Row over admissions, fee cut shroud CAT retest

The government's plan to reduce fees for Indian Institute of Management (IIM) courses, increase student intake, and to replace the Common Admission Test (CAT) with an all-India common joint management entrance test have left students a confused lot.

Over 4,000 students today appeared for the CAT re-test in seven centres across Ahmedabad amid tight security.

Sanjay Patel, a commerce graduate, who appeared for the CAT, said: "The plan to go for a reset definitely hampered my preparations for the examination."

"I have already received interview calls from a few premier B-schools but I am waiting for the CAT results before taking any decision," said Patel.

Kochi Saboo, another commerce graduate, said, "Though the examination was good, it was a major set back to appear for the same examination again. Last time's paper was comparatively easy. Quantitative analysis was the toughest part this time. I attempted more than 100 questions and expect to receive a call from at least one IIM."

Saboo said, "If I get through any of the IIMs, the major concern would be the controversy between the Union ministry of human resources development and IIMs.

"I am confused about the recent developments and really disturbed about the quality of education that I will get if the ministry's suggestions are implement."

Ginal Patel, a commerce graduate, and student of first year PGP, Nirma Institute of Management, said, "The test was okay. I had no problem in taking the re-test as I am already studying at one of the premier B-schools in the country."

Patel, who attempted around 75-80 questions in the CAT re-test, said, "I will definitely opt for any of the IIMs if I will get through the test this time."

Tejas Mehta, BCA, Gujarat Law College, said, "Rescheduling of the CAT test has helped me as I came to know of my mistakes and worked on them. I attempted around 60-70 questions. Verbal ability was a bit tougher this time and the maths section was lengthy and contained lot of geometry."

"However, according to the Career Launcher estimates, one may expect a call from at least one of the IIMs if one has correctly answered 60 questions and managed to clear the sectional cut-offs," Mehta said.

"If I am selected in any one of the IIMs and the ministry's suggestions are implemented, I will really feel cheated.

"With a reduction in fee, the quality of education will go down and if the batch size is increased without increasing the number of teachers, it will definitely affect the standard and the brand image of IIMs. I am against the ministry's intervention in IIMs," Mehta added.