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Belling the CAT again
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The image of the exam being a level playing field has been destroyed
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Photo: S.R. Raghunathan
THE LEAKAGE of the Common Admission Test (CAT) papers, held for admission into all the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), has not only been a waste of time and energy for students but has also made a dent in their pockets. It has destroyed confidence in the fair play of this highly reputed test.
The very thought of going through a gruelling schedule again deflates the enthusiasm of the students and the time and money they have to spend on preparations, bothers many. A majority of the aspirants sound unenthusiastic with the idea of appearing for the examination a second time for no fault of theirs. "It is ridiculous but we can hardly do anything but go through the pain again", says Neelima, a student of the Srinidhi Institute of Science and Technology, reflecting the mood of the aspirants. Preparations for tests such as CAT do not come cheap. Given its highly competitive nature, students do not like to risk preparing alone . Coaching has become an integral part of the successes in CAT and they spend thousands for learning the intricacies of the test. "Now I have to shell out a few thousands for preparations again. I just cannot take a risk. There is a lot of hard work to do again given the fact that the test would be tougher this time due to the leakage", feels Mallik, an aspirant trying his luck for the second time. He knows that the difference of even one mark can make or mar his career.
Apart from the wastage of time and money, the leakage seems to have shaken the confidence of students. Reports that the CBI is also planning to interrogate teachers for their reported links has further infuriated them. "The involvement of racketeers was expected but the reports of a few teachers hand in glove with them has shattered my confidence in the test", says Suma. She is also preparing for the GRE and the GMAT.
Teachers however, ask the students to consider the leakage as a blessing in disguise and look for a positive turn of events. "No money can give you a mock CAT conducted by the IIMs. Treat it as a mock test and gain some confidence from it", advises Y. Srinivas, Director of Prime, one of the leading institutes providing coaching for CAT and business schools' entrance tests. Another encouraging advice comes from a teacher of a coaching institute based in Mumbai, who says that students should relax for a while . "It is difficult to achieve the same enthusiasm again to go through the entire schedule. It is better they study the condensed material which is supplied to them by the institutes", he says. Another teacher advises the aspirants to concentrate on other B-School tests.
"Though the preparation for CAT is slightly different from others, they will get into the groove if they concentrate on other tests. They can allot some time for CAT a couple of weeks before February 15 which is the rescheduled date ". Other B-Schools which will hold their written tests before CAT include The Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), Anand, which is holding its test on December 7 and the Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET) for admission into the MBA course in the IITs.
Teachers also caution that the pattern might be changed for the re-test and it would be better if students prepared for it. Nearly 6,500 students from the State are taking the CAT with 5,500 of them appearing in Hyderabad and the rest at the Vishakapatnam centre.
R. RAVIKANTH REDDY
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