More takers for CAT this year

'Boom in start-ups, improved economy influencing factors'

There has been a significant rise in the number of registrations for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015.

The registrations for the exam, conducted for courses in the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), concluded recently.

This time, around 2.18 lakh candidates have applied for the exam, compared to the 1.89 lakh candidates last year. Experts pointed out that the hope in the improved economy, a huge rise in the aspirations of students from the middle class and lower middle class backgrounds, the boom in start-ups and changes in the pattern of the CAT exam are likely factors for this increase.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Professor at Canara Bank School of Management Studies Dr M K Sridhar, observed that on one level, the general simple theory that the economy is showing signs of improvement has contributed to a “psychological favourability” towards the course.

There is a hope that this would open up several opportunities, he explained.
In addition, the start-up revolution has contributed largely to it.

Skill addition

“Entrepreneurs feel that a management background will help them,” he added. More over, it is not just the employability factor at play any more but an increasing number of candidates are looking at management courses for skill addition, which the inter-disciplinary nature of the courses and jobs these days have facilitated, Dr Sridhar said.

Further, it is not only for CAT, but in general, the demand for management courses in all colleges has gone up. In Karnataka, this could be because the confusion over government policy has cleared up now.

Earlier, there was confusion over the various entrances for managements courses. Now that it is streamlined, there are more takers.

The intake has gone up across all management courses, he observed.
On the other hand, Srinivas Belvi, Director TIME, Bengaluru, opined that the increase in the number of applications could also be because of the change in the exam pattern. Not only have the number of test centres gone up, but the changes in the overall pattern of the exam seem to be favourable to candidates, according to him.

According to the CAT-2015 website, the exam will be conducted at exam centres across 136 cities.

Duration increased

This year, the duration of the exam has been increased to 180 minutes instead of 170 minutes, there will be non-multiple choice questions and candidates will also have the opportunity to make use of basic on-screen calculators.

There will be three sections in the exam: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Verbal and Reading Comprehension. The in-detail format of the exam will be available on the website from October 15.

Dr M K Sridhar, Professor at Canara Bank School of Management Studies: It is not just the employability factor at play any more but an increasing number of candidates are looking at management courses for skill addition, which the inter-disciplinary nature of the courses and jobs these days have facilitated.