MBAUniverse.com Reveals CAT 2023 Exam Convenor! Also check crucial role CAT Convenors play in Exam Conduct

Apart from Directors leading the top 10 B-schools, if there is one high profile role that everyone looks up to, it is that of the CAT Convenor. With the fate of about 2.50 lakh students linked to their performance in CAT exam, everyone looks up to the exam Convenor, and their plans. On July 11, MBAUniverse.com had published that IIM Lucknow will be the CAT 2023 conducting IIM. Now, we are breaking another big news... Get ready to find out the CAT 2023 Convenor.

Before we unveil the name, let's take a closer look at the role and responsibilities of the CAT Convenor. The CAT Convenor plays a crucial role in the smooth conduct of the CAT exam, coordinating with the 20 IIMs and making key decisions. They work closely with subject experts, CAT testing agency TCS, and the IIMs to ensure the preparation of exam papers and maintain the exam's reputation. The Convenor also coordinates with the CAT Testing Agency to ensure glitch-free administration of the exam and timely release of all deliverables. Additionally, they handle media communication and respond to queries, while also making important decisions in consultation with other IIMs and participating B-schools. Past CAT Conveners have made significant contributions in restructuring the test content, duration, and question types to benefit aspirants.

Now it’s time to break the big news that you have been waiting for…Who is the CAT Exam 2023 Convenor.

MBAUniverse.com has learnt that IIM Lucknow’s Prof Sanjeet Singh, a senior faculty with substantial administrative experience, is expected to be the CAT 2023 Exam Convener. While a formal announcement is anticipated in the coming weeks, this appointment holds great significance for the upcoming CAT 2023 exam.

Who is Professor Sanjeet Singh…
So, who is Professor Sanjeet Singh… Prof Sanjeet Singh holds multiple responsibilities at IIM Lucknow and various professional affiliations. Apart from being a Professor of Decision Sciences Area at IIM Lucknow, he is also Chairperson of Admissions at IIML. Prior to joining IIM Lucknow in March 2020, Prof Sanjeet Singh served as Professor since 2016 in the Operations Management Group at IIM Calcutta. Previously, he had also worked as Scientist ’B’ in Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India from 2002 to 2006. Prof. Singh has a substantial administrative experience as Chairperson, Admissions at IIM Calcutta in 2012-14, where he first brought important changes in the admission policy.

Professor Sanjeet Singh is a highly accomplished individual with a range of responsibilities and professional affiliations. He currently serves as a Professor of Decision Sciences Area at IIM Lucknow, where he also holds the position of Chairperson of Admissions. Prior to joining IIM Lucknow in March 2020, Prof Sanjeet Singh worked as a Professor in the Operations Management Group at IIM Calcutta from 2016. Notably, Prof. Singh previously held the position of Chairperson, Admissions at IIM Calcutta from 2012 to 2014, where he introduced significant changes to the admission policy.

Additionally, Prof Sanjeet Singh has gained valuable experience as a Scientist in prestigious Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India from 2002 to 2006.

With his extensive background and expertise, Prof Sanjeet Singh is expected to bring valuable insights and contributions as the CAT 2023 Exam Convener.

Reins pass from IIM Bangalore to IIM Lucknow
CAT 2022 exam was conducted successfully by IIM Bangalore November 27, 2022 with Prof Ashis Mishra as CAT Convenor. Several new initiatives as revealed by Prof Ashis Mishra in this MBAUniverse.com interview led to increase in CAT 2022 exam test takers. Looking ahead, IIM Lucknow, which is the fourth IIM in India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting CAT 2023. Prof. Archana Shukla serves as the Director of IIM Lucknow. It is worth noting that IIM Lucknow had previously conducted the CAT exam in 2017, and now they are set to play a significant role in CAT 2023.

How CAT Exam is Conducted?
The process of conducting the CAT exam involves meticulous planning and collaboration among various stakeholders. It follows a series of important steps to ensure its smooth execution. Here are some key aspects of the CAT exam process:

• Conducted by Top 6 IIMs: The CAT exam is conducted annually by one of the top 6 IIMs, namely IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, and IIM Kozhikode. The responsibility is rotated among these IIMs every five years.
• Coordinated Efforts: The conduct of the CAT exam requires coordination among the IIMs, CAT Testing Agency, question paper experts, and other stakeholders involved in the process.
• Appointment of CAT Convener: The admission chair and faculty at the IIMs take on additional responsibilities as the CAT Convener. Despite lacking specific professional expertise in exam conducting, the CAT Convener manages the exam with the support of various experts, ensuring glitch-free and smooth conduct.
• CAT Committee Meeting: Representatives from all 20 IIMs, including the older generation, new generation, and baby IIMs, hold a meeting in May/June to finalize the exam modalities based on each IIM's specific requirements.
• Software Expertise: CAT testing agency TCS employs software experts to develop an aspirant-friendly CAT Exam Website, providing comprehensive information, FAQs, and smooth navigation.
• Question Paper Setting: Subject experts are engaged to set multiple question paper sets for the three CAT exam slots. Additional backup question papers are also prepared to address any unforeseen circumstances.
• Participation by Non-IIMs: Non-IIM institutions, such as FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, and IITs, register with the IIMs to accept CAT exam scores. The CAT convener initiated placing logos of non-IIMs on the CAT website to enhance their visibility.
• Exam Centers: Exam centers are finalized before the registration process begins. Test takers can select their preferred centers from the available options, and efforts are made to include remote areas and regions like the North East and J&K to increase accessibility.
• CAT Awareness through Media: Media coverage plays a crucial role in raising awareness about CAT. In addition to print media, digital and social media platforms are utilized for digital advertising campaigns and to provide detailed information about the exam.

What are the responsibilities of Convener?
As said, CAT exam is conducted by one of the top 6 IIMs in a rotational manner, with each IIM assigned the responsibility once every five years. The designated CAT Convener, usually the admission chair of the conducting IIM, plays a crucial role in overseeing the exam's smooth execution and coordinating various aspects. Here are some key responsibilities of the CAT Convener:

• Coordination with 20 IIMs: The CAT Convener collaborates with all the IIMs to decide on the exam pattern and key changes. A meeting is held involving representatives from all IIMs to finalize various aspects of the exam.
• Facilitating CAT Exam Paper Setting: The CAT Convener, in consultation with subject experts from all 20 IIMs and the CAT testing agency TCS, ensures the preparation of CAT exam papers for all slots, including reserve question paper sets, in line with the established trends and reputation of CAT. Notably, in CAT 2022, Prof Ashis Mishra reintroduced the 'Last Sentence completion' question in the VARC section.
• Coordination with CAT Exam Testing Agency for Glitch-Free CAT: The CAT Convener acts as the central figure around whom the entire CAT exam process revolves. They coordinate with the CAT Testing Agency, presently TCS, to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam without technical glitches. Additionally, they ensure the timely release of all exam-related deliverables, such as CAT notification, registration commencement, admit card release, mock test availability, glitch-free exam administration, answer key release, expert verification of objections, and timely declaration of CAT results. Each CAT Convener sets their own marking scheme for the exam, which is then adopted by the next Convener in the following year.
• Communication with Media and other Stakeholders: The CAT Convener is responsible for finalizing media releases across print, digital, and social media platforms to enhance awareness about CAT. They stay updated with all the relevant information to respond to media queries and interview questions effectively. The CAT Convener also has the authority to make important decisions regarding the inclusion of suggestions from other IIMs or participating B-schools in the exam conduct process.

These responsibilities highlight the critical role played by the CAT Convener in ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the CAT exam, fostering effective coordination among stakeholders, and maintaining transparency throughout the process.

Previous CAT Conveners and their Contributions
Extensive research conducted by MBAUniverse.com has revealed that CAT conveners from various IIMs have made significant contributions that have benefited the aspirants. These CAT conveners have played a pivotal role in restructuring the content of the Common Admission Test (CAT), including modifications in test duration, the number and types of questions, and other relevant aspects, year after year. These changes have been implemented while the CAT conveners also fulfill their responsibilities as faculty members, researchers, and admission chairs. Their efforts have aimed to create a more aspirant-friendly and effective CAT exam, improving the overall experience for MBA aspirants. It is also expected that CAT 2023 Convener Prof Sanjeet Singh will also bring about important changes in CAT exam.

Year & Convening IIM	CAT Convenor	Key Initiatives Undertaken
CAT 2023; IIM Lucknow	Prof Sanjeet Singh	Yet to be Announced
CAT 2022; IIM Bangalore	Prof Ashis Mishra	Established more test Centers in North East and remote areas; Instrumental in increasing CAT registrations to 2.55 lakhs; Facilitated the changes in CAT VARC questions; Effected fastest release of CAT result on Dec 21, 2022
CAT 2021; IIM Ahmedabad	Prof M P Rammohan	Reduced no. of questions to 66 without reducing the exam duration
CAT 2020; IIM Indore	Prof Harshal Lowalekar	Strategically planned to conduct CAT during Covid-19 pandemic on time; Reduced no. of questions to 76 from 100; reduced test duration to 2 hours from 3 hours; increased nu. Of CAT slots to 3 from earlier 2
CAT 2019; IIM Kozhikode	Prof. Shubhasis Dey	Registration Number increased to 2.44 lakhs; Exam conducted in 2 slots in a single day
CAT 2018; IIM Calcutta	Prof Sumanta Basu	Exam conducted in two shifts of 3 hours each with 100 questions on the same day
CAT 2017: IIM Lucknow	Prof Neeraj Dwivedi	Relaxed the Photo upload Norms; provided more edit facilities to test takers; exam conducted in a single day in two slots of 3 hours each with 100 questions in each slot
CAT 2016; IIM Bangalore	Prof Rajendra K. Bandi	Kept the pattern of 2015; a few reports of technical glitches and paper leaks were there, but resolved all the issues in time
CAT 2015; IIM Ahmedabad	Prof Tathagat Bandyopadhyay	Effected many changes-introduced No penalty questions without answer option, increased the exam sections from 2 to 3; made CAT one day 2 shift exam,of 3 hours each; Facility to move between the sections withdrawn
CAT 2014; IIM Indore	Prof Rohit Kapoor	Changed CAT as 2 Days 4 slots exam instead of 21 days 42 slots testing window; test cities increased to 99 from 40; Off line registration process discontinued; facility to choose CAT date and test centre withdrawn, instead introduced the choice of 3 preferred test cities; No. of questions increased to 100 from 60 in two section exam; Time duration increased to 185 minutes from 140 minutes; For the first time test takers were allowed to move between the sections.

How CAT Convenor 2023 Prof Sanjeet Singh is likely to conduct CAT 2023?
IIM Lucknow has conducted CAT exam many times earlier also and have taken leads from the previous exams. With Prof Sanjeet Singh, faculty at IIM Lucknow discharging the responsibility to conduct CAT 2023, his key focus areas to conduct CAT with its pristine glory would be:

• Increasing CAT Registrations: This happened last year also with many firsts planned by the CAT convener and can happen again. During last ten years, overall CAT registrations could not go up by more than 1%. The myth was broken last year as a different approach to spread CAT awareness was made  in remote areas like North East, J&K by establishing more exam centers so that the candidates need not travel too far to appear in the exam. It is expected that this year too, with even better campaigning through web portals, digital media, print media, awareness on CAT and its benefits will be greater and more candidates will apply for the exam
• Ensuring Smooth Conduct of CAT 2023: CAT is a computer based test and the technical glitches that occur in the conduct of exam, may not be ruled out. CAT convener will have to ensure with the testing agency that no technological issues at the test centers are there on the exam day and all the lakhs of computers installed in the testing labs across the country, are working smoothly. Ensuring the delivery of questions, marking of answers, and proper recording of the same is what the CAT convener will ensure with the TCS  
• Changes in CAT Exam Pattern: Although not much changes are expected in Exam Pattern and Approach to attempt the exam, CAT Convener may make changes in the type of questions that appear in CAT exam. For example during last many years, VARC section has a large share of questions on RC passages, the questions based of Grammatical Errors are missing. Prof Sanjeet Singh may choose to include such questions by replacing other question type.

In conclusion, CAT Convenor holds a highly esteemed position as the fate of thousands of students depends on the smooth conduct of the CAT exam. In this article, MBAUniverse.com has revealed that Prof Sanjeet Singh from IIM Lucknow, a senior faculty with extensive administrative experience, is expected to be appointed as the CAT 2023 Exam Convener. This appointment is of significant importance and further details will be announced soon, creating anticipation for the upcoming CAT 2023 exam. Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com, the leading platform for promotion management education in India.