MAT is easier than CAT

Q: I appeared for CAT 2006 but wasn’t able to prepare for it properly due to personal reasons. I was thinking of taking MAT. Could you give me details regarding the exam?

Subroto Mukherjee

A: Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by the All India Management Association for admission to a large number of second-rung management schools. It is held four times a year in February, May, September and December. The next exam is scheduled for February 4, 2007. Your MAT scores will be valid for a year. The eligibility is a bachelors degree. Usually, there is a minimum percentage requirement in graduation, which is different for different management institutes and universities. Refer to the prospectus of the particular institute for more details.

The test consists of five sections: Language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, Indian and global environment. Each section consists of 40 questions and you get 150 minutes to complete them. There is negative marking for incorrect answers.

Although it is on similar lines as the CAT, the level of difficulty for MAT is lower than that of the CAT. It is more formula based as compared to the CAT which is entirely application based. The pattern is more or less predictable. If you crack 85 to 90 per cent, consider it a good attempt.

English is more grammar-based (analogies, match the list, fill in the blanks, etc), while CAT tests you on sentence structure, logic and understanding the assumptions in the passage. While MAT is more fact based, the CAT is more inference-based. Except for the GK section for which you may need to read up, not all institutes that accept MAT scores, take this section into consideration. For more details, log on to www.aima-ind.org. The application deadline is January 19, 2007.

Ace the TOEFL exam

Q: I want to take the TOEFL and have heard that certain changes have been introduced. Do let me know about the details.

Debarati Pande

A: From April 2006, the TOEFL has changed to an Internet based test (iBT).The new speaking section assesses your aptitude to use spoken English while the integrated writing and speaking tasks ascertain your ability to assimilate and comprehend information. The new iBT allows Educational Testing Services (ETS) to increase its number of test centres.

Moreover, it will give information on your strengths and weaknesses and offers guidance on improving your scores. The fee is Rs 6,780. The speaking and writing sections may prove to be more challenging to the test takers. ETS offers full-length mock tests of the exam along with related learning tools on their website, www.ets.org.

To crack the West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam

Q: What is the eligibility criterion and the admission procedure for attempting the West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam?

Debarati Ray

A: West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board conducts four entrance examinations: JEM & geometrical designing and aptitude test (GDAT)/ joint entrance examination for admission to master of computer applications course in West Bengal (JECA)/ joint entrance examination for admission to degree level hotel management course (JEHOM) and JELET.

JEM & GDAT is for admission of students to the nine medical colleges, three dental colleges, 66 engineering and technological colleges and universities, 12 private and government homoeopathy colleges, two ayurveda colleges, 11 physiotherapy and Unani colleges in West Bengal. The West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences and Agricultural University also admits students through the JEM. The admission to the BArch courses is through GDAT.

The eligibility for pursuing a BE/BTech or BArch is a Plus Two with physics, chemistry and maths with a minimum of 45 per cent marks. It is 50 per cent aggregate for the BArch degree with a minimum of 30 per cent marks in English.

For MBBS and BDS, the eligibility is a Plus Two with 50 per cent aggregate and pass marks in English with physics, chemistry and biology in Plus Two.

For attempting the pharmacy entrance, one has to have physics, chemistry, biology or physics, chemistry and maths with a minimum of 45 per cent and at least 30 per cent in English.

For the BSc nursing (hons), aspirants have to have pass marks in English and 50 per cent in physics, chemistry and biology in Plus Two.

For pursuing bachelors in veterinary science and animal husbandry, one needs to have 50 per cent aggregate marks with phyics, chemistry and biology in Plus Two. For attempting the BTech exam to qualify as a dental technician, one needs to have 50 per cent aggregate with physics, chemistry and maths.

For the BHMS, BAMS, BUMS and BSc physiotherapy course, the eligibility is pass marks in physics, chemistry and biology in Plus Two. The minimum age requirement for the candidates is 17 years on or before December 31, 2007, and the last date for application is January 5, 2007. Log on to http://jexab.becs.ac.in or www.csc-et.org for more information.