CAT to get more 'student-friendly' this year

The countdown for MBA aspirants has begun as the body conducting the Common Admission Test (CAT)-Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I)-on Saturday announced the dates for the test with some major changes in the examination pattern this year. IIM-Indore will be conducting the test for the second consecutive time.

Apparently, making the test CAT 2014 much more "aspirant friendly" this year, the IIM-Indore has increased the exam duration from existing 140 minutes to 170 minutes, discontinued purchase of offline vouchers, the questions in quantitative ability and data interpretation, verbal ability and logical reasoning have been increased to 50 in each section from the existing 30 questions. The tutorial, which was made available before the test started, will not be available this time. The CAT conducting body has advised Candidates have been advised to attempt the tutorials from the website well in advance. They will have to make the payment for registration fee through online modes only, including credit card, debit card or through internet banking. Another significant change that CAT aspirants will see this year will be flexibility for devoting more or less time to each section according to their ability.

Candidates will be able to switch from one section to another during the examination timing.

Unlike previous years, IIM-Indore has cut short the window period for holding examination. The test will be conducted only on two days- this year i.e. on November 16 and November 22-only in forenoon and afternoon sessions. The examination will be conducted in 99 cities comprising 354 test sites. Last year, there were only 45 test centres. Aspirants will be given an option to choose from three cities where the test will be conducted in the order of preference. "The candidates need not rush in the initial registration days for blocking their slots and sites. Candidates will be given their first preferred city across the four sessions on random basis as far as possible.

Candidates will have no option to prefer the dates as it will be allotted by the CAT Centre randomly," states the CAT notification.The registration for CAT will remain open for 56 days beginning from August 6 and closing on September 30. Students will be able to download admit card from October 16 till the exam date.

Alleging large-scale irregularities in the manner in which the test Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to 13 Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) was conducted, a petition by eight candidates in the Madras high court had sought a stay on the entire admission process this year.

Alleged irregularities in the administration of the test had led to a legal battle. The contract of Prometric, which conducted CAT, has been cancelled. and has been to the Tata Consultancy Services Ltd willhas conducted exam.