Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015, the largest MBA entrance test for admission to 19 IIMs and other top rated B-schools in 2016 began on time today on Nov 29, 2015 in 136 test cities and 650 testing venues. This is the first time that CAT in the computerised format is being conducted in a single day at such a massive scale and no technical issues have been reported in conduct of the exam.
The fear of technical glitches and management problems at the test centres vanished when the first session of CAT 2015 began at 9.00 AM in most of the regions in the country. No report so far has been received about any problem due to which CAT 2015 couldn’t begin on time.
CAT 2015 is convened by IIM Indore in partnership with testing agency TCS. The testing window for CAT 2015 has been reduced from 2 days to 1 day. Number of reports anticipated the technical glitches that could mark the beginning of CAT 2015 but all such fears have been put to rest as CAT 2015 began with its pristine glory without any technical issues.
Candidates gathered in good number at the CAT 2015 exam centre at Greater Noida in the cool morning around 7.30 AM on November 29, 2015 to brave the first session. The reporting time for CAT 2015 is 90 minutes before the beginning of the exam implying that the first session of CAT 2015 was to begin at 9.00 AM and candidates were asked to report at 7.30 AM.
Most of the test takers had gathered by 7.30 AM and the gates of the exam centre were opened around 7.40 AM. Some of the CAT 2015 invigilation team members were seen coming even till 8 AM. Candidates who arrived till 8.30 or even a little late were also frisked with security check and were allowed to enter the testing room.
More Testing rooms were arranged in the examination centre to accommodate more number of candidates. Initially a long queue got formed before the security check point. However, it continued moving and by 8.30 the handling became smooth. The on-set of winters also helped the candidates to continue standing and basking in Sun in the early morning without any complaints.
Number of candidates were seen discussing the fear of anticipated technical glitches at the centre during the examination. The fear was not also unfounded as a higher number of candidates are taking the test in each session as against a very low number spread over many days of earlier CAT testing window. Keeping their fingers crossed, candidates moved on and were seen entering the testing lab slowly. A few of them, knowing that no breaks would be allowed during the examination preferred to go to the restroom before entering the testing lab.
The doors of the testing room were closed at 8.45AM although a few candidates still continued pouring in. The invigilator in the testing lab read out the instructions and clearly advised the candidates not to touch the key board as it could lock the system.
It was anticipated that the first session could be substantially delayed due to various problems at the exam centre. But CAT Centre 2015 has well managed the stage and started the test with no delays.
It has been more than an hour and the test is being conducted at the exam centre with no technical glitches. It is anticipated that CAT 2015 will be a big success and will be a good experience both for the organizers as well as the test takers.
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