A practical checklist for BITS HD 2026: what to carry, what not to carry, how the CBT works, and how to manage the last minutes.
25-26 May 2026Computer Based TestHall ticket required
Verified from the official 2026-27 brochure: test date, time, and centre address are printed on the hall ticket. Hall tickets are available from 21 May 2026 till the exam date.
01 What To Carry
Keep this ready the night before. Do not leave printing or ID checks for exam morning.
Required
Printed Hall Ticket
Only candidates with a hall ticket will be allowed inside the test centre. Check name, date, time, and centre address carefully.
Verify
Identity Proof
Follow the hall-ticket instructions for ID proof. As a safe default, keep an original photo ID matching your application details.
Allowed
Pen + Simple Calculator
Carry a pen for signing and rough work. A calculator is allowed only if it has no network connectivity and no programmable feature.
02 Do Not Carry
Keep the bag light. The brochure specifically blocks smart electronic gadgets and other personal belongings.
xMobile phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, earbuds, or any smart electronic gadget.
xProgrammable calculators or calculators with network connectivity.
xPrinted notes, formula sheets, books, loose study material, or solved papers.
xExtra personal belongings that may not be allowed inside the test centre.
03 Night Before
Reduce exam-morning decisions. Prepare essentials early and keep revision light.
Do
Keep It Simple
Revise only formulas, short notes, and marked mistakes. Keep hall ticket, required ID proof, pen, and permitted calculator together. Set alarms and sleep early.
Avoid
No Panic Revision
Do not start new topics, solve confidence-killing hard problems, skip meals, eat unusually heavy food, or stay up late comparing preparation with others.
04 Test Structure
Know exactly which paper you are writing. Software Systems has its own special test.
All Candidates
Test I
30 questions in 45 minutes. Core Mathematics: 15 questions. English Language Skills & Logical Reasoning: 15 questions.
Most HD Programs
Test II
70 questions in 105 minutes. This tests basic discipline subjects and applies to programs except the listed special-test programs.
M.E. Software Systems
Software Systems Test
50 questions in 60 minutes. Required only for M.E. Software Systems applicants; GATE score is not considered for this program.
05 CBT Flow
The test is online at a dedicated centre. Your job is to avoid friction before the clock starts.
01
Reach early. Use the reporting time from your hall ticket. Centre entry, identity verification, seating, and system checks can take time.
02
Verify the computer setup. Read on-screen instructions before starting. Questions appear on the monitor and answers are submitted with keyboard and mouse.
03
Use rough sheets properly. Blank sheets are provided if required. Write question numbers beside rough work so review is faster.
04
Check before final submission. The system displays your score after completion, so use the final minutes to review marked questions and unanswered easy ones.
06 Time Plan
Do not solve in strict order. Bank easy marks first, then return to medium questions.
Test I: 45 min
Math + English/LR
First 15 minutes: quick math and direct reasoning. Next 20-25 minutes: RC, grammar, and remaining logic. Last 5 minutes: review marked questions.
CS Test II: 105 min
Computer Science
First pass 40 minutes, second pass 40 minutes, third pass 20 minutes, final 5 minutes for review. Skip quickly when there is no progress.
SS Test: 60 min
Software Systems
First pass 25 minutes, second pass 25 minutes, final 10 minutes for review. C programming and direct conceptual questions should be harvested early.
Marking
Guess vs Skip
Correct answer: +3. Wrong answer: -1. Unattempted: 0. Guess only after eliminating at least one option; blind guessing is not useful.
07 During The Test
Small habits that prevent avoidable mistakes once the timer starts.
✓Use the first 2 minutes to skim the paper and identify direct, easy questions.
✓Use mark-for-review for questions you can solve later; do not let one question block the paper.
✓Check the on-screen clock every 15 minutes and switch passes when your planned time is over.
✓Change an answer only when you find a clear mistake in your earlier reasoning, not because of last-minute doubt.
✓Use the final 5 minutes for marked questions, unanswered easy questions, and accidental selection checks.
08 Final Checklist
Use this as your last scan before leaving home.
✓Printed hall ticket kept with the ID proof required in the hall-ticket instructions.
✓Exam centre address, travel time, and reporting time checked from the hall ticket.
✓Pen and permitted non-programmable calculator packed.
✓Phone and smart devices planned to be left outside as per centre rules.
✓Food, sleep, and travel kept simple. No last-minute heavy revision at the centre.
✓Paper choice clear: Test I for all; Test II for CS and most HD programs; Software Systems special test for M.E. Software Systems.
Final authority: Follow the instructions printed on your hall ticket and the official admission portal if there is any conflict.