Registration for CAT 2014, the premier MBA/PGDM entrance test which is a gateway of admission to 19 IIMs and top B schools like SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, opened on August 6, 2014 and will continue till September 30, 2014. CAT 2014 exam will be held in 4 sessions in 2 day test window on November 16 and 22, 2014.
Modifications and changes in CAT 2014 registration process have raised many eyebrows and are posing big questions which are being constantly raised by the CAT 2014 aspirants while they are proceeding to finalize their CAT 2014 registration process.
Although the 3 step registration for CAT has been reduced to 2 step registration process in CAT 2014, the changes in latter section of CAT 2014 Registration process have deprived the CAT 2014 aspirants of choosing the preferred slot of exam apart from finalizing the test centre and date.
Which session: Mercy of IIM
While going for CAT 2014 registration process now the candidates have to depend upon the mercy of CAT convening IIM and testing agency about the allotment of slot which will not be known at the time of payment of fee and submitting the registration form for CAT 2014. This facility, available to CAT aspirants till CAT 2013 stands withdrawn and except for speculating on the availability of the test slot, there is no way to find out which slot is expected to be allotted to take CAT 2014 exam, immediately after registration.
Wait for Oct 16
CAT 2014 convening team has decided to allot the test slot not before October 16, 2014 along with issue of Admit card for the exam. This incidentally, happens 15 days after close of CAT 2014 registration process and a month before the date of test. An aspirant has no say in scheduling CAT 2014 test as per his convenience and getting the desired session allotted.
The Need to get test slot allotted with CAT 2014 Registration
In view of Prof S K Agarwal, expert on CAT preparation, CAT 2014 will have a changed pattern and the CAT 2014 site is still silent about the exact modification in the test structure except for the fact that more number of questions will appear in each section. This does not serve the purpose of the CAT 2014 aspirants who are now in the process of taking mock tests.
Despite getting a few guidance tips from outside, aspirants are unable to make out the exact nature of changes in CAT 2014 exam pattern and the type of questions. Another problem with them is the confusion about the source topics that are supposed to contribute more in the test due to the increased number of questions.
If you like afternoon sessions…
Since thousands among 2 lakhs of test takers who are supposed to register for CAT 2014 are first timers, they would like to schedule their test in latter sessions on November 16 or 22, 2014 as the case may be. The interaction with their peers who choose to appear in earlier sessions will give them a glimpse of exact nature of changes in test.
Practice test not available till Mid October 2014
On the top of it CAT 2014 is not going to open its practice test before mid October 2014 just a month before the exam. The time is not sufficient to go for sufficient revised number of mock tests based on exactly new pattern. Aspirants might lag behind in practice of mock/replica tests. Ironically, till CAT 2013 used to open CAT practice tests alongwith the registration process although there were no changes in the test. Candidates had full 3 months to understand the type of questions, source topics and could practice more mocks till their exam. CAT 2014 despite going for substantial changes and higher number of questions in CAT 2014 test, proposes to open the test a month before the exam. All this will add to aspirants’ grievances of being deprived of the existing facilities.
Scheduling the journey: Problem without knowing the test slot
CAT 2014 aspirants may have to incur more expenses, spend more time in absence of beforehand knowledge of their test session for CAT 2014. The problem didn’t exist earlier.
For example if an aspirant resides in some remote area, say100 kms away from the test centre. The journey from his native place takes 4 hours to reach the test centre. If he starts his journey early in the morning, he/she can very well reach in 3-4 hours by bus or ordinary train. He would definitely like to be allotted the 2nd session but no such facility of exercising such an option is available in CAT 2014.
Now if he is allotted the first slot, he will have to arrive at least a day before, make stay arrangements, shell out lot of money to take CAT 2014. This will impose additional burden on the candidate.
Key changes in CAT 2014 Registration process
First part of registration: Creating the profile
This part is more or less same as that of CAT 2013 registration. The only difference is now you do not need to pay the registration fee while completing the first part. Creating the profile part is free and short.
The simple icon “Register” will allow you to login to register. Click on this icon and in 5 minutes you will complete this process.
The most important thing is to check what you have filled in and then click on submit as later on you won’t be able to make modifications in your name and date of birth.
You will receive the necessary id and password for CAT 2014 registration immediately after completing the first step of CAT 2014 registration.
Second part: No option to choose the session
Second part of CAT 2014 Registration is Application form which consists of Personal Details, Academics, Work Experience, Programmes and payment. To login to this part of registration, go to ‘Existing user login’ and use your CAT 2014 id and password received by you from CAT site.
CAT 2014 registration fee is not to be paid before completion of this second part, a facility which was not available in CAT 2013 registration process. But there is no option to select the preferred date or session of CAT 2014 exam.
Bear with it: Apply your mind
CAT 2014 aspirants have the facility to exercise the option of choosing 3 preferred test cities. One of the most preferred test cities may also be allotted to you but again you will remain in dark till October 16, 2014 by the time the test city is not allotted. There is no more self scheduling of test, session and test centre. So bear with it.
You need to apply your mind here. Although CAT 2014 is silent about their process of allotment of session and date, the advisory is that if you wish to appear on the first date of the test, please register early, if you wish to go for Nov 22, 2014 you may register a little late. The strategy may or may not work, but no other option is there.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2014
