Will online CAT shatter dreams of rural students?

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Common Admission test (CAT) which was earlier organized for students and taken hand written now going to be online from this year, leading to a major concern that it may shatter dreams of rural student community.

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad (IIM-A) declared on its website on Thursday that online Common Admission Test (CAT) 2009 will be held between 28 November and 7 December.

Teachers who have been preparing students for the most sought after management courses believe this decision is not fair. Many educationists and teachers believe it’s not good for the students who are not familiar with advance technologies like operating computer or laptops.

The director of time coaching institute expressed his thoughts that “The decision is biased on the part of such reputed institutions as students in rural areas are not as tech-savvy as students in urban sector. They should think of such aspirants for whom technology is still a barrier,” says Ulhas Vairegkar, director of TIME coaching institute.

Meanwhile, there are also others who say that this is a welcome step and would make the test more convenient for all. It’s good news for the students and definitely no more hassles for reaching to centres. Students who want to appear for this examination can now take the exams from the comforts of their home, they argue.

IIM-A also informed that the advertisements for sale of CAT vouchers would run in all leading daily newspapers on 30 August. Vouchers would be available with the banks from 9 September to 1 October and would allow candidates to register for the online test.

The CAT test is held for admissions in different PG management courses in the country.