XAT, CMAT increased in popularity among MBA aspirants, CAT left behind

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) has increased its popularity among MBA aspirants in 2013 registrations for admission to MBA course in top B-schools across India.

Which led to loss in numbers of registration for Common Admission Test (CAT) for the year 2013. Only 2 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2013.

CAT 2013 convenor, Dr Rohit Kapoor said, "The registration numbers have been reached around 1.9 lakh, and is expected to cross a mark of 2 lakh by 26 Sept 2013, when the CAT 2013 registration ends."

The registrations for CAT exam has significantly dropped since from 2008. In 2010 around 2.04 candidates registered, in 2011 around 2.05 candidates registered, and in 2012 around 2.14 candidates registered for the exam.

Slowing down in registrations, the competition for admission to IIMs will be easy for candidates. Even, IIMs have also increased their capacity to intake students from this year. Around 115 seats have been added to 13 IIMs across India.

"This year's CAT Aspirants will have greater opportunity for admission into the IIMs," Dr Kapoor said, adding, "Across all IIMs, 115 seats have been added for B-School admissions this year, taking the total number of seats in IIMs to 3,335."

Analysis of the rise of the other MBA entrance exams lead to interesting conclusion. In last few years, XAT and CMAT has increased its popularity among MBA aspirants.

In 2012, XAT had 92,045 registrations, where as CMAT had 1,45,000 registrations.

XAT will provide admission in tier 1 b-schools across the country, and CMAT will provide admission in tier 2-3 b-schools.

As other entrance exams gain popularity, and become eligible for leading b-schools, the relative importance of CAT reduces.

However, IIM Indore deserves a positive change in CAT exam to avoid any mis happening like inflated CAT scores, technical errors at CAT centres.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore will conduct the CAT for the year 2013.

The test is scheduled to be conducted in a 20 days window between October 16 and November 11, 2013.