At a time when management degrees are becoming increasingly essential to scale up in one’s career, every year many students apply for MAT or Management Aptitude Test. Coordinated by All India Management Association (AIMA), MAT is one of the most popular entrance tests in the country. It is essentially a standardized test being administered since 1988 to facilitate B-Schools to screen candidates for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. The Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, had approved MAT as a national level test in 2003. Any B-School – whether, national or international – may consider MAT Score as an admission input based on the Score Cards issued to the candidates. For management students, MAT continues to be the passport for seeking admission into over 600 B-Schools across India. It is conducted four times in a year (Feb, May, Sep & Dec), in about 60 cities across India. Every year, approximately one lakh candidates appear for MAT which has so far been conducted in both ‘Paper-Based’ and ‘Computer-Based’ modes.
MAT IBT to make things easier in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Considering the fact that there are severe inter-state travel restrictions and non-availability of public transport in several parts of the country in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, AIMA is introducing the “Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT)”. During a challenging time like this, such an ‘Anytime-Anywhere’ option is a real blessing to the understandably anxious parents as well as the candidates. With the date for kicking off MAT “Remote Proctored Internet Based Test (IBT)” sessions being just around the corner, a lot of candidates have been registering for this new option. Candidates have also begun to familiarize themselves with the IBT process and test environment even before appearing for the actual test, by taking the mock tests available for them at a nominal cost. The registration window for the two sessions scheduled on the opening date i.e., 25th May 2020 was closed on the scheduled date i.e., 18th May 2020, and the admit cards for this date were uploaded on 21st May 2020.
Going by the number of new registrations – as also the number switching from PBT/CBT to IBT – it is apparent that candidates and parents have realized the need for physical distancing and the benefits associated with giving the test from the safe confines of one’s own home. The requirements for candidates are quite simple as all they need to take MAT-IBT are a computer (desktop or laptop with webcam and mic) and internet connectivity, both conforming to certain basic technical specifications. Truly, there are indications all around that going forward IBT will become the new norm in testing. Apparently, AIMA-MAT has been the first-mover for such tests.
The AIMA management has been unequivocal in declaring that the remote proctoring employing robust Artificial Intelligence (AI) based software as well as humans, will be pretty effective and the security and credibility of the test will in no way get compromised. The reliability of the AI-based tools being employed has been time-tested internationally. There are clear and strict instructions to the proctors that the test of candidates found to be contravening the established and laid down “DOs & DON’Ts” for IBT even after being warned, should be stopped and the candidates be disqualified.
So, if you are appearing for MAT May 2020 from your home, make sure you take the mock tests to acquaint yourself with the process.
About AIMA
All India Management Association (AIMA) is the top body for management in India with over 37000 members and close to 6000 corporate/institutional members through 68 Local Management Associations affiliated to it. AIMA was formed over 60 years ago and is a non-lobbying, not-for-profit organization, working closely with industry, government, academia and students with a view to further the cause of the management profession in India. AIMA makes a healthy contribution to management learning and practice in the country by offering diverse services in the areas of testing, distance education, skill development & training, events & conferences, research, publications, executive education and management development programs.