CAT 2016: Exam Center allows for limited application correction; confusion & panic among aspirants

The much awaited limited period application error correction process in CAT 2016 has begun and will close on October 5 but candidates are still confused whether they could correct the errors only once or number of times during the 5 days window. The point has not been clarified either by the CAT convener or the CAT 2016 website.

The information shared by Prof Rajendra K Bandi convener CAT 2016 says For the first time, CAT 2016 enables an option to correct mistakes, if any, discovered after submission of the CAT application. 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 1st to 5th of October, 2016.

Confusion among candidates
Unlike the guidelines issued for CAT 2016 registration process where the candidate is allowed to login for multiple times to complete the application form and update the details in the form, the application error correction instructions do not further elaborate whether the candidates would be able to login once only to correct mistakes or will be allowed multiple times to login to correct the mistakes even after submission during the correction window which will remain open till October 5.

Candidates caught off-guard
Beware! Dont try to go for error correction multiple times, this is the advice shared by number of candidates who logged in to edit the CAT 2016 application errors and submitted without completing the modification. Now they have found that they still have 1 or 2 details to correct but are not able to do it. The Edit option that opened on October 1, 2016 is not allowing them to login again to correct the remaining 1 or 2 mistakes in their percentage of marks, work experience or the programmes selected. For them the opening of edit option is as good as not opened.

After inadvertently submitting the application with few corrections still to be made you will get the message Note: Your application has been edited and submitted successfully and then for you the edit option is closed. Now for you, the Edit Option facility has disappeared.

Had there been instructions that you can edit the errors only before submission of the form or you will be allowed to correct the errors only once, candidates would have been on their guard and would have not submitted the application form before completing the process.

CAT 2016: Website also not clarifies
According to CAT 2016 website After you submit the application, there will be a limited time window during which can you modify very limited details like Percentage of Marks scored, Work Experience, Programmes Selected etc. You will not be able to modify any of the following: any details entered in the Personal Details section, any details entered in the Academics section except the percentage marks scored, Exam Centre City Preferences. You can only view and print after this. Details are available on the application submission page.

Nowhere does it say that the limited period application correction of errors window will allow you to rectify the errors only once. On the contrary candidates think that they can correct the errors number of times till the error correction window is open.
Be careful!

CAT 2016 test takers can correct the errors in their application form only once now and till they submit their application form after error correction. Accordingly you should correct the errors only after gathering all the required option as the facility once used will be closed for you.

The facility was not allowed earlier as stated by CAT 2016 exam convener. Deviating from earlier practices in CAT registration process when no such edit facility of error correction was allowed after submitting the registration form and candidates had to re-register after making payment of registration fee again, IIM Bangalore has allowed the CAT 2016 aspirants to edit the mistakes discovered after submission of the CAT application.
You will not be able to modify any of the following: any details entered in the Personal Details section, any details entered in the Academics section, Exam Centre City Preferences. You can only view and print after this. Details are also available on the application submission page.

You cannot edit certain personal details like Name, Date of Birth, email id, mobile number in the CAT 2016 application form. If you have made mistakes in these details, please note that you will not receive a refund or Admit Card for your registration. The best way is to contact CAT 2016 help desk and get the solution from them.