Beware of the CAT traps!

The labour pains were expected. Being for the first time that the CAT has gone online and MBA aspirants, in their efforts to register online for the test (the process started on September 9), are facing problems.

Apart from some minor glitches, the fact that in case aspirants committed a mistake during the registration process, they would have to buy a new voucher (costing Rs1400) to correct the same had them literally pulling their hair.

However, the good news is that realising the practical aspects of the various problems being faced by applicants and after large number of queries and complaints, Prometric and the IIMs have made certain changes in the registration process and scheduling of test that would make life easier for the applicants.

Correcting personal and application data
From the evening of September 18, the candidates have been allowed to log on to iim.prometric.com to reschedule their CAT date, update their candidate profile including personal details, application data, and interview location and request for their admit card.

Applicants who have made any errors during registration earlier will be able to access this facility till October 8 to make the desired amendments.

However, rescheduling will end on October 1 and for security reasons, editing of candidate's full name and user ID has not been allowed. So, applicants will not need to purchase a second voucher to correct errors, if any.

Those who have already purchased an additional voucher to correct the errors will be refunded for the second voucher. They can write a request to Prometric by filling the online form at www.prometric.com/IIM-CAT/contactus with the subject line reading- I have a problem with my voucher number ______". Candidate Care will get back to the applicant on the follow up procedure.

Some of the more common mistakes that applicants are making and options that are confusing in the registration procedure have been discussed below
1) To see the number on the voucher, applicants need to scratch the card very carefully using a coin (Look at picture).

2) The boxes for address do not allow any special characters (like /, ). So, if your address contains these characters, use a space or a hyphen (-) instead.

3) If they are confused about which programmes to apply for (in the field- Application to programmes of IIMs / Non-IIMs), here is a brief introduction of the options

a) PGP: Applicants should opt for all PGP programmes (the two-year postgraduate programme) if they are interested in studying the regular MBA programmes of the IIMs.
b) PGP ABM: They should apply for all PGP ABM programmes (the two-year postgraduate programme in AgriBusiness management) if interested in agriculture management.
c) IIM, Calcutta's PGP PGDCM: This is a programme on computer management and it is advised that applicants opt for the programme also.
d) Non-IIM institutes: Applicants should definitely select this option. If they do not tick the box, their scores will not be sent to management institutes other than the IIMs.
e) FPM: This is a PhD level programme and is recommended only for those who have a serious interest in research. All applicants, who want to study MBA, should not apply for this programme.
f) IIM, Bangalore's PGSEM: The postgraduate programme in software enterprise management (PGSEM) is an executive general management education programme designed for specific needs of professionals working in the software and information technology industry.
It is a part-time programme for which classes will be held on Friday mornings and Saturdays and is recommended only for working professionals.
g) IIM, Bangalore's PGPPM: The programme presents an innovative and socially relevant approach to public policy, besides being power packed with path breaking insights about winning policy-making and management strategies. Only officers of the all India services and central services are eligible for the programme.
h) IIM, Indore's Ex-PGP: The 18-month executive PGP programme is a unique course for working executives and entrepreneurs. It provides them a platform to hone their skills and competencies to grow higher in business. Typically, this programme admits candidates with a minimum of five years of experience after graduation.
4) Each IIM gives applicants a choice of four to six cities where they would like to appear for the interview in case they receive a call from that IIM.
Applicants need to select one city for each IIM
and they should preferably choose the same city for all the IIMs.
This will help them avoid any last minute hassles in case they receive calls from more than one IIM and the interview dates overlap or the time gap is less.
5) There is 'NO' separate box for the middle name. So, applicants should enter their first and middle name (if any) in the 'First Name' box itself. Only the surname should be written in the 'Surname' box.