Making the CAT simple

With the Common Admission Test (CAT) going online this year, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are doing their best to ensure smooth sailing, reports Kiran Wadhwa.

With the Common Admission Test (CAT) going online this year, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are doing their best to ensure smooth sailing.

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Two days ago, they put up a practical guide to doing CAT on their website and also uploaded a video that will tell students about the requirements on the exam day. They will soon put up directions for centres across the country along with landmarks to make it easier for a student to find his way.

“There is no precedent so we are trying our best to make it easier for students,” said professor Satish Deodhar, from IIM-A, which is in charge of admissions this year. “An online test is far simpler and more navigable.”

While the institutes are confident, students are a bit nervous. Beena Kakkad spends six hours a day trying to improve her percentile average. She is in the second slot on the first day of the CAT, beginning on November 28 to December 7. The exam is over 20 sessions, two a day.

“We have had enough online training so that is not worrying me,” said the Vasai resident. “I have a back up though. I got picked in a campus placement earlier this year so I have a job if I don’t get in.”

Coaching classes are conducting intensive training courses for aspirants in the last week. From CDs with mock tests, computer lab testing and online mock tests, institutes are ensuring that students are familiar with the online process.

“It is not the format of the test that has changed only the method of administering it,” said Vinayak Purve from IMS, a training institute.