given by the CAT test centre representatives during the entry and exit of the test centre.
  • At the registration desk, candidates will be directed to sanitize their hands using the sanitizer. Photographs will be captured during the registration process.
  • Candidates will be under the CCTV surveillance throughout the test duration.
  • Entry into the CAT test centre will be provided based upon the individual's time slot ONLY. Thus, candidates are required to report at the test venue strictly as per the time slot mentioned in their CAT admit card and/or informed via SMS on their registered mobile number prior to testing date.

General Guidelines for CAT 2022

  • Print all the pages of CAT admit card on an A4 size paper using a laser printer. Admit card is valid only if the candidate's photograph and signature images are legibly printed. Please affix the same photograph as uploaded while registering for CAT at the indicated place (besides the printed photograph).
  • The candidate must produce the CAT admit card for verification at the time of the test. The admit card is valid only for the test date and session time as specified in the 'Test Day Details' section.
  • Candidate must carry any one of the original and valid photo identification proof issued by the government such as:
  1. PAN Card
  2. Driving License
  3. Voter ID
  4. Passport
  5. Aadhaar Card
  6. E-Aadhaar
  7. Ration Card
  8. Identification Affidavit along with the CAT 2022 admit card
  • Candidate must reach the CAT exam centre as indicated against reporting time on the admit card. No candidate shall be permitted to enter after the gate closing time.
  • Candidates can use the Google map link embedded on the electronic version of the admit card to locate their CAT exam centre.
  • No candidate shall be permitted to leave the CAT test centre before the end of the exam.
  • A writing pad will be provided to the candidates for rough work. The candidate will have to write their name and registration number on the writing pad and return it to the invigilator before leaving the exam hall.
  • Electronic gadgets, mobile phones, watches, calculators, stationery items other than two ball pens, papers, wallets, goggles, etc. are prohibited inside the CAT test lab.
  • Candidates must not wear jewellery or items containing metal. Shoes/footwear with thick soles and garments with large buttons are prohibited inside the test centre.
  • There is no facility for safekeeping of candidates' personal belongings outside the test hall and the test conducting authority is not responsible for the damage or loss if any.
  • Candidates attempting to appear for CAT 2022 more than once will be disqualified.
  • The admit card signed by invigilators should be put in the drop box kept in the exam hall before exit.

Read More:

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.

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:   What are the items prohibited inside the CAT exam centre?

A:

The CAT conducting authorities have provided a comprehensive list of forbidden objects that are not permitted to be brought to the CAT exam centre. These are the items: Bags, mobile phones, calculators, IPADs, IPODs, Bluetooth headsets, digital wrist watches, laptop computers, and cameras are not permitted within the CAT test hall. Carry no electronic equipment, such as beepers, electronic devices, or scanners. Candidates who have a metal implant, pacemaker, or other medical device in their body must present a medical Certificate to the CAT exam centre. Metal jewellery is not permitted to be worn by candidates. Candidates are not permitted to wear boots, metal headpins, or clips within the test hall after the frisking point. Carry no pencil boxes into the examination hall. Candidates must make their own personal belonging arrangements at the CAT exam centre.

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.

About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

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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