Morning session of CAT 2016, the Common Admission Test for 20 IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMI, IMT and other top B-schools began today on December 4, at the scheduled time of 9AM in 138 test cities and more than 650 test centres across the country. So far there is no report of any major technical issue due to which CAT 2016 exam could not be started on time. The exam is being conducted in 2 sessions on the same day. The 1st session will be over at 12Noon, while the afternoon session will begin at 2.30PM and will continue till 5.30PM.
2,32, 434 candidates have registered for CAT 2016. However, the morning session attendance reports reflect around 10% lees turn out of the test takers who were allotted the morning session to appear in the CAT 2016 exam. The same trend is expected in the afternoon session.
This is the 2nd 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 2016 began at 9.00 AM in most of the regions in the country.
CAT 2016 is convened by IIM Bangalore in partnership with testing agency TCS. The testing window for CAT 2016 has been kept to 1 day 2 sessions as was there in CAT 2015. Number of reports anticipated the technical glitches that could mar the beginning of CAT 2016 but all such fears have been put to rest as CAT 2016 began with its pristine glory without any technical issues.
7.30AM: Reporting time for CAT 2016 exam
Candidates gathered in good number at the CAT 2016 exam centre at Noida in the cool morning around 7.30 AM today on December 4, 2016 to brave the first session. The reporting time for CAT 2016 is 90 minutes before the beginning of the exam implying that the first session of CAT 2016 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 2016 invigilation team members were seen coming even till 8 AM. Candidates who arrived till 8.45 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.
Candidates fearing technical issues
MBAUniverse.com team found candidates outside the test centre, 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 exams prior to last year.
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 CAT 2016 testing labs 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 2016 has well managed the stage and started the test with no delays.
It is anticipated that CAT 2016 with similar pattern of last year CAT will be a big success and will be a good experience both for the organizers as well as the test takers since the exam is claimed by CAT convener to be more aspirant friendly providing level playing field for the candidates coming from all academic streams.
CAT 2016 Analysis: Immediately after the exam
CAT 2016 exam analysis will be published by MBAUniverse.com experts and Research & Analysis team immediately after the exam is over on December 4, 2016. The analysis will guide the test takers about the level of difficulty, scoring pattern, how much score can be expected with your good attempts and what could be cut offs in IIMs and other top B-schools.
On the basis of difficulty level, the low scores in CAT 2016 can also award you with high percentile in the relevant section. Accordingly the detailed analysis will also reflect the expected percentile on your sectional performance alongwith the past trends.
Watch this space for more updates
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