The CAT 2009 has been extended to accommodate, within this year's testing period, all the registered candidates to whom the test has yet to be delivered as scheduled

The first computer-based Common Admission Test (CAT), which has been disrupted by virus attacks, was toady extended by a day till 8th December.

The entrance for admission to Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) will now spread over 11 days instead of 10 days as earlier scheduled by Prometric, the American firm conducting the test through computers. The test was scheduled to run in a staggered manner for 10 days from 28th November to 7th December.

Meanwhile, convener of the computerised Common Admission Test (CAT) Satish Deodhar on Friday said the test for entry into the IIM was “running smoothly” after initial glitches and there were no reasons to scrap it.

"As a convener, my duty is to ensure that each and every student who had applied for CAT does not face any difficulty in appearing for it," Mr Deodhar, who teaches at IIM-Ahmedabad told PTI.

"As of now, I have been asked by the IIMs to reschedule it for students who were affected by glitches and make sure that it goes on smoothly," he said.

He said the directors of all the IIMs can only collectively take a decision on CAT. "Therefore, there is no reason for computerised CAT to be scrapped. The tests should be conducted as planned."

Except for two testing labs which remained closed, tests across the country were running smoothly, he said.

Prometric, the American firm conducting the test, had said the initial glitches were due to virus attacks and hardware problems.

Mr Deodhar said Prometric has set up a help desk with over 60 phone lines to cater to students whose tests have been rescheduled.

"They (Prometric) have also increased the number of personnel to answer students’ queries," he said.

IIM-Ahmedabad director Samir Barua has assured that all registered students will be able to take the computer-based test and, if required, the test schedule would be extended by a couple of days.

More than 8,000 students were affected by glitches, primarily caused by virus attacks, during the first couple of days. For the affected students, the test is being rescheduled at centres with spare capacity.

The computer-based test had been marred by technical glitches from the very first day on Saturday. Students faced problems with the computers at the exam centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Bhopal.

This year, 2.41 lakh students will be taking CAT for entry into the IIMs and other premier management institutes.
— Yogesh Sapkale