CAT, NMAT, MAT...computer based exams on the rise in India - By: MBA

The Computer Based Entrance Exams -- CAT, NMAT, GMAT etc have given candidates various positive options .The traditional pencil-paper exam is a one day affair hence it creates a lot of nervousness among the students. Spread over several weeks, Computer Based Testing (CBT) has become more convenient for the test takers as now the exam date can be chosen whenever candidates feel that they are best prepared for it. These exams have reduced the stress among the candidates.
A survey conducted by MeritTrac and Edge Value Notes indicate that the Online Exams are here to stay. The survey reported that 77% of all the Vice Chancellors/Registrars from various management Institutes across the country are considering introducing Online Exams and 50% of these respondents indicate that they will adopt it in next 6-36 month.
With success of CAT 2010 and http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/4186/”>NMAT 2011, the future of e-Testing seems positive in India. The IIMs and NMIMS have already tested the water and now is the turn of various Management Institutes who are likely to embrace CBT in near future.
Around 2, 04,267 test takers took CAT 2010 and the exam was declared a grand success with no reports of any major glitch. CAT 2010 was held from 27 October to 24 November 2010. IIMs Testing Partner Prometric and Delivery partners MeritTrac & Everonn Education and CMS played important role in the CAT 2010 administration and were successful in meeting the expectation of the test-takers and IIMs.
NMAT 2011 takers also had a smooth test taking experience, just as in NMAT 2010. NMAT 2011 introduced several candidate friendly features to enable the candidates to take the tests. The test window was extended to a 3 month long window against 10 days window for NMAT 2010. Also the NMAT test takers had the advantage of giving three attempts. This year almost 50,000 students took the test.
Also, the Management Aptitude Test (MAT), administered by All India Management Association (AIMA), held four times in a year is delivered in both the paper-based and computer-based formats. Around 5-10% of test takers took the computer based MAT in 2010.
XLRI, the 60-year old management school, had pioneered the conduct of the computer-based test, XAT, for pre-admission selection in 2001-02 but reverted to a paper and pencil method of testing as the infrastructure was just not ready then. Delhi University's Faculty of Management Studies, that has been offering post-graduate management programmes for over five decades, too follows the traditional method of testing.
There are various factors that make CBT a preferable option for the various exams that still follow the traditional pencil-paper format. The critical question that arises is why the institutes should adopt to this new technology supported system for their exams.
Computer Based Tests as mentioned earlier not only give candidates the flexibility of choosing dates but also reduces the chances of the question papers being leaked. CBT also negates the human error that might happen while evaluating answer sheets. Such exams also enable scalability across geographies just as NMAT went global this year.
Today, most of the companies or institutes are conducting Computer Based Entrance Exams to be a part of this fastest growing world.
Various other exams like Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GUJCET) and Law entrance exams are going online. Online exams are easy to conduct and analyze and hold a bright future.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more special features on CBT!

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