Unlicensed software reason for CAT 2009 glitches

Updated on: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Unlicensed software, technical problems and no diesel for generators at test centres were the major reasons for glitches, which plagued the first, computerised Common Admission Test last year.

These are the major findings of an investigation launched by Prometric, which conducted the test that screens entrants to the premier IIMs and other B- schools in the country.

This year, CAT is scheduled to be held from October 24 to November 12. Prometric has released a white paper, which outlines three deficiencies that led to exposure of preexisting viruses. First it was found that the operating systems on many of the impaired work stations were out of date or unlicensed and therefore lacked security patches that would have protected the computers.

Second, some of these networks lacked current virus protection.

Third, some third party field technicians had downloaded software and/ or data via virus-infected USB drives. These viruses were automatically launched into the network, states the white paper.

We didnâ€™t think it essential to ask institutions or centres if they were using licensed software. We assumed they werenâ€™t using unlicensed stuff. That was the biggest learning for us. At every stage of the test, IIM professors were consulted. Prometric also digitally video-recorded each session and conducted secret audits of sites to ensure all testing protocols were followed.

The issues resulted from several technical problems tied directly to factors at the site themselves, Soumitro Roy,managing director, Prometric told.

The white paper outlines what went wrong last year. This year, our readiness phase before the test commences is longer. We will switch on every PC to see if its OK for the candidate and give licences so that test computers donâ€™t have unlicensed software, Roy said.

Unlicensed software reason for CAT 2009 glitches

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