This year computer-based Common Admission Test (cat) for admission into prestigious IIMs will be held at a lesser number of centres and will spread over a longer period than last year.

After the conduct of the cat through computers was marked by glitches last year, the US based firm Prometric said fault-plagued examination centres will be edged out this year.

Prometric will take every possible step to ensure a successful conduct of cat 2010. The steps include a longer testing window to give candidates more choices, an improved technology for both registration and delivery and fewer online centres to ensure a better test experience for the candidates.

Prometric's Managing Director, India, Soumitra Roy said,"The test will be conducted in 32 cities in November this year. However, the number of centres will go down as the US firm will edge out those centres that do not fulfil the set of norms." Registration for this year's cat is likely to start by the end of August.