Behave as managers and keep your cool
Business-school aspirants affected by various glitches in the first computer-based Common Admission Test (CAT) should not get hassled over something beyond their control, say coaching professionals.
Slated from November 28 to December 7, the test is being administered by testing and assessment services provider, Prometric, for entry 
to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and other b-schools.
The CAT delivery issue is akin to a trial of whether aspirants have the “temperament” to be managers. “If you were caught in a traffic jam on your way to a business meeting, would you tear your hair out?” asks Ulhas Vairagkar, director, TIME. “I suspect this is a test of candidates’ managerial skills. Can you take the setback in your stride?” He goes on to add “Look ahead. Try to see something positive in what’s happened. Think: ‘Maybe I can prepare better.’ Keep your cool. You might now have more time to take the CAT.”
Arindam Lahiri, director, academics, Career Launcher, too, says admission hopefuls should put the episode behind them. “Don’t get overly hassled because tests like the CAT are also about mental preparation. Re-focus and practise. Move ahead because this is something which is not in your locus of control.” Significantly, the ‘locus-of-control’ exercise is a part of the preparation for the next phase of b-school admissions — the interview and group discussion.
Vairagkar urges candidates to look for a silver lining in the dark cloud of disruption. “Going by what I have been reading, this year’s CAT has not been very difficult,” he says.
Author: HT Horizons Correspondent
Date:2ndDec., 2009
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