Updates on CAT: News expected soon

The HRD ministry has convened a meeting tomorrow and all the IIM directors are expected to attend. Tomorrow might be the day for some potentially concrete news, but then no much point to keep the hopes too high because if the IIMs had to do the ‘right thing’, they could and should have done it a long time ago when the exam started falling apart. In the meantime, here are links to some of the more important updates in the CAT realm.

1) IIM Bangalore rolls out admissions process: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/IIM-B-rolls-out-admission-process/articleshow/5338288.cms

Things that caught my eye, “During the half-day interview, candidates have to write a short note in 30 minutes on a topic given by IIM-B.”, the normalization of your 10th and 12th grade scores using data collected over the years, in the GD/PI, they will look at content and ‘style’. Now that is something ain’t it? Style?

2) Scrap computerised CAT, demand IIM faculties: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/scrap-computerised-cat-demand-iim-faculties/379325/

Nice to see that some of the faculties are batting for the folks. “The faculty federation at the Indian Institutes of Management at Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta have made a resolution to their respective directors on scrapping the computer-based CAT and retaining the paper-pencil test at least for this year. Confirming this development, an IIM professor said: We passed a resolution on December 1, 2009, asking the directors to consider scrapping of the computer-based test (CBT) for this year, as it could be an unfair advantage to some undeserving students.

Look at the date, its Dec 1st. 2 days into CAT, the faculty had figured out the right thing to do. Can’t say much about the administration can we?

3) IIM aspirants still waiting for fresh CAT dates – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/IIM-aspirants-still-waiting-for-fresh-CAT-dates/articleshow/5338483.cms

“Anwesha Ghosh, who passed her graduation from St Xaviers College in Kolkata, had appeared for CAT. I lost 20 minutes of the test as the link was very slow. The next and review buttons were not operating and the questions skipped by. After a miserable exam, I was asked to write an email and also contact the candidate care executive. A reply came to my mail box, requesting for 14 days beginning December 8. During this period, they will try and sort out the problem and give rescheduled dates. There has been no communication since then, Ghosh says.”

If you have more stories, please use the comments to discuss them. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow for any updates from the IIMs after their meeting with the HRD ministry.