CAT o nine tails

As all of you might be aware, the number of applicants applying to CAT has fallen by 17% despite the extension in the last date. What could be the reason for this sudden reverse phenomenon in a time where B-School applications are breaking records year after year?

The first argument that comes to the mind is the CAT going online. Traditionally, the role of technology was to facilitate stuff. Can technology be a deterrent for aspirants? Why not! There is a stark contrast in the urban and rural settings in the country. Prometric centers are not that penetrative! But then how would one explain another prominent B-School, NMIMS going for the online route? The trend has caught on big time.

Is the system becoming more elitist? This is a question worth a debate. Will kids from English medium schools continue getting the upper hand? We raised issues like reservation to be more 'inclusive' in our growth. Will such moves help our cause?

Can CAT's loss be JMET's or SNAP's gain? Well this is a question best left to time. Is it just the newness of the concept that is taking long to sink in or is it a tech-phobia as I would say it? Whatever it is, the CAT has lost one out its nine lives!