CG Mandi Nirikshak exam-day guide
CG Mandi Nirikshak · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed or downloaded admit card / hall ticket
Carry the admit card or hall ticket issued for this exam in the form the conducting body specifies. Confirm with the provider whether a printed hard copy is mandatory or a digital copy is accepted, since this varies by recruitment cycle.
Original photo ID as specified in the notification
Bring the original government photo ID named in the official notification (for example Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, or passport). Do not rely on photocopies or screenshots unless the provider explicitly allows them; confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
Passport-size photographs
Carry a few recent passport-size photographs matching the one affixed to your application, in case the invigilator asks for attestation or a mismatch needs resolving. Confirm the exact number and specification with the provider.
Transparent water bottle (if permitted)
Many centres allow only a plain transparent bottle with no label. Confirm the centre's hydration and food policy with the provider before relying on it.
Simple analogue watch (optional)
A basic non-smart wristwatch can help you pace sections if the hall clock is not visible. Smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability are almost always banned; confirm with the provider.
Know the reporting time and gate-closing time
Note both the reporting time printed on your admit card and the gate-closing time. Arriving after gate closure typically means disqualification regardless of reason; confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
Plan the route and a backup transport option
Rehearse the route to the centre, check for road closures or metro disruptions, and identify a backup. Aim to reach the area well before reporting time rather than the gate itself.
Re-read the official instruction sheet for banned items
Go through the notification's list of prohibited items (phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators, notes, bags) so nothing needs to be surrendered at the gate. Confirm the list with the provider as it can change between cycles.
Leave valuables and bags at home
Most centres provide no secure storage. Carrying only your admit card, ID, and permitted items avoids last-minute stress at the frisking point.
Confirm the exam mode and interface in advance
If the test is computer-based, review any official mock link or interface guide the provider publishes. If it is OMR-based, practise shading ovals cleanly and carrying a permitted black or blue ballpoint pen; confirm the pen rule with the provider.
Rest and light revision plan for the last evening
Keep the final evening to formula sheets, key definitions, and error logs rather than new topics. Sleep on a normal schedule so you are alert for an early reporting time.
Emergency contact and centre details saved offline
Save the centre address, a contact number, and a family member's number on paper or in an offline note, since your phone will likely be surrendered or switched off at the centre.
Plan the day
Download and print the admit card if not already done, and verify that your name, roll number, photograph, centre address, reporting time, and exam date all match your application. If anything is wrong, contact the provider immediately rather than waiting for exam day. Re-read the official instruction sheet end to end and write out your personal list of permitted and banned items. Do one full-length timed practice run at roughly the same time of day as the real exam to check your pacing and section strategy.
Do a physical reconnaissance or map check of the centre: confirm the gate, the nearest transport stop, and realistic travel time including traffic. Decide your departure time with at least a 45 to 60 minute buffer over the estimated journey. Assemble your documents and permitted items in one envelope or pouch. Stop starting new topics; spend time only on weak areas you can realistically fix, using your error log.
Keep revision light: skim formula sheets, definitions, and frequently confused facts. Lay out clothes, admit card, ID, photographs, and pen the night before. Charge nothing you cannot carry in, and plan to leave the phone at home or with a companion if the centre has no storage. Confirm the reporting time once more and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and sleep at your usual time; cramming overnight costs more marks than it gains.
Eat a proper breakfast, avoid heavy or unfamiliar food, and leave with the buffer you planned. Reach the centre before the reporting time so you clear frisking and document checks without rushing. Use the waiting time only for light review of key facts, not for solving hard problems that could dent confidence. Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly during verification.
Read the on-screen or paper instructions before the clock starts and note the number of questions, marks per question, and negative marking if any. Do a first pass over questions you can answer confidently, flagging the rest. Do not let a single stubborn question consume disproportionate time; return to flagged items in a second pass. Keep an eye on the time at fixed checkpoints (for example every quarter of the allotted time) and reserve the last few minutes to check that every answer is recorded and no stray marks remain on the OMR sheet.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID and admit card specified in the official notification; entry is normally refused without them. Confirm the accepted ID types and whether photocopies are allowed with the provider.
Follow the centre's ban on electronic devices. Phones, smart watches, Bluetooth earpieces, and similar items are typically prohibited inside the hall, and possession can lead to cancellation; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates once inside the hall, and do not look at others' screens or sheets. Any suspicion of unfair means is usually handled under the provider's unfair-means policy.
Breaks are generally not permitted during the test, and leaving the hall may not allow re-entry. Confirm the centre's washroom and break policy with the provider before exam day, and use the washroom before entering.
Scoring and negative marking depend on the scheme in the official notification. Check whether wrong answers carry a penalty and whether questions are of equal marks before deciding how much to guess.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on document verification, biometric capture, and seating. If your photograph or signature does not match, raise it politely at the desk rather than after the test begins.
Keep your answer sheet or keyboard area clear of notes, and do not write anything on the admit card or ID beyond what is permitted. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be done only on the sheets supplied.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a technical fault with your computer, inform the invigilator immediately and note the time; complaints raised after leaving the centre are usually harder to act on. Confirm the provider's grievance process in advance.