Exam Day Tips for CAT 2023 - Key Tips to Help You Succeed

Exam Day Tips for CAT 2023: With the approaching CAT exam, MBA aspirants are often left worried about how to tackle the pressure on the exam day. A certain level of tension is always good as it compels you to prepare well for the exam and provides the required adrenaline rush to handle the pressure. However, too much of it can lead to a candidate being unable to give his/her best attempt. On the day of the CAT 2023 exam, candidates must maintain their composure and be aware of what is to be done and what is not. To answer lengthy questions quickly, candidates are required to review their notes, concepts, and formulas as well as memorize any shortcuts or tricks. For more live updates regarding the CAT 2023 question paper and answer key, candidates can refer to the links provided below:

The CAT 2023 exam has been conducted by IIM Lucknow on November 26, 2023, in three slots across 155 test cities in India. It was important for candidates to familiarize themselves with all of the CAT exam guidelines so that they don't make any mistakes on exam day. In addition to revising, there are a few crucial things one needs to remember on the day of the exam. Like the previous two years, the COVID-19 protocol will be used to administer the CAT exam this year as well. Candidates will be expected to behave appropriately in accordance with the COVID guidelines on the day of the exam.

Well, it is rightly said that prevention is better than cure, and the fact that you are reading this is a good sign that you want to be ready for every scenario on the day of the examination. Being mentally prepared for CAT 2023 will help you get a good score in CAT 2023 and get admission to your preferred Indian Institute of Management (IIM). Here, we have curated some of the best exam day tips for CAT 2023 suggested by experts and CAT toppers that will help you rise over the pressure and crack the exam.

Also Read: How to Start CAT Preparation 2023 from Scratch

CAT 2023 Latest Updates

• Expect the official CAT 2023 answer key to be released tentatively by November 30. Explore the unofficial CAT Answer Key 2023 here!
• The CAT Question Paper 2023 is now available for review

CAT 2023 Important Dates & Timings

Here are the important dates of CAT 2023 and the shift timings for the exam.

CAT Exam Day Slot Timings

CAT 2023 will be conducted in 3 shifts. Check the table below to know the timings of the CAT 2023 exam.

Along with a good knowledge of the subjects and having a proper understanding of How to prepare for CAT 2023, candidates must also take into account all of the factors important on the exam day. Simple acts such as keeping all of the documents required with the CAT 2023 admit card can help take the pressure off on the day of the examination. Candidates should check the following information to ensure that they are ready to crack the CAT 2023.

Also Read:

Exam Day Tips to Crack CAT 2023

Here are some of the best tips that will help you give your best performance on the CAT 2023 exam day.

Tip #1: Reach the Exam Centre Early and Follow the Instructions

CAT 2023 is expected to be conducted in three sessions. The first session will run from 8:30 to 10:30 in the morning, the second from 12:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon, and the third from 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening. 15 minutes prior to the start of the exam, the CAT exam centres' entry gates will close. In order to preserve physical distance, there will be staggard entry. To ensure a quick and safe entrance to the exam room, arrive at your examination center by the time specified on the admit card. Reaching early will also help you avoid crowding at the gate and be calm and composed through various checks and processes. You should also follow all instructions issued by the invigilators. Avoid getting into any arguments as that not only may cause your disqualification but may also ruin your temper to succeed.

Also Read:CAT Exam Day Instructions

Tip #2: Do Not Indulge in Last-minute Revision

Revision shouldn't be done right before the exam, in order to avoid confusion as you reach the testing center for the CAT 2023. It's a myth that studying more will help you know more. When preparing for a difficult exam like the CAT, it's crucial to spread out your preparation throughout the course of the year, not just a few days or hours before the exam. The key to excelling in the CAT 2023 exam is comprehensive, organized study.

Tip #3: Start with the Easy Questions

Does it feel like the first question itself has challenged your intelligence and you are going to solve it whatever the cost? Well, that might cost you the exam itself. Remember to skim the questions and start with the easy questions first. This can give you the required confidence boost and momentum, which might even make solving tricky questions easier.

Tip #4: Keep Your Eye on The Timer

The time you will get to solve each question in CAT 2023 is limited to 40 minutes and therefore it becomes very important to be aware of the time you have left. When too engrossed in an interesting question, it can get easy to lose a sense of time. Every second of the 120 minutes given to you is precious and if a question is taking a lot of time to solve, move on to the next and come back to it in the next pass.

Also Read:How to Approach CAT Question Paper?

Tip #5: Choose Your Battles Wisely

Whether you solve the most difficult question in the entire paper or the easiest, you are going to get 3 marks for both of them. Hence, it is better to drop any questions that seem too tricky or difficult to solve. You can always come back to them after demolishing the easy ones first.

Tip #6: Be Careful when Going for TITA Questions

TITA questions in CAT 2023 do not have any negative marking and hence they can seem quite alluring to attempt. However, you must be careful when choosing which TITA questions to answer in the exam. Again, keep a close check on the time you are taking to solve the question, and be careful when entering your answer.

Also Read:How to Tackle TITA Questions in CAT?

Tip #7: Read the Questions Carefully and Do Not Make Silly Mistakes

Do not rush when reading the questions. Make sure you go through every detail carefully and re-read the question if you are unable to understand it in the first go. This will help you avoid a lot of silly mistakes caused by hurrying unnecessarily.

Tip #8: Focus on Maintaining Accuracy

While the proper answer to the speed vs accuracy debate is always 'balance', when you have to choose between them, it is better to go for accuracy. Quality matters a lot when it comes to success in CAT 2023. As per our analysis, the sweet spot lies in maintaining 80 - 90% accuracy.

Also Read:How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT 2023 for a 99 Percentile Score

Tip #9: Stay Focused on Your Work

No matter how fast you are, time is in short supply when attempting CAT 2023. Hence, it is better to keep a razor-sharp focus on your work and avoid glancing anywhere else. This will not only save time but also prevent you from being accused of cheating or using unfair means.

Tip #10: Use On-Screen Calculator

CAT 2023 provides students with an on-screen calculator and it is the only MBA entrance exam in India to do so. Hence, it is better to make good use of this calculator. However, one should be judicious when using the calculator as it can often take more time than doing mental calculations or simply using effective tricks to reduce calculations when solving questions. Hence, along with the guide to using the on-screen calculator in CAT 2023, we are also including some of the articles that will help you improve your calculations in CAT 2023.

Also Read: How to Use Calculator in CAT: Tips and Instructions

Tip #11: Revise Where You Have the Luxury

If you have any time remaining after completing a section, make sure you spend all of it revising and double-checking your answers. This can not only help you find potential mistakes but also ensure that you have not made any silly mistakes such as erroneously selecting the wrong option or maybe even failing to save after selecting an option.

Tip #12: Carry the Required Photo ID Along with CAT Admit Card 2023

Candidates must have a photo ID with them in addition to their CAT admit card 2023. They may carry both the original and a photocopy of any of the following IDs:

• Aadhar card

• Voter ID

• Passport

• College/University ID

• Driver's license

• Or any other identity proof issued by the Government of India

Tip #13: Do Not Bring Prohibited Items to the CAT Exam Center

Inside the CAT 2023 exam centre, it is forbidden to bring items like bags, purses, pencil boxes, beepers, watches, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless or Bluetooth transmission, or any other similar communication devices. Any applicant caught in possession of one of the aforementioned objects will be disqualified from the CAT 2023 exam. Only the CAT 2023 admit card and relevant ID proof/certificates will be permitted inside the examination hall. For rough work, the authorities will provide a pen or pencil and paper. It is mandatory for the candidates to verify the following information on their CAT 2023 admit card beforehand:

• Name of the candidate

• PwD Status

• Date and Day of Test

• Registration Number

• Reporting/ Entry time at Centre

• Gate Closing Time of Centre

• Test Center address

• Test City

• Time and Session of CAT 2023

Tip #14: Maintain the CAT Dress Code

There are some items that are prohibited, including mehendi on the hands, shoes, metal jewelry, coats, and clothing with pockets. In order to enter the exam room, candidates must remove their shoes. You may wear socks indoors. Since they will need to remove them during the security check, female candidates should take care not to wear metal hairclips or jewelry. In order to ensure proper biometric attendance, they must not have henna on their palms.

Tip #15: Comply with the COVID-19 Related Guidelines

• At the student verification corner, present a COVID-19 declaration that is properly filled out and signed.

• Continue to keep a physical distance.

• Arrive at the exam center at the time of reporting.

• Permit the examiners to use a thermometer to measure your body temperature.

• Put on a facemask before entering the exam center and keep it on until you leave the building.

• Use a transparent bottle to carry drinking water.

• Keep a transparent bottle of hand sanitizer with you, and wash your hands frequently.

Tip #16: Go Through the CAT Exam Instructions Thoroughly

One of the most crucial pieces of advice for the CAT exam day is this. Read the exam-related instructions attentively in order to comprehend the CAT question bank, marking system, and other rules and guidelines. It is quite dangerous to miss even one point; it could have negative effects at any moment during the exam. One can also use the official CAT tutorials on the IIMCAT website to get a better understanding of the CAT 2023 exam. Your familiarisation with the actual CAT exam atmosphere and any associated dos and don'ts will be aided by the official CAT tutorial.

Tip #17: Observe the order of the CAT Question Papers

Only the CAT allows candidates to select whatever section they want to address first when taking the MBA admission exam. Candidates must finish the first section, known as VARC, before proceeding to the second section. Each section has a 40-minute time limit, and candidates must finish it in that time frame because the screen will automatically go on to the next section after the 40 minutes are over. There is no option to switch between sections in between. Candidates must be aware that they can only lock responses using the computer mouse and not the keyboard. The moment they touch the keyboard, the display will freeze.

If technical issues or disruptions occur during the exam, stay calm. Alert the invigilators and follow their instructions. Once the exam is over, don't dwell on it. Relax and unwind. Avoid discussing questions with others, as it may affect your post-exam mindset. If you have been shortlisted for further rounds like GD and PI, start preparing for them immediately. Research the participating colleges and topics.

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