After its first attempt to hold the Common Admission Test for admission into IIMs in computer -based format was marred by glitches last year, American firm Prometric has dropped NIIT as the delivery partner and chosen two new service providers for the job.

Prometric attributed the decision to NIIT's inability to participate in the computer-based test this time.

"Conflicting business priorities at this time may have compelled them not to participate in CAT 2010. NIIT continues to partner with Prometric in other computer-based examinations," Soumitra Roy, MD, Prometric, India, told PTI to a question on why Prometric and NIIT are not partnering for CAT 2010.

The IIMs had last year given the contract to Prometric to hold the CAT through computers. The American firm had announced to conduct the test over ten days period at different centres with NIIT as its delivery partner.

However, the exam was affected from the day one as students faced myriad of technical problems, forcing the firm to reschedule the exams for thousands of affected students.

Though it continued to retain the contract for holding the test this year, Prometric dropped NIIT as its delivery partner.

The firm today announced that it has selected MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd and Everonn Education Ltd its delivery partners for the CAT 2010, which would be held in coming November.

"Both partners were selected after a thorough evaluation process based on their responses to our request for proposal," the firm said in a statement.

MeritTrac and Everonn bring with them competency in testing logistics and manpower, thereby providing good synergy with Prometric, it said.

"They will work closely with us for the preparation of testing venues, as well as the administration of the CAT 2010.

In addition to tightening the processes for site readiness and training, Prometric will also be implementing a longer test site preparation period," the statement added.