Many Were Given Rescheduled Time, But Refused Entry

When Shashank A, a student from Amrita School of Engineering, went to CMR Institute of Management to take a test on Sunday, he was shattered. Though he reached the centre within the given time, he was not allowed to take the test. “I got a message from Prometric stating that I need to reach the centre 90 minutes prior to the scheduled time. I reached well within the stated time, but was not allowed in. CAT coordinators at the centre rejected my request and refused to take into consideration the message sent by Prometric,” he said.
Shashank, a final year student, has to reach Coimbatore as placements are starting on campus. “I have to take a train on Sunday evening as I have placements to attend. I need to stay there for the next four days. Since CAT-2009 will be over on Tuesday, I don’t see any chances of appearing for the test this year,” he said.
Shashank is not the only one. Three other students with him were also denied an attempt at the test for the same reason. Sreeram M C, an architect whose test too was scheduled at the CMR Institute of Management, said: “I reached the centre at 1.45 pm as per the message from Prometric. The message, along with the other side of the admit card, read that I need to be at the centre at 2 pm, as I was scheduled for the second session. But they refused to allow me to take the test. I don’t understand this.” An agitated Sreeram contacted the escalation department of Prometric, who refused his request to reschedule the test.
In another centre, Garden City College, a student Rakesh (name changed) had his test scheduled on Sunday. Unfortunately, due to a technical snag (his system shut down while he was taking the test) he couldn’t complete it. “I was solving the quant section and was doing well. My system shut down and could not be started again. The Prometric technician at the centre assured me that my test would be rescheduled and I need not worry. I have not yet received any confirmation regarding the rescheduled date. With only two days to go for CAT-2009, I am really worried,” said Rakesh.
While CAT-2009 will close, the situation is still tense for those whose test has been cancelled. Confusions and problems are still cropping up at the test centres.