The 2 parts of registration and application process for CAT 2015 have been posing some confusing problems while aspirants are proceeding to enter their academic details especially those who have been awarded letter grades and CGPA only.
The academic profile to be filled-up in the CAT 2015 application form is the second step of registration after completing the personal details and uploading the scanned images of photograph and signature. Once submitted these personal details may not be modified at a later stage.
The next part is the application form which contains the academic details to be completed right from class X to bachelors, Masters and professional degree awarded, if any.
Exam sections
CAT 2015 application forms requires details of following examinations to be inserted in the relevant columns in part 2 of the registration/application form
1. SSC or class10th or Equivalent
2. Class 12th or Equivalent or Diploma Course Details
3. Bachelor Degree Details
4. Other Professional Degree Details
5. Master Degree Details
Only Aggregate percentage of marks to be filled-in
CAT 2015 requires only aggregate percentage of marks awarded by the Board or University to be filled-up in the application form. No-Grades or CGPA can be entered in the designated column.
CAT Centre 2015 clarifies
‘For computing percentages of marks obtained in SSC or equivalent and HSC or equivalent examination, the aggregate marks of all subjects that appear in the mark sheet/grade sheet would be considered. For graduates and postgraduates, the percentage of marks awarded by the Institute/University will be treated as final.’
CAT 2015 aspirants do not need to enter percentage of marks obtained in each subject. Only aggregate percentage of marks will suffice.
If overall percentage not awarded…
CAT Centre 2015 has come out with the solution to the problem clarifying “If the Institute/University does not award the percentage of marks, it will be calculated on the basis of the marks obtained in all subjects listed in the mark sheet.”
Accordingly, the CAT 2015 aspirant shall have to add the marks obtained in individual subject and calculate the aggregate percentage out of total maximum marks. The Aggregate Marks percentage will be the aggregate of all subjects if your degree is complete, else it will be the aggregate of all subjects on the last received mark sheet.
Next step will be to fill-up the aggregate percentage to maximum 2 decimal points in the given column.
No marks awarded; how to convert to percentage
There could be 2 likely situations in this case-
1. The Board University awards Grade Point Average (GPA)/CGPA while providing an equivalent percentage of marks on the grade sheet.
2. The Board/Institute/University awards only letter grades without providing an equivalent percentage of marks on the grade sheet.
How to change grades to percentage
In the first situation it may not be difficult as the equivalent percentage of marks is also mentioned. The equivalent percentage according to GPA/CGPA can safely be entered in the relevant column.
The problem in second situation is trickier as you cannot convert the letter grades to percentage of marks without any equivalent percentage available to you. However CAT Centre 2015 has come out with the solution and wants that ‘the candidate should obtain a certificate from the board/ Institute/University specifying the equivalent marks which should be used for filling the online CAT application form. The original equivalence certificate needs to be submitted at the time of interview, if shortlisted for the same’.
How to enter marks percentage while in the final year of Bachelor’s degree
It is pretty easy to enter the percentage of marks if you hold a Bachelor’s Degree. You can compute the percentage of marks obtained as per the norms of the University/Board. If no norms exist, you can also enter the percentage of marks obtained for all years/semesters of the degree course.
But the difficulty arises when you are in the final year of the degree course. The solution to this problem is to enter the current year and semester of education. Enter the percentage of marks obtained for the years/semesters of the degree course completed to date This section would also apply to those who have an Honours Bachelor degree.
Difficulty to segregate in case of integrated course
In case you are going or have undergone/completed an integrated Master’s degree or Dual degree, after your 12th/HSC, it can be difficult to segregate and enter the percentage of marks in CAT 2015 application form.
Solution by CAT Centre 2015
CAT Centre 2015 advises solution to this problem by suggesting ‘Enter the percentage of marks obtained as per your University/Institute norms which is considered as equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree for this section and enter the percentage of marks obtained in the remaining years in the Master’s degree section. If you are undergoing (yet to complete) an integrated Master’s degree or Dual degree, after your 12th/HSC, enter the percentage of marks obtained for the years/semesters completed to date’.
It implies if the integrated course is of 5 years duration and the first 3.5 years are assigned for bachelor’s degree and rest 1.5 years for master’s degree, you are supposed to enter the percentage of marks in Bachelor’s degree column for 3.5 years and in Master’s degree column for rest 1.5 years.
Professional Degree mandatory if no bachelors’ degree
If you have not undergone any Bachelor Degree, then one of the professional degrees is mandatory.
You are supposed to select all the professional degrees such as CA, ICWA, CS or others that are applicable to you. However, marks only for the degree you have scored the most are to be entered.
Details of Master Degree optional
If you choose to enter your Master’s Degree details, then select if you are currently pursuing it or have completed it.
The Aggregate Marks percentage will be the aggregate of all subjects if your degree is complete, else it will be the aggregate of all subjects on the last received mark sheet.
Please remember that the CAT 2015 application data will be treated as final and no change in it is permitted at a later stage. Originals of all mark sheets will be required at the time of interview.
In case of detection of any variation in the data provided at any stage with the actual data your candidature may be nullified.
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