Administration of CAT was far from perfect, admits Prometric

American firm Prometric, which conducted the computerised CAT 2009, today admitted that "administration" of the exam was "far from perfect", even as the development of the test adhered to a "process-driven science".

"While the administration was far from perfect, tests were successfully given to more than 2.15 lakh candidates over the course of 11 days...," Soumitra Roy, managing director India, Prometric, said.

The computerised test, which was conducted on 17,000 computers in 361 temporary testing labs at 104 centres in 32 cities, was marred by a "virus attack" and other technical glitches from the beginning. The test was supposed to be taken by 2.41 lakh candidates for admission into IIMs and B-schools.

"We stand by the test and its ability to best serve interests of students and educators. We strongly believe in its credibility," Roy said.

His comments assume significance against the backdrop of faculty associations of three IIMs passing separate resolutions, seeking scrapping of CAT 2009 on the ground that it has lost credibility due to the technical problems.

"The development of the test adhered to a process-driven science that both the IIMs and Prometric strictly followed," Roy said.