This provides information about frequently asked questions and queries about submission of Common Admission Test 2008 application forms. It also spells out the processes followed by IIMs up to Common Admission Test 2008 (CAT 2008)and issue of CAT score card. It is therefore, important for the candidates to read this carefully.

CAT Bulletins and Application forms are sold or sent only to the candidates, who are interested in appearing for CAT 2008 and are applying to one of the programmes of IIMs. The CAT bulletin and Application form sold or sent to one person cannot be used by someone else for applying to IIMs. CAT Bulletins and Application forms once sold would not be bought back by the bank/ post offices or by the IIMs. The CAT bulletin can be perused or downloaded from the web-sites of IIMs.

CAT Bulletin has considerable information on how to fill up the form. Please read the bulletin carefully before filling-in the form. The candidates should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria of the programme(s) which they have applied for, that the form is complete in all respects and that they have read the checklist in the CAT bulletin before forwarding the application to the concerned IIM.

A candidate can check the information related to the admission process from the websites of IIMs at different stages .

whether the application form has been received,
whether the application form is complete in all respects,
Allotted test registration number and the CAT venue where a candidate will appear for CAT 2008,
CAT 2008 scores,
whether the candidate has been short listed for Group Discussions and Personal Interview, and
whether the candidate has been offered admission.

Therefore, the candidates are advised to retain the web-site addresses of the IIM where the candidate has sent the application form and of all IIMs where the candidate has applied for. The web-site addresses are given in this advertisement.

While CAT bulletin and web-sites provide most of the information, a candidate may still have queries about filling the application form. In case a candidate needs further assistance, he/she can call up the concerned IIM. An interactive voice response system (IVRS) would help in resolving the queries. The telephone numbers given in this advertisement would allow the candidate to access this system. Please note that the IVRS provides answers to common queries related to admission process and IIMs are not responsible for any misunderstanding created by the IVRS in the mind of any candidate. IIMs, however, own up the responsibility for written responses to queries raised through e-mail/ letters/fax, for which addresses have been provided in this advertisement.

In case a candidate has any special query which cannot be addressed to by the IVRS or the CAT Bulletin, the candidate can write to the admission office of the concerned IIM quoting the application number before receipt of admit card and test registration number after receipt of admit card. The candidate must retain a photocopy of filled-in application form and the admit card as long as the candidate remain interested in the admission process of the IIMs.

The candidates belonging to OBC/SC/ST/PWD categories are requested to indicate their status while filling their form and enclose supporting document as a proof that they belong to the specified categories. Please note that no change in category would be allowed after the last date of receipt of application form. In the absence of any supporting document or inappropriate supporting document, the candidates having paid full fees for CAT Bulletin would be treated as candidates belonging to general category. The applications from candidates who had only paid half the fee for CAT bulletin but who do not submit any supporting document or who submit inappropriate supporting document, would be rejected.

In case an application is found defective, it would be possible for the candidates on October 1-2, 2008 to check the nature of the defect in the application form on the web-site of the IIM to which they had sent their applications. In case, a candidate is interested in rectifying the defect, he/she would have to buy a new form available at each IIM for this purpose and complete the application form on or before October 5, 2008 by being physically present at the IIM to which he/she had sent his/her application form. Any incomplete application after this date would be automatically rejected. Note that the defect in application means defect in filling the application form and also defect in documents, that forms part of the application form.

The admit cards of the eligible candidates, whose applications are complete would be sent after October 12, 2008. The candidates who do not receive the admit cards by November 3, 2008 should immediately write to the concerned IIM quoting their application number.

On the day of the test, candidates should plan to reach the test venue by 9:45 AM. Please note that no candidate would be allowed to enter the venue after 10:00 AM. Please do not carry any valuable articles such as cell phones, calculators, pens etc., as only admit card, HB pencils and erasers are required for the test and all other articles would have to be left outside the test hall at candidates own risk.

The candidates should fill up the form and appear at the CAT 2008 written test to be eligible for the programmes of IIMs. Any attempt to impersonate during the test or while filling up the form not only would lead to immediate and automatic disqualification from the admission process of IIMs but may also lead to prosecution. Please note that detection of such malpractice at any stage including after obtaining admission to any IIM would lead to immediate and automatic disqualification or expulsion.

The score card details of all the valid candidates, who appeared in CAT 2008, would be available on the web-sites. Subsequently, it would be dispatched to all the candidates. While adequate care is taken in ensuring that there are no mistakes in reading the answer sheet by the machine, there is no provision of revaluation of the answer sheet of any candidate. The candidates should ensure that they have read section 3 of the CAT Bulletin carefully regarding the precautions to be taken while answering the questions carefully regarding the precautions to be taken while answering the questions.