CAT 2015: Dip in the number of applicants

Registrations for Cat 2015 ends on 20 September, 2015 and the number of applicants this year is around 90000 which is quite less than the expected number. Last year there were more than 1 Lac applicants and the number was expected to rise above 2 lakhs this year. However, this is not the scenario at all. With only 4-5 days left for the registration windows to close, such a rise in the number of applicants is not possible.

This dip in the number of applicants this year can directly be linked to the changes introduced into the pattern of CAT 2015. Maybe, the changes introduced were not very well gulped in by the candidates. CAT 2015 snatched away liberties that the candidate earlier had. There was no sectional time obligation and one could easily scroll through the sections and start with any section according to their own wish. Moreover, there were two sections – Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning; making it easier for the candidates to secure a good sectional percentile. One could compensate the sectional score's as two topics together covered one section. Now, the changes introduced this year jolted the students and disrupted their preparatory strategies making them unconfident. This could thus be the reason for such a drop in the number of registrations.

Considering the hike in the number of applicants last year, the IIM's decided to increase the number of seats in their programmes. There was an addition of 5000 seats. Now, with the drop in the applicants, the IIM's would suffer a loss. Keeping the last minute registrations in mind, there is a possibility that IIM's would extend their registration dates. Last year saw a huge increase in the number of registrations at the last day, which is again expected this year. Even if there are a lot of registrations, there is very less chance for the total number to cross last year's mark.

The Eligibility criteria for CAT 2015 is at least 50% aggregate marks in graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or institute. This year the test is of 3 hours and the exam will have two sessions scheduled on 29 November, 2015 across 36 cities. A total number of questions is 100 and each section has been allotted 60 minutes. The questions will comprise of the objective as well as subjective type questions, i.e. one has to write down the correct answers manually. There will also be a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer while no marks would be deducted for unattempted questions.The CAT admit cards would be released online on 15 October, 2015. Students who haven't completed their registrations can visit the official website iimcat.ac.in and complete the formalities required.

Anshika Srivastava, an English(H) graduate from Delhi University, currently covering all the relevant aspects of education through writing.