Are IIMs mulling over holding another CAT for admissions 2010? Stung by nationwide criticism on CAT bungling, the IIMs want to put the mouse away and go in for the paper-pencil format. It is learnt that those within the IIMs have suggested to the directors to consider holding another test before the HRD ministry thrusts it on them. The big question: will the ten-day exercise (computerised CAT) that concluded on Tuesday be declared null and void?

At a meeting of the IIMs of Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta last week, there were clear indications that the B-schools may have no choice but to conduct another test in the interest of thousands of IIM aspirants.

"Our main interest is in ensuring that we give each candidate a fair chance to write the test and the test at the end is a fair one. We always have an option of holding another one. The CAT committee has already prepared additional tests," sources said.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal too is unhappy. "He has cited the example of his predecessor M M Joshi who cancelled the test five years ago after a question paper leakage. The directors may well take a decision before the ministry directs them to do so. That will be embarrassing for the premier IIMs."

The IIMs have privately admitted that they could not conduct the computerised CAT 2009 in a foolproof manner as desired. The test was organised in 32 cities, 106 centres and 361 laboratories.