DRDO CEPTAM Tech-A exam-day guide
DRDO CEPTAM Tech-A · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Print or download the admit card
DRDO CEPTAM admit cards are released on the official DRDO recruitment portal, usually a week or two before the exam. Download it as soon as the link opens, check that your name, roll number, paper (Tech-A), exam date, shift time and centre address are correct, and take at least two printed copies. If any detail is wrong, contact the helpdesk listed on the portal immediately rather than waiting for exam day. Confirm the exact download window and correction process with the provider.
Original photo ID matching the admit card
Carry the original government photo ID whose number you entered in the application (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence or similar). Photocopies and digital copies on a phone are not normally accepted. The name and spelling must match the admit card; if there is a mismatch, carry supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or gazette notification and confirm the accepted-ID list with the provider.
Passport-size photographs
Carry several recent colour photographs in the same specification as the one uploaded with your application, since centres sometimes ask for one for the attendance sheet. Keep them loose in an envelope rather than glued to documents. Confirm the exact size and number required with the provider.
Transparent water bottle and simple snacks
Carry a clear, unlabelled water bottle and a small snack such as a biscuit or banana for the break between shifts or after the exam. Avoid packaged items with printed wrappers if the centre restricts them. Confirm the centre's policy on food and water with the provider.
Simple blue or black ballpoint pen
CEPTAM papers are computer-based, so you will mostly use the on-screen interface, but a pen is useful for signing the attendance sheet and for rough work if the centre provides paper. Do not carry any other stationery unless the admit card instructions allow it.
Know the reporting time and reach early
The admit card states a reporting time and a gate-closing time, typically well before the shift starts for verification and frisking. Plan to arrive at the centre at least 60 to 90 minutes early and account for traffic, since late entry is usually refused. Confirm the reporting time and late-entry rule with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home or with a companion
Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, books, notes and bags are almost always banned inside the hall. Many centres have no secure storage, so travel light or bring someone who can hold your belongings. Confirm the exact prohibited-items list with the provider.
Read the admit card instructions line by line
The admit card carries centre-specific instructions on gate entry, biometric capture, dress code and documents. Read it the day it arrives and again the night before, and note anything unusual such as a temporary centre or a changed shift time.
Prepare for biometric and frisking
Expect photograph capture, fingerprint or iris scan and a physical check at the gate. Wear simple clothing without metal accessories, and keep documents in a plain folder so verification is quick. Confirm the biometric requirements with the provider.
Check the centre location in person or on a map
Look up the exact address, nearest metro or bus stop and parking options a day in advance. Centres are sometimes in schools or institutes with similar names in the same city, so verify the pin code and landmark on the admit card. Confirm the address with the provider if it looks ambiguous.
Plan for the paper pattern and duration
Tech-A is a computer-based test with objective questions on technical knowledge and general aptitude, and the timer runs on screen. Know the section structure and marking scheme printed in the information brochure so you can allocate time during the test. Confirm the current pattern and duration with the provider, since these can change between cycles.
Carry a printed copy of the information brochure or instructions
Keep a printed or offline copy of the official instructions on your phone or in your bag so you can recheck a rule at the gate without network access. Do not rely on opening the portal at the centre, where connectivity is usually restricted.
Plan the day
Download and print the admit card if you have not already, verify every detail, and resolve any discrepancy with the helpdesk the same day. Confirm your travel plan to the centre, including the route, departure time and backup transport. Take one full-length timed mock test in the exact interface or a similar one, review your weak topics, and stop learning new material. Sort your documents into a single folder: admit card copies, original ID, photographs and any certificate the instructions ask for. Sleep on a normal schedule rather than cramming overnight.
Re-read the admit card instructions and the prohibited-items list, then pack your bag: documents folder, pen, water bottle, snack and a light layer in case the hall is cold. Charge your phone but plan to leave it outside the hall. Check the weather and any transport disruptions, and set two alarms. Do a light revision of formulas and key technical concepts only, avoid heavy new problem sets, eat a normal dinner and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep. Confirm the reporting time once more with the provider if anything on the admit card is unclear.
Eat a proper breakfast, since the shift can run long, and avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. Leave home with enough buffer to reach the centre 60 to 90 minutes before the reporting time. At the gate, keep your documents folder ready, follow the queue for verification and biometric capture, and use the washroom before entering the hall. Once seated, read the on-screen instructions, check that your name and roll number appear correctly, and note how the timer and question palette work before the clock starts.
Skim the paper in the first few minutes and decide a section order that suits you, usually starting with your strongest section to bank marks. Watch the on-screen timer and set internal checkpoints, for example finishing the technical section with a set amount of time left for aptitude. Attempt easy questions first, mark doubtful ones for review and return to them, and never leave a question blank if there is no negative marking. If the system freezes or the timer misbehaves, raise your hand immediately and get the invigilator to log the issue rather than restarting anything yourself. In the last ten minutes, confirm every question has a saved response and submit before the timer expires.
Rules to check
Carry only the documents and items listed on the admit card. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, books and bags are normally prohibited inside the hall, and possession can lead to disqualification. Confirm the exact list with the provider.
Entry is refused after the gate-closing time printed on the admit card, even if you are only a few minutes late. Reach the centre early and treat the reporting time as a hard deadline. Confirm the late-entry policy with the provider.
Identity is verified against the original photo ID and the admit card, followed by photograph and biometric capture. Give fingerprints and iris scans as instructed, and tell the invigilator if a scan fails repeatedly so it can be recorded. Confirm the biometric requirements with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions during the test. Do not talk, look at another candidate's screen, share stationery or pass notes, and do not tamper with the computer, keyboard or mouse. Any suspected unfair means is reported and can lead to cancellation of your candidature.
Breaks are generally not allowed during the computer-based test, so use the washroom before entering the hall. If you feel unwell, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator rather than leaving your seat. Confirm the centre's policy on breaks and medical emergencies with the provider.
Scoring is based on the objective responses saved on the server at the time of submission, and the marking scheme and any negative marking are stated in the official information brochure. Read that scheme before the exam so you know whether to guess. Confirm the current marking scheme with the provider.
Do not carry the question paper, rough sheets, or any notes out of the hall, and do not photograph or reproduce questions. Rough sheets, if provided, are usually collected before you leave. Confirm the rules on rough paper with the provider.
If there is a technical failure at your workstation, stay seated and inform the invigilator immediately. Do not attempt to fix the system yourself, and note the time of the failure so any loss of time can be documented. Confirm the centre's procedure for technical issues with the provider.