CAT 2014 last minute changes in registration: Will accept 14 years of study upto graduation

Better late than never, at last CAT 2014 registration site, reopened on September 29, 2014 has allowed 10+2+2 graduates to register for CAT 2014. In the wake of MBAUniverse.com queries to the CAT 2014 convener and published articles, IIMs have honoured the submission and have done away with the implied Age Bar in registration for CAT 2014.

 http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7926/CAT-202014

http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/7969/CAT-2014-age-bar

No candidate despite being a graduate from UGC recognized University could register for CAT 2014, if he/she had graduation degree of 2 years duration. The registration site required minimum 3 years of graduation. This anomaly persisted till CAT 2014 registration site closed at 8 PM on September 2014 and reopened at 11 AM on Sep 29, 2014 bringing pleasant surprises for the graduates who completed their graduation in 80’s with 2 years degree course from well reputed UGC recognized universities.

Consistent follow up bore the fruit

MBAUniverse.com has been raising this legitimate issue right from the beginning of the CAT 2014 registration process whether CAT needed graduates or graduates with 3 years degree and whether implied Age Bar has been imposed by IIMs to refrain the Old Aged CAT 2014 aspirants who wish to pursue PGDM or some other programme from registering for CAT 2014. 
 
IIMs’ registration guide explicitly states in response to the question below-

Q. Is there any age restriction for taking the CAT exam?

Ans. No, there is no age restriction for taking the CAT exam.

But the actual position for 2 years graduate degree holders was different as they couldn’t register for CAT 2014.

14 years of  study upto graduation eligible now

In response to these questions raised by MBAUniverse.com in its various published articles,  now IIMs have clarified on CAT 2014 registration site after reopening the site on September 29, 2014 as under

Q34. I have done 10+2+2 degree, how should I enter my degree marks, since there is no provision for 2 years duration under bachelor degree?

CAT 2014: You may enter 10th /SSC and 12th /HSC marks in the respective fields. Enter the bachelor degree marks, under bachelor degree field with the duration as 3 years and select year of commencement and completion accordingly.

Note: This pattern and degree should be recognised by UGC, AIU or equivalent bodies for eligibility to CAT 2014.

Q35. I have done 10+1+1+2 degree, how do I enter my degree marks, since there is no provision for 2 years duration under bachelor degree?

CAT 2014:You may enter 10th /SSC, then next 2 years’ marks under 12th/HSC. The remaining 2 years’ marks can be put under bachelor degree field mentioning the duration as 3 years, and select year of commencement and completion accordingly.

Note: This pattern and degree should be recognised by UGC, AIU or equivalent bodies for eligibility to CAT 2014.

Accordingly now the CAT 2014 aspirants with 2 years of graduation degree can register for CAT 2014 although they will have to mention the duration as 3 years.
  
The issue stands resolved once for all

Aspirants who did graduation till early 80’s might remember that Graduation Degree had 2 years of study duration in Arts, Commerce or Science stream. At that time most of the universities covered under UGC Act followed the system of 2 years graduation. All the top rated competitive exams like Civil Services, CAT/XAT in eighties also recognized and allowed the 2 years graduation degree.

It means that during eighties 14 years of minimum education was required till graduation, now it`s 15 years of minimum education upto graduation. Candidates who are around 50+ years of age and did graduation in Arts, Science, Commerce in early eighties although from UGC recognized Universities have 14 years of education till gruaduation.

Eligibility norms are correct; problem was in CAT 2014 registration

Instructions and guidelines issued in regard to registration for CAT 2014 also explicitly emphasize that there is no age bar to appear in the respective tests.  But the factual position was not so simple and in practical process of CAT 2014 registration it was not possible to register with 2 years of graduation degree.

MBAUniverse.com has been raising this lacunae in CAT 2014 registration process.  According to IIMs “A candidate holding Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA…” is eligibile to register for CAT 2014.   

According to this rule and instructions every graduate who has obtained a degree from a UGC recognized University is eligible to register for CAT 2014. On this count no graduate who completed and obtained graduation degree studying in a regular University course should be denied from registering for CAT 2014. But till September 29, 2014 no clarification was received from IIMs.

How fruitful is the decision at the eleventh hour? CAT 2014 registration should extend

The problem although stands resolved but how fruitful it will be in the last few hours left for CAT 2014 registration, is yet to be seen. CAT 2014 registration process is going to close at 11.59PM today the September 30, 2014. Ideally it would be better if IIMs extended the last date of registration since the FAQs which have been changed a day back may not be so visible for those who wish to register for CAT 2014 in the changed scenario.

Had the clarification come earlier or been more prominent, it would have been more fruitful and helpful for those who are benefitted with the revised instructions and wish to register.
Interestingly, there was no control earlier if a candidate, who failed in one year during graduation at the material time, could register for CAT 2014 because the guidelines specified nothing on this issue and the study period would automatically be of 3 years with the failure. That check still doesn’t exist in CAT 2014 registration.

A good step

MBAUniverse.com appreciates the decision and sees it a good step having positive signs for CAT 2014 aspirants. In case CAT 2014 extends registration date, it will be quite helpful for such aspirants. There are number of top educators with 2 years of bachelor degree and they may wish to pursue PGDM from IIMs, now they will also get the opportunity to appear in CAT 2014 provided the act fast as only a few hours are left for CAT 2014 registration.