CAT 2015 Registrations – Mark a 6-year high

This year the registration window for Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 got extended to September 25, 2015. Earlier the registration had to close on September 20, 2015; the 5-day extension has lead to over 2.18 lakh candidates registering for the exam – highest number of registrations in last 6 years.

Before September 20, around 1.8 lakh aspirants had registered for CAT 2015; the number of registrations increased by 35000 in the last 5 days. Though, the figure marks a 6-year high, but it is nowhere near the registrations in 2008 i.e. 2.76 lakh.

The popularity of CAT exam has gone down from past several years. The declining number of registrations after 2008 is an evidence of the falling popularity. In 2009 the number closed at a figure of 2.48 lakh, followed by 2.04 in 2010. Year 2014 witnessed the lowest ever registrations – 1.89 lakh, out of which 21000-odd candidates did not show up on the exam day.

Despite the upsurge in number of registrations, industry experts claim that possibility of CAT repeating its 2008 numbers is low. They feel that the actual number of candidates appearing for the exam has to be kept in mind; there have been times when thousands of candidates did not show up on the D-day.

One of the major reasons behind the positive change can be good placements stats at IIMs this year. The other factor that has induced the jump in registrations is the increase in the number of test centres across the country – making the test more accessible. Lastly the 5 –day extension contributed to the increase in registrations.

Cat 2015 is scheduled for November 29, 2015. The admit cards will be available for download on October 15. One must be registered to download the admit card.

This year CAT unveiled big changes in the exam pattern – Duration of the exam increased by 10 minutes, Addition of third section and Inclusion of written answers.

With around 50 days left for the exam, candidates need to focus on the right preparation plan. They must analyze their weak and strong areas by carrying out SWOT.

The preparation plan should revolve around error analysis and aspirants should aim to minimize them. Section-wise preparation is recommended; aspirants should refer to online mock papers and past year sample papers.

Isha Sharma is a graduate in Economics from Delhi University & also holds a masters degree in Business Economics from Guru Nanak Dev University.