CAT 2016 registrations touch a new high; over 2.3 lakh applications received

Registrations for the Common Admission Test or CAT 2016 touched a new high on Tuesday with IIM Bangalore receiving 2,32,434 application forms. This year, the application process recorded 6% increase from last year’s 2,18,664.

CAT 2016 also set a record of receiving the highest number of application after seven years. In 2009, the number of forms received were 2.40 lakh.

The registration process was to end on September 22, 2016 but was extended by five days to September 27, 2016. According to IIM Bangalore, CAT conducting body for this year, the number of CAT applications was 2.08 lakh as of September 22 afternoon.

“From the period CAT 2010 to CAT 2016, this is the highest number of applicants,” said Professor Rajendra K. Bandi, Convenor, CAT 2016. “While we still have a majority of male candidates (67%), the percentage of female candidates has marginally increased by 1% compared to last year, which is a good sign, but not good enough,” he observed.

 

“However, if we look at the total increase in the applications compared to last year, which is close to 14,000, almost half of these additional applications have come from female candidates.  This is a positive sign.  That means, the increase of female candidates is more than the increase of male candidates,” he explained.

The number of PWD (Persons with Disability) applicants has increased from 901 to 938.  “In this category, the percentage of male candidates is very high (more than 80%), which is something to think about. Our social systems need to encourage female PWD students. However, on the positive side, the percentage of female PWD candidates has increased from 14.76% to 17.48%.  Small positive steps, but miles to go on this,” Prof. Bandi added.

 

For some details, please see:

Overall Applicants	CAT 2015	CAT 2016
Male	68%	67%
Female	32%	33%

PWD Applicants	CAT 2015	CAT 2016
Total	901	938
Male	85.24%	82.52%
Female	14.76%	17.48%

IIM Bangalore extended the deadline taking into consideration requests from the aspirants.

"The primary reason for the extension is to facilitate the applicants who are still in the process of completing their applications. There are many applicants in this stage, and we have been getting a lot of requests from them," said Rajendra K Bandi, Convenor, CAT 2016.

The rise in number, may be a good news for CAT as a survey, conducted recently, has indicated fall in the number of applications received for two-year MBA programmes, globally.

CAT 2016 is all set to be held on December 4. The exam will be conducted in a single day in two sessions.

This year, CAT has unveiled an initiative wherein, the applicants can partly edit their already submitted forms.

Candidates will have an option to correct details like Percentage of Marks scored, Work Experience, and Programmes Selected. No other details can be edited.

This option will be available on the CAT application form webpage from October 1-5, 2016.

Admit cards for CAT 2016 will be available for download from October 18, 2016 onwards. The examination body will also provide a tutorial to understand the format of the examination.

The tutorial will be available on the CAT website from October 18, 2016.

Also read:

CAT 2016: IIM Bangalore admission policy 2017-2019

CAT 2016: IIM Lucknow admission policy 2017-2019

CAT 2016: IIM Calcutta admission policy 2017-2019

CAT 2016: IIM Ahmedabad admission policy 2017-2019

CAT 2016: How much percentile is enough to aim for top IIMs?

CAT 2016: IMT Ghaziabad admission process 2017-2019

CAT 2016: MDI Gurgaon admission process 2017-2019

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