Meet Prof Ramya Tarakad Venkateswaran, CAT 2024 Convener: Know her Expertise & Role in CAT exam and the Expectations from her

CAT Convener plays the most important role in conduct of the Common Admission Test. Apart from Directors leading the top 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 3 lakh students linked to their performance in CAT exam, everyone looks up to the exam Convenor. MBAUniverse.com reveals complete details on CAT 2024 Convenor Prof Ramya Tarakad Venkateswaran and how she will shape the CAT Exam.

What are the Responsibilities of Convener?
Before we talk about Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran, let's understand how CAT exam is conducted, what are the role and responsibilities of the CAT Convenor. As the CAT exam is conducted by one of the top 6 IIMs in a rotational manner, and each IIM is 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.

Key responsibilities of the CAT Convener include:

• Coordination with 21 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 21 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.
• 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.
• Finalizing CAT Exam Cities: With the increase in number of CAT applicants which has gone up by 30% last year at 3.30 lakhs, CAT convener plans and increases the number of test cities especially with a view to minimise the commuting time of the test takers. During last two years CAT exam cities have increased from 155 to 160 and this year CAT 2024 is proposed to be conducted in 170 cities. Many CAT cities are added by CAT convener in remote and tier-II cities so that more candidates in these areas do not need to worry about commuting a long distance.

Meet Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran!
Now it’s time meet Prof Ramya T Ventakateswaran, your CAT Exam 2024 Convenor! Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran holds multiple responsibilities at IIM Calcutta including being Convenor of CAT 2024. You should know these 5 important things about him:

1. CAT 2024 Convenor on behalf of 21 IIMs: You already know by now that Prof Venkateswaran is your CAT Exam 2024 Convenor and he will work on behalf of all 21 IIMs
2. Professor of Strategic Management Area at IIM Calcutta: Strategic Management is a multidisciplinary field which consists of Strategy Execution, Balanced Scorecard simulation game, Strategic Decision Making in domestic and International Business, participation in the X-culture project, Management Games, identifying business challenges, choosing the best strategy, monitoring progress, making adjustments to the executed strategy to improve performance. Tools like SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis are used to assess where opportunities and threats lie between the organization, its competition, and the overall market. As an expert in Strategic Management Area, will Prof Ramya make CAT 2024 Quant and DILR Sections tougher? While it is difficult to be 100% sure, it will be a safe guess that this section of the paper will have some innovative questions that can stump the students.
3. Chairperson of Admissions at IIM Calcutta: As the Current Admission Chair of IIM Calcutta, Prof Ramya has a complete understanding of student behaviour, strengths and weaknesses. This makes her an ideal person to organize CAT exam.
4. Substantial Industry Experience: Prof. Venkateswaran has a substantial administrative experience as Senior Executive Assistant to the Governing Council and as Project Manager at Sasken Communication Technologies.
5. Former Software Professional: Prof Ramya has worked as Software Professional with Cisco Systems India and as Senior Software Engineer at Wipro Infotech Global R&D. This will help her to anticipate and avoid the technical glitches in exam and conduct it hassle free.

With her extensive background and expertise, Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran as CAT 2024 Exam Convener is ideally poised to conduct the exam.

Expectations from Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran, CAT 2024 Exam Convenor
IIM Calcutta has conducted CAT exam many times earlier also and have taken leads from the previous exams. Based on MBAUniverse.com interactions with past CAT Convenors, and other stakeholders, Prof Venkateswaran’s key focus areas would be:

• Increasing CAT Registrations: As per MBAUniverse.com analysis, till 2021, CAT registrations had not grown by more than 1% CAGR. But, CAT 2022 saw a modest increase in registrations after many years. This went up by 30% in CAT 2023 at 3.30 lakhs from earlier 2.55 lakhs. It is expected that this year too more candidates will apply for the exam.
• 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.
• Ensuring Smooth Conduct of CAT 2024: CAT is a computer-based test and the technical glitches that occur in the conduct of exam, cannot 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.
• Engage effectively with Media and other stakeholder: Last year, IIM Lucknow effectively leveraged traditional, internet and social media to extend the reach of the exam. It is expected that Prof Ramya will continue this tradition, and make the best use of media channels.

To conclude, CAT Convenor holds a highly esteemed position as the fate of thousands of students depends on the smooth conduct of the CAT exam. Knowing Prof  Ramya T. Venkateswaran’s experience and expertise, MBAUniverse.com expects a great CAT 2024.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2024