CAT 2017: Application error correction - Can I login multiple times or once only? Confusion among candidates

Did I complete my CAT 2017 registration and application form error free and successfully made the payment? In case of any error or errors detected now, how can I rectify them when IIM Lucknow opens limited edit option to correct mistakes tomorrow on September 27?

Will I be allowed to rectify the errors in CAT 2017 registration form once only or I can use the facility multiple times during the 4 days error correction window from September 27 to 30, 2017?

These are only a few of the queries being raised by CAT 2017 applicants who have applied for the CAT exam and submitted their application form with some errors and are waiting for the CAT error correction window to open to rectify these mistakes.

Important links:

• CAT 2017: 4 days Limited Error Edit option in application form allowed from Sept 27 to 30
• 2.31 lakh candidates register for CAT 2017; number at par with last CAT year
• CAT 2017: Registration Last chance closes today at 5PM; Apply before 3PM to avoid glitch

CAT Centre: No clear instructions
The announcement from CAT Centre 2017 does not clarify whether candidates are able to correct the errors only once or number of times during the 4 days error correction window. The point has not been clarified either by the CAT 2017 convener or on the CAT 2017 website.

Unlike the guidelines issued for CAT 2017 registration process where the candidate is allowed to login for multiple times to complete the application form and update the details in the form, the application error correction instructions do not further elaborate whether the candidates would be able to login once only to correct mistakes or will be allowed multiple times to login to correct the mistakes even after submission during the correction window which will remain open till September 30.

Nowhere does it say that the limited period application correction of errors window will allow you to rectify the errors only once. On the contrary candidates think that they can correct the errors number of times till the error correction window is open.  

Experts clarify: Can’t correct CAT mistakes multiple times
CAT 2017 test takers can correct the errors in their application form only once till they submit their application form after error correction during the 4 days error correction window. This fact shared by Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2017 preparation reveals that the CAT 2017 application form error correction process is on the lines of last year CAT exam which also allowed you to submit with all your CAT application rectifications only once.

Number of candidates who logged in to edit the CAT application errors last year and clicked on ‘submit’ without completing the modification could not login again for application error corrections. They had found that they still have 1 or 2 details to rectify in CAT application form but were not able to do it.

Accordingly, the Edit option wouldn’t allow them to login again to correct the remaining 1 or 2 mistakes in their percentage of marks, work experience or the programmes selected. For them the opening of edit option was as good as not opened. These CAT exam takers have advised not to try for error correction multiple times.

You should correct the errors only after gathering all the required options and right documents as the facility once used will be closed for you.

Make sure to correct all errors in one go
Since there are no instructions that you can edit the errors only before submission of the form or you will be allowed to correct the errors only once, candidates may not be on their guard and may submit the application form before completing the process.

After inadvertently submitting the application with few corrections still to be made you will get the message ‘Note: Your application has been edited and submitted successfully’ and then for you the edit option is closed. Now for you, the Edit Option facility has disappeared. So make sure that nothing of the sort happens and you click on ‘submit’ after finalizing all the corrections as it will close the CAT application error correction window for you.

No Application error correction facility earlier
The facility for error correction was not allowed prior to last year CAT exam. Deviating from earlier practices in CAT registration process when no such edit facility of error correction was allowed after submitting the registration form and candidates had to re-register after making payment of registration fee again, IIM Bangalore the convener of last year CAT, had allowed the CAT 2016 aspirants to edit the mistakes discovered after submission of the CAT application.  This facility has continued this year also for CAT 2017 aspirants.

CAT application details you can edit or cannot edit
You will not be able to modify any of the following: any details entered in the Personal Details section, any details entered in the Academics section, Exam Centre City Preferences. You will be able to correct details on percentage of marks scored, work experience, programmes names / interview city centers

CAT 2017 registration last date has closed on September 25 at 5 PM after getting 5 days registration date extension from September 20. Around 2,31000 candidates have registered for CAT 2017.

To correct the mistakes in CAT 2017 application form, click on the Existing User Login option on the CAT website and proceed to correct the mistakes which are permitted from September 27 to 30, 2017.

CAT 2017 exam convener Prof Neeraj Dwivedi, faculty at IIM Lucknow has already clarified that there will not be any further extension in CAT registration date. Accordingly, if your CAT 2017 registration and application form has some mistake, please ensure to rectify the same tomorrow on September 27, when the edit option to correct CAT 2017 application mistakes opens.  Before clicking on submit after carrying out the error correction process, it will be better to pre-view your completed application.

CAT 2017 exam is on November 26, 2017 and the CAT 2017 admit card is proposed to be issued from October 18, 2017 onwards. CAT 2017 is the gateway to 20 IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMI New Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, JBIMS Mumbai, TAPMI Manipal among hundreds of other top B-schools.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2017

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