CAT 2014 Registration coming to close: confusion on Age Bar in CAT 2014 persists

The Question, whether the age bar or no age bar exists in the registration process of CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 haunts the minds of a little old age aspirants who wish to pursue PGDM/MBA from IIMs, FMS, XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, IMT, BIMTECH, TAPMI, IMI and other top rated B schools like them.

Instructions and guidelines issued in regard to registration for CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 explicitly emphasize that there is no age bar to appear in the respective tests. But the factual position is not so simple and it appears that both CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 tests have implied age restriction and have imposed hidden age bars on the candidates who are around 50+ years of age and did graduation in Arts, Science, Commerce in early eighties although from UGC recognized Universities.

Few days left for CAT 2014 Registration: No clarification

The problem is getting more acute with the passing of days since only a few days are left for CAT 2014 registration process which closes on September 30, 2014. Neither the CAT 2014 convening IIM nor the testing agency TCS has been able to put forth any clarification on this issue.

The same problem exists with XAT 2015 registration. Despite specifying that there is no age bar for registration to XAT 2015 the minimum graduation study tenure has been mentioned to be of 3 years.

What do CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 state?

Let us know what the CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 published advertisements state as the eligibility criteria for registration and what applicants are permitted to proceed for CAT and XAT registration

CAT 2014 Registration guide says

Specifying the eligibility to register for CAT 2014 the instruction guide states that A candidate holding Bachelors Degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA [ 45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste(SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Differently Abled (DA) categories], awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 is eligible

According to this rule and instructions every graduate who has obtained a degree from a UGC recognized University is eligible to register for CAT 2014. On this count no graduate who completed and obtained graduation degree studying in a regular University course should be denied from registering for CAT 2014. But is it the fact? Before getting answer to this question, let us find out what does XAT 2015 instructions guide say.

XAT 2015 Registration guide says

The eligibility criteria for XAT 2015 states that the candidates must hold a Recognized bachelors degree of minimum three years duration in any discipline or complete their graduation by June 10, 2015

According to this rule, no candidate with a graduation degree awarded with the study period of less than 3 years in the University is eligible to register and apply for XAT 2015.
Accordingly, while XAT 2015 has specified to some extent regarding the 3 years bachelors degree, CAT 2014 guidelines are not very clear.

Age Restrictions in CAT 2014 and XAT 2015

Regarding Age restrictions, CAT 2014 FAQs on Registration and eligibility have specific answers, let us view that also

Q. Is there any age restriction for taking the CAT exam?

Ans. No, there is no age restriction for taking the CAT exam.

XAT 2015 replies

In a reply to MBAUniverse.com question given below, Mr Debaparna of Ketchum Sampark Kolkata replies on behalf of XLRI

MBAUni:In case of no age bar, will the XAT aspirants with 50+ age who completed their graduation in Arts, commerce, science way back in 80s when graduation was of 2 years, be allowed to appear in the test.

Ans: Though there is no specific age limit,recognized bachelors degree of minimum three years duration is AICTE norm for PGDM programs. However,those completing their final examination by June 10, 2015 may also apply.

Is it Graduation or 3 years Graduation: Whats needed?

CAT is out of bag. Aspirants who did graduation till early 80s might remember that Graduation Degree had 2 years of study duration in Arts, Commerce or Science stream. At that time most of the universities covered under UGC Act followed the system of 2 years graduation. All the top rated competitive exams like Civil Services, CAT/XAT in eighties also recognized and allowed the 2 years graduation degree.

It means that during eighties 14 years of minimum education was required till graduation, now its 15 years of minimum education upto graduation

With 2 years of Graduation you cant register either in CAT or XAT

XAT 2015 has clarified that no candidate despite having a graduation degree from a recognized university can register for XAT 2015 unless the degree has a minimum of 3 years of duration of study.

CAT 2014 however is silent on it. But you will get stuck in the registration process as the page wouldnt allow you to move further if your year of completing the graduation has a date prior to 3 years from the date of completing your 12th standard.

Wheres the Catch?

Good enough! It has a catch. It means that a candidate who failed in one year during graduation can register for CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 because the guidelines do not specify that any failure in any year during the 2/3 years of graduation course will debar you from the registration process in CAT 2014 or XAT 2015 nor have they specified that you had to clear your graduation in one go.

Should you forget CAT/XAT now

No, it may not be needed although you might have to wait for another year. It was during the decade of eighties when number of Universities changed the period of their Bachelors degree course from 2 years to 3 years. Since CAT 2014 and XAT 2015 registration application form requires minimum 3 years of bachelors degree and has no option specified for 2 years, you have to club either any other bridge course you have done after your bachelors degree or proceed for one and appear in CAT/XAT next year or immediately connect on CAT 2014 helpline to get this issue resolved.

Instructions favour particular academics only

Its really surprising that not the graduation degree but the periodicity of graduation is taken into account to appear in these top rated management entrance tests. How it could be attributed to be the fault of candidates when well reputed UGC recognized universities awarded 2 years graduation degree? In case the graduation is further extended to 4 years of study, would all those who wish to pursue PGDM from IIMs after 10-15 years, not be allowed to appear in CAT/XAT at that time. Does it imply that only engineering/medical/law or other such graduate courses where 4 years of study period is pursued will be applicable? What happens to academic diversity then? Let the Ministry of HRD, IIMs, XLRI think over it and come out with some solution

Number of top educators, deans and directors at many highly ranked institutes are the holders of 2 years graduation degree, but to appear in CAT/XAT you need 3 years of study in graduation. PGDM courses are being shrunk from 2 years to 1 year duration to expedite the process of imparting management education. On the other hand periodicity of graduation in streams of Arts, Science and commerce was increased from 2 years to 3 years and now proposed from 3 years to 4 years.

It would therefore be better to remove the clause of no age bar or the guidelines should specify the year of graduation prior to or after which the old age candidates with 2 years of graduation degree can/cannot register for CAT/XAT

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates and analysis of CAT 2014