Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have recently announced the extension of the registration deadline for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2021. Candidates now have time to register for the exam on or before September 22, 2021, on the official website iimcat.ac.in. They have been given an additional week’s time to complete the online registration formalities. Apart from this, no changes have been made to the examination schedule. Registered candidates can download their IIM CAT 2021 admit cards from October 27, 2021, 5:00 pm. The postgraduate entrance exam is scheduled to be held on November 28, 2021, through the computer-based format.
Previously, IIM authorities began the CAT 2021 registration process on August 04, 2021, 10:00 am. Interested and eligible candidates had to fill and submit their online applications latest by September 15, 2021, 5:00 pm. However, new reports were already predicting an extension of the registration deadline. IIM Ahmedabad, the conducting body of this year’s CAT exam was bound to extend the application deadline. The reason behind this possibility was the deadline extension that happened last year.
In 2020, the IIM CAT registration deadline was initially, decided as of September 16. However, authorities decided to extend the registration deadline by a week, making it till September 23, 2021. There were two key reasons cited for this extension – 1. Problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic and 2. A low number of applications received. Both these factors may have played a part in 2021, compelling IIM authorities to extend the registration deadline.
Apart from this, another new development has entered the IIM universe. According to the latest update on the official website, candidates can now, choose ‘Srinagar’ within the UT of Jammu & Kashmir as their preferred exam city. As per reports, CAT 2021 is going to be conducted in 158 test cities spread across the country. While filling their applications, candidates will be provided with the facility of choosing 6 preferred exam cities. Candidates have to do so in the order of preference to ensure that they get their preferred exam city and avoid any extensive last-minute travel.
IIM authorities conduct the CAT examination on a yearly basis for candidates who are interested in seeking admission to Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programmes. Candidates are expected to not only qualify for the exam but acquire a good score to get into a reputed and prestigious IIM. If not IIMs, aspirants can make use of their CAT score to seek admission in any other institute or college offering the relevant programme. However, IIM will have no role to play in case of admission in non-IIM institutes.
