Bangalore:
For the first time in years, the number of applicants for the Common Admission Test (CAT) of the Indian Institutes of Managements (IIM) has registered a fall. From 2,90,000 applicants last year, only 2,41,000 have signed up for the exam this year despite an extension for registration. The IIMs say this could be because of the recession and the cuts in salaries and employment for MBA graduates. But for students there are many other reasons as well.
The brunt of the recession has been borne by many. Bhupesh Dwivedi is one of them. The 21 year old was offered a job by an IT company - which eventually never materialised. To improve his prospects, he decided to study management, but felt the CAT exam would be just too tough. "Taking up CAT requires a lot of preparation, one year or at least six months, and right now I have just two months. CAT, I have no scope, I know it very well right now," he says.
He is not alone. Many students who want an MBA just to help them get a job - and soon - are opting for other management institutes which are perceived to be easier entrance exams.
Ankita Raina, an MBA aspirant says, "I had decided for a job first after BE, but since there is recession now, so I thought of taking SNAP instead of CAT. Because CAT is tougher than SNAP."
Training centres say that uncertainty over the new online format of the exam may have discouraged some candidates. Tests like the GMAT which are recognised by foreign institutes are also luring students. Mid career professionals are choosing shorter courses offered by the IIMs which don't require CAT - rather than risk the potential loss of income or even their job in these tough times.
Sanjeeb Paul, the Manager of Career Forum Ltd says, "Two years is quite an investment and IIM has even raised their course fee which is pretty high compared to what it was even three years back, so a student will definitely think - two years losing out on the pay."
Could the CAT exam be losing its status as the ultimate entrance test for prospective management students in India? Judging by the significant drop in numbers of people registering for that exam this year - it looks as if many find there are other, better options.
The brunt of the recession has been borne by many. Bhupesh Dwivedi is one of them. The 21 year old was offered a job by an IT company - which eventually never materialised. To improve his prospects, he decided to study management, but felt the CAT exam would be just too tough. "Taking up CAT requires a lot of preparation, one year or at least six months, and right now I have just two months. CAT, I have no scope, I know it very well right now," he says.
He is not alone. Many students who want an MBA just to help them get a job - and soon - are opting for other management institutes which are perceived to be easier entrance exams.
Ankita Raina, an MBA aspirant says, "I had decided for a job first after BE, but since there is recession now, so I thought of taking SNAP instead of CAT. Because CAT is tougher than SNAP."
Training centres say that uncertainty over the new online format of the exam may have discouraged some candidates. Tests like the GMAT which are recognised by foreign institutes are also luring students. Mid career professionals are choosing shorter courses offered by the IIMs which don't require CAT - rather than risk the potential loss of income or even their job in these tough times.
Sanjeeb Paul, the Manager of Career Forum Ltd says, "Two years is quite an investment and IIM has even raised their course fee which is pretty high compared to what it was even three years back, so a student will definitely think - two years losing out on the pay."
Could the CAT exam be losing its status as the ultimate entrance test for prospective management students in India? Judging by the significant drop in numbers of people registering for that exam this year - it looks as if many find there are other, better options.
