July 5, 2026. Sunday. This is the day. Everything you have prepared over the last several weeks comes down to 100 minutes inside an exam hall in Chandigarh or New Delhi. This checklist covers exactly what to bring, what to expect, and how the day should go — so the only thing you need to think about on exam day is the paper in front of you.
Before you leave home
- Printed admit card — coloured printout if possible. No admit card means no entry. Check it one final time the night before.
- Aadhaar card (original) — must not be older than 3 years, per the official ISTC notice. This is mandatory, not optional.
- One additional photo ID — school ID card or any other government-issued ID, as backup.
- Two blue or black ball pens — the exam is OMR-based. Do not rely on a single pen; carry a spare.
- A clear/transparent water bottle — opaque bottles may not be allowed inside.
- A simple wristwatch (analogue, no smart features) — check if your centre allows this; if in doubt, rely on the hall clock.
What is not allowed inside the exam hall
- Mobile phones — switched off or on, not permitted
- Smartwatches or any wearable electronic device
- Calculators
- Earphones or any audio device
- Books, notes, or any printed material other than the admit card
- Bags — most centres require you to deposit bags outside the hall
Leave anything unnecessary at home or with a parent/guardian outside the centre. Do not risk being turned away at the gate over a phone in your pocket.
Reporting time
Your admit card specifies your reporting time — read it carefully, it can vary by centre. As a general rule:
- Arrive at least 45 minutes before the reporting time on your admit card
- Gates typically close 15-20 minutes before the exam starts — once closed, no late entry is permitted under any circumstance
- If travelling from outside Chandigarh or Delhi, arrive in the city the evening before. Do not attempt a same-day long-distance journey to the exam centre.
Finding your centre
Exam centres are in Chandigarh and New Delhi. Your specific centre address is printed on your admit card. Locate it on a map the night before — do not search for it for the first time on the morning of the exam. If using a cab or auto, share the address with the driver in advance and keep a screenshot of the location saved offline.
Inside the exam hall
- You will be asked to verify your identity against your admit card and Aadhaar — keep both readily accessible, not buried in a bag
- You will be allotted a seat based on your roll number — find it calmly, do not rush
- Read all instructions on the question paper and OMR sheet before starting
- Fill in your roll number, name, and other OMR details carefully and exactly as instructed — an error here can affect your evaluation
During the exam — quick reminders
100 questions, 100 minutes, -0.25 negative marking for each wrong answer. A few things to keep in mind once the exam begins:
- Do a quick first pass — answer everything you are confident about first
- Come back to harder questions in a second pass with remaining time
- If you are genuinely unsure of an answer, it is mathematically better to skip than guess randomly, given the negative marking
- Fill the OMR bubble fully and darkly — light or partial marks may not be read correctly by the scanner
- Double-check the question number against the OMR row before filling each answer — a single shift in alignment can affect every answer after it
- Keep an eye on the clock, but do not let it create panic — 60 seconds per question on average is enough if you keep moving
After the exam
Once you submit your OMR sheet, the exam is over — there is nothing more you can do to change your performance. Based on the prior year pattern, the answer key was released the day after the exam, and results were declared within roughly 10 days. The ISTCKonnect result page will be updated the moment the official result is announced.
👉 ISTC Result 2026 — merit list, cut off marks, counselling schedule
👉 Last 24 hours before the ISTC entrance exam — what to do and what not to do
👉 ISTC admit card 2026 — download, verify, and fix errors
One last thing
180 seats. Thousands of applicants. The exam is competitive, but it is also fair — it tests what every Class 10 student has already studied. You have prepared. Today is simply the day you show what you know. Walk in calm, read carefully, manage your time, and trust the work you have already put in.
ISTC exam day helpline: 0172-2672484 / 2672485 | istc.ac.in