The admit card is the one document that can stop you from sitting the exam. Most problems with it are avoidable: a late download, a misspelt name, a missing photograph, or a candidate who assumes a screenshot will be accepted.
Treat the admit card as a task with a deadline, not a PDF you open on the morning of the exam.
Download it as soon as it is released
Download the admit card from the official NTA portal as soon as your examination city and date are confirmed. Do not wait for a reminder from a friend.
Save the PDF in two places: on your phone and in an email to yourself. Rename the file so it is easy to find. If the portal is slow on the first day, try again later rather than assuming the card is unavailable.
Check the details that matter
Read every field carefully:
- Name and date of birth — match your board and ID records.
- Roll number and registration number — note them separately.
- Exam date, shift and reporting time — confirm the shift, not just the date.
- Centre name and address — check the full address, including the gate or block if printed.
- Subject combination — confirm that every subject you planned to attempt is listed.
- Photograph and signature — make sure they are visible and match the instructions.
If the card shows a subject you did not choose, or is missing one, contact NTA through the official grievance channel immediately. Do not wait until the exam week.
Print more than one copy
Print at least two copies on plain paper. One goes in your document folder, one stays in your bag. Keep the PDF on your phone as a backup, even though phones are usually not allowed inside the hall.
Do not laminate the card unless the instructions explicitly allow it. Some centres want to stamp or sign it.
Photograph and signature rules
Follow the size, format and signature requirements printed in the bulletin. Do not edit the photograph, change the background, or paste a new image onto the PDF. A morphed or mismatched photograph can lead to a question at the gate, and that is a distraction you do not need.
If the printed photograph is blurred but the rest of the card is correct, carry an additional photo ID and ask the centre staff before the exam. Do not assume it will be fine.
If a detail is wrong
- Note the exact field and the correct value.
- Raise a request through the official NTA portal or helpline.
- Keep the acknowledgement or ticket number.
- Carry proof of the request to the centre if the correction does not arrive in time.
The centre staff can only help with what the system shows. A calm explanation and a printed acknowledgement are more useful than an argument at the gate.
What not to do
- Do not rely on a screenshot of the admit card.
- Do not leave the printout to the night before; printers fail.
- Do not carry a card with handwritten corrections.
- Do not assume the reporting time is the exam start time.
The important dates page tracks the official timeline, the exam day checklist covers the rest of the morning, and the contact page explains how to reach the site if you spot a problem with our practice content.