By Wg Cdr V S Bejoy

Management as profession gets associated with all facets of human activities. Therefore, there is persistent demand for quality managerial manpower. This is true irrespective of the phase of growth of the economy. It could be the stagnation/decline during the recessionary period. In the Indian context, our economy could stand upto global recession due to the availability of quality managerial expertise, among other factors.

The profession of management aims at optimum utilisation of resources so that maximum possible output is obtained. It is possible only when quality management professionals are deployed. MBA, being a professional programme to develop business leaders who have to take decisions both critical and expeditious, there is a need to screen and choose quality candidates for admission to MBA programmes. Such screening is a globally accepted practice.

In India, there are five tests for admission to MBA, which have been approved by the Government of India, Ministry of HRD as national level tests. Management Aptitude Test (MAT), being administered by All India Management Association (AIMA) since 1988, has been attracting the patronisation of hundreds of B-Schools and registration of several lakhs of candidates during the year.

The forthcoming Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is in February 2010. There are over 480 B-Schools considering the February 2010 MAT Score for admission to their programmes during the academic year 2010-2012. These B-Schools’ profiles are available in the MAT Bulletin. In addition, there are several other B-Schools screening/counselling the candidates for admission based on the MAT Score Card issued to the candidates.

MAT is now being facilitated for the February 2010 MAT administration in dual mode as paper based test as well as computer based test. MAT as a computer based test was successfully implemented during September 2009 administration. MAT is the first national level test to provide computer based test option for the candidates. Candidates have the option to take the test either as a paper-based test or computer-based test. The facilitation of dual mode is to overcome the urban-rural divide as well as big-small town gap prevailing in the country. It is a candidate friendly measure adopted and implemented by AIMA in order to ensure that no capable candidate is denied of managerial career opportunity merely due to his lack of exposure to information technology infrastructure, systems or procedures.

The paper-based test will be held on February 7, 2010, whereas the computer-based test will be available in different time slots with effect from February 13, 2010.

Graduates as well as final year students of degree courses are eligible for MAT.

MAT forms are now available with select branches of Bank of Baroda against cash payment of Rs 980. Besides, there is an option to make online registration for MAT with Demand Draft or Credit Card for which Rs 1050 is charged. The details for online registration is given at website link www.aima-ind.org/matfeb10. The last date for sale of forms is January 22, 2010 and for online registration is January 24, 2010. Candidates may avail additional information on the Help Line number 011-40770300.

– The author is Director, AIMA