Friday, December 4, 2009

CATrama - Cat 2009 Drama

CAT went online, this is old news. But news channels across India horrified each and every participant interested in IIMs. On 28th Nov 2009 all the TV channels were neither concentrating on Indian Cricket Team nor fighting with Pakistan terror groups, but all of them were flooded with the news of crashing servers, with the stories of the students who could not take the exams and with the views of negligence of Indian Institute of Managements. Each small or big journalist was rebuking IIMs’ display of negligence and blaming IIMs for compromising with their testing and judging standards. All news papers, TV channels, kids, forums were standing together to slam and doubt the reputation of world’s most renowned Indian institutes. Were IIMs really worth of this flak? Dint IIMs take all precautions to ensure their own reputation?
In my personal view, they were not. We all are in a society where we are living on the tip of valley where minimalistic error could disjoint our bones. IIMs are no exception to this rule.
IIMs’ biggest mistake was not able to ensure that the prometric server would take such a huge load on day 1? IT call it performance testing. So the question is; whether IIMs ever questioned Prometric about performance testing if not then it was the biggest loophole which they will add in their priority list for next year. This loop hole was exposed the very first D-day which scathed the reputation of the institute. But even after considering it as a glitch, if we look at the percentage number of the students who could not take the exam at the designated day is hardly .5%. Considering such a huge software problem there were 99.5% students who could complete their exam on the designated time and place without any hiccups.
Second problem was IIMs could not control our hands and legs (L, why not?). Now if some terminal restarts in the middle of the exam then on what grounds can we blame IIM? Do IIMs need to draw a line between our body parts and terminal switches or do they need to provide a rope to tie our legs in case our legs (During exam my leg spread apart as my mind does not know load sharing JJ) are not in control? At few locations candidate could not open test before restarting the server. Were such problems huge? Na, but such small problems were aired to probe how casually money minded IIM’s dealt with CAT.
Except all these we have few more test takers who are reporting unfair advantage to the students who are going to give exams on last days. How it is unfair? Is it unfair because IIM is publishing the last slot papers and telling the students to prepare from the same questions or unfair because we are helping others to use unfair means? Is there a way to stop people from telling questions to their friends? Exam takers have already signed a non-disclosure agreement with IIM, but even after this if we do not have value of such agreement then it is us who are at the wrong side. Surely IIM’s can not ask government to block the test takers SIM card. Otherwise media (I am sick of this media now) will raise questions of Right to speak and many others.
I am not accepting that this time everything was flawless. There were people who got extra advantage, there were people who could not take exam in best suitable conditions and there were people who were sent back but in the path of major change these hiccups were minor. We human generally stand against Change that we are not accustomed to but once the change is applied we inherit it into our system. The question always arises, then why were we sacrificed for this change, but then who? Will this question change even after the century? Someone has to be sacrificed then why not us.
As an Indian, we all should respect our institutes which have given us the identity at world level. I appreciate the stand taken by IIM. They are neither scraping CAT-2009 nor planning to return to old format next year. We are in the society where small changes need solid heart because every small error could turn into infinitesimal outcry. IIMs have taken the right and big step and I feel they are almost successful in their aim. People will always have concern, but few things need to be negotiated, ignored in the way of innovation. Go green IIMs.
Badlaav Jarrori Hai

6 comments:

  1. Nice writeup. I guess, if you are talking about the unfair advantage that some people got in the whole process, well, had it been the same pencil paper test, some people would have anyway got it, I don't know how.

    But you made the right point, since we are in the process of this CHANGE, it's quite acceptable.

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  2. This blog sounds to me as if some IT professional,deeply involved in developing the software and network capabilty for conducting CAT 2009 online, has been hurt by the harsh reaction by media on the issue.

    I believe media was just trying to capitalize on the brand CAT and IIM by exaggerating the concerns of CAT aspirants.

    But we must accept that therby they have ensured CAT authorities to remain on their toes while they conduct CAT online.

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  3. @Beanie: Thanks man. Every process can be rectified but it needs time. IIM may overcome these difficulties sooner in future but our support to the institute is necessary.

    @Shringar: I do not feel it is a feeling of a SE. These are the feelings of a hurt Indian student sentiments are attached to an india's best institutes. I think noone is perfect, so as IIMs.
    To be truthful, I never liked media's involvement in any of the
    event, incident either at national level or international level. Their analysis, theories, views and interviews all are filled with unjournalist speeches, where do not even look for the facts.

    There way of analysis is wrong side of incident. Here in IIM incident did they ever mentioned in bangalore people faced problem at one center while exams at other centers were smooth and flawless. Anxiety always bring more viewer and they are just captilizing that...

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  4. ok, dude when taking on something, if you think u can get hurt do not take over it. My serious advice, because life is quiet hurtful. And media exaggerates for your kind itself.

    Especially when giving such a competitive exam, someone always has the so called advantage and other at loss. not everyone can crack CAT and it remains the same way.

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  5. @Ano: Thanks for your nice advice. I always felt why news chennal show bull shit, so you gave me the reason.

    I think I was trying to say the same thing that you have said. Anyway whatever, It wud have been great if i would have known your identity. Could have talked little more.

    One question, did you read the blog or you just started typing something that you want to type?

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  6. oh do not worry mate, I read till the end that is why wrote that stupidly, and reason for not showing identity or anything I do not wanna have a CAT fight if you understand that. Any harsh words people start going over head just because its democracy, and people like fan following. Its good you have a stand of your own, go bad whatever
    I do not follow much on TV news do not have one at home, neither did I wrote CAT.
    So whats your stand on Telangana, man people out there are just going crazy.

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