CAT 2015 Announcement

July 26, Ahmedabad : Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have announced the Registration for Common Admission Test 2015 (CAT 2015). The Advertisement for CAT 2015 has been released in 24 newspapers across the country on 26th July, 2015 (Sunday).

Following are the salient features important for CAT 2015 aspirants :

• CAT 2015 will be conducted in two sessions in one day. The exam will be held on 29.11.2015 (Sunday).
• The exam will be conducted in 136 Cities comprising 650 Test Sites.
• Candidates will be given the option to select 4 Test Cities in order of preference and hence need not rush to block slots and sites in the initial days of registration.
• We will try our best to assign candidates their first preferred city. In case it is not possible, they will be assigned a city following their given order of preference. However, candidates will not be able to select the session because it will be assigned randomly.
• Candidates must pay the registration fee through online mode only, including Credit Card, Debit Card, and Net Banking.
• After submission of Application, candidates will be permitted to download their Admit Card from October 15, 2015 onwards, till the date of examination.
• Duration of the examination has been increased to 180 minutes instead of 170 minutes. There will be three sections, ‘Quantitative Aptitude (QA)’, ‘Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)’ and ‘Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)’. QA and VRC will have 34 questions each, and DILR will have 32 questions. Some questions in each section may not be of multiple choice type. Instead, direct answers are to be typed on the screen. The tutorials will clearly explain this change. Also, we will allow use of basic on-screen calculator for computation.
• Candidates will be allotted exactly 60 minutes for answering questions in each section and they cannot switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section.
• Tutorial to understand the format of the examination will be available on the CAT website from 15th October 2015. Candidates are advised to work on the tutorials, available on the website, well in advance.

You are welcome to contact the helpdesk over mail or phone if you have any queries on any matter related to CAT 2015.

Important Dates:

• Online Registration : 06th August to 20th September 2015
• Download of Admit Card : 15th October 2015, 1:00 PM to Exam Day
• Test Date : 29th November 2015 (Sunday) (Forenoon & Afternoon Sessions)
• Release of Results : Second week of January 2016

Contact Information :
Website : www.iimcat.ac.in
Email ID : cat2015@iimahd.ernet.in
Help Desk Number : 18002660207
(Monday to Saturday 09:00 A.M. to 06:00 P.M.; Not available on National/Public Holidays)
Correspondence Address :
CAT Centre 2015, C/O IIM Ahmedabad, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad - 380 015.
Contact Numbers : 079-66324633/34

Sl. No.	Activities	Timelines
1.	Release of Advertisement	26th July 2015 (Sunday)
2.	Online Registration for CAT	06th August to 20th September 2015
3.	Admit Card Download Window	15th October 2015, 1:00 PM till Exam Day
4.	Test Date	29th November 2015 (Sunday)
5.	Release of Results	Second week of January 2016

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PWD)/Differently Abled (DA) category) awarded by any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.
• The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate in the bachelor’s degree would be calculated based on the practice followed by the university/institution from where the candidate has obtained the degree. In case the candidates are awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the conversion of grades/CGPA to percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the university/ institution from where they have obtained the bachelor’s degree. In case the university/ institution does not have any scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result with 100.
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results can also apply. If selected, such candidates will be allowed to join the programme provisionally, only if she/he submits a certificate latest by June 30, 2016 from the Principal/Registrar of her/his College/Institute (issued on or before June 30, 2016) stating that the candidate has completed all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification on the date of the issue of the certificate.
• IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process, the details of which are provided at the website www.iimcat.ac.in. Applicants should note that the mere fulfilment of minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for short listing by IIMs. Prospective candidates must maintain a valid and unique email account and a phone number throughout the selection process.

List of Equivalent Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology (4 years after 10+2/Post B.Sc./Post Diploma ) or B.E/B.Tech equivalent examinations, of Professional Societies, recognized by MHRD/UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institution of Engineers -India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers India).
• Any Qualification recognized by Association of Indian Universities New Delhi, which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree awarded by UGC recognized University/Institutions.
• Cases not covered above equivalency certificate to be produced from Association of Indian Universities New Delhi.

Reservations :

• As per the Government of India requirements, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. 27% of seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes candidates belonging to the “non - creamy” layer (NC - OBC).
• For all caste based reservations, the castes included in the Central Govt. list as on the last date of registration shall be used. For an updated central list of state - wise OBCs eligible for availing the benefit of reservation and information in respect of the creamy layer, visit the website www.ncbc.nic.in.
• In case of NC - OBC category, the castes included in Central List (available at www.ncbc.nic.in) of NC - OBC by the National Commission of Backward Classes, Government of India as on last day of registration will be used. Any subsequent changes will not be effective for CAT 2015 unless there is a change made by the Central Government or judiciary with retrospective effect.
• As per the provision under section 39 of the PWD Act, 1995, 3% seats are reserved for Differently Abled (DA) candidates. The three categories of disability are: a) low vision blindness, b) hearing impairment and c) loco motor disability/cerebral palsy. This provision is applicable if the candidate suffers from any of the listed disabilities to the extent of not less than 40%, as certified by a medical authority as prescribed and explained in the said Act.
• The candidates belonging to categories for which seats are reserved need to note and read the eligibility requirements carefully before applying. It should be noted that while it is the endeavour of IIMs that the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD/Non - Creamy OBC categories join the Programme in proportions mandated by the law, they have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria and a certain minimum level of performance in the admission process.
• The candidates should read carefully the description of admission process followed by each IIM on their respective websites. No change in the category will be entertained after the closure of registration window. Hence, applicants are advised to give attention while registering.

Note for SC/ST, NC-OBC, and DA Candidates :

• If you belong to SC or ST categories, your caste/tribe must be listed in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate that you submit to IIM should be in the Government approved format and should clearly state: (a) Name of your caste/tribe; (b) Whether you belong to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe; (c) District and the State or Union Territory of your ordinary residence; and (d) the appropriate Government of India schedule under which your caste/tribe is approved by it as Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
• A copy of the SC/ST and /or PWD (DA) certificate(s) must be uploaded at the time of CAT Application registration. Failure to upload a copy of the caste/class certificate will result in the rejection of your CAT registration.
• The SC/ST and/or PWD (DA) certificate(s) must be shown and a photocopy should be submitted at the time of interviews. Moreover, the certificate(s) must be submitted at the time of joining programmes of any of the IIMs.
• If you belong to the Non - Creamy Other Backward Classes (NC - OBC), you must produce the NC - OBC certificate duly signed by competent authority and enclose its photocopy at the time of interviews. Moreover, the certificate must be submitted at the time of joining programmes of any of the IIMs. Failure to do so during the post CAT selection process will result in you not being considered under the reserved category.

CAT 2015 Results and Short-Listing

Information related to CAT 2015 results will be available starting 2rd week of January, 2016 on this website. List of shortlisted candidates for the next level of selection will be made available on the individual IIM websites. Each IIM will send interview letters to the short listed candidates directly. The criteria for short-listing vary from IIM to IIM. Please visit the admission hotlinks of the respective websites of IIMs for further information.

Admission Process

Please note that each IIM shortlists candidates for second stage of selection which may be independent of each other. The process may include Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). Performance in CAT 2015 examination is an important component in the admission process. IIMs may use previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short listing and ranking of candidates at various stages of the admission process. The processes, academic cut-offs and the weights allocated to the evaluation parameters may vary across IIMs. For more information you may refer the admissions policies of IIMs from their respective websites

Eligibility Verification

If a candidate is short-listed for interviews by any IIM, he/she has to comply with the following eligibility verification :

• Mark sheets and Degree Certificate
  A candidate must show all the original mark sheets and submit attested copies to prove his/her eligibility at the time of interview. Further, if a candidate is selected for a programme, original degree certificate and mark sheets of all semesters/years along with their attested copies must be submitted for verification at the time of joining the programme.
• Reservation Category Requirements
  If short-listed for interview SC, ST, NC-OBC and DA candidates must show the original caste/class and/or disability certificate and submit a photocopy at the time of interview. Further, if a candidate is selected for a programme, original certificate of qualifying degree and attested copy of the same must be submitted for verification at the time of joining a programme.
• Candidates in the Final Year of Graduation
  If short-listed for interview, candidates appearing for the final bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification examination must show an original certificate from the Principal/Registrar/Director of the university/institution certifying that the candidate has obtained 50% marks or equivalent (45% in case of the candidates belonging to SC, ST, and DA category) based on latest available grades/marks. He/she must submit an attested copy of the original certificate at the time of interview.
  
  For the Post Graduate Programmes of IIMs, such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme PROVISIONALLY ONLY if they submit a certificate latest by June 30, 2016 from the Principal/Registrar of their college/institute (issued on or before June 30, 2016) stating that they have completed all the requirements including appearing for supplementary exams if any (the results may, however, be awaited) for obtaining the bachelor's degree/ equivalent qualification on the date of issue of the certificate. Their admission will be confirmed only when they submit original mark sheet and qualifying degree certificate of having passed the bachelor's degree / equivalent qualification referred to in the certificate issued by Principal/Registrar of their college/institute. They must obtain at least 50% marks or equivalent. They also must submit an attested copy of the mark sheets and qualifying degree certificate.
  
  The deadline for submission of the mark sheet and the certificate is December 31, 2016. NON-FULFILLMENT OF THIS CONDITION WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF THE PROVISIONAL ADMISSION. Provisional admission will also be cancelled if it is found that the certificate (Annexure E) is found to be incorrect subsequently. IIMs would not allow any candidate to join their programme in case the candidate is unable to complete all the requirements for a bachelor degree on or before June 30, 2016. The IIMs would also not offer admission to any candidate after June 30, 2016.

CAT 2015 shall be conducted in two sessions. Two different Test Forms shall be administered in two Test Sessions. In order to ensure fairness and equity in comparison of performances of the candidates across different test sessions, the scores of the candidates shall be subjected to a process of Normalization. The Normalization process to be implemented shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalization across different forms the scores shall be further normalized across different sections and the scaled scores obtained by this process shall be converted into percentiles for purposes of shortlisting.

For purposes of reporting, Scaled Scores for each section (Section I: Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Section III: Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC) and Total along with the Percentiles shall be published.

The process of Normalization is an established practice for comparing candidate scores across multiple Forms and is similar to those being adopted in other large educational selection tests conducted in India such as Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). For normalization across sections we shall use a sort of percentile equivalence.