New rules for CAT exams: Candidates not allowed to wear shoes, those wearing Mehendi will be barred from exams

CAT 2016 candidates have been instructed to not wear shoes and or any closed footwear during the exam. The exam which is a pre-requisite for admission to some 20 Indian Institutes of Managements across the country, besides a host of other management institutes, has issued a set of stringent instructions which are being criticised by students.

If any candidate is found wearing shoes, they will be asked to leave the footwear along with their socks outside the exam hall, as per new rules.

Students on Quora threads are joking around these announcements, saying they feel it's the weirdest set of rules students have ever been asked to follow.

Another announcement that has caught attention is - Candidates with Mehendi laden hands or carrying any other 'cosmetic colours' will not be permitted to take the test. They would not be allowed to digitally scan their fingerprints. The official notification has warned candidates from applying henna at least 5 days prior to the exam.

With two days left to go for one of India's toughest examinations, here's the full list of instructions. Do take a look and spare yourself from any surprises at the exam center:

1. You need to reach the test centre by 7:30 a.m. for forenoon session or by 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.
2. Candidates reaching late (after 8:45 a.m. for forenoon / 2:15 p.m. for afternoon sessions) WILL NOT be permitted inside the test centre.
3. Only Admit Card and original Photo ID proof will be permitted inside the test hall.
4. Applicants who have opted for using a scribe MUST also carry the duly filled Scribe Affidavit (available on the CAT website) along with the Photo ID proof (original plus a copy) of the scribe.
5. Your Admit Card (plus scribe affidavit if applicable) will be collected by the test invigilator and WILL NOT be returned to you. These will be retained by the invigilator.
6. Any kind of watch, mobile phones, earphones, microphones, pager, health band or any other electronic gadgets, any printed/blank/hand written paper, pencil box, pouch, calculator etc., are NOT allowed inside the test center.
9. Candidates wearing shoes or any other closed footwear WILL have to leave the footwear (including socks) outside the exam hall. You can wear open footwear like chappals, sandals etc.
10. On the day of the test, your digital fingerprint scan will be captured. Candidates whose fingerprints cannot be digitally scanned due to reasons like applying Mehendi / henna / any cosmetic colours etc., will not be permitted to take the test. It is strongly recommended that you avoid applying Mehendi on your hands (palm side) for at least 5 days prior to the test.

CAT exams are slated for December 4. The duration of the exam will be 180-minutes and there will be three Sections, namely Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. For tips to crack the exam, read this.