Its official now! CAT 2009 will indeed be held during a ten-day window, starting end of November, 2009. IIM Ahmedabad has confirmed this development on their official website (www.iimahd.ernet.in), while responding to some frequently asked questions on CAT exam. IIM Ahmedabad says, “CAT 2009 will be conducted during a ten-day window starting at the end of November 2009.” Our readers will remember that MBAUniverse.com broke the news on June 26 that CAT 2009 to be held between Nov 28 and Dec 7. Now that the dates are known, CAT takers across the country can take a sigh of relief and get back to their preparation.
Clarifying the question whether CAT 2009 will be a Computer Based Test or a Computer Adaptive Test, IIM A says, “CAT exam is not going to be a computer adaptive test. A candidate will read the questions on a computer terminal and choose an answer by clicking on the correct option. The format of the CAT exam will remain more or less the same.”
While taking the CAT exam, the questions, especially from the Quant or Data Interpretation section, compel the candidates to do rough work. IIM A has clarified that CAT takers will be allowed to have a “rough paper” while taking the test. Says IIM Ahmedabad, “At the exam venue, each candidate will be seated at a desk with a computer terminal and he/she will be provided with a writing pad with numbered pages for calculations. After taking CAT exam, candidate must leave the pad including all the pages in it at the desk. Rough-work cannot be done on any other paper/sheet as nothing will be allowed to be taken inside the examination hall.”
From this year, Internet will also play an important part in the CAT exam process. While not sharing all the details, IIM A says, “At this time, it would suffice to say that candidates are expected visit CAT website to register for CAT 2009. Sufficient amount of time will be given to register online.” According to IIM Ahmedabad, it is mandatory for a candidate to have a valid email account throughout the selection process. “After you fill-in, review, and submit the registration information during online registration, you will receive an email containing your Admit Card,” says IIM Ahmedabad.
For those who were worried about the CAT fee going thru the roof because of computer-based exam, IIM Ahmedabad has clarified that the candidate testing fee will be only Rs 1400 (Rs. 700 for SC/ST candidates).
CAT 2009 results are expected to be declared at the end of January 2010.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com of breaking news on CAT 2009 and other management entrance exams.
