CG SET exam-day guide
CG SET · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket and a photo ID
Print the admit card if the provider requires a hard copy and carry the exact ID document named on it. The accepted ID types and whether photocopies are allowed vary by state and provider, so confirm both with the provider before the exam.
Confirm exam centre location, reporting time, and entry cut-off
Re-read your admit card for the centre address and reporting time, and check whether late entry is refused after a stated cut-off. If the address is ambiguous, do a dry run or check the route the day before. needs_review: exact reporting and cut-off times are set per exam cycle.
Know the paper pattern and marking scheme
Be clear on the number of papers, question types (typically objective/multiple-choice for the state eligibility test), total marks, and whether there is negative marking. Do not rely on memory from another exam cycle; verify against the current official information bulletin.
Bring only permitted stationery
Carry a black or blue ballpoint pen and a pencil/eraser only if the instructions permit them for filling OMR or response sheets. Many centres supply nothing and prohibit borrowing, so bring your own spares. Confirm the permitted list with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home
Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earbuds, calculators, and printed notes are almost always banned inside the hall. There is usually no secure storage, so plan to travel without them or leave them with a companion.
Plan for the ID/photograph and biometric or verification step
Some centres photograph, fingerprint, or signature-verify candidates at entry. Arrive early enough to clear this queue. needs_review: whether biometric capture is used varies by centre.
Rehearse OMR/response-sheet filling
Practise darkening bubbles fully and correctly, and check the roll number and booklet code fields carefully. A mis-shaded or wrongly coded sheet can invalidate answers regardless of your knowledge.
Prepare a light, safe snack and water for after the exam
Food and drink are usually not allowed inside the hall. Keep hydration and a snack for the break or after the session, and check whether a water bottle is permitted at your centre.
Decide your transport and backup plan
Build in a buffer for traffic, and identify a backup route or mode in case of delays. Aim to reach the centre well before the reporting time rather than exactly at it.
Check the weather and dress comfortably
Wear simple, comfortable clothing and footwear suited to waiting in queues. Avoid accessories that may trigger security checks or be asked to be removed.
Sleep and light revision the night before
Do not start new topics. Review formula sheets, key definitions, and your own error log, then sleep at a normal hour.
Keep emergency contacts and documents together
Place admit card, ID, pens, and a printed copy of centre details in one pouch the night before so nothing is scrambled in the morning.
Plan the day
Switch from new learning to consolidation. Revise high-yield topics, formula lists, and recurring mistakes from your practice tests. Take at most one full-length timed mock to check pacing, then stop taking new mocks. Confirm your admit card is downloaded and printed, verify the centre address and reporting time, and settle travel and stay arrangements.
Pack the pouch: admit card, ID, pens, and any permitted items. Do a route check or dry run if the centre is unfamiliar. Do a short, calm revision of summaries only, avoid heavy new material, eat normally, and sleep early. Re-read the official instructions on prohibited items and reporting time so there are no surprises.
Eat a proper breakfast, carry the pouch, and leave with a generous buffer. Reach the centre ahead of the reporting time to clear verification queues. Use waiting time for light review of summaries, not for cramming new topics. Keep calm and follow staff instructions at entry.
Read the instructions on the booklet and response sheet before starting. Fill roll number, booklet code, and other identity fields carefully. Do a first pass answering confident questions, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock and keep a reserve for transferring answers and checking the sheet. If negative marking applies, guess only when you can eliminate options. Recheck that every answered question is correctly shaded and no stray marks remain.
Note down anything you found difficult while it is fresh, in case you need to plan a retake. Keep your admit card and ID safe until results are declared, and check the official website for answer keys and result timelines rather than relying on social media.
Rules to check
Carry the admit card and the exact photo ID named on it; entry is normally refused without them. Confirm accepted ID types and whether photocopies are allowed with the provider.
Reach the centre by the reporting time. Late entry after the stated cut-off is usually not permitted, and the cut-off is set per exam cycle, so confirm it with the provider.
Do not carry phones, smartwatches, earbuds, calculators, or notes into the hall. If you do, expect confiscation or debarment; storage is generally not provided.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and do not communicate with other candidates once inside the hall. Any suspected malpractice can lead to cancellation of your candidature.
Breaks are generally not allowed during the paper; use the washroom before entry. If you need to leave the hall, expect escort and no extra time, so confirm the centre's policy with the provider.
The marking scheme, including any negative marking, is specified in the official information bulletin. Read it before the exam and do not assume it matches other exams.
Do not write anything on the admit card, question booklet, or response sheet beyond what is instructed, and do not tear pages or take materials out of the hall.