Glitches galore in online CAT

Held over a ten-day window, the new computer-based test went awry as systems crashed across the country. Candidates didn’t know what hit them.

Nearly 8,000 candidates were unable to attempt the test and to control the damage, the IIMs extended the testing window by a day.  Neither the IIMs, nor Prometric Testing services, a global provider of comprehensive testing and assessment services, were able to sort out the problem, as students grappled with system failure till the fourth day of the testing window.

Candidates were understandably at their wits end as the test, the only gateway to the prestigious IIMs, had put their careers at stake.

The IIMs have now decided to announce a retest for candidates who were unable to take up CAT.

 The list of students who will appear for the retest would be decided by Prometric and IIMs after viewing ‘hours of video recordings’ of the test centres. This is to ascertain the genuine candidates who had faced the technical glitches.

The CAT retest is to be held during mid-January. The candidates will now have to wait for the new year to bring better news for consolation.