CMAT 2023 Results Delayed: Anticipation Builds Among 55,000 Students and 1000 B-Schools

New Delhi: While the IIMs are preparing to welcome their new batch for 2023-25 in a few days, several PGDM B-schools and Universities, such as Great Lakes, BIMTECH, and IFMR Krea University, are still awaiting the completion of their 2023 admission process. Their anticipation revolves around the release of the results for the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT).

Usually, CMAT results are announced in February, but this year, the CMAT exam itself took place on May 4, 2023. Hence, It is expected that over 55,000 candidates participated in the exam, and more than 1,000 B-schools rely on CMAT scores for the selection of deserving students.

The wait for both students and B-schools is expected to continue as the release of CMAT results is unlikely to release before the end of May. This delay can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the CMAT 2023 exam took place on May 4, and it took longer than usual for the National Testing Agency (NTA) to release the CMAT answer key.

Typically, answer keys for exams like CAT and XAT are released within 3-4 days, but for CMAT, it took 8 days. Moreover, the release of the CMAT result is dependent on the verification of objections raised against the official answer keys.

Dr. Harvansh Chaturvedi, Alternate President of the Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI) and Director of BIMTECH, expressed his concerns about the delay, highlighting the difficulties faced by Indian B-schools, particularly standalone PGDM institutions, due to the prolonged wait for the declaration of CMAT results.

What can be attributed to the recent delays in the CMAT exam, which was once considered the second most popular exam in India? 

Some of the rise and decline of the CMAT exam are mentioned below; CMAT enjoyed significant advantages in the past. Once a prominent MBA entrance exam in India, CMAT has now lost much of its former glory. Several factors contributed to its previous popularity: The Sole Exam Conducted by a Regulatory Body: CMAT was initially conceptualized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as an official entrance test for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in AICTE-approved management institutes.

As CMAT was an AICTE exam, B-schools widely accepted and promoted it, leading to its widespread popularity. Largest Number of Accepting B-schools: CMAT scores were accepted by over 1000 AICTE-approved B-schools, including many prestigious institutions. In comparison, CAT, another prominent MBA exam, was accepted by just over 500 B-schools. However, over the time, the CMAT exam has experienced a decline in its standing and influence.

CMAT Recorded the Second-largest Number of Exam Takers: 

Until 2018, AICTE conducted the CMAT exam twice a year. In the CMAT exams held in February and September 2016, a staggering 105,000 candidates appeared, while the total number of applicants was 130,000. This positioned CMAT as the country's second-largest exam, following CAT, which had 2.22 lakh test takers out of a total of 2.55 lakh applicants in CAT 2022.

However, in recent times, the number of test takers for XAT has also recorded an increase. The XAT 2023 witnessed a 22% rise, with approximately 80,000 candidates out of the 98,242 registered appearing for the exam. In addition, a few other exams have also seen a surge in the number of test takers.

Moderate Difficulty Exam: 

Most of the MBA aspirants found CAT and XAT a difficult exam and opted for CMAT which is a moderately difficult exam. Widely accepted by non-IIM B-schools: CMAT scores were accepted by almost all top B-schools offering AICTE-approved programs, including institutions like JBIMS, Great Lakes, SIMSREE, PUMBA, and BIMTECH.

Did the transition from AICTE to NTA result in a missed opportunity for CMAT? 

The decline of the CMAT exam can be attributed to the indifference of government agencies. Let's take a closer look at what has unfolded in recent years.

AICTE's Conduct of CMAT till 2018:

Until 2018, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) administered the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) as a prestigious management entrance exam.

Remarkably, the exam was conducted twice a year, attracting over one lakh candidates who registered and applied for the test. During this period, CMAT emerged as the second-largest MBA entrance exam in terms of the number of applicants, following CAT.

NTA Takes Over CMAT in 2019:

Earlier, in 2019, the Government of India established the NTA as an autonomous organization responsible for conducting entrance examinations for admission and fellowship programs in higher educational institutions. The formation of NTA aimed to improve the burden of conducting exams from individual institutes and organizations.

Consequently, NTA took over the administration of various exams, including medical undergraduate and postgraduate entrance exams, IIT entrance exams, and the Central University Entrance Test for UG and PG courses. Similarly, in 2019, AICTE handed over the responsibility of conducting CMAT to NTA.

The Downfall of CMAT Begins:

Following the transfer of CMAT administration to NTA in 2019, the downfall of the exam commenced, characterized by its unpredictability. Test takers and PGDM colleges alike found themselves constantly waiting for the CMAT notification, exam date announcement, and result declaration.

Presently, CMAT attracts approximately 60% of the candidates who register for the exam. The table below demonstrates the evident delays in conducting the CMAT exam and releasing its results:

Admission Offers Delayed as CMAT Result Faces Delay

The final admission offers in top B-schools are being held back due to the unavailability of CMAT scores. While merit lists based on CAT, XAT, MAT, NMAT are already prepared in most institutions, the delay in obtaining CMAT results is causing a setback.

Prestigious B-schools such as Great Lakes, BIMTECH, K J Somaiya, IFMR GSB at Krea University, and others that consider CMAT scores for admissions are concerned about the postponement of the session commencement. As a result, the admission processes in these prominent B-schools are being affected by the delay in CMAT results.

Talking about the negative impact of delay in CMAT result, Dr Chaturvedi added: “Delay in CMAT results is delaying new batch commencement at B-schools, which is generally scheduled between June 15 to July 10, as B-schools are not able to finalize their admissions”.

Dr. Chaturvedi expressed his concern regarding the negative consequences of the delay in CMAT results, stating that the new batch commencement at B-schools, typically scheduled between June 15 to July 10, is being postponed as B-schools are unable to finalize their admissions.

B-schools Seek Intervention of the HRD Ministry

B-schools have decided to escalate this issue to higher authorities within the Education Ministry. Dr. Chaturvedi confirmed that EPSI, the apex body representing over 1000 B-schools and universities, is reaching out to the Education Minister to request his intervention.

Dr. Chaturvedi mentioned that the EPSI has requested Hon'ble Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to utilize his influence for the timely declaration of CMAT results by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Any further delay will adversely impact the academic session of B-schools.

The prolonged delay in announcing the CMAT 2023 results has not only caused anxiety among the test takers but has also raised concerns among PGDM colleges. Moreover, it has cast doubts on the efficiency and punctuality of the NTA in conducting a prestigious management entrance exam and releasing the results on time. Only a strong intervention by AICTE, along with education bodies like EPSI and AIMS, can prevent CMAT from fading into obscurity.

Read More:

• CMAT 2023 Merit List 

• CMAT 2023 Counselling 

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