The Ganga Maiya ki Kasam page on Facebook may have been blocked but there are many more similar pages/groups operating in full swing on social media sites. Every trip to a CAT centre or a casual discussion with CAT aspirants reveal a new CAT-question-discussion group. Take the above image for instance – an aspirant shamelessly expressing happiness over joining such a group.

While pages are being blocked everyday, new ones are also being created. Below is the image of one such page which was blocked yesterday. We spoke to candidates post the exam today and they said that those who are yet to take the exam stand to benefit from the CAT-discussion groups. “Even if two of the questions in the CAT paper have been discussed in such a group, the candidate could have it easier in the final scoring, ” complained one candidate.

One candidate told us that he tried to meet one of the IIM directors to discuss this issue but he was flatly told that the director does not meet CAT aspirants. “So if you are dishonest and discuss questions on a common forum it is fine but if you are honest and and want to find a solution, no one will help,” the candidate complained.

Another candidate said that if Prometric had really prepared 40 different question sets, there would not have been so many ‘repeat’ questions. We asked Prometric for a response and below is what it sent back as a response.

“Candidates sharing test content from their exams is a clear violation of the non-disclosure agreement signed prior to taking the exam. It is troubling that students wishing to earn a trusted career in business and management would jeopardize their placements in the Indian Institutes of Management by leaking test content. Instances of individuals found to be in violation of their non-disclosure agreements would be viewed extremely seriously. The IIMs develop a substantial number of items and test forms for the CAT. Unique forms have been created for testing in each of this year’s testing sessions. Some items serve as ‘equating blocks’ to ensure candidates get a valid and fair score.”

In fact, there have been attempts to post questions of PaGaLGuY but we have been quick in banning those who have been reporting questions (see image above) and also deleting the posts. Anybody who spots a question on PaGaLGuY, please report it and we will take action promptly.

And to end on a lighter note, one of the CAT centres in Mumbai is strategically located. The centre shares a wall with an under construction building and another wall with a half-constructed one. Which means that for the entire duration of the exam, there is continuous and loud construction activity in operation. And to top that, there is an aircraft flying overhead every five minutes. Candidates said, however, that the exam was too engrossing to get distracted!