COVID 19 Spike: CAT will happen on Nov 29; No talk of Postponing it: CAT Convener tells to MBAUniverse.com

There are reports in Social Media that CAT 2020 might be postponed due to recent spike in Covid-19 cases causing the night curfew in many cities. To get clarity on the issue, MBAUniverse.com approached CAT 2020 convener Prof Harshal Lowalekar, faculty and admission chair at IIM Indore. Responding to the MBAUniverse.com query on November 23, 2020, Prof  Harshal has confirmed “CAT will happen on 29^th November only. There is no talk of postponing it.” CAT aspirants were worried whether the exam would be postponed or cancelled this year as has happened to many other competitive entrance tests, as the lockdowns are back in many major cities.

Covid-19 Cases Rise - Lockdowns Back: Worry of Test Takers
Sudden rise in India’s COVID-19 caseload to 92 lakhs on November 22, 2020, with death toll at 1.33 lakh is a great worry both for IIMs and CAT test takers. While States of Gujarat, Maharasthra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi have imposed lockdown and night curfew in many areas, the Prime Minister of India is holding virtual meetings with Chief Ministers of states to control the situation. This gave rise to the speculation that CAT 2020 exam may be postponed. With the confirmation from CAT Convener, it is clear that CAT 2020 exam date will neither be postponed nor cancelled.

CAT 2020 Admit Cards: Use as Covid-19 Curfew Pass on Nov 29
The CAT Convenor has approached the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of various states and UTs requesting their full support in the smooth conduct of the CAT exam and to allow and facilitate the candidates to travel with their Admit cards as curfew pass in case of lockdowns or curfews. The local authorities have also been requested to provide necessary administrative facilitation and security for the conduct of the CAT Examination on 29 November 2020.

As is well known, IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2020 exam on Sunday, November 29, 2020. Since 2009, CAT is a computer-based exam. There is steady rise in number of CAT exam takers during last three years. There were 199,632 test takers in CAT 2017 which increased to 209,405 in CAT 2018 and to 209,926 test takers in CAT 2019. This year total number of candidates who have applied for CAT 2020 are 2.28 lakhs.

Dip Expected in Percentage of CAT 2020 Test Takers
In previous year CAT exam has seen around 10% fewer candidates appearing for CAT from the total number of registered candidates. However, the difference between the number of candidates who have registered for CAT 2020 and appear in the exam can be more than earlier.

Going by previous years’ attendance, following have been the trends

Source: Date Released by IIMs and MBAUniverse.com Analysis 

IIM Indore has effected many changes in CAT 2020 exam pattern and to safeguard the candidates at the test centres against the pandemic, important precautions are taken. The key changes in CAT 2020 are as under:

CAT exam in 3 Slots instead of earlier 2 slots
CAT 2020 exam sessions have increased to three from earlier two. New CAT exam slots are of two hours duration each. All the three sessions will be conducted on same CAT 2020 exam date - November 29, 2020, as below:

Sectional Time Limit of 40 Minutes for 3 Sections in CAT 2020
Each of the three sections in CAT 2020 – VARC, DILR, Quant will have sectional time limit of 40 minutes instead of 60 minutes earlier. You cannot move from one section to other until the time limit for the section which you are attempting, is over.

CAT 2020 Test Day Guide Released
Remaining firm to conduct CAT 2020 exam on November 29, IIM Indore has released the test day guide and has urged the candidates to take following precautions and follow the do’s and don’ts on D-day:

• Collect Your CAT 2020 Admit Card: Hard copy of the CAT 2020 Admit Card is the most important document to be carried on the Exam Day
• Arrive at CAT Centre in Time: As it will take more time for completion of security check and biometrics as social distancing norms are followed due to Covid-19 pandemic, you must reach in time.
• No Display of Seating Arrangement outside the Test Centre: This year you will not find Display of Seating Arrangement outside CAT Exam Centre.
• Articles You should Bring: Candidate must bring their own Mask, Gloves, personal hand sanitizer (50ml), transparent water Bottle, 2 simple pens and the test related documents (Admit Card, ID Card etc.) only
• Don’t Wear Jackets, Jewellery, Shoes: The candidates must not wear  jackets, jewellery, watch, electronic gadgets, shoes. Besides, you are not allowed to carry mobile phone, bag, wallets at the CAT test centre.
• No Bio Break during Exam: Do not request for a bio-break while inside the Exam Lab unless it is a Medical emergency. No bio breaks are allowed during the 2 hours of the CAT exam.

Read More on CAT 2020 Test Day Guidelines and Do’s & Don’ts

Only a few days are left to appear in CAT 2020 exam. It is not only your good CAT exam preparation but also the CAT test taking strategy that helps to improve your CAT percentile. CAT toppers have shared key last minute tips CAT test day strategy for CAT 2020 aspirants who wish to get admission in IIMs in 2021. Read More

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