CAT 2016 questions leak: Social media page admin says incident unfortunate

CAT 2016 questions leaked?

The CAT 2016 was conducted on December 4. Soon after the first slot commenced, complaints from students started pouring in pointing out that certain screenshots of the CAT 2016 questions were circulating on social media. Even though IIM Bangalore, the CAT 2016 conducting body called it an isolated incident of malpractice, candidates raised questions on the breach of security. 

To know the truth behind the controversy, Shiksha spoke to Indrajeet Singh, the founder and administrator of the social media group where screenshots of the supposedly leaked CAT 2016 questions were posted. Throwing light on the entire matter, this is what he had to say: 

Question 1: When did you come to know about the supposedly leaked CAT 2016 questions?

Answer: The incident came to my notice just a few minutes after the images of the CAT 2016 questions were posted on my social media group, ‘CAT Preparation- iQuanta’. In no time, I started getting messages from many of my students regarding the post. 

Question 2: What was your first reaction on seeing the post?

Answer: Initially, I wondered how it was possible to take a mobile phone inside the exam centre. Furthermore, capturing an image and then posting the same on the largest social media group followed by thousands of CAT aspirants needed a lot of audacity. I immediately took screenshots of the post and deleted the same right away from the website. Next, I mailed the screenshots to the CAT officials.

Question 3: Did the IIM B officials or the police approach you regarding the controversy?

Answer: No, none of them tried to get in touch with me regarding the matter.

Question 4: In your opinion, how was there a chance of clicking pictures of questions from the exam hall when there was such a tight security at the entrance gate?

Answer: Not many people know that there were many centres where the security was tight, and many where no heed was paid to the security. While some centres did not allow entry after 8.30am (in the first slot), at many centres entry was allowed even after 9.15am.

Question 5: The candidate who had posted pictures has now come up with a statement that his account was hacked. How much do you believe in the same?

Answer: I don’t think it will be fair enough to comment on anyone as of now until proven guilty. I think the best thing to do right now is to wait for the investigation to take place.

Question 6: How are the students of your group reacting to this, and what are your views on a re-test?

Answer: The students are of course shocked and believe that it is unfair for genuine aspirants. Also, the paper was a bit tough than they were expecting. Furthermore, such an incident has added to their frustration.

Also, a paper is said to be leaked if the questions are revealed before the exam is conducted. So, in my opinion, this was not a paper leak, but a malpractice. In case of malpractices, generally a re-test does not happen. Having said this, I would also agree to the fact that there were many cases of mismanagement which made the aspirants suffer. This certainly is extremely disappointing and not at all called for from a reputed institute.

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