No reason for computerised CAT to be scrapped: convener

Convener of the computerised Common Admission Test (CAT) Satish Deodhar today said the test for entry to the IIMs, was running smoothly after initial glitches and there were no reasons to scrap it.

"As a convener, my duty is to ensure that each and every student who had applied for the CAT does not face any difficulty while appearing for it," Deodhar told PTI.

"As of now I have been asked by the IIMs to conduct the test, reschedule it for students who were affected by glitches and make sure that it goes on smoothly," he said.

"Therefore, there is no reason for computerised CAT to be scrapped," Deodhar added.

He said the directors of all IIMs can only collectively take a decision on CAT.

"The tests should be conducted as planned," the professor at the IIM-A said.

Deodhar further said except for the two labs which remained closed, tests across the country were running smoothly.

The glitches during the CAT were attributed by IIMs and Prometric, the American firm conducting the test, to virus attacks and some problems of hardware.

Deodhar said Prometric has set up a help desk with over 60 phone-lines to cater to the students, whose tests have been rescheduled.

"They (Prometric) have also increased the number of personnels to answer the queries of the students," he said.

IIM-A director Samir Barua had already assured students that all will be able to take the computer-based test and if required they would extend the test window period by couple of days.

More than 8,000 students were affected by the glitches, primarily caused by virus attack, during the CAT on the first couple of days. Test for these students are being rescheduled in the spare capacity at other centres.

The computer-based test had been marred by technical glitches from the very first day on Saturday. Students faced problems in opening the computers at the exam centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Bhopal.

In total, 2.41 lakh students would be appearing for CAT this year to get an entry in to IIMs and other premier management institutes.