Management Aptitude & Skills Test (MAST)June 10, 2011 CIRCULAR

Attention: Final year MBA/MHRM students (2010-2012) Batch

Reference: Management Aptitude & Skills Test (MAST) As some of you may be aware that the All India Management Association, New Delhi had disclosed in their 2010 Annual Conference in Kolkata that they have invented the above test. The test is basically aimed at MBA/PGDBM/MHRM students studying in the final year. The objective of this test is to enable recruiting companies find the right talent for their organizations when they visit campuses for recruiting MBA/PGDBM/MHRM candidates and in the process help qualifying students land with a right job with the right company. This therefore provides a benchmark both for the recruiting organizations and final year students from B-Schools across the country. Why is it necessary for a final year student to take this test (MAST) A. B. C. D. E. Evaluate managerial skills Level playing field irrespective of geographical location/category of B-School Pan India exposure in job market Helps choose the right career path Strategic tie ups with Industry partners with endorsement from major corporate

The Test Format: The MAST will evaluate managerial skills set of management students through an objective type computer based test. This therefore ensures complete transparency and does not leave any scope for manipulation. The test will cover: A. B. C. Psychometric Analysis General Ability Test Domain Knowledge

The companies that have endorsed MAST are: Nokia India / Parle / HDFC Standard Life / Religare Enterprises / ITC Lifestyle / SBI Life / Suzlon / Moserbear India / Expat Group / Transport Corporation of India / SRS Parivar / Mrs Bector Foods (Major supplier to Cadburys) / Quatrro / J K Cement We are certain that this profiling system would gains popularity with passage of time more and more companies are likely to endorse the test. Our strategy is not to play catch up and look ahead into the future.

Departmental Circular

Management Aptitude & Skills Test (MAST)June 10, 2011

IISWBM was approached by All India Management Association, New Delhi to enquire if our students would be interested in taking this test. We have carefully considered their proposal and we are of the view that M.A.S.T is going to be the benchmark for recruiting companies for hiring from campuses across the country. In the light of the above and to ensure employability of our students in terms of reducing the gap between education and employment market, IISWBM held extensive discussions with AIMA, inventors of M.A.S.T, it has been decided that all final year students from MBA/MHRM must undergo the test. The fee quoted by AIMA to be paid by the student was Rs.1700/- originally per student which after negotiations have been brought down to Rs.1300/per student i.e. a 23.53% discount. For IISWBM the test will be conducted at IISWBM Campus in the week beginning September 18, 2011. As per the terms of AIMA each MBA/MHRM student needs to deposit a sum of Rs.1300/- (rupees one thousand three hundred only) through a challan into State Bank of India, Calcutta University branch on or before July 15, 2011. The challan forms are available with Col. S. Ghosh. Each student will be provided with only one serially numbered challan (containing four perforated portions); the first two portions of which will be retained by the bank, the third and fourth copy will be returned by the bank to the student depositing the fees after completing the transaction. The concerned student in turn needs to retain the fourth copy with self and the serially numbered third copy is to be returned to Col. S. Ghosh immediately thereafter on the day of deposit. PLEASE
NOTE THAT NO LAST MINUTE REQUEST WILL BE ENTERTAINED.

PREPATATION FOR THE TEST: (THIS IS IMPORTANT) We have been advised by AIMA that it has been observed by experienced professors and teachers across the country that a large majority of students go through in detail the subjects covered in the syllabus around the examination time and work very hard during the month of preparation with the hope of scoring high marks. Whilst this typical examination psychology may be okay (not advised at all for Professional Courses as it is an extremely poor strategy for preparation) for an undergraduate level general course of studies, but is not certainly suited for professional courses such as MBA/MHRM/PGDBM as learning concepts and understanding ideas take a long time to internalize and sink-in. Regrettably, the same psychology has been observed even at IISWBM amongst the students. In the light of the above background, it is been strongly suggested that each student of MBA/MHRM to undergo all domain knowledge papers prescribed in the syllabus including those of the fourth/final semester of respective programs. This preparation invariably includes learning the concepts and ideas before they sit down to take the test around the week beginning September 18, 2011. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE OR KEEP THIS ADVISE ASIDE and take help from your seniors for the simple reason that it is about your future as those with the highest
Departmental Circular

Management Aptitude & Skills Test (MAST)June 10, 2011

scores in M.A.S.T would indeed get preference during the placement season. Note: A scanned copy of the M.A.S.T brochure is being forwarded to PLACECOM MBA/MHRM for circulation to all final year MBA/MHRM students of batch (2010-2012).

Prof. R. N. Koner Head Placements IISWBM, Kolkata

Departmental Circular