MBA- Entrance Examinations

Master of Business Administration is normally considered to be the basic and ideal post- graduate qualification for taking up a good and rewarding career in management.

A candidate with a good MBA degree finds no problem in getting a good job and freshers are usually inducted as Management Trainees for one to two years, before getting absorbed in regular scales. After a few years of experience, MBAs may choose the job of their own liking on very attractive terms.

The most prestigious degrees: Awarded by Institutes of Management (IIMs) located at Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Indore and Lucknow.

Some universities of repute conduct MBA program, v.i.z. Delhi University, Bombay University, Madras University, Calcutta University, Punjab University, Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, Baroda University, Mysore University, Cochin University, Patna University, Ranchi University, Magadh University, Jodhpur University, Jammu University, Bhopal University etc.

There are several other universities and institutes like Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Rural Management and Institute of Management which also conduct MBA programs.

Entrance Examinations

Entrance test by Universities: The selection of candidates for MBA program is made through entrance test by the universities, depending upon the number of seats and quantum of competition.

Exam profile: The entrance test is for two to three hour duration. Some of the universities have more than one paper. The paper usually is objective type (multiple choices) in nature and covers areas like reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, general awareness, business communication skills etc. The exact layout of the question paper varies in different universities.

Part- time/Correspondence Course:

Some universities like Punjabi University, Patiala and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offer such courses. IGNOU is one of the premier institutions which offers MBA program through a nation- wide network of its 170 study centers. Internationally recognized as a centre of excellence for studies, IGNOU offers a 5- semester MBA program and also provides the facility of counseling. This course is particularly useful for the officers of Armed Forces who retire at relatively younger age, and also to those Government servants who wish to seek careers in managerial cadres by seeking premature retirement.

Entrance exam: The candidates seeking admission in this program offered by IGNOU must have completed 25 years of age and must have at least three years’ experience in the supervisory capacity. There is, however, no upper age limit. The admission is made entirely on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance test which is for two- hour duration and has about 100 objective type questions on comprehension, reasoning, English language, general awareness, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude etc.

Break- up of the papers

(a) Quantitative Aptitude: A candidate is expected to have aptitude for basic and elementary accounting as well as the knack of solving the simple arithmetic problems. This is one of the areas in the admission test which, if properly prepared and practiced, is likely to put the candidate ahead of others, as one can hope to score even 100% marks in this part. There may be several types of questions that may form part of quantitative aptitude test. The first category could be simple arithmetic problems including profit and loss, percentages, ratio, averages, partnership, etc. Such problems involve simple calculations and with a little practice and basic aptitude, can be solved correctly. The second category of questions could involve multiplication or divisions in 5 to 6 figures or decimals.

(b) Logical Reasoning: Questions on logical reasoning may be of several types and in several forms. These could include a statement on which the candidates are asked to draw correct interference out of the given choices. There could be questions on series of words and figures, arrangement of alphabets, brain teasers or even such questions as only call for drawing logical inferences. Just like quantitative aptitude test, this portion of admission test also needs special and detailed preparations and practice. Most of the questions under this category test the common sense and sense of proportion and reasoning among the candidates.

(c) Comprehension Test: Is aimed at gauging the understanding of English language by the candidates. Usually, a paragraph is given which the candidates are required to go through carefully and then answer the question by choosing the correct answer.

d) General Awareness: l knowledge of the candidates. Basic facts about all aspects of general knowledge like Science, Geography, History, Economics, Polity, etc are essentially required to be known

Group Discussion and Interview
Some of the universities/institutes have group discussions and interview also as parts of admission test to MBA program. These tests are held to judge the suitability of a candidate for the esteemed program. The group discussions are held under the supervision of the experts, who look for the qualities like ability to express, reasoning, power to argue, initiative and leadership qualities among the candidates. An interview, on the other hand, is held to evaluate other traits of personality of the candidates like knowledge, suitability, judgment, sense of proportion, manners, expression, intelligence, etc. It also looks for the variety of interests and accomplishments of the candidates in extra- curricular activities including sports. Final selection of the candidates is made after taking into account their performance in all the tests.

Related Articles :