Bengaluru, DHNS Private business schools in Karnataka have something to cheer about this year. There have been more admissions to the MBA course this academic year than last.

So, what’s drawing students to this course? The fact that the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducted the Postgraduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) for MBA and other courses after a gap of two years seems to have been appealing to students.

Although the final numbers on MBA admissions will emerge only after the KEA completes the counselling, B-schools are already optimistic and with good reason.

A source in the Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges’ Association (KPPGCA), which conducts the Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT), told Deccan?Herald that even B-schools in far-flung places were getting a steady stream of students. “The situation is definitely better than last year. For instance, colleges in places like Hosapete and Ballari got just 15-20 students in previous years. This year, they have taken about 40 students,” said the source.

Seshadripuram Institute of Management Studies, Yelahanka, has always managed to fill all its 120 MBA seats every year, but it has received more applications this year. “Last year, we got around 150 applications for the MBA course. This year, we received more than 250,” said M?Prakash, Director of Studies at the college.

The source in the KPPGCA cited another example. Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education?Centre, Mysuru, which had seen low demand for MBA seats in previous years, is also reporting more admissions, this year. Other colleges in Mysuru are also seeing a spurt in demand for their MBA courses, the source added.?

Colleges in Mangaluru, Hubballi and Belagavi have also shown a marked improvement this year. The reasons for these positive trends are varied. Students think the KEA has a better record of conducting the test and the counselling, according to experts.

Last year, a consortium led by Rani Chennama University, Belagavi, had conducted the test which saw more registrations but few eventual admissions. In 2013, students had to take the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) conducted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) that created a lot of confusion and poor registrations.

Photo credit: DHNS