Q. What has been the reason for making it a 20 day window?

Several candidates had a harrowing time, with servers not being able to shoulder the burden. The IIMs later had to slate a re-test for CAT 2009. This year CAT 2010 will undergo changes so that students don't face the same problems that aspirants had to deal with the last time CAT was held. The larger window is to manage the things better. The extended window period for CAT ensures that no other university exam clashes with students’ academic calendar. The extended window period will allow the CAT aspirants with more options for scheduling their test time according to their convenience.

Q. When would the application forms be available?

•  Sale of CAT Vouchers : Monday, 30August 2010 - Monday, 27 September 2010

•  Registration for CAT 2010 : Monday, 30August 2010 - Thursday, 30 September 2010

•  CAT Test Dates : Wednesday, 27 October 2010 - Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Q. Any difference from last year with respect to applying online?

In comparison to last year, this time, students will get 40 slots, or exam sessions, to clear the test in 29 days. Last year, only 20 slots were available for the students. Although the window period is for 29 days, the exam sessions will be spread over 20 days and remaining nine days are buffer days, when there will be no exams. This time the candidates can reschedule their time slot and change their exam venue within the registration period.

Q. Any major changes that has been kept as surprise for students from last year?

 The instructions will be available in both English and Hindi for the students. If called for instructions while filling the forms the descriptions and directions would be available in both English and Hindi.

 Q. How many questions can students expect? And how many candidates are likely to appear CAT 2010 in one slot?

The total number of questions would be in the range 60 to 70. So, students need to focus on answering the questions accurately. The number of candidates will be definite only when registration gets completed, but generally about 9000 candidates can take the test in one slot.

Q. Tell us about the toughness level of the paper?

Going by what we witnessed last year, one can be fairly certain that the papers won’t be tough. However, candidates can take up a demo tests which will be available shortly on the official website of CAT. The toughness level of demo test will not be equivalent to the exact question papers but should be a must try before appearing the CAT 2010.

Q. Which are the cities where CAT would be held this time?

The exam will be conducted in cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Durgapur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Noida, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Siliguri as well as Varanasi. IIMs haven a right to shift or terminate any exam venue/centre and/or shift a exam window time as well as dates during their own discretion.

Q. When can we expect the results?

The results will be out by 12 Jan 2011.

Q. To get rid of common fears, what is the tool or mantra to be followed?

There could be two possibilities work hard and work smart. The candidates appearing CAT2010 must work hard for the three sections QA, VA and DI. A consistent performance would definitely pay off. The candidate should focus on what he is good at.