More women register for CAT this year

Rise of candidates with two or more years' work experience, registering for CAT, has risen to 16%

While the Common Admission Test (CAT) registrations have dropped from 214,000 last year to 194,000 this year, the ratio of women candidates is going up. Women aspirant registrations are up to 29 per cent from 27 per cent in 2012, by data announced by the Indian Institutes of Management for CAT 2013. This year, CAT will be held between October and November.

“While the overall registration has declined, the ratio of women candidates over two years has continued to steadily increase,” said Rohit Kapoor, CAT 2013 convenor. He added the rise of candidates with two or more years of work experience had risen to 16 per cent over the same span, while candidates with little or no work experience had declined to 66 per cent.

Data released by the IIMs showed that female aspirant registrations are up from 28 per cent in 2012, and candidates with two-plus years of work experience are up from 13 per cent last year.  Candidates with little to no work experience are down from 68 per cent last year.  Across all IIMs, 115 seats have been added for B-School admissions this year, a total of 3,335 seats.

Other trends include technology/engineering backgrounds comprising 70 per cent of candidates, an increase of 6 per cent from last year, continuing a two-year increase.  Economics, Management and Science make up the remaining 23 per cent, while all others make up the remaining academic backgrounds.

By region, Maharashtra had the highest number of CAT registrations, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. CAT 2013 will be conducted over a period of 20 days from 16 October to 11 November 2013.