Changes in CAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT and Other Top MBA Exams Due to COVID-19

Due to COVID-19 pandemic the nation has been grappling with a lot of changes in every aspect of life. The strict social distancing guidelines has led us to alter our daily routine in personal as well as public activities. Keeping in mind the safety of students and COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, examination authorities of many top MBA entrance exams have made changes in the exam pattern and testing mode. While MAT and ATMA had already moved to the Internet Based Test (IBT) mode; CAT was held in three slots instead of two for the safety of students. NMAT, which is conducted in a 75-day test window in Computer Based Mode (CBT) gave the option of IBT mode to candidates. Similarly, KMAT Karnataka conducted the exam in IBT as well as PBT modes in October. SNAP, has reduced the time durarion to one-hour and paper will be held thrice. The candidates will get the option of taking the test twice.

Keeping the fact in mind that the COVID-19 scare is not over yet, the NTA has introduced a few changes in the exam. CMAT 2021 will be conducted on two days and in two slots.

Changes in CAT due to COVID-19

• As per the revised CAT exam pattern, the test duration has been reduced from 180 minutes to 120 minutes. Each section of the CAT exam had the time-limit of 40 minutes
• The exam was conducted in three slots at multiple exam centres in 156 cities instead of two to ensure safety of test takers. The exam timings were: Slot 1- 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, slot 2 - 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, slot 3 - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
• Candidates were allowed to select up to six cities for preferred CAT test centre location. Until last year, the test city limit was four. The limit was increased to allow the candidates to have more options for nearest exam centre.
• Change of test city was allowed during CAT form correction process.
• The toal number of questions was reduced from 100 to 76 in CAT 2020. However, there was no change in marking scheme.

Also Read:

• Changes in CAT 2020 Exam: Pattern, Duration, Slots, Test Cities
• CAT 2020: How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?

Changes in NMAT due to COVID-19

• In June, NMAT announced change in exam pattern. The total number of questions and sectional-time limit was revised for NMAT 2020. NMAT 2020 is ongoing and the last date to take the exam is January 30.
• According to the new NMAT exam pattern, each of these sections will have equal number of questions i.e. 36.
• The sectional time limit for Language Skills section has been increased from 22 minutes to 28 minutes and in Logical Reasoning section, it has been increased from 38 minutes to 40 minutes. In Quantitative Skills section, the time limit has been reduced from 60 to 52 minutes.
• In NMAT 2020, the result window is 48 hours. Which means the candidates will now get their result of each attempt within 48 hours of taking the exam. This will help the take quick decision on another attempt to improve their score. Earlier, the result window was as long as 15 days.
• Keeping the prevalent COVID-19 situation in mind, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has decided to offer option of taking test from home (online-proctored test or IBT) to the candidates. This year, NMAT test takers can opt for test at home or exam centre as per their preference.

Also Read: NMAT 2020 Exam Pattern Revised; Total Number Questions Reduced

Changes in SNAP due to COVID-19

• Symbiosis International (Deemed) University completely overhauled the SNAP exam pattern this year. SNAP 2020 is being conducted for only one hour
• The total number of questions in the SNAP exam have been reduced to 60 and Special Questions (Non-MCQs) have been scrapped
• General English section has 15 questions, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency has 20 questions and Analytical & Logical Reasoning has 25 questions
• There is variable marking scheme, all the questions carry one mark each. For each wrong attempt, 1/4^th marks is deducted
• SNAP 2020 is being conducted thrice. First exam was conducted on December 20, 2020 and second and third exams will be conducted on January 6 and 9, 2021. Candidates can attempt the exam twice. Final score best of the two attempts will be considered for admission.

Also Read: Changes in SNAP Exam Pattern 2020

Changes in MAT due to COVID-19

• All India Management Association (AIMA) introduced PBT mode exam in May and since then, it is conducting MAT in IBT mode in multiple slots in multiple test-day windows
• MAT PBT has been reintroduced in September, but the conduct of the exam will depend on the prevailing COVID-19 situation
• No change has been introduced in marking scheme or exam pattern of MAT 2020 exam.

Also Read:

• MAT 2020 Exam Day Instructions & COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for PBT
• Common FAQs, Dos and Don'ts Related to MAT IBT Mode
• AIMA Launches MAT IBT Troubleshooting Guide

Changes in CMAT due to COVID-19

• CMAT 2021 will be conducted on two days - February 22 and February 27, 2021.
• The exam will be conducted in two shifts on both days to maintain social distancing among students. The exam timings are: First slot -  9 AM to 12 PM, Second slot - 3 PM to 6 PM.
• The CMAT application fee has been increased from 1,600 to Rs 2,000 for General male category students. For Women and Reserved category students, the fee has been increased to Rs 1,000.

Changes in ATMA due to COVID-19

• Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS), the exam conducting authority conducted ATMA 2020 exam in online-proctored mode with the help of Artificial Intelligence and Human Proctoring
• No change has been introduced in marking scheme or exam pattern of ATMA

Changes in KMAT Karnataka due to COVID-19

• The Karnataka Private Post Graduate College Association (KPPGCA) will conduct KMAT in online-proctored mode
• The candidates will get the option to choose an exam slot of their choice from the given exam timings to take the test
• No change has been introduced in the exam pattern of KMAT Karnataka

Read More:

• COVID-19 Impact on B-Schools: Campuses Shut, Classes Cancelled, Admission Deferred
• COVID-19 Impact: How are B-Schools adapting to the New Normal?
• COVID-19: Know Status of State Level MBA Entrance Exams 2020
• COVID-19: Check Top MBA Entrance Exams Status 2020
• Preparing for CAT 2020 Amid COVID-19 Pandemic