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Are IIM Directors contemplating a paper-based retest? They should!

by Apurv Pandit on 02 December 2009
in , ,
745 comments

Should the CAT reload?According to a report in The Telegraph, Calcutta, the Directors of IIMs are considering scrapping this year’s online CAT and save face with a paper-based retest.

The story built on an anonymous IIM Director’s version reports that all IIM Directors except one are okay in principle with the proposal. As of now, no other source has confirmed the report and the report conflicts with the CAT Convenor’s Monday statement that the computer-based test would continue. I quote from The Telegraph story:

“But IIM officials are arguing that their biggest fear revolves around questions that are already being raised about the standard of candidates picked through a selection process under criticism for its lack of uniformity.

Several candidates who could take the computerised test have complained that their computers ran slower than those of other competing candidates, placing them at a disadvantage in the timed test.”

Full report here.

The computer-based exam has clearly been a huge embarrassment for the IIMs and has cast widespread cynicism about their own ability to manage and execute projects, given that they train thousands to do so and claim to be among the best in the world at it.

The CAT 2009 needs to be held again. Not so much for the virus attacks (a claim which seems extremely dubious, as both Nimda and Conflicker are old worms and ANY anti-virus system can detect them) or the delays in starting the tests, but for the fact that this test has not been a fair platform even among those who have been able to take it ‘successfully’. Take a look at this document compiled by PaGaLGuY, listing detailed problems faced by over a hundred test-takers across the country, for whom tests have not been rescheduled (to inform us of your problems, please fill this form). Summarizing them below:

  • Screens going blank in between the test
  • Reboots and ‘svchost.exe’ errors
  • Noise and commotion caused in the lab due to the above
  • People in some labs getting extra time to solve questions while the above problems were being rectified
  • Some features of the testing software (review button, display of questions) not working as intended on some computers
  • Questions being leaked in various private channels. While moderated channels like PaGaLGuY are leaving no stoned unturned in respecting the non-disclosure clause, several other unmoderated social networks such as Orkut have communities dedicated to question sharing. Given that there are reports of questions being repeated, it obviously puts test-takers on each subsequent day at an advantage in the competition.
  • Inconsistent quality of invigilation

Even if the computer-based test were to complete its 10 days, would the IIMs be able to say without doubt that they indeed have the best of the lot in their classes of 2012 through a fair process? Have candidates invested Rs 1,400 and months of hard work into a system where the first prerequisite to success is the fortune of being allocated a relatively good testing lab, something over which they have no control? Wouldn’t it be better to allocate IIM seats on a draw of lots rather than use a dubious and expensive testing system such as this?

The IIM Directors ought to take the proposal of a paper-based retest this year to fruition.

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Comments (745)

Leave a Reply
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himansub
#704 December 09, 2009, 12:47 pm

IIMs mull over holding another CAT in paper-pencil format
Seethalakshmi S, TNN 9 December 2009, 06:14am ISTBANGALORE
: Are IIMs mulling over holding another CAT for admissions 2010? Stung by nationwide criticism on CAT bungling, the IIMs want to put the
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mouse away and go in for the paper-pencil format. It is learnt that those within the IIMs have suggested to the directors to consider holding another test before the HRD ministry thrusts it on them. The big question: will the ten-day exercise (computerised CAT) that concluded on Tuesday be declared null and void?

At a meeting of the IIMs of Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta last week, there were clear indications that the B-schools may have no choice but to conduct another test in the interest of thousands of IIM aspirants.

“Our main interest is in ensuring that we give each candidate a fair chance to write the test and the test at the end is a fair one. We always have an option of holding another one. The CAT committee has already prepared additional tests,” sources said.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal too is unhappy. “He has cited the example of his predecessor M M Joshi who cancelled the test five years ago after a question paper leakage. The directors may well take a decision before the ministry directs them to do so. That will be embarrassing for the premier IIMs.”

The IIMs have privately admitted that they could not conduct the computerised CAT 2009 in a foolproof manner as desired. The test was organised in 32 cities, 106 centres and 361 laboratories.
Indigenius
#705 December 09, 2009, 3:45 pm

I had mailed the Prometric trying to confirm my appointment of 6th dec. The mail was sent on 1st dec. I went and took the test without any hassles.. thank god for that..
5 mins back (it’s 9th today!!), i got a mail from Prometric apologizing for the late reply. The reply contained a list of the FAQs posted on the http://www.catiim.in !!
Amit Nayak
#706 December 09, 2009, 4:01 pm

The IIMs cannot do the testing bit again… spare them ya.. focus more on the test evaluations
Insomnia1
#707 December 09, 2009, 8:45 pm

I know..!!!
Mayank
#708 December 10, 2009, 4:42 pm

WTF? Nothing happening on the retest front. Is the issue dead? When will the IIMs respond to the petitions? The confusion prevails…
AnkitD
#709 December 10, 2009, 5:41 pm

I am getting fed up of all this speculation. Every alternate day there is some newspaper which carries a report that the IIMs are going to hold a retest. The very next day I see Prof. Satish Deodhar on some news channel categorically denying even the remotest possibility of a retest. Retest or no retest, at least the IIMs should come out with an official press release.
Cr|_|$@|)eR
#710 December 10, 2009, 6:15 pm

Just got a mail from Prometric, wherein they are empathizing with the candidates who cudnt appear within the stipulated date or the candidates who faced any kind of issue. From the tone of the mail it dint seem as if they would readily take a re-test. So until something is forced on them by a court or the government i doubt if the re-test is even a possibility… Btw its just my point of view.
ayneil85
#711 December 10, 2009, 6:49 pm

all those who are not satisfied with CBT CAT the way its been conducted coupled with own experiences please fill the form in http://www.catiim.in website contact us link with their names n cat ids.for last one week aspirants are filling the form.. link was given n shared here also but as IIM N PROMETRIC is collecting data now after so called successful conclusion of cat yesterday 8 dec ..its high time those who havent filled it and want to do..to execute it ASAP..fill with genuine details n about problems faced wd test part questions.. clarity of graphs..ppl gettin more time .. keeping in mind all this fill it.there is a news final decision would be taken 2-3 days 4m nw after collecting all data and complains.if the number of complains reaches more than ten thousand there is chance for a retest.. so act accordingly and immediately …to all who arent satisfied in any way and want a retest…if already filled plzzz ignore ds msg ..pass this to ur frnds..cheers
Tiger3
#712 December 10, 2009, 7:15 pm

I’ve done my Test well. The conduct at our testing site was very good. Except for the wrong and missing questions in DI and LR my test went well. But considering the repetition of questions over slot and people getting extra time I’m very disappointed and disheartened. Of course IIMs will make sure with their vigorous in take procedures that only eligible candidates enter IN. But what about the eligible candidates who are left out in the competition. Even our Indian legislation is designed in a way such that though 100 criminals escape not a single innocent be punished. This CBT may punish a lot. Who knows I may be one among.
an_enigma
#713 December 10, 2009, 8:43 pm

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47294-rti-on-cat-2009-a-6.html
sanish
#714 December 10, 2009, 8:59 pm

Dear Candidate,

At Prometric our first commitment is to provide every candidate with an excellent exam experience. To us, that means establishing a fair test environment and creating an exam that allows all candidates to demonstrate their true capabilities. Due to technical difficulties at a few centres some of you were unable to take the 2009 Common Admission Test (CAT). We know how important this test is to you, and we regret the circumstances that occurred this year. The administration of the exam may have fallen short of your expectations, as it did ours.

We empathize with the candidates who have not been able to complete the test despite the rescheduling efforts and extension of the testing period. To date, we have been able to contact and reschedule exams for more than 17,000 affected candidates, and majority of them have since completed their test. We are in the process of identifying candidates who may have experienced pre-mature termination of the test, or were unable to test within the testing window, and we will contact them to schedule a retake.

Please note that we are conducting a rigorous forensic analysis to ensure that every test result is valid and appropriate. Our work will not be done until our review of the situation is complete, the problems are identified, a plan is in place to ensure they don’t happen again, every candidate has taken the CAT, and all of the results are validated.

Thank you for registering for, and being part of the historic launch of the computer-based CAT. Computer-based testing has a transformative impact on education by expanding access, enhancing the test development process and making results more representative of a student’s capabilities.

For the more than 2.15 lakh candidates who have successfully completed their exams, we would like to say congratulations on being among the first test-takers of the computer-based CAT. This is a transition year for the CAT and we appreciate the patience you have shown. We understand that some of you may have had a less-than-satisfactory experience and again, we apologize. Every issue that has occurred has been noted and will form the basis of an improvement plan.

To your parents, we would like to assure them that we will conduct a thorough review and ensure that every candidate has been given an equal opportunity for the CAT.

We wish each and every one of you all the best and thank you once again for being part of the CAT 2009.

Sincerely,
CAT Candidate Care Support
Prometric Testing Pvt. Ltd.
http://www.prometric.com/iim-cat/contactus
anxious. pagal
#715 December 11, 2009, 12:24 am

just have a look at this

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47322-protest-against-cat-2009-sunday.html#post1765088

i think its a good idea.
Tiger3
#716 December 11, 2009, 1:19 am

@anxious Gr8 iDea Sir ji
niketan777
#717 December 11, 2009, 1:34 am

one thing i wanted to ask everyone here…..we have discussed a lot of issues…issues like timer not being there, questions w/o options, options w/o questions and what not….Lucky me, i didn’t face such glitches(besides the delay of 1.5 hr in starting the test)……I had an issue with the ambiguity of the questions…..i solved 2 questions in CAT but the options were on a different plane altogether…for eg the answer should be in 1000′s but the options were 33, 65 etc…..i discussed it with my friends…nd we all faced the same issue….Another problem i had was with the language ambiguity in DI…For eg the statement said something like “Der was a mutual exchange in finance and HR dept, and one executive from finance and marketing dept”….i could’nt decode it!
niketan777
#718 December 11, 2009, 1:35 am

nd edit CAT to QUANT in the above post :)

sidharth.shenoy
#719 December 11, 2009, 2:04 am

what the heck, how can they evaluate that the test was fair, its just to change the focus of students that such mails are sent by prometric, is there any way in the world that they can ensure fair conduct of exam after the exam, they could as well say, that the fair conduction of exam was not possible we regret that we did not conduct a fair exam, all such notices are bull sit, they should own up the blunder and try to correct it instead of putting such bull shit, I have seen several blunders and differnt explinations for such blunders, but this notice by prometric takes the cake. tehy should just own up that they screwed up the exam and reconduct the exam, of what use is shuch notices by prometric to us ppl, whome they have wronged.
vivek.vishal
#720 December 11, 2009, 2:09 am

Kindly visit this and spread it like fire :

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47322-protest-against-cat-2009-sunday.html
cutie.pie
#721 December 11, 2009, 2:26 am

We were made to stand for a good one and half hour and instead of this the checking process was full of flaws, students managed to get pencils,sharpners,watches,medicines,water,chocolate inside the lab and god knows what else. Obviously we got exhausted in that long checking process. Why don’t IIM understand that we are students not teachers or professionals who have habit of standing for hours. Finally I entered my lab. There were only ONE pencil at my system I asked for another one they refused and said call us wen u require another one.So that means every time a student want a pencil he/she has to shout which is a disturbance for others.And i don’t understand what was the harm in providing a sharpner.Then we were loged in and saw tutorial and then my exam was not getting loaded,got scared like anything.After 20 FRIGHTFUL mintutes of trying again n again it got loaded on my system, while some students had already started the exam and some had problem were shouting.Now after every FEW minutes I got the error that VIRUS FOUND and i had to move it and also “send report to microsoft” error was also coming so I have to call the invigilators and every time they said click on those buttons,which were a great distraction and concentration breaker and i couldn’t focus at all.I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID KEEP CLICKING ON “MOVE” AND “DON’T SEND” BUTTON and din’t registered my complaint.
My seat/system was closest to the invigilators desk so there were discussing about candidate’s problems who had technical problems as some of them were shouting,they(invigilators) were also abusing candidates.They were not only discussing problems,they were talking to themselves(chit-chatting) like they are in a park or something which was surely not in a hush-hush manner.As only two students were closest to them so they were not bothered.
On the top of it sitting arrangements were terrible.The gap b/w two rows was not even this much that invigilator could pass through,so whenever a student got a problems from those two rows ( the one in which i was sitting n the other one which was behind me) we had to adjust so that invigilator can go to that candidate.Also the gap between candidate sitting side-ways was too less that they can even see questions and answers with absolutely no effort.The candidate next to me had lots of issues like time was not displaying and question number was not displaying so he was getting nervous and was moving so much to look at the hanging clock.And was constantly asking time from invigilators which was also a distraction for me. Moreover my system was not covered from front,infact no system was covered in my lab, and within the gap HALF FEET 5 or 6 invigilator were passing through in front of me because students had problems in the system and also for passing the pencils (as in front of me it was a passage/space and on the other side of that passage there were again two rows similar to my side),IT WAS ALSO NOT LETTING ME CONCENTRATE. HOW CAN I CONCENTRATE ON MY SCREEN WHEN EVERY MINUTE SOMEONE IS PASSING THROUGH IN FRONT OF ME. I would like to know that when there were instructions from IIM that front will be covered why it was’nt??
When i asked for replacement of pencil as we got only one and that one got blunt,the invigilator said what is the problem with this, it seems to be fine work with this one only for now.I said sir its blunt but he din’t listen to me.How can I work with a total blunt pencil,with that pencil no one can write for 2 minutes it got that blunt. This was so much annoying. To whom I should report this kind of behaviour?
Now reaching towards the end, as i started my exam 20 minutes late the students who started early finished their exams and were moving out of the lab and invigilators were giving instructions to them how to log out,submit the scrap paper and move out again I had to move because there was no space for passing through.As the number of students who started the exam late because of technical problems were less in no. Invigilators were not bothered about us and i spent 15 minutes of my time in that fish market environment.So when invigilator was shouting giving instructions i had to close my ears to focus on my exam so i missed those instructions,then when i finished the exam i had no clue what to do next.So i have to ask them what should i do now.each and every question was asked by me they din’t tell me anything on there own.
ALSO THE “END” BUTTON WAS A VERY BIG BREAKER SO MANY TIME I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CLICK IT INSTEAD OF NEXT BUTTON AND USE TO GET SCARED AND MY HEARTBEAT USE TO GO UP LIKE ANYTHING. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER IF THAT BUTTON WAS ON TOP OR NOT CLOSE TO NEXT BUTTON.

THESE ISSUES MIGHT LOOK TRIVIAL TO YOU BUT I WOULD HAVE ATTEMPTED 10 MORE QUESTIONS IF THESE PROBLEMS WOULDN’T HAD HAPPENED.The invigilators were not at all supporting.They din’t even registerd my complaint for any thing.
THE EXAM IS TOTALLY UNFAIR.WE WANT A RE-TEST. SOME STUDENTS GOT MORE TIME AND SOME LESS TIME.
an_enigma
#722 December 11, 2009, 1:57 pm

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47294-rti-on-cat-2009-a-8.html….
see the link given in this page
khanjan
#723 December 11, 2009, 9:03 pm

Puys. I was out of the town and could not comment here.. I think you all heave read the news in TOI of 10th dec.. I am now very much sure that they will conduct a retest..
ayneil85
#724 December 11, 2009, 9:21 pm

Kindly visit this and spread it like fire :

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47322-protest-against-cat-2009-sunday.html
Catodict
#725 December 12, 2009, 12:49 am

i request everybody from lucknow to join this . post no 127

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/47322-protest-against-cat-2009-sunday-13.html
Clueless
#726 December 12, 2009, 1:06 am

@Khanjan
I dint read the news from the 10th Dec TOI…What was it bout?
coolzamzk
#727 December 12, 2009, 5:26 pm

Guys any news?
Clueless
#728 December 12, 2009, 6:13 pm

If anyone has any idea how to go about editing a wiki page then please do the needful on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAT_2009
and help show the world the true face of the monstrosity CAT’09 was.
khanjan
#729 December 13, 2009, 9:40 am

puys continue ur support.. http://www.petitionvoice.in/cancellation-of-online-combined-aptitude-test-petition.html
pdp88
#730 December 13, 2009, 9:10 pm

yes i too agree wth tht.thy shld release an official information regarding CAT09.so tht all the cojectures cm to an end with a clear cite f the picture
Rohitkumarpatel
#731 December 14, 2009, 1:29 am

They must take the CAT Retest as there are numerous reasons which tells that the test conduct itself was not accurate….so how can the result be accurate….CAT 2010 should be and must be online as the lessons have been learnt by prometric….But as of now, CAT 2009 should be held again in paper pencil form as soon as possible.
In the end its the biggest Examination for the highest and the best institutions in India….
khanjan
#732 December 14, 2009, 12:07 pm

@Clueless it was about the retest being favored by some directors…
Clueless
#733 December 14, 2009, 4:53 pm

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Will_IIM_fall_back_on_paperpencil_CAT-nid-63772.html
gopalnair11
#734 December 14, 2009, 9:34 pm

latest http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/education/Directors-divided-as-pressure-mounts-for-scrapping-of-CAT/articleshow/5337228.cms
iima only
#735 December 14, 2009, 10:53 pm

what should be done now??????guys…..gone for a sleep………
@khanjan what have you done with that petition?
chaoticCAT
#736 December 14, 2009, 10:55 pm

http://www.hindu.com/edu/2009/12/14/stories/2009121450820100.htm
sidharth0208
#737 December 15, 2009, 9:06 am

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091215/jsp/frontpage/story_11864864.jsp
ryanraghu
#738 December 15, 2009, 10:11 am

@ Puys @ Delhi,
There is a meeting scheduled between IIM directors & HRD officials on Wednesday 16th Dec 2009.
Ms. Vibha Puri Das , Secretary – Higher Education is chairing the meeting.
Can puys at Delhi submit a memorandum to her listing down all the concerns of CAT 2009.
@ MOD , Can you guys using ur contacts at Delhi make this happen.
Mayank Trivedi
#739 December 15, 2009, 12:04 pm

Samir Barua and his ilk have nowhere to hide. The IIMs are clearly divided on the retest and the cracks are showing…The Barua-Deodhar duo is aleady isolated, and find themselves standing alone, crying hoarse to salvage their their bloated egos.

It’s been a good media management exercise by the IIMs so far, but the situation will escalate sharply as the protests gather momentum… and we’ll see more & more people gunning for them…thick skinned as they are. The arrogance and defiant stubbornness is all set to collapse.

More importantly, the stand off will escalate in the coming days.. So let’s stick together and nail this, guys.
ayneil85
#740 December 15, 2009, 12:06 pm

I request all the puys to send all the problems(highlighting the malpractice and paper leakage, than technical glitches) to Ms Vidha puri das(Secretary Higher Education) .
The meeting will be headed by her on 16th dec (Wed).They will take final call on that day.Guys spread it like a fire.
Mail ID:
secy.dhe@nic.in
robin_itsmedude
#741 December 15, 2009, 9:26 pm

well when i strtd d exam ,,invigilator helpd me to start d test and suddenly i figure out dat 2 mins r go went gone(woooo)…,,,,,rest xam ws okay,,,,,,questions wer okay,,,,bt since a lot of peopl had to go through a lot,,,it means smthing aweful,,,,,,,,HEY WT ABT COMPUTER BASED TEST,,,ONCE MORE,,,,,,LET US GIVE IIMS ONE MORE CHANCE,,,,,,WE CNT SUE THEM????????? 4 MENTAL TRAUMA AND ALL THAT,,,,,,,
THERE SHOULD BE A PROVISION,,,I DNT WNT TO BT ALL THOSE WHO HAD GONE THROUGH THE WORST,,,,,IIMS 128TH RANK IN THE WORLD IN TEMRS OF MGMT COLLEGE,,,,,,,,,,, NW I GOT IT,,,,,,,MIT GUYS ARE HAVNG A LAST LAUGH ON IIMS,,,THEY R D ONES WHO CREATE VIRUS,,,,,,,I WISH I WER ONE OF THEM,,,,,
Navin_Verma
#742 December 16, 2009, 12:00 am

Check this out ,Satish Deodhar being grilled:-
http://www.ndtv.com/news/videos/video_player.php?id=1181687
chaoticCAT
#743 December 16, 2009, 9:59 am

@Navin_Verma
were u sleeping till now ?? :)
this is 15 day old !!
farooque alam
#744 December 17, 2009, 2:41 am

during my exam technical gllitches create,my exam is automatically submitted within 10min..i froward mail to pro metric,but till now no reschedule my paper,
Vishwash
#745 January 27, 2010, 3:40 am

Hi puys,I think that instead of shouting about the iims we should also consider certain facts regarding NIIT.All the prometric candidates being considered as the the one responsible for all the fiasco ,were unfortunately mostly NIIT ‘techies’(or something like that!).So my question is wtf NIIT’s name is not being taken in to consideration?
Whatever ,the fact that the CAT is going to be cancelled,I heard form a certain friend of mine who’s DAD is an IIM profs(KOZIKODE) ,that the CAT is for sure going to be cancelled.The fact is many other premier institutes like XLRI,AMITY,SYMBO(…..etc) are quite lobbying in the Government for the much desired result(:-)that is ‘retest’).
Finally ,whatever be the decision its going to be in favour of whom the INDIAN top notchs favour is it the XLRI,SYMBIS,AMITYS or the Indian Institute of MISMANAGEMENT
Sorry for the TYPO
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