There is a Future beyond Common Aptitude Test (CAT)
Common Aptitude Test or CAT as it is popularly known is the Holy Grail of competitive management exams in India. Every year close to 2 lacs student take this test for post graduate management programs of highly coveted Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Other top level business schools in India like S.P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Management Development Institute (Gurgaon),Nirma Institute of Business Management (NIMS), Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad, etc make an offer of admission to their post graduate management programs based on your performance In CAT.
However, it is important to note that CAT is an extremely competitive and tough competitive exam which tests your problem solving skills, reasoning capabilities, decision making abilities, etc at the highest level. The two hour objective type exams, which has three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability (VA) and Reading Comprehension (RC), and Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR), is one of the toughest competitive exams in India. You need to prepare for this prestigious exam with a lot of sincerity, dedication, focus, positive attitude and clear concepts of fundamentals.
It is imperative to note though that CAT is not the only exam in India which has the power or the ability to dictate your future and career choices. There aretop quality MBA Colleges in Delhi NCR which accepts scores of CAT and Management Aptitude Test (MAT) along with other management examsfor admission to their MBA program. Some of these institutes offering admission based on MAT score are really good and you would often find their names in list of top 10 management institutes in India brought forth by prestigious magazines and journals.
We are emphasising on the importance of preparing and doing well in MAT because there is a misconception about MBA aspirants that only high percentile in CAT is their ticket to an accomplished business school and subsequently a high flying career with right number of zeroes in their salary checks. Blinded by the gilded lure of CAT, they fail to realise that there is a life beyond CAT and failure to do well in it does not mean the end of the world. Good scores in MAT can still help find yourselves a good business school with high quality infrastructure and sound academic environment. Top of the line business schools accepting MAT scores possess the ability and the resources to facilitate a purposeful and successful entry into the job market.
In the following paragraphs we shall look at some of the pattern and structure of MAT exam, important dates, eligibility criterions to take MAT, result declaration date, etc.
MAT—General Overview
MAT is conducted 4 times in a year – February, May, September and December. The authorities have also released the exam dates for MAT February 2020 session. MAT admit cards can be downloaded online from official AIMA website from December 3, 2020 onwards. The exam is scheduled on December 11, 2020 (offline test) and December 17, 2020 (Online test).
The entire duration of the test is 250 minutes and the paper consist of 150 objective type questions testing a candidate’s quantitative ability, reasoning, data interpretation, knowledge about Indian and global business environment and verbal ability.
Eligibility for MAT 2020
All candidates looking to apply for MAT 2020 December Phase must check their eligibility to appear for the exam. This eligibility criterion for MAT 2020 December attempt is as following:
A bachelor’s degree in any subject from an institute or a university recognized under University Grants Commission.Candidates in final year of graduation are eligible to apply for MAT 2020 on conditional basis. The term ‘ conditional basis’ means that the candidate has to furnish his degree certificate before starting his postgraduate management program in an institute to which he has been granted admission. Failure to show proof of obtaining a bachelor’s degree will lead to cancellation of admission
Prior work experience is not required to take MAT entrance examination. It is also not required in CAT or other important competitive exams. However, you may be asked about it during your interview and awarded some additional points depending upon your nature of work and duration among other things.
MAT or for that matter CAT does not place any restriction on age limit of the candidate.
