Today with 58 Local Management Associations, it has linkages with over 3000 institutions and over 30,000 individual professionals. Its key activities include Distance Management Education, Management Development Programmes & National Events, and Testing Services.
Management Aptitude Test, popularly known as MAT, is held by AIMAs Centre for Management Services (AIMA-CMS) and is one of the most widely used tests for gaining an entry into over 1,000 B-Schools in India. AIMA-CMS puts the total number of MAT takers at over 3 lakhs annually, thus making it one of Indias largest management entrance tests.
AIMA-CMS, which holds MAT, is headed by Wg Cdr V S Bejoy. Having served the Indian Air Force with distinction, and after gaining expertise in logistics domain where he was the Chief Logistics Officer responsible for taking over aircrafts and associated systems, Wg Cdr Bejoy sought voluntary retirement in 1999. Wg Cdr Bejoy possesses M S Degree from Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani and MBA Degree from Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University.
Excerpts from interview with Wg Cdr V S Bejoy:
Q: Let us start with an overview of AIMAs Centre for Management Services (AIMA-CMS). What is the focus of division?
A: Centre for Management Services is a specialized division of AIMA undertaking testing and other management services. The testing services have been in operation since 1988 under the trademark All India Management Aptitude Testing Services (AIMATS) facilitating academia, industry and government to screen and select candidates for higher studies, recruitment, promotion etc. Hundreds of organizations and lakhs of candidates have availed these services. AIMATS has the distinction of being the first to be awarded with ISO 9001: 2000 Quality Certification for the range of services.
Q: When was MAT held for the first time? What are its key features?
A: MAT was held first in 1988. Originally it was meant for testing candidates for AIMAs own management programmes. Later more institutes got added. Today, as you are aware of, MAT has become popular with hundreds of AICTE approved Institutions & University departments and lakhs of MBA aspirants having availed AIMAs testing services.
In 2003, to serve the interest of management aspirants, Government of India prescribed that only five management exams were recognized. These exams were CAT, XAT, JMET, ATMA and MAT. This recognition gave further fillip to our brand.
Today, total of the annual registration of candidates for MAT is higher than of CAT nationally and of even GMAT internationally. MAT is the largest such exam in India and globally.
Q: How many institutes will use MAT December 2008 for their admissions?
A: A total of 293 B-Schools are accepting MAT Score of December 2008 test for admission to their programmes.
Q: What does MAT test in a candidate? How does it compare with other exams?
A: MAT is an objective-type test designed to ascertain the aptitude of the candidates to undergo a postgraduate programme in management. Aptitude is the potential of an individual to perform subsequent to proper training. Therefore, MAT is designed to identify the potential. It has been tested and perfected over two decades.
When you compare management entrance tests, I would say that in terms of orientation and structure, such tests are all the same. Details may differ somewhat. They are more or less of similar structure. The only difference is the perception about their difficulty levels. CAT is perceived to be more difficult because there is lesser number of institutes registered with CAT, leading to less admission offers to CAT takers. Students see this as CAT is difficult. In case of MAT, much more institutes are registered leading to more admission offers.
Q: Why is MAT held four times in a year?
A: We believe that aspirants should get adequate chance to appear. If the test is held on just one day in a year, all hopes are attached to a particular day. There can be several problems a candidate may face on a given day. Hence, MAT is held multiple times during the year. Students can choose the test date. It offers a fair chance to all. If you look outside India, GMAT is a rolling online exam that is held all round the year.
Q: What are some broad trends you observe in management education sector?
A: There is demand for management education in the country today. Indian economy is growing at a good pace. The growth and expansion is creating more demand for managerial talent at all levels and across industries. As industry demands more managerial resources, MBAs will continue to be in demand.
| Check Top MBA Colleges in India by Cities | | |
| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
| MBA Placements | MBA Ranking In India | GD Topics |
Today with 58 Local Management Associations, it has linkages with over 3000 institutions and over 30,000 individual professionals. Its key activities include Distance Management Education, Management Development Programmes & National Events, and Testing Services.
Management Aptitude Test, popularly known as MAT, is held by AIMAs Centre for Management Services (AIMA-CMS) and is one of the most widely used tests for gaining an entry into over 1,000 B-Schools in India. AIMA-CMS puts the total number of MAT takers at over 3 lakhs annually, thus making it one of Indias largest management entrance tests.
AIMA-CMS, which holds MAT, is headed by Wg Cdr V S Bejoy. Having served the Indian Air Force with distinction, and after gaining expertise in logistics domain where he was the Chief Logistics Officer responsible for taking over aircrafts and associated systems, Wg Cdr Bejoy sought voluntary retirement in 1999. Wg Cdr Bejoy possesses M S Degree from Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani and MBA Degree from Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University.
Excerpts from interview with Wg Cdr V S Bejoy:
Q: Let us start with an overview of AIMAs Centre for Management Services (AIMA-CMS). What is the focus of division?
A: Centre for Management Services is a specialized division of AIMA undertaking testing and other management services. The testing services have been in operation since 1988 under the trademark All India Management Aptitude Testing Services (AIMATS) facilitating academia, industry and government to screen and select candidates for higher studies, recruitment, promotion etc. Hundreds of organizations and lakhs of candidates have availed these services. AIMATS has the distinction of being the first to be awarded with ISO 9001: 2000 Quality Certification for the range of services.
Q: When was MAT held for the first time? What are its key features?
A: MAT was held first in 1988. Originally it was meant for testing candidates for AIMAs own management programmes. Later more institutes got added. Today, as you are aware of, MAT has become popular with hundreds of AICTE approved Institutions & University departments and lakhs of MBA aspirants having availed AIMAs testing services.
In 2003, to serve the interest of management aspirants, Government of India prescribed that only five management exams were recognized. These exams were CAT, XAT, JMET, ATMA and MAT. This recognition gave further fillip to our brand.
Today, total of the annual registration of candidates for MAT is higher than of CAT nationally and of even GMAT internationally. MAT is the largest such exam in India and globally.
Q: How many institutes will use MAT December 2008 for their admissions?
A: A total of 293 B-Schools are accepting MAT Score of December 2008 test for admission to their programmes.
Q: What does MAT test in a candidate? How does it compare with other exams?
A: MAT is an objective-type test designed to ascertain the aptitude of the candidates to undergo a postgraduate programme in management. Aptitude is the potential of an individual to perform subsequent to proper training. Therefore, MAT is designed to identify the potential. It has been tested and perfected over two decades.
When you compare management entrance tests, I would say that in terms of orientation and structure, such tests are all the same. Details may differ somewhat. They are more or less of similar structure. The only difference is the perception about their difficulty levels. CAT is perceived to be more difficult because there is lesser number of institutes registered with CAT, leading to less admission offers to CAT takers. Students see this as CAT is difficult. In case of MAT, much more institutes are registered leading to more admission offers.
Q: Why is MAT held four times in a year?
A: We believe that aspirants should get adequate chance to appear. If the test is held on just one day in a year, all hopes are attached to a particular day. There can be several problems a candidate may face on a given day. Hence, MAT is held multiple times during the year. Students can choose the test date. It offers a fair chance to all. If you look outside India, GMAT is a rolling online exam that is held all round the year.
Q: What are some broad trends you observe in management education sector?
A: There is demand for management education in the country today. Indian economy is growing at a good pace. The growth and expansion is creating more demand for managerial talent at all levels and across industries. As industry demands more managerial resources, MBAs will continue to be in demand.
| Check Top MBA Colleges in India by Cities | | |
| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
| MBA Placements | MBA Ranking In India | GD Topics |
All India Management Association (AIMA) needs no introduction. As an apex body of professional management since 1957, it has facilitated the development of management profession in the country.