CAT 2013 results

Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) for selection of students for their business administrative programs. The exam was conducted from 16th October 2013 to 11th November 2013 across the nation. The result of the exam is expected to be declared on 14th January, 2014.

CAT is an entry gate for students planning to pursue their Masters in Business Administration and other management programs at India??s premier Business Schools. This year, around 1, 94, 516 candidates appeared for these exams. While last year, there were 2.14 lakh candidates appearing for the exam. The CAT test was held in 76 centers across 40 cities.

In 2013, there was an increment in the number of seats too. 115 seats had been added bringing the total to 3, 335 seats and another 7,000 seats in B-schools as well. Also, there has been an increase in the number of IIMs. The total IIM A??s now count to 13.

Not only IIMs, but several other leading institutes such as Kirloskar Institute of Management, MICA Ahemdabad, Nirma Institute of Management, S.P. Jain Institute, and TAPMI also have CAT as a mandatory examination.

Then why is the candidate number decreasing every year?

Experts blame the economic slowdown and lack of jobs in the market due to the slump.

In the times when economic conditions get tougher, those with a job try not to switch. Experts have come to the conclusion that MBA education in India has come to a static and some private companies are also shutting down, which, in turn, leads to a slowdown in economy. But, despite of the total candidates going down, the number of female candidates appearing for the CAT exam has increased from 23% in 2009 to 29% in 2013.  Also, the female candidates are better achievers at success, with 255 women scoring higher than 99 percentile.

The IIM directors and head of B-schools although are firm to believe that though there is a decline in numbers, it will not affect the quality of education in India. They add on to say that less than 1% of the applicants get selected to these institutes which ensures that only the best of the best candidates are selected and thus a minimal decline will not affect the quality of education.