Will CAT 2020 Move to IBT Mode?

With most of the entrance exams moving to Internet Based Test (IBT) mode this year due to COVID-19, aspirants are wondering if CAT 2020 will also be remotely proctored.

CAT exam is conducted at hundreds of exam centres in over 156 cities across India. With participation of over two lakh candidates every year, CAT is the biggest MBA entrance exams in India. However, given the COIVD-19 situation in the country aspirants are worried about the exam.

As we know, IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2020 and the registration process is likely to begin in the first week of August. CAT 2020 exam is expected to be conducted on November 29.  

With over 8 lakh coronavirus cases currently in India and announcement of lock down in top cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Delhi-NCR and many parts of the country reeling with high percentage of COVID-19 positive cases most of the popular entrances exams such as JEE, NEET, etc. have been postponed to September. On the other hand, MBA entrance exams such as MAT and ATMA have moved to Internet Based Test mode. Even GRE and GMAT are being conducted in Remotely Proctored mode. So, will CAT 2020 be conducted in IBT mode or will it be delayed?

CAT 2020 Delay: Speculations and Possibilities

One of the recent studies suggested that COVID-19 spread would peak in mid-November, which has led to the speculations of CAT 2020 being delayed. Although, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has disassociated itself from the study, it has led to speculation that CAT exam may be delayed or move to IBT platform.

One reason why it is being speculated that CAT 2020 will be delayed is that the MBA admission process for current batch has been delayed by almost over two months. The AICTE recently announced that PGDM admission process will end on August 17 and counselling for technical courses to be completed by October.

Also Read: MBA Admission 2020 Dates and Registration Process

CAT 2020 Exam Amid Social Distancing  

With IIM Indore as the conducting body and TCS as the exam organizer, the number of exam centres may be increased to allow candidates to take the exam by following social distance norms. TCS iON, a unit of TCS conducts a number of popular competitive exams such as AIIMs entrance examination and recruitment exams.

According to reports, TCS is in the process of increasing the number of CAT exam centres across India so that the test is conducted smoothly and on time.

Unlock 3.0

More relaxations are expected after July 31 when unlock 3.0 comes into effect. Even though academic institutions are expected to remain shut for some more time, we may see more life getting back to normal with preventive measures like social distancing and medical check-up. However, if the number of coronavirus cases do not decline by September, IIM Indore may opt to change the test mode.

What Changes for CAT 2020 Aspirants?

Nothing. Whether the exam is delayed or the test mode is revised, the aspirants would still have to prepare for CAT 2020 based on the exam pattern of previous years. The CAT question paper will have 100 questions from VARC, DILR and QA to be solved in 180 minutes and like previous years, the difficulty level is expected to remain high.

Read More:

• CAT preparation 2020: Tips and tricks
• CAT 2020: Topper tips and preparation strategy
• Best books for CAT 2020 preparation
• Verbal Ability (VA) solved questions
• Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions
• Data Interpretation (DI) solved questions - Part 2
• Logical Reasoning (LR) solved questions
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) solved questions