SRMHCAT exam-day guide
SRMHCAT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket
Download and print at least two copies from the official portal once released. Verify your name, roll number, exam centre address, and reporting time on it; report any mismatch to the conducting body before exam day rather than at the gate.
Valid photo ID in original
Carry the original government-issued photo ID you used in the application (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, or similar). Photocopies and screenshots are commonly rejected. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted for SRMHCAT.
Passport-size photographs
Keep two to three recent photographs matching the one pasted on your admit card, in case the invigilator asks for one for the attendance sheet. Confirm with the provider whether photos are required at your centre.
Transparent water bottle
A clear, label-free bottle is the safest option. Do not carry opaque flasks or bottled drinks with branding, as these may be confiscated at security.
Simple analogue or non-programmable items only
Carry a basic pen if the exam is paper-based; for a computer-based test the centre usually supplies rough sheets and a pen. Do not bring calculators, smart watches, or any electronic device unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider.
Know the reporting time and reach early
Plan to arrive at the centre well before the reporting time printed on your admit card; entry gates typically close before the paper starts. Build in buffer for traffic and security queues.
Pre-plan the route and backup transport
Do a dry run or map the route the day before, note the nearest landmark, and arrange a backup mode of transport. Centres are often in campuses away from main roads.
Read the current information bulletin
Download the latest instruction sheet from the official SRMHCAT portal and read the sections on prohibited items, ID, and scoring. Rules can change between cycles, so rely on this cycle's document, not older forum posts.
Leave prohibited items at home
Do not carry phones, Bluetooth earbuds, smart bands, study notes, or bags unless the centre provides a cloakroom. Even switched-off devices found on you can lead to disqualification.
Sleep and meal routine
Fix a normal sleep schedule for the last two nights and eat a light, familiar breakfast on exam morning. Avoid experimenting with new food or heavy caffeine on the day.
Confirm centre-specific instructions
Some centres issue separate gate-entry or dress-code instructions. Check your registered email and SMS for centre notices, or confirm with the provider if none arrives.
Plan the day
Stop starting new topics. Revise only your own summary sheets, formula lists, and past error logs. Take one full-length timed mock under exam conditions, then spend more time analysing mistakes than re-attempting questions. Confirm your admit card is downloaded and printed, check the centre location once more, and finalise travel plans.
Pack your bag: admit card copies, original ID, photographs, transparent water bottle, and any permitted stationery. Lay out clothes. Do a light revision of high-yield areas only, no full mock. Set two alarms, sleep at a normal hour, and avoid discussing preparation with others to keep anxiety low.
Eat a light breakfast, re-check the bag against the checklist, and leave with enough margin to reach the centre before the reporting time. Avoid last-minute cramming in the queue. At the centre, follow security instructions, locate your seat, and test the keyboard or mouse if it is a computer-based test.
Read the on-screen or paper instructions fully before starting, note the section time limits, and attempt easier questions first to bank marks. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last few minutes to check that no question is left unmarked unintentionally. If a system or question paper has a defect, raise your hand and inform the invigilator immediately rather than waiting until the end.
Rules to check
Carry only the original photo ID accepted by the provider along with your admit card; candidates without valid documents are usually not allowed to sit the exam. Confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earbuds, calculators, or notes into the exam hall unless explicitly permitted. Possession of a prohibited device can lead to disqualification even if it is switched off.
Follow the reporting time strictly; gates generally close before the paper begins and late entry is at the centre's discretion. Confirm with the provider what the cut-off is for your cycle.
Breaks are usually not allowed during the test. Use the washroom before entering the hall, and if a medical need arises, ask the invigilator rather than leaving on your own.
Do not communicate with other candidates once inside the hall, and do not look at another candidate's screen or paper. Invigilators may record any suspected malpractice.
Scoring and negative-marking rules vary by section and cycle. Read the instructions on the question paper or screen and confirm the current marking scheme with the provider rather than assuming.
If you face a technical failure or an ambiguous question, inform the invigilator and follow their instruction; do not attempt to fix equipment yourself or restart the test without permission.
Any request for re-evaluation, re-checking, or a change of centre must be raised through the official channel within the window stated by the provider. Confirm the exact process and deadlines with the provider.