Management studies: AICTE plans entrance test abroad

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to hold a common management admission test (CMAT) abroad to help non-resident Indian (NRI) children attempt for admission to management institutes here.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to hold a common management admission test (CMAT) abroad to help non-resident Indian (NRI) children attempt for admission to management institutes here.

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AICTE chairman Dr SS Mantha said since the first CMAT in February 2012, many prospective students abroad have been enquiring about it. “We have 3,800 management schools across the country. We will target the Gulf countries which have a good strength of Indians. Eventually, we will focus on US and Europe also,” he said.

At present, Mantha said, AICTE was working on logistics. “Once that is through, we will go ahead with our plan. I’m not sure if we will be able to make this arrangement when we conduct the next CMAT in September. But by next February, we will be able to conduct the exam abroad.”

The CMAT, he said, would become an alternative option to the GMAT for NRI students over the years. “Eventually, every AICTE-affiliated institute will have to switch over to the CMAT.”

As many as 50,000 students appeared for the first CMAT against a projected figure of two lakh.

Mantha said there were plans to increase the number of centres in India and ensure that candidates get centres close to their preferred locations. “ I will also persuade state universities also to consider the CMAT for admission to their institutes. This will further broaden the reach of CMAT,” he added.