CMAT Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Instructions, Dress Code, Dos, Don’ts, Items to Carry

Table of Contents

1. CMAT Exam Day Instructions 2026 by NTA
2. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Dos
3. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Don’ts
4. Items to Carry, and Not Carry, to CMAT Exam Centre
5. CMAT Exam Day Check List 2026
6. CMAT Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid 2026
7. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Tips
8. CMAT Exam Reporting Time, Gate Closing, Exam Time
9. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Rules
10. CMAT Exam Helpline
11. CMAT Exam Day Checklist 2026
12. CMAT Last Minute Preparation 2026

1. CMAT Exam Day Instructions 2026 by NTA 
NTA, which is conducting CMAT exam, had issued official CMAT Exam Day Instructions and Guidelines for candidates. CMAT 2026 exam will be held in single shift from 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM. National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a public notice on January 16, 2026 announcing this change. The instructions outline mandatory exam day rules and guidelines including carrying a printed admit card with photo, a valid government ID, and following reporting timelines. Candidates must avoid prohibited items, follow biometric and frisking procedures, and comply with dress code and conduct guidelines to avoid disqualification. Check complete CMAT Exam Day Instructions 2026 below.

1. The candidate must reach the Centre at the time as indicated against Reporting/Entry time at the Centre, in the Admit Card.
2. No candidate shall be permitted to enter after the Gate Closing Time.
3. No candidate shall be permitted to leave the Examination Room/ Hall before the end of the examination.
4. Upon completion of the examination, please wait for instructions from Invigilator and do not get up from your seat until advised. The candidates will be permitted to move out, one at a time only.
5. All candidates are required to download and read carefully, the Instructions given with the Admit Card and strictly adhere to them.
6. The Admit Card is provisional, subject to satisfying the eligibility conditions as given in the Prospectus/Information Bulletin.
7. Candidates are advised to verify the location of the test venue, a day in advance so that they do not face any problem on the day of the test.
8. If religion/customs require you to wear specific attire, please visit the Centre early for thorough checking and mandatory frisking.
9. No Candidate would be allowed to enter the Examination Centre, without Admit Card and undertaking, Valid Government ID Proof and proper frisking.
10. Candidates will be permitted to carry only the following items with them into the examination venue:
       a. Personal transparent water bottle,
       b. A simple transparent Ball Point Pen,
       c. Admit Card downloaded from the NTA website (a clear printout on A4 size paper) duly filled in.
       d. 02 Additional passport size photographs for pasting on the Attendance Sheet
       e. Identity Card (Original)
11. Before reaching the Centre, candidates must paste the Photograph and put a thumb impression at the appropriate place on the Admit Card. They should ensure that their Left-Hand Thumb Impression is clear and not smudged.
12. Candidate must carry any one of the original and valid Photo Identification Proof issued by the Government – PAN card/Driving Licence/Voter ID/Passport/Aadhaar Card (With photograph)/ E-Aadhaar/ Ration Card/ Aadhaar Enrolment No. with Photo. All other ID/Photocopies of IDs even if attested/scanned photos of IDs in the mobile phone will NOT be considered as valid ID Proof.
13. PwBD candidate (with disability of 40% or less) may be allowed Compensatory/ Extra time of 20 minutes per hour of the examination, whether such candidate (having a physical limitation to write) uses the facility of Scribe or not. Such candidate need to have valid document authorized by the Competent Authority as mentioned in Information Bulletin.
14. PwBD candidate must bring a PwD certificate issued by the Competent Authority if claiming relaxation under the relevant provisions.
15. Candidates are NOT allowed to carry any other personal belongings including electronic devices, or mobile phones to the Examination Centre. Examination Officials will not be responsible for the safekeeping of personal belongings and there will be no facility.
16. Shoes/footwear with thick soles and garments with large buttons are NOT permitted.
17. Blank paper sheets for rough work will be provided in the examination Hall/Room. Candidates must write their name and Roll Number at the top of each of the sheet(s) and must drop the sheet/s in the designated drop box without fail, before leaving the Examination Hall/Room. Failure to do so may result in a non-evaluation of your answers.
18. No Candidate should adopt any unfair means or indulge in any unfair examination. All the Examination Centres are under surveillance of CCTV and equipped with Jammers.
19. If at any stage, it is found that the candidate has submitted multiple applications, his/her candidature will be cancelled and legal action will be taken including debarring in all future examinations.
20. Candidates are advised to check updates on https://exams.nta.ac.in/CMAT portal. They should also check their mailbox on the registered E-mail address and SMS in their registered Mobile No. for the latest updates and information regarding the exam.
21. For any clarification/assistance, you can write to NTA at [email protected] or call at Helpline number 011-40759000. 
    Follow these CMAT 2026 exam instructions to avoid last-minute issues at exam centre. Next, based on these instructions, check CMAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts below. Also check CMAT Admit Card Image below for reference.

2. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Dos
Preparing for CMAT exam day is as important studying for the exam for months. Read and follow the important CMAT 2026 Exam Day Dos and Don’ts starting with what you must remember to do.

• Recheck Admit Card details: You should recheck your Name, Application Number, Test Centre address, exam slot and reporting time at centre and other details in your CMAT Admit Card. Ensure that all your details are correct. If there is any error, contact CMAT Exam centre help desk by email or phone (details given at the end of the article)
• Print and Carry your CMAT Admit Card Hard Copy: To enter CMAT exam center, you will require hard copy of your admit card with passport size photo affixed on it. If not done till now, download your CMAT Admit Card from CMAT Website, take print on A4 size paper, fix your identical photograph in the given space on it. Read more about how to download CMAT admit card.
• Keep your Photo ID Ready: One of the important CMAT exam day dos is that you need original copy of your Photo ID to show at the exam gate. Following photo IDs are acceptable for CMAT Exam:
  - Aadhar card
  - Voter Id card
  - Passport
  - PAN Card
  - Driving License
   
• Visit your CMAT Exam Centre Before Exam Day: This is an important part of CMAT exam day preparation. Check the exam centre address given in the Admit card and visit it before exam day. Also check the approximate time it takes to reach exam centre. This will help you plan for the exam day. Identify mode of transport and commuting time at least a day before the exam day in order to reach the test centre on time.
• Choose Correct Dress for CMAT Day: Choose what you wish to wear on CMAT exam day well in advance. The dress should keep you comfortable throughout the CMAT exam day and should allow to sit for two hours while taking the exam. However, make sure that your dress does not violate the CMAT exam dress code which does not allow garments with large buttons or footwear with thick soles.
• Arrive at CMAT Centre in Time: You must reach the CMAT test center as per the reporting time for your allotted exam slot. CMAT exam day instructions ask candidates to reach exam centre 90 minutes before the start time of the exam. Check details below.
• Carry Only Items Allowed Inside CMAT Centre: Check complete list of items you can carry and not carry to exam centre below.  Don’t carry prohibited items to avoid unnecessary last-minute stress!
• Ensure to Mark Attendance: Mark your attendance in the Form with signature when asked for, in the CMAT testing room after completion of biometrics. If you fail to mark attendance, you may be treated absent from the exam.

Next, check list of things that you must not do!

3. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Don’ts
After going through the CMAT exam day dos, it is also very much necessary to know what are the CMAT Exam Day Don’ts 2026. Check this list of CMAT Exam Day Don’ts.

• Don’t carry Prohibited Articles inside CMAT Exam Centre: While going to take CMAT exam, you should not carry and wear the following dresses and items:
  - Do not wear oversized Jackets or heavy Jewelry or Shoes with thick soles
  - Do not wear Garments with large Buttons
  - Do Not carry Electronic Watch, Mobile Phone, Bag, Wallets etc to the CMAT test centre.
   
• Don’t Resort to Unfair Means: Do not attempt to speak or ask any thing with other candidates in the exam hall. If you do, you will run the risk of getting debarred. Each question is placed at different serial number for each test taker.

Follow above CMAT Exam Day Dos and Don’ts to have a hassle-free exam day experience. Next, check out list of things to carry and not carry to CMAT Exam Centre.

4. Items to Carry, and Not Carry, to CMAT Exam Centre 
An essential part of CMAT Exam Day Guidelines 2026 is that you should remember to carry some important items, and must not carry prohibited items. Read CMAT 2026 Exam Day What to Carry and Not Carry in the following section.
You can carry only a very few items in CMAT exam centre. Check things to carry and not carry in CMAT 2026 Exam Centre.  

CMAT What to Carry 2026?
Check the list of CMAT exam day what to carry items below:

1. CMAT 2026 Admit Card
2. Photo Identity Proof
3. Medical Certificate(s) if required
4. Scribe Affidavit if required
5.  Transparent Water Bottle 
6. Only simple transparent Ball Point Pen

Remember, there are no arrangement to deposit mobile phone, bags or other valuables inside the test centre premises.

CMAT What Not to Carry 2026? 
Check the list of CMAT exam what not to carry items below:

1. Mobile Phones 
2. Electronic / Bluetooth 
3. Devices 
4. Books / Papers 
5. Calculators 
6. Mask 
7. Ornaments 
8. Metallic Items 
9. Electronic Keys 
10. Analog Watches 
11. Digital / Smart Watches

Any candidate found with any of these items inside the exam hall will be disqualified and debarred from the exam. We hope this section has answered the question - what to carry for CMAT Exam? Also check list CMAT permitted items 2026 and CMAT prohibited items 2026 in table form below.

List of permitted and prohibited items inside CMAT Test Lab

5. CMAT Exam Day Check List 2026 
If you want a handy CMAT exam day check list 2026 to help you prepared for the D-day, check the list below. This CMAT exam check List 2026 takes care of virtually everything you need to prepare for the CMAT exam day.

1. Recheck all details on the CMAT admit card
2. Print and carry a hard copy of the CMAT admit card
3. Carry a valid government photo ID
4. Wear simple and comfortable clothes (avoid metallic items, thick-soled shoes, heavy jackets or jewelry)
5. Reach the exam center well before reporting time
6. Locate your exam hall and assigned seat
7. Carry only the allowed items: Admit Card, Photo ID, Water bottle (if permitted)
8. Do not carry mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators, stationery, wallets, purses, books or bags
9. Do not apply mehndi/henna on hands as it may interfere with biometrics
10. Follow all CMAT exam day instructions and guidelines at the centre

6. CMAT Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid 2026 
Many students lose marks not because of lack of preparation, but due to avoidable errors under pressure. Keeping these CMAT 2026 Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid will help you stay calm and perform better:

• Avoid arriving late at the exam centre.
• Avoid forgetting your printed admit card or valid photo ID.
• Avoid wearing restricted items like metal accessories, smartwatches or thick-soled shoes.
• Avoid spending too much time on a single difficult question.
• Avoid panicking and randomly marking answers without proper reasoning.

7. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Tips
Follow these CMAT exam day tips to make sure you are totally ready for the exam.

1. Recheck Admit Card Details: Thoroughly verify your Name, Application Number, Test Centre address, Slot, and Reporting Time on your CMAT Admit Card.
2. Print and Affix Photo: You must carry a hard copy printout of your CMAT Admit Card on A4 paper with a passport-sized photograph affixed to the designated spot. The photo must be identical to the one uploaded during registration.
3. Carry Original Photo ID: Bring the original copy of a valid Photo ID proof (Aadhar, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or Driving License) for verification at the gate.
4. Visit the Centre in Advance: Locate your test centre days before the exam using the Address given in the admit card. Plan your mode of transport and commuting time to ensure you arrive punctually.
5. Arrive Early: Reach the CMAT test centre strictly as per the reporting time mentioned on your admit card, which is 90 minutes before the exam start time, to complete necessary security and biometric checks.
6. Dress Code Compliance: Wear simple, comfortable clothing that adheres to the CMAT dress code given above. Avoid garments with large buttons, heavy jewellery, or thick-soled footwear.
7. Mark Attendance and Biometrics: Once inside the testing room, ensure your digital fingerprint scan is successfully captured and you mark your attendance on the form with your signature. Failure to do so may result in being marked absent.
8. Do Not Carry Prohibited Items: Leave all electronic gadgets, bags, wallets, and any prohibited items outside the centre. Only permitted items are allowed.
9. Avoid Bio Breaks: Set your body clock according to the exam timing in advance. Do not request a bio-break during the 3-hour duration of the test unless it is a severe medical emergency.

8. CMAT Exam Reporting Time, Gate Closing, Exam Time
National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct CMAT 2026 on 25 January 2026 (Sunday) in Single Shifts from 09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Complete details about the CMAT Exam timing, reporting time and exam timing for entry to the exam centre are given below. Candidates should also reconfirm their session timing on their Admit Card. 

Check complete details of CMAT exam date and time.

9. CMAT 2026 Exam Day Rules 
CMAT Exam Day Rules 2026 for candidates taking CMAT exam are as below:

• Candidates should carry a printed Admit Card with Photo
• Candidates should carry a valid Government ID,
• Candidate must report on time.
• Candidates must not carry prohibited items,
• Candidate should follow biometric and frisking procedures, and comply with dress code and follow CMAT exam rules to avoid disqualification.

10. CMAT Exam Helpline 
If there is any error in your CMAT admit card or you require help for the CMAT Exam, you can contact CMAT help desk below:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone Number: 011-40759000

11. CMAT Exam Day Checklist 2026 
Follow these CMAT 2026 exam day checklist to make sure you have all the things required for the exam day.

1. Recheck Admit Card Details: Thoroughly verify your Name, Application Number, Test Centre address, Slot, and Reporting Time on your CMAT Admit Card.
2. Print and Affix Photo: You must carry a hard copy printout of your CMAT Admit Card on A4 paper with a passport-sized photograph affixed to the designated spot. The photo must be identical to the one uploaded during registration.
3. Carry Original Photo ID: Bring the original copy of a valid Photo ID proof (Aadhar, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or Driving License) for verification at the gate.
4. Visit the Centre in Advance: Locate your test centre days before the exam using the Google Map link provided on the admit card. Plan your mode of transport and commuting time to ensure you arrive punctually.
5. Comply with CMAT Dress Code 2026: Wear simple, comfortable clothing that adheres to the CMAT dress code given above. Avoid garments with large buttons, heavy jewellery, or thick-soled footwear.
6. Do Not Carry Prohibited Items: Leave all electronic gadgets, bags, wallets, and any prohibited items outside the centre. Only permitted items are allowed.

12. CMAT Last Minute Preparation 2026 
Here are a few important tips for last minute exam preparation:

• Understand CMAT 2026 Exam Pattern
• Know CMAT 2026 Exam Syllabus
• Take CMAT Mock Tests 2026
• Attempt CMAT Previous Year Papers to know past questions types  

In summary, Exam Day Dos and Don’ts and Exam Day Guidelines are important CMAT Exam Day Instructions for the candidates. Following these CMAT Exam Day Guidelines and Rules will ensure that you can smoothly take the exam. Remember to save these CMAT Exam Day Guidelines and follow on the D Day! Also read CMAT last minute preparation tips 2026.