As per Prometric who is conducting CAT exam in India, only 195,000 students have purchased vouchers by 30th Sept 2010 when CAT registration date was extended up-to 7th October 2010. Last year CAT 2009, saw around 240,000 students appearing for CAT. Extension of date and dropping in registration numbers has led to wide speculation within the management community about CAT loosing its glory, or MBA degree in general in wane (read MBA – Much blow aspiration)

Professor Himanshu Rai, CAT Convener and Mr Soumitra Roy - MD, Prometric India. “The dates of voucher sale and registration have been extended to facilitate some candidates who at the last moment have not been able to get some certificates in place and have been calling up the candidate care centre with related queries,” says Professor Rai. However, he refused to make any comment on number of candidates registered so far for CAT 2010. “I wouldn't want to make any predictions except that we will have a much better CAT this time,” says an optimist Prof. Rai.

Mr Soumitra Roy – MD, Prometric India, said that, 1, 95, 000 vouchers have been sold till date and the numbers are still going up as we have extended the registration window to 7 October. Though, the clear picture will come up only after registration window closes.

The number of candidates applying for CAT has come downduring the past years. There may be different reasons behind this significant dip, however, Professor Rai explains that, now only the serious candidates give CAT since the questions etc cannot be discussed and thus those giving it for fun or dissemination through coaching classes are not giving it. Also because of the change in the format some people may be adopting a wait and watch policy.

“Remember that CAT is given not only by candidates aiming for a seat at the IIMs but also by many who aim for seats in other institutes. Given that the placement of some such institutes has suffered in the last couple of years because of the economic crisis, many would not give it till the economy is at its booming best,” adds Professor Rai.

Well! It won’t be erroneous to say that the number of candidates registering for CAT has come down as any serious candidate would have registered as early as possible. Though extension of dates might lead to some more registrations, estimates that overall registration shall be around 220,000 only which is around 10% less compared to last year and shows negative growth in a country where education is the buzz sector and growth of 40% is considered normal. Thus probably MBA degree might be loosing its sheen when reality of placements is slowly biting in.