Commerce degrees lead to careers in finance, accounting, management, and administration. Many business students take competitive tests to gain an edge in the job market and seek fulfilling jobs. Beyond academic knowledge, these tests test analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. This guide will cover professional courses like Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), management entrance exams like CAT and MAT, and government exams like CSE and banking exams for commerce students. We’ll also discuss test preparation methods, including creating a solid foundation, practicing often, and strengthening key abilities. Commerce students can improve their job opportunities and attain their goals by preparing for these tests. Amrita AHEAD, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in commerce, such as Bachelor of Commerce, or BCOM, and Master of Commerce, or MCOM.
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A degree in commerce provides access to a wide variety of job options. Pursuing competitive tests might be a calculated decision to improve your employment chances and get a competitive edge. These tests examine your analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in addition to your academic knowledge. These are some of the popular competitive exams for commerce students.
Professional Courses:
Chartered Accountancy (CA): A highly prestigious and challenging professional qualification, CA offers a rewarding career in finance and accounting.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): A globally recognized designation, CFA is highly sought after by investment banking, asset management, and financial analysis professionals.
Company Secretary (CS): This professional course focuses on corporate governance, legal compliance, and secretarial practices.
Cost and Management Accountant (CMA): This qualification focuses on cost accounting, management accounting, and financial management.
Management Entrance Exams:
Common Admission Test (CAT): The gateway to top-tier MBA programs in India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Management Aptitude Test (MAT): A national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA and allied management programs offered by various institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT): Conducted by XLRI, XAT is another popular entrance exam for admission to top-tier management programs.
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP): This exam is conducted by Symbiosis International University for admission to its various management programs.
Government Exams:
Civil Services Examination (CSE): While not exclusively for commerce students, CSE offers a wide range of administrative and managerial roles in the Indian government.
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams: Various exams conducted by RRB offer opportunities in different departments of the Indian Railways.
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams: SSC conducts various exams for recruitment to various government posts, including those suitable for commerce graduates.
Banking Exams: Conducted by institutions like IBPS and SBI, these exams offer opportunities in various public and private sector banks.
Government Competitive Exams After 12th Commerce
These are some of the prominent government competitive exams after 12th commerce that commerce students can pursue:
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams:
RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories): Offers various posts like clerks, accounts assistants, and traffic assistants.
RRB Group D: Includes positions such as track maintainers, helpers, and porters.
RRB JE (Junior Engineer): Requires technical knowledge in relevant fields.
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams:
SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level): A popular exam leading to positions like Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Audit Officer, and Statistical Investigator.
SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level): Offers roles such as Data Entry Operator, Postal Assistant, and Lower Division Clerk.
SSC JE (Junior Engineer): Similar to RRB JE, with opportunities in various government departments.
Banking Exams:
IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) PO/Clerk: Conducts exams for recruitment in various public sector banks.
SBI (State Bank of India) PO/Clerk: Offers similar opportunities within the State Bank of India group.
RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Grade B: A prestigious exam for recruitment in the Reserve Bank of India.
Insurance Exams:
LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer): Offers managerial roles within the insurance sector.
IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) exams: Conducts exams for various positions within the insurance regulatory body.
Entrance Exams for Commerce Students
This table includes some of the competitive exams, including government competitive exams, after 12th Commerce, with the exam-conducting body, eligibility, and the focus areas.
Exam Name
Conducting Body
Eligibility
Focus Areas
Chartered Accountancy (CA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, General Awareness
Management Aptitude Test (MAT)
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Language Comprehension, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, Mathematics
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
Xavier School of Management (XLRI)
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability, General Awareness
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP)
Symbiosis International University
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
General English, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Analytical & Logical Reasoning
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
General Studies, Essay, Optional Subjects (including Economics, Commerce)
Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
10+2 or equivalent
Varies depending on the post (e.g., NTPC, Group D, JE)
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
10+2 or equivalent
Varies depending on the post (e.g., CGL, CHSL, JE)
Banking Exams
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), State Bank of India (SBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness
Insurance Exams
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Varies depending on the post (e.g., AAO, Assistant Manager)
Tips for Entrance Exams for Commerce Students
Entrance exams are a crucial step for commerce students aspiring to pursue higher education or secure a coveted job. Here are some of the tips for entrance exams for commerce students;
Understand the Exam Pattern:
Thorough Research: Carefully analyze the exam syllabus, marking scheme, and previous year’s question papers. This will give you valuable insights into the exam format, the type of questions asked, and the difficulty level.
Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Analyze your performance in mock tests and identify areas where you excel and areas that require improvement. Focus your preparation accordingly.
Build a Strong Foundation:
Focus on Fundamentals: Ensure a strong grasp of core subjects like Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, and Mathematics.
Conceptual Clarity: Don’t just memorize; understand the underlying concepts. This will help you apply your knowledge effectively in different scenarios.
Practice Regularly:
Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests and previous year’s question papers to simulate exam conditions. This will help you improve your speed, accuracy, and time management.
Analyze Performance: After each mock test, analyze your performance, identify areas of improvement, and revisit those topics.
Develop Essential Skills:
Analytical and Problem-Solving: Practice aptitude questions, case studies, and data interpretation to enhance your analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Reading Comprehension: Improve your reading speed and comprehension skills. This is crucial for many entrance exams that include reading passages and comprehension questions.
Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies. Allocate specific time slots for each section and practice answering questions within the allotted time.
Stay Updated:
Current Affairs: Keep yourself updated with current affairs, economic developments, and industry trends. This knowledge can be valuable in essay writing and general awareness sections.
Newspapers and Magazines: Regularly read newspapers and business magazines to enhance your general knowledge and vocabulary.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:
Proper Diet and Sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. A well-rested and nourished mind will function at its best.
Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to reduce stress and improve focus.
Stay Motivated:
Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals and track your progress regularly.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and believe in yourself.
Seek Guidance: Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or seniors who have successfully cleared similar exams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, students studying business who want to progress in their jobs have a big edge when it comes to competitive tests. These tests examine your critical thinking, problem-solving, and time-management abilities in addition to your academic knowledge. You may successfully prepare for these hurdles by fully comprehending the test patterns, establishing a solid foundation in essential courses, practicing often, and leading a healthy lifestyle. To succeed in your chosen competitive tests, keep yourself motivated, ask for help when you need it, and have faith in your skills. Master of Commerce (MCOM) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) courses are offered by Amrita AHEAD, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, for commerce aspirants.
