CAT Testing on alert: Planning contingent capacity for each test centre, says Prometric MD

Registration for CAT 2013 began on August 5 & the around 10,000 CAT vouchers are sold every day since the opening date. While there is a rush for CAT registration & test scheduling, the CAT 2013 testing agency Prometric has swung into full action with readying its test centers for the 20-day CAT testing window between October 16 and November 11, 2013.

In this interview with MBAUniverse.com, Prometric India MD Mr Soumitra Roy says that the agency is equipping its test centres with technical experts and also keeping contingency plans ready at all test centres for any unforeseen technical issues that may interrupt the testing process. He also speaks on evolution of CAT over last five years & Prometrics association with IIMs on Conducting CAT.

Q: As CAT 2013 is just 60 days away, how is your preparation for the same?
A: CAT has been very successfully conducted for the past few years. We hope to continue on our trail of success in 2013. We have chosen test centres with adequate physical and technical infrastructure. We have also added four new testing locations for CAT 2013, increasing the number of locations to 40. These new locations at Surat, Udaipur, Trivandrum and Vijayawada will provide greater flexibility and ease to candidates while scheduling their appointments.

Q: IIM-Indore is coordinating CAT on behalf of IIMs this year. How is your testing agency working with IIM Indore to ensure a smooth conduct of CAT 2013?
A: We are working with Prof Rohit Kapoor who is the CAT 2013 Convener from IIM-Indore. We meet regularly to incorporate new updates that the program requires from a test development and delivery perspective for a seamless CAT 2013.

Q: Has IIM-Indore suggested any change towards the testing experience for CAT Aspirants?
A: The format of the test remains unchanged. A practice test is available on the CAT website to familiarise candidates with the navigation and functionality of the test.

Q: In last year CAT, technical glitches were reported from a few centres in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. How are you ensuring that this year CAT goes hassle-free? Are you also replacing the test centres which malfunctioned during the last year CAT?
A: With multiple venues and cities with thousands of computers, some hardware may malfunction. We confront challenges, fix them and move on. We will quarantine all test centres before we begin technical readiness and extensive operational trials which include preparing and testing all the computers that will be used to conduct CAT 2013. Training and certification of all test centre staff will be completed before the start of the testing window to ensure they are well equipped to assist candidates during the test. We have also built in contingent capacity in all locations to cater to any unforeseen technical issues that cannot be resolved immediately.

Q: The year 2013 is last year of contract between Prometric and IIMs for conducting CAT. How has been your experience on conducting the premier MBA entrance CAT for last 5 years now?
A: We are proud of being associated with such a prestigious testing programme. The IIMs have been very supportive partners. We have worked very closely with the IIMs to deliver the CAT as close to perfect as we can. We have taken feedback from the candidates, reviewed our internal processes, and implemented changes. We have made every possible effort to channelize all feedback into positive actions which will make the experience great for candidates. We have had a good learning experience while delivering CAT and have converted them into best practices in window based testing.

Q: How CAT has evolved over last five year? What are the key changes that have taken place over these years?
A: There have been a number of discussions ever since CAT became a computer-based test in 2009. Significant changes were introduced in 2011. These included going down from 3 sections to 2 sections with the merging of quantitative ability with data interpretation and verbal ability with logical reasoning.These sections were time bound with the exam starting with first section on quantitative ability and data interpretation followed by the second section on verbal ability and logical reasoning. Candidates have to complete the full allotted time on the first section before they move to the second. This enabled students to spend equal amount of time on all sections, thus giving equal opportunity to all test takers. Ever since, the candidate diversity as well as gender diversity has increased within the IIMs. We have seen students from all spheres and non engineers getting through the IIMs. Number of females has significantly increased as well. This year itself the number of females admitted into the IIMs is ranging between 20% to over 50% in one of the IIMs. We increased the test centers from initial 33 to 36 in 2011 and further to 40 this year in 2013, keeping in mind candidates ease and flexibility.

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