CMAT 2013 - AICTE for MBA and PG Diploma

From 2013, take only one test for MBA admissions

In a move that will cut down the multiple entrance exams that students are forced to take for admission to management courses across the country, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to conduct a common admission test from 2012-13. The test will cover admissions to MBA and PG diploma in management courses in government and private colleges.

The decision to hold a pan-India Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) was taken at the executive council meeting of the AICTE, the umbrella body for professional courses. While CMAT will be one of the entrance exams to be held in 2012, the Council wants all its colleges and institutes to admit students based on their CMAT scores from 2013. “Almost every college was holding entrance exams. Besides, each state has its own tests, and private associations their own exams.

A NEW CHAPTER

•AICTE has decided to hold a Common Management Admission Test for MBA and PG diploma in management courses

•Although CMAT will be held in 2012 too, from 2013 all admissions will be based on CMAT scores

•But IIMs and deemed universities can hold their own tests ‘Single test will reduce stress on students’

According to AICTE chairman S S Mantha, in principle, the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) will be for all AICTE-approved institutes and will reduce stress and financial burden on students.
However,the Indian Institutes of Management, which are independent and autonomous B-schools, will continue to conduct the CAT . Deemed universities will also hold their individual entrance tests. But admission to 4,000 colleges that offer MBA and 500 which run diploma programmes will take place on the basis of the CMAT.
“We still have to work out the modalities of conducting the CMAT. But having so many exams, all of varied difficulty levels, also raises concerns about the quality of students who enter this course,” Mantha added. It is for the first time that the AICTE has spoken about holding an entrance exam; to date, it has largely been an approval-seeking body for new colleges and institutes wanting to expand student intake.
The Management Aptitude Test, which is taken by 3.85 lakh students every year, is currently the largest Bschool entrance test.

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