Make the right choice

MBA entrance tests

Q. I am working in Sri Lanka for two years after doing my Civil engineering. I am looking at doing my MBA in India. Could you please guide me about the key exams.

— Kedar Sharma

A. The registration for CAT 2020 closes today (September 16). IIM Indore will conduct the Test on Nov 29.

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2021 for admission to XLRI Jamshedpur and XLRI Delhi-NCR campus (plus 90 other B-schools across India which accept XAT scores) will be held on Jan 3 2021 online mode.

While all Indian candidates must appear for XAT 2021, NRI and foreign candidates may apply through their GMAT scores.

You can select your exam city from 185 centres across India.

The application deadline for XAT is November 30.

The Application Fee: Rs 1700 (plus Rs 300 for additional prog applied for). Fee for foreign nationals: $50 (plus $25 for additional subj).

If applying through GMAT: Rs 2500 (For foreign nationals Rs 5000).

These are the key Entrance Tests whose deadlines have been issued. Others like NMAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP will follow.

MCom vs MBA

Q. What are my career options if I pursue MCom instead of MBA after completing BCom?

— Harshita Tayal

 A. While an MBA is a professional, broad-based job-oriented Master’s programme in management, the MCom is somewhat more academic & theoretical in content and approach.

After completing your MCom, the main avenues open to you would be those in Teaching, Accounting & Audit, Taxation, Finance, and Banking.

By adding a BEd to your MCom you will be eligible to teach commerce at the +2 level. Once you clear the NET exam, you can even teach at the college level as well.

MCom graduates can find suitable openings in financial research and analysis, taxation, stock market, insurance, financial planning and advisory, banking, marketing of financial services and products besides in accounting, financial processing/modeling and documentation companies as well as in KPOs.

You can also sit for general competitive entrance exams such as the Civil Services or State Selection Commission. Your MCom qualification will also allow you to take the selection exams for the Income Tax, Customs and Excise Departments, Comptroller & Auditor General, Bank Probationary Officers, amongst others.

— The expert is Director, Career Guidance India

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