Directors divided as pressure mounts for scrapping of CAT

The IIMs are caught in a catch-22 situation with pressure being built to hold the Common Admission Test (CAT) afresh in a paper-based system and scrap the computerised test which was marred by technical glitches.

The IIMs are caught in a catch-22 situation with pressure being built to hold the Common Admission Test (CAT) afresh in a paper-based system and scrap the computerised test which was marred by technical glitches.

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The faculty associations of IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Kolkata have passed separate resolutions, seeking scrapping of the test. A few thousand students could not write the test due to virus attack and other technical problems.

It is understood that the IIM directors are divided over whether they should scrap the computerised CAT which was conducted by American firm Prometric.

The IIM Directors met in Mumbai yesterday and discussed the issue in detail. IIM Ahmedabad director Prof Samir Bariah and IIM Bangalore director Prof Pankaj Chandra have opposed the idea of scrapping the test, sources said.

The major concern is that the IIMs do not have much time to hold the test through paper-based system at this point of time. And if they scrap the test, question would be raised about the wasteful expenditure in holding the computerised test through the American firm.

The faculty associations is worried about the credibility of the test. In their resolutions, they have said that credibility of the test cannot be ensured when it has been marred by technical glitches.