17 September,2009 06:59 AM IST | | Amit Singh
For the first time, the Common Admission Test to B-schools will be conducted on the Web. Here's everything you need to know about the new pattern
B-school tests in the country have finally come of age. Similar to the pattern of the GMAT and GRE, the Common Admission Test (CAT) for getting admission to IIMs and 150 other B-schools this year will be conducted online over a period of 10 days. Starting from registration to announcement of results, everything will be conducted on the Internet.
The CAT committee is using the trial and error method to remove glitches as and when they happen, since this experiment is the first of its kind. The sale of vouchers for getting oneself registered has already started and the test is scheduled to start from November 28. MiD Day helps you out.
How to register online
Before starting online registration, you need to buy a voucher. 20 minutes are allotted to fill the form. If you fail to complete it in this target time, go back to https://www.catiim.in/ or https://www.iim.prometric.com/ and click on "Register for CAT online 09" and re-enter the voucher number. Fill all the personal information, your IIM choices, work experience (in months), educational qualification, interview centre and details of special accommodation if you are a differently-abled person. The candidate profile is created thereafter, and a copy of the same will be sent to the candidate's e-email inbox. If you don't receive it, log in and click on resend.
Similarly, the admit card will be emailed, and its copy should be brought to the test centre.
Checklist
Make sure you keep the following in mind:
>>Your voucher
>>Scratch off voucher number gently with a coin
>>Your personal information
>>Your academic percentage
>>List of CAT 2009 test locations
>>CAT 2009 registration instructions
Test Pattern
The exam will take place in two sessions at 10 am and 3.30 pm each day. The test duration is 150 mins, with no breaks. It consists of questions that evaluate a candidates quantitative, verbal, logical and data interpretative abilities. A tutorial on the test will be given before starting, and the exam will be held at the computer centre of candidate's choice.
Selection Process
The names of candidates shortlisted for interview will be posted on the CAT website by the IIMs. Each IIM will send interview letters to candidates over email.
Important Dates
>>Sale of CAT vouchers: Sept 9 to Oct 1
>>Registration: Sept 9 to Oct 1
>>Rescheduling window: Sept 9 to Oct 1
>>Test dates: Nov 28 to Dec 7
>>Results: Jan 22, 2010 onwards
For the physically-challenged
The CAT committee has allowed candidates with cerebral palsy, other than those with low vision or blindness, to take help of scribes for attempting CAT 2009. However, candidates need to apply for a scribe online and the scribe must not be related to the candidate and should be below 19 years as on October 31, 2009. The person should be less qualified than the candidate.
At this juncture, some aspirants and training institutes are puzzled with the new method of test administration, but we hope we've cleared it out for you!
