CAT 2015: Tips for hassle-free registrations

CAT 2015 registration will end on September 20, 2015. Just 17 days are left for registration. CAT 2015 registration will help one take admission to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). There’s a single admission form to register for all 20 IIMs and programmes offered by them. This must seem like a tedious task. But registering for CAT is not that difficult and hectic, if one is well-prepared in advance.

There are a few things that one should know before switching on the laptop and registering for CAT 2015 examination to be held on November 29, 2015.

Most information on how to fill up the form is available on the official CAT website.
But Shiksha.com has discovered a few alternatives that can help the applicants register hassle-free and faster, thanks to some first-hand user tips.

A few things need to be arranged prior to registering for CAT 2015 exam. It saves time and efforts. A few alternatives can also be opted for. Here’s a list of things that we think can make your CAT 2015 registration process simpler:

1. Phone & Email

First, keep a valid functioning phone number and email ID ready. These will be the only line of communication with CAT authorities till your final admission.

2. Screenshots

Try to take screenshots of every window that appears on screen before and after you have submitted the information. Because information once registered cannot be altered in any case. And if there’s any problem, you’ll have solid proof to present to the authorities.

3. Session timeout & necessary items

During registration, the session tends to expire quickly. One has to log in after every few minutes. So, before filling your application form, keep following things handy so that there’s no delay:

a) A scanned photograph of the applicant (size as mentioned by the CAT authorities). Remember the background of the picture should be white. Also, keep these things in mind while uploading the photo:

• One must face the camera. No side profiles are allowed
• The eyes should be clearly visible and should be towards the camera
• No sunglasses are allowed, etc.

b) Scanned signatures of the applicant (size mentioned by the CAT authorities).

c) Category certificates, if any.

d) Academic details of Class X, Class XII, Graduation, Post-graduation (if any) and any other professional degree. Candidates are required to fill in only following information in every category:

• Exact percentage
• Total number of marks obtained
• Maximum marks
• Board name
• University name
• Course/ Stream
• Year of joining
• Year of passing/ completion

So, it is better to keep all the above information ready beforehand, rather than calculating on the spot. This will avoid constant session timeouts.

e) Work experience has to be filled in number of months till July 31, 2015. So calculate accordingly.

3. White-background photo

Most passport sized photographs don’t come with a white background. So, rather getting a fresh photo clicked, we have an alternative suggestion. With basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, then neatly crop out the picture and paste it in a new file with white background. It’s a tried and test method used by applicants. Also, keep a lot of copies of that photograph to be used in all further admission proceedings.

4. Institutes and Programmes

Through one application form, candidates can register for all the PGP programmes offered by IIMs. No extra charges or individual efforts are required. Candidates are suggested to make a list of all the programmes and institute of their choice.

5. Revise

Before finally submitting and paying for the application form, go back and revise your application form from very first page. If any changes need to be made, first save and submit the edited page and then move on to the next.

6. Printout

It is preferable to take a print out of your submitted CAT 2015 application form for future references like that of your preferred exam cities and courses and institutes applied for.