CAT 2023 Registration Extended: Now Ends on Sept 20; Prof Sanjeet Singh, CAT Convener Urges Candidates to Avail the Opportunity and Avoid Last Minute Rush; Here’s Why It Matters

Acceding to the request and giving good relief and last chance to the aspirants who could not complete their CAT 2023 registration earlier till September 13, CAT convener Professor Sanjeet Singh, Admission Chair and Faculty at IIM Lucknow has extended the last date for CAT registration to September 20, 2023 from Sept 13. However, the CAT convener has also urged the candidates to register early during the extended CAT registration window, and has shared this important advice for CAT aspirant with MBAUniverse.com, “Apply on time before the deadline.”  This advice is important for candidates to complete CAT registration glitch free and error free as the last minute registration could be marred with glitches. Prof Singh has further advised, “To have a hassle-free registration process and to avoid last-minute rush, do not wait for the last day.”

CAT 2023 exam is scheduled on Sunday, November 26, 2023. Common Admission Test (CAT), is the largest MBA entrance exam, leading to admission opportunity in 1000+ MBA colleges including 21 IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, IITs among others. The exam is being conducted by IIM Lucknow as per previous year pattern in three slots. Sharing the key reasons for extending the CAT registration last date, Prof Singh said, “In response to the difficulty faced by candidates in procuring the documentation necessary for timely registration, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have decided to extend the CAT 2023 registration deadline to September 20, 2023.”

Around 40 to 60 minutes are required to complete your CAT exam registration and application process, if you wish to complete it in one go. If it is done in breaks, you will need bit more time, since the CAT registration and application form is split in two parts. You also need to gather number of documents to upload, it is quite possible that your last minute registration process may get stuck and the fee payment may not get through smoothly. So, you should complete your CAT form before deadline.

Early CAT registration can solve your number of last minute problems. The traffic increases substantially towards the registration closing date and may lead to problems in registration or online payment related transactions. Besides, you need sufficient time to collect each and everything before proceeding for CAT registration and may also like to complete it in breaks which will further consume your time. However, not much time is left to complete your CAT registration which closes in next few days. So, it is important to avoid registration last day as there is anticipated overcrowding for CAT 2023 registration on last date. Besides, there is the risk of technical glitches coming up due to which it may become difficult to register and sometimes your payment may also get stuck in transit.

5 Reasons: Why you Should Register and Apply Early for CAT 2023
Although you need not rush too fast for registration, it will be good enough in your own interest to finalise the registration at least one or two days before the extended deadline. Timely registration for CAT 2023 will help you to avoid the technical glitches that you may face on last date. Besides, you need to first gather the required documents in correct format to upload while applying for CAT 2023 online. Experts also suggest that early registration is good as you may face following issues on closing day:

1. Time needed to Read and Understand the process
CAT Centre 2023 has shared the registration guide in detail. It is better to go through the same and understand each step of registration process for CAT 2023. You can complete it in parts also. All this requires time, so start and complete the process early.

So, first you should complete your CAT 2023 registration form in all respects and submit the form as early as possible. You never know what might happen at a later date. It will therefore be in fitness of things to ensure CAT 2023 registration early.

Download 30 Minutes Step by Step CAT Registration Guide

2. The 3 Step CAT Registration Process: The Sooner, the Better
CAT 2023 registration steps are simple and can be completed within the specified time although candidate can login again and again to complete the process. It will be better to register and apply in parts as and when you get time. For this you need some time and unless you initiate the process early, you may find it difficult to fill accurate information in the application form in time.

• Create a Profile
• Log in with system generated User ID and Password
• Submit Application after entering details and making online payment   

CAT 2023 registration process is more ‘user friendly’ as the guidelines are clear and substantial changes have also been incorporated in the registration process.

Check the Step by Step CAT 2023 Registration process

3. Difficult to Gather, Scan & Upload Documents in Last days
You need to gather number of documents and scan many of them to upload in your CAT 2023 exam application form. It may become difficult to do all this exercise during closing days. It will be better to complete the process well in time. Following are the mandatory items of information you will need during the CAT 2023 registration process. Keep them ready

• Educational history
• Mark sheets (10th /12th/ Degree/Diploma)
• Work experience, if any
• Applicable Certificates to upload (Affidavits, Reservation certificates among others)
• Scanned images of your passport size photo and signature. (The photo should not be more than six months old and should have a white background)
• Prepare a list of the IIM programmes to which you wish to apply
• Prepare a list of centres also where you wish to attend the final selection round

4. Making Choice of 6 Preferred Test Cities
You need to choose 6 preferred test cities for CAT 2023 Exam. Before opting for these test cities, you should be careful about your choice viewing the test city connectivity, your proposed journey plan among other factors.

It is very much possible that you may not be allotted the 1^st preferred test city and are allotted 2^nd or 3^rd preferred one. If the test cities are not carefully chosen, you may get into hot water in case your expected test city is not allotted.

While you have to fill the option of 6 preferred test cities, the allotment of test centre will be on ‘random’ basis subject to availability.

5. Overcrowding Around the Last Date
A key reason behind the suggestion to register and apply for CAT 2023 early is the anticipated overcrowding for CAT 2023 registration during last 2-3 days. There is the risk of technical glitches coming up due to which it may become difficult to register and complete the application form as the server may go slow and may throw time out signal.

6. CAT 2023 Registration Fee may get stuck
Sometimes, while making payment of CAT registration fee in closing days, your payment may also get stuck in transit. It should be noted that no refund of CAT 2023 application fee will be made to you, if your account is debited and the fee is stuck in transit. You need to register and apply again.

If you go for late Registration, You may miss CAT 2023
In the past, many candidates who did not finalise their CAT registration early and left for later days, missed CAT exam as they could not apply due to one or other reason. So, despite the fact that all the candidates who register till last date of submitting CAT application 2023 are treated at par, the earlier you apply the better you will be.

Now the dilemma of CAT aspirants whether they should go for early registration or should wait for last days is well explained. It is advisable to take your time to register, although you don't need to rush, but simultaneously avoid registration during the last two-three days.

Important Dates for CAT Exam 2023
Following are the CAT 2023 important dates as announced by CAT Centre 2023 for different activities

Common Admission Test (CAT) 2023 is the mandatory exam for admission to management programmes at IIMs and other top B schools in India. With the increased number of seats in IIMs and other B-schools, it is expected that more candidates would apply for CAT 2023. Last year CAT exam was conducted by IIM Bangalore with number of effective changes like increase in number of test takers, declaration of CAT result within three weeks of exam date among other changes. CAT 2023 registration process is more ‘user friendly’ as the guidelines are clearer and substantial changes have also been incorporated in the registration process.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2023