CAT 2018:10 Common Mistakes to Avoid

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 24: With less than 1 day to CAT, the aspirants are now gearing up to encounter the exam paper of CAT 2018 on November 25. A mixed feeling of anxiety, apprehension, fear, and tension is now at its peak. Having said that, it is imperative to be careful about certain things without which all the efforts would go in vain. Careers360 has listed the 10 common mistakes that candidates must avoid to crack CAT with confidence and secure a good percentile to bag a seat at the desired management institute.

Mistake 1 - Do not forget the CAT Admit Card and one photo ID: This is the must-take document to be produced at the exam centre without which candidates will not be allowed to appear for CAT 2018 under any circumstances. Moreover, downloading followed by printing of the admit card (A4-size paper, preferably using a Laser Printer) and carrying it to the exam centre is not enough, one must affix one passport size photograph on the CAT 2018 admit card. Test takers must paste the picture as same as uploaded in the registration form of CAT. Additionally, they would also need to produce at least one valid and original (not photocopied or scanned) photo ID card like College ID/Employer ID/Driving License/Passport/PAN Card/Voter ID/Aadhar Card/Identification Affidavit along with the admit card.

Mistake 2 - Abide by the dress-code: Since strict frisking and verification will be in place at all centres, candidates should be aware of what they are wearing on the exam day. No sorts of jewellery will not be allowed on the exam day. Additionally, no metallic items will be allowed. Test takers should avoid wearing jackets, scarves, and shawls as they need to remove them before entering the exam hall. One can wear any kind of top, shirt, pullover, sweater, cardigans, kurta, t-shirt etc, which are devoid of any pockets. Female candidates should avoid wearing loud makeup and fancy hairstyle. Footwears will not be allowed, however, candidates can wear socks.

Mistake 3 - Do not carry bags, folders, mobile phone: Candidates should not carry items like plastic bags, electronic gadgets, calculators, stationery items like pens, pencils, wallets etc. on the day of the exam. However, even if they carry such items would have to leave them outside and test centre will take no responsibility for the security of candidates’ belonging.

Mistake 4 - Avoid last-minute revision: Last minute revision may lead to forgetting what candidates have learned and stored in their brains and resulting in bad decision-making skills. Avoid starting any new topic or revising now; just keep your mind off studies for a while and try to remain calm.

Mistake 5 - Do not lose confidence, stay focussed: Candidates should believe in themselves as they have prepared to the best of their ability. One should stay strong and determined about their preparation strategy. Losing confidence and focus will affect productivity. It is vital to remain confident and relaxed.

Check the workflow to be followed on Sunday, November 25, 2018

Mistake 6 - Check the clock while answering: As known to all, CAT has sectional time limits. All candidates, barring the PwD candidates will get 60 minutes and the latter will get 80 minutes; therefore it is important to check the time while answering. As soon as candidates would start answering a section, the clock (displayed on the top right corner of the screen) would start ticking and would display the remaining time available to complete the current section. All should keep a close watch on the same.

Mistake 7 - Keyboard is not for use: Candidates are not supposed to use the computer keyboard at any point in time; this will lock the computer system. Instead, the answers should be entered using the mouse and the onscreen keyboard in the space provided for.

Mistake 8 - Do not waste pages of the writing pad: A writing pad would be provided to the test takers for rough work. However, one should not waste writing pad pages as it will be distributed only once per candidate during the period of the exam.

Mistake 9- Do not try to appear in both slots: Test takers will not be allowed to appear in more than one shift. Moreover, one cannot change the allotted slot according to his/her convenience. One who attempts to take the exam more than once would be disqualified in the further selection process.

Mistake 10 - Report on time: Candidates should not rush to the CAT test centre. A prior visit to the test centre before the exam day will help in planning the travel. Candidates should report at 7:30 am if they have been allotted the forenoon session and at 1:00 p.m. if they are scheduled for the afternoon session. Remember, no candidate will be allowed inside the Test Centre after 8:45 a.m. for the forenoon session and post 2:15 pm for the afternoon session.

IIM Calcutta will conduct CAT 2018 November 25 in two sessions; forenoon slot will commence at 9 am and the afternoon slot at 2:30 pm in 374 exam centres across 147 cities. Approximately 2.41 lakh candidates have applied successfully for CAT 2018. IIMs conduct CAT on a rotational basis every year for admission to 20 IIMs and over 100 B-schools across India. CAT is a three-hour exam comprising three sections: i) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, ii) Quantitative Ability, and iii) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Candidates will be given one hour for each section, whereas PwD candidates will get 20 minutes extra for each mentioned section.