Mumbai:
As the number of question papers to be set for the common admission test (CAT) of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has gone up after the test went online, the institutes are roping in outside experts to frame questions. This, many feel, will bring down the standard of the exam, though the percentage of IIM professors in the paper-setting team is higher compared to the experts.
Arks Srinivasan, the director of TIME coaching institute, which trains students for management entrance exams, said, "Last year, several students claimed that the question papers were simpler compared to the year before. Earlier, only IIM professors were involved in framing the questions. It was difficult to crack CAT. This year too, it appears the papers will be simple as the IIMs are not directly involved in setting papers. The IIMs are slowly and steadily losing control over the CAT exam. Most of the job is outsourced now."
He added that several good students could not get into IIMs due to the chaos last year. "This year, the exams could be glitch-free, but the IIMs have been silent on the paper-setting aspect. Last year, they claimed that Prometric is advising them on the content. We hope that deserving candidates get seats in premium institutes."
However, Himanshu Rai, convenor of CAT 2010 and a professor at IIM-Lucknow, assured that most of the members in the paper-setting committee are from the IIMs. "This year, we have increased the percentage of professors from IIMs in the committee. The questions will remain IIMs' content. They are not outsourced."
However, he added, "Earlier, we had to set only 75 questions, which is why only IIM professors were involved. Since the CAT is online, the numbers of question papers that we need for multiple sessions have gone up. Therefore, we are involving experts in the subjects to set the question papers. Still, the number of professors from the IIMs is higher."
Manish Shah, who will appear for the CAT this year, said, "I hope the exams will be glitch-free. If the papers are simple, it will be a bonus."