NEW DELHI: The Common Admission Test (CAT) for the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and some other top B-schools in the country will be held between October 27 and November 24, CAT authorities said today.
Forms for the test will be available until September 27, but aspirants can register themselves between August 30 and September 30, CAT convenor Prof Himanshu Rai (IIM Lucknow) said. “This year’s computer-aided tests will be held in 78 test sites across 33 cities,” he added.
The tests will be conducted on 20 different days in a span of 28-days. “Breaks have been kept in view of the festival season, and to cushion for corrections that need to be made during the test days,” Prof Rai said. The results will be out by January 12, 2011. CAT 2009 was the first computer-aided test for the coveted institutes, a shift from the regular pen and paper format. In 2009, the tests were conducted in 32 cities and at nearly double the number of test sites. CAT 2009 drew a lot of flak since it was interrupted by technical glitches that included virus attacks and systems crashes.
Although the registration process remains the same as last year, CAT aspirants can change their preferences of venue and date anytime during the registration period this year. “The entire system has been overhauled. We have taken care of all possible glitches,” Prof Rai said.
Asked if more number of candidates are expected to apply this year, he said he was expecting more CAT aspirants to apply this year as compared to last year. In 2009, about 2.4 lakh forms were sold.
“Many aspirants were holding on to their jobs last year because of uncertain economic growth patters. I guess this year more of the employed will apply as well.”
The price of the forms will remain the same at Rs 1,400 for general category and Rs 700 for SC/STs, and will be available at Axis Bank branches.