Non CAT exams that lands you up in Premier Business Schools

While CAT has carved a niche by being the most coveted exam for an MBA aspirant, however, the road does not end with CAT. There are many students who dream to join IIMs, but their hopes are never realised due to aggressive competition that exists among the students.

But there is always a silver lining and there are more than a dozen of colleges both public and private that have their own entrances other than CAT and pursuing a course from them is also considered very prestigious.

Does the name matter or the placement?

This question is cliched, but time and again it has been invoked to bring about a clarity. Why would you want to pursue an MBA? The most possible reasons can include, better placement, learn managerial skills, demands from the current job, fat salary, starting your own company, opening doors to different career opportunities, etc.

Taking all these into consideration is it that only CAT colleges teach these things better or give you a better opportunity. The answer is simply ’NO’. If the brand name would have been the last and most important thing, then all students of CAT colleges would have grabbed the top jobs but the reality is different. MBA is a practical-oriented course and it is the skill of an individual which is most important and good faculty can help in polishing that further.

There are many non-CAT colleges- SCMHRD-Pune, MICA-Ahmedabad, SIBM-Pune, IIFT-Delhi, SPJIMR-Mumbai, TISS-Mumbai, XLRI Xavier Labour Research Institute-Jamshedpur, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies-Mumbai, etc., and the achievements of their students bear a testimony of their high status.

How can you get into these institutions?

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standard aptitude test conducted in India since 1998 by the All India Management Association (AIMA). MAT is used for admission to Master of Business Administration (MBA) and allied programmes by over 600 business schools across India. It was approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2003.

MAT is conducted by Centre for Management Services (CMS) which is the specialized division of AIMA undertaking testing and other management services. Graduate or Final year degree course students in any discipline from a recognized university in India can write MAT. MAT scores are considered by a wide range of B-schools. While a portion of the B-Schools accepting MAT scores for affirmation additionally acknowledge CAT scores, the opposition levels in MAT might be lower than those in CAT.

A large number of colleges (around 600 colleges) base their admission through MAT.

A candidate has an option to appear for any one of the two formats: Paper-based Test (PBT) as well as Computer-based Test (CBT) or Both the formats.

IIFT

IIFT conducts a gateway test for induction into its leader program, MBA(International Business) which is being at offered at IIFT's New Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada Campuses.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an independent organization. IIFT is one of the leading B-schools in India.

The test is typically held in the month of November/December. IIFT 2018 will be held on December 2, 2018.

The admission test is a multiple choice objective type written test (in English).

Duration of the test is two hours and will cover English Grammar, Vocabulary and Comprehension, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Analysis.

Last date to fill the Online Application Form 14th Sep 2018

Last date for Request for Test Centre Change (Fee: Rs. 1000) Monday, 5th November 2018

Written Test- Sunday, 2nd December 2018 (10 a.m - 12 noon)

Last date to fill the Online Application Form and to submit GMAT Score for Foreign Nationals and NRIs Friday, 15th February 2019

XAT

XAT is the second most popular management entrance examination after CAT. XAT is conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur on behalf of Xavier Association of Management Institutes.

Aside from XLRI, the XAT scores are utilized by in excess of 100 foundations crosswise over India. XAT score is one of the choice criteria for induction into administration programs offered by XLRI. Aspirants need to initially enrol online on the XAT site and later, need to apply independently to each of the participating institutions including XLRI.

Shortlisted candidates will be put through GD and or Interview processes.

XAT 2017 Paper Pattern:

The following are the salient points:

The test consisted of two parts: Part I and Part II.

Part I had three sections A, B and C with 24, 21 and 27 questions respectively, i.e. a total of 72 questions (down from 78 questions last year ). The three sections of Part I was followed by Part II with 25 GK questions and an essay. The maximum time allotted for completing these three sections is 210 minutes.

NMAT

The NMAT by GMAC is a computer-based test owned by the Graduate Management Global Connection (India) Private Limited (“GMGC”), a subsidiary of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

NMAT by GMAC is a 2-hour Computer-based test containing multiple choice questions. Prior to the start of the test, there will be a 2-minute period for the test taker to agree to the Non-Disclosure Agreement, a 10-minute tutorial and a 3-minute period for section selection and sequencing.

There are three sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning. Each section is individually timed.

SNAP

Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Test is a common written test for the admission to all the Post-Graduate Institutes of Symbiosis International University. The written test is mandatory for admission into any Post-Graduate programme offered by the constituent institute of Symbiosis International University. However, it is only the first step. In addition, a candidate has to undergo the selection process of the desired Institute to qualify for the admission to the Post-Graduate programme of that Institute.

It is usually conducted in the month of December.

TISS NET

TISS conducts its own online entrance exam called TISS-NET for the admission to its full-time (Regular) Post-Graduate Degree Programmes (M.A., M. Sc., M.H.A., M.P.H.) offered from Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, Hyderabad campuses and other locations.

The test has 3 sections: Math and Logical reasoning, English Proficiency and General Awareness. The paper consists of 100 questions.

GMAT

If one aspires to study in one of the premier business schools abroad or ISB in India then one has to take GMAT. GMAT is a computer-based test with two sections-verbal and quantitative. Each of these two sections is of 800 points and the final result is the average score of the two. A score above 700 points is considered to be a good score.

ISB is one of the premier business schools in India which has secured 28th rank in Global MBA Ranking Report of 2018. To apply for an MBA in ISB the aspirant has to apply online, however, there are certain prerequisites-

The GMAT and GRE score (Avg GMAT Score-709 and GRE-326)
TOEFL / IELTS / PTE score (only if a student has studied till Bachelors in a medium other than English)
Two recommendation letters along with completed MBA essays
At least 24 months of full-time work experience

There are various other exams which can land you up in a decent MBA college. However, it is your perseverance and hard work that makes you stay ahead in the race. Studying at a premier MBA college has its own benefits, as it is much like representing a well-established brand.