Maharashtra to skip GD-PI for MBA admissions

In a bid to catch the AICTE prescribed timelines for B-school academic sessions, Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) in Maharashtra has gone to the extreme of steering clear of all Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI) for admission to MBA programmes. The centralised admissions to be conducted by DTE will be based solely on Management Admission Test (CMAT) scores, informed an official.

Results of CMAT exam (held in May) might delay the admission process if GD-PI is conducted. Hence, the decision was taken to ensure quick admissions for classes to commence on scheduled date, August 1.

According to sources, admissions will primarily be given on the basis of CMAT scores. However, if seats remain vacant after three rounds of admissions, other entrance scores – such as Common Admission Test (CAT), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), AIMS Test for Management Education (ATMA) and Xavier's Aptitude Test (XAT) – will be considered.

This move is being considered as regressive by many B-Schools since communication skills are a necessity for management programmes. However, according to senior DTE officials, most students taking admission in MBA programmes come from rural sections of the state, who do not have strong communication or English language skills. Students with decent language skills will in any case crack the CMAT. Hence, GD-PI is unnecessary for them, they informed.