Increase in Number of Applicants for CAT 2012

IIM's Common Admission Test (CAT 2012) will be conducted from October 11 to November 06, 2012 coordinated by the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) will see a more number of aspirants taking the exam this year as compared to its last edition. After two years of a steady fall and sluggish growth in 2011, the number of aspirants for the CAT 2012 will see the registered count of 2.10 lakh.

IIM Kozhikode recorded the sale of 2.09 application vouchers by end of last week. The registration were open till Monday evening and IIM officials said the number of applicants would cross 2.10 lakh.

The number of applicants who registered for CAT 2011 and 2010 was 2.05 lakh and 2.04 lakh, respectively. In 2009, about 2.42 lakh applicants had signed up for the exam. While the figures are nowhere close to what was achieved in 2008, when 2.76 lakh aspirants registered for the test, experts believe the count is bound to rose in the years to come.

The principals of B-Schools feel the rise in the applicants count points to a global economy that is witnessing a recovery, admitting a slow one.

IIM Faculty Member said, "Students feel that two years from now, when they pass out, the placements will be lot better than now. So, many have probably decided to stay their resume by adding a management degree to it". However, sources said getting admit in to the IIMs would not be easy with the intake not rising much.

This year, the examination will be a 27 day affair starting from Oct 11 to Nov 06, 2012. The CAT scores decide provide admission to the 13 IIMs and close to 150 other management schools.

SSS Kumar, CAT 2012 Convenor, said, "The numbers are opr and I feel this is a natural growth that this test sees annually".

The format of the test remains the same. "But we have added to capacity at our existing centres because moew students will take the CAT this year," added SSS Kumar.

The test comprises of two sections that are separately timed. Each of the sections will be held for 70 minutes (1 hour and 10 minutes). It consists of 30 questions in each section.

The sections are:

• Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
• Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning.

Contact Details:
CAT Centre,
C/o Admissions Office,
Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode,
IIM Kozhikode Campus, P.O. Kozhikode - 673570.
Phone: 0495 - 2809219.