The Common Admission Test (CAT), gateway for prestigious IIMs, will be conducted over a longer duration but in fewer test centers this year. This was declared by a top executive of the US firm that has the contract to organise the computerised test.

Since the duration of the test will be longer, the number of centres in which CAT 2010 will be conducted will get reduced. The announcement of test centers is expected to be made in September.

Speaking to Economic Times about CAT 2010, Prometric India MD Soumitra Roy said, "The test will be held over a longer test window of about 20 days in 33 cities this year."

Last year technical glitches had marred CAT 2009, and it is for that reason that Prometric, that got the five-year contract to conduct computerised entrance test, has changed its local partner. This firm has tied-up with MeritTrac Services and Everonn - to conduct the entrance exam this year, discontinuing its association with NIIT.

CAT 2010 has been scheduled for a 20 day testing window between October 27 and November 23, 2010. Considering last year's technical glitches and inconveniences, this year the CAT conductors IIMs and Prometric are extra cautious not to repeat the faux pas this year as well. Extending the window from 10 day to 20 day was a conscious decision in order to keep a buffer space.