How To Go About CET?
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The CET (Common Entrance Test)
is conducted each year by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra,
in the month of February, and is the mode of admission to Two Year Full Time
Post Graduate Degree Courses in MBA/MMS and Post
Graduate Diploma Courses in PGDBM/PGDBA in the Government, University Managed,
University Departments and Unaided Institutes in the Maharashtra State.
It tests the students on three
main competencies: Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability and Reasoning. It is a
200-question test with each question carrying one mark. There are no
negative marks and the test duration is 2 and a 1/2 hours.
What sets CET apart from the
other MBA entrance tests is that it provides a level playing field for students
from all backgrounds. Whereas other exams focus more on the aspirants' numerical
and quantitative skills, CET pays more attention to their reasoning abilities.
We are not looking for a
Shakespeare or a Ramanujam, but we are looking for intelligent students with
good communication skills and ability to think effectively under pressure.
Another factor that differentiates CET from its counterparts is the Visual
Reasoning type of questions. These questions test the students' ability to put
together patterns and interpret them, a must for any modern day manager.
A common misconception about CET
is that it is an easier alternative to CAT or XAT. But the acceptance ratio at
JBIMS is around 1:500 (out of 60,000 applicants, 120 make it), much more
stringent than the other elite B-schools in India.
Given the cut-throat competition
levels, it makes sense to start preparation early. A candidate should focus on
the basics to begin with. Once the foundation is laid, the emphasis should be on
practising as many questions as possible. The last couple of months are all
about leveraging your strengths and getting your test strategy in place. After
the written test is taken, the aspirant should loose no time but start preparing
for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Many a times, the GD&PI is the
deciding factor. A good balance of dedication, smart work and general awareness
levels should ensure success for the candidate.
