The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have announced registration data for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2013. A total 1.96 lakh candidates have bought vouchers this year and 1.94 lakh have registered, according to a statement issued by Prometric.

“While overall registration has declined, the percentage of female candidates has continued to steadily increase, to 29% over last year,” said Professor Rohit Kapoor, CAT 2013 Convenor.

“The rise in number of candidates with two or more years of work experience, registering for CAT, has risen to 16% over the same span, while candidates with little to no work experience have declined to 66%, down from 68% last year,” added Prof Kapoor.

Female aspirant registrations are up from 27% in 2012, and candidates with two-plus years of work experience are up from 13% last year. Across all IIMs, 115 seats have been added for b-school admissions this year, a total of 3,335 seats.

Candidates from technology/engineering backgrounds comprise 70% of the total test takers, an increase of 6% from last year, continuing a two-year increase. Candidates from economics, management and science backgrounds form 23% of the total test takers, while all others make up the remaining academic backgrounds. There is a 2% rise in DA candidate registration.

By region, Maharashtra has the highest number of CAT registrations, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

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