Talk to any man in the street today and you'll see to your surprise, at least 7 out of 10 would opt

for computers and software as their career. Or take up any newspaper appointment column and you can see that a glaringly big chunk of jobs belongs to SOFTWARE jobs. MCA as a career is one of the great career options that you can think of if "computers and software" is the mantra you recite all the time. In all spheres of life, computers are becoming part and parcel of all human endeavours and small wonder that a career in computers shows unmatched promise, potential and a veritable goldmine in terms of innovation and incredibly bright future prospects. As one of the world's greatest futurologists Alvin Toffler had very correctly depicted in his famous trilogy (Future Shock, Power Shift and Third Wave) in the 70's itself, the new millennium will belong to one single central word "knowledge". we are already seeing the profundity of his prescience in the success of companies like Microsoft (who would not know the saga of Bill Gates), Infosys (the darling at all Indian stock exchanges) and the thousands of such companies that are ruling the market today, which were nonexistent about 20 years back. This sudden change has brought to the fore the role of one important resource - talented human beings. India too, has not been far behind as far as "Software Development" or Infotech growth. With the Government's policy of reforms in 1991, the entire Infotech market has seen a quantum leap. This has enthused job opportunities for computer-savvy individuals like never before. MCA is the "flagship" degree that can be put as the most coveted among the options available to choose from, if software is what you are zeroing in on. Today as an MCA you can get jobs in any of the top ranking companies engaged in developing systems for various firms or you can go in for entrepreneurship. Also, a qualification in software is the easiest channel to go abroad these days. Essential personal characteristics required of a student of MCA Being problem solvers, the students studying MCA or any other computer training programme, for that matter, need to approach problems systematically and logically. A good IQ level along with excellent mathematical skills and technical knowledge is an absolute must. Because of the simple reason that the pace of change in technology is so fast that one has to catch up at every new step with one's own perceptions, what has been taught five years ago might bear little relevance with the present scenario. Patience and determination, of course, are some of the other vital factors that count for wishful results at the end of the day. Besides creativity, imagination plays a significant role in this field. Adopting management skills is necessary for those in supervisory positions. One must also be familiar with the users' environment and various related problems. Admission procedure Various universities conduct and entrance test for admission to MCA. Candidates with Bachelor's or equivalent degree with minimum of 45 per cent to 70 per cent (subject to notification) are eligible. Moreover, candidates appearing for Bachelor's degree can also apply. Such candidates, if selected, would be required to provide evidence of having passed the examination with required percentage at the time of admission.

General course contents Mainly the examination framework for MCA includes Mathematics (advanced level), General Science (Physics, Chemistry), Reasoning (Analytical decision-making, non-verbal typical), general awareness (for new universities) and basic knowledge of computers. Over the years a system of training has been evolved which comprises well-defined objectives, intelligent planning and systematized execution. A number of institutes conducting MCA in the country emphasize not only the importance of classroom lectures but also expect the students to answer model papers on different subjects so that they may develop the necessary confidence to face the ordeal in the examination.

Job Prospects
After completing MCA, a student is absorbed into the industry as a programmer. The starting salary may vary from a gross of Rs 72,000 to as much as Rs 3,50,000 per annum. There are a lot of openings for a candidate after finishing his MCA. One very popular option could be working as a System Analyst. System analysts understand and document the way in which an organisation controls its work. This information is then used to determine which procedure can be best executed by the computers. The system analyst also undertakes the task of system designing. The system analyst's job involves a very clear understanding of the company's needs and the kind of work involved. It also includes providing cost-effective solutions by outlining and developing a system.

Opportunities also exist from larger user organisations such as insurance and telecommunication firms to small setups like software houses and small consultancies. Since the railway reservation system is totally computerised these days, there is a great demand for software engineers. For being a system engineer in railways, you need to have done either B Tech in Computer Science or MCA. Clearly with demand overtaking supply in geometrical proportion, the emoluments too are rising for the software personnel. So, for the students with a good grounding in computer applications, opportunities are almost endless in the IT industry. Placement Opportunity If you are an IT professional, there is a glut of opportunities for you. You can : Work as a Systems Manager in a big corporate Work as an Internet Expert, Web Designing Specialist Develop software for companies like Infosys, Microsoft Work as an entrepreneur Take up a career in computer education Work as a consultant Go for Consultancy and Computer Education

Participate in Systems Development Join Internet based companies and do Web Designing Provide solutions to your clients and design customized software Develop Platforms for Software / Server based companies Work as a troubleshooter for some top-notch computer companies Design vast networks for clients like Indian Railways And last, but not the least, you can go abroad and earn Dollar salaries in any of the fields given above. All these careers provide excellent remuneration and growth prospects 1. You can earn Dollar Salaries 2. Destination USA after a short stint in India, though now the speed has slowed down 3. 180,000 Computer Professionals were required in the USA alone in 2000. 4. European Destinations (Germany, UK) also open. Now a lot of software professionals are moving towards the European Union.

Eligibility Generally graduates in any discipline who studied Mathematics as one of the major subjects in Senior Secondary School classes (XI & XII) are eligible. Students in the final year of their graduation are also eligible provided they submit the proof of their completing graduation by a specified date. Some colleges require 50% aggregate in graduation. One or two colleges require you to be a Maths graduate.

Test areas The focus in most MCA Entrance Tests is on: 1. Higher Mathematics - Graduation Level or +2 Level (depending on which test you are taking, generally up to 50%). 2. Statistics 3. Quantitative and Numerical Aptitude (up to 10th Std. Maths) 4. Reasoning (Mathematical, Logical and Analytical), including verbal reasoning 5. Fundamentals of computers and programming logic. 6. Propositional, Deductive, Inductive and Boolean Logic Features 1. All exams test your Mathematical and Logical Skills. 2. Limited seats available per institute (on an average 30 seats per college) 3. No structured training available for MCA Entrance.

4. There are no specialized books, Reference Material, Mock Tests etc. seriously addressing the requirements of MCA Entrance Tests. The Testing Scheme There are two different systems: Separate test for each college: For some colleges / universities, there is a separate test for each one of them, e.g., DU, JNU, Pune Univ. etc. have separate entrance tests. Combined Test: In some regions, there is a combined test for a number of colleges. Some exams in this category are: a. MP-Pre MCA Test (for all colleges in MP) b. UPMCAT (for most colleges in UP) c. Andhra Pradesh CET (for all colleges in AP) d. Kerala MCA Test (for all colleges in Kerala) e. Orissa State MCA Test (for all colleges in Orissa) etc.

Where to apply There are about 165 Govt. recognized MCA institutes in the country. Amongst these, it makes most sense to apply to some of the top institutes. Several factors determine your decision to select a particular institute. Among them are the reputation of the college, locational constraints of the student, type of specialization offered, personal ambition of the student, and above all the desire of a student to join any particular institute. Selection procedure Generally there is a written test of Objective Type pattern. Some exams may have Objective / T-F / Fill in the blanks / Short Answer (descriptive) type etc., all mixed up. To most colleges in India, the selection is through only the written test. But for some, e.g. DU, there is an interview for the short-listed candidates after the written test. The tests are generally of 2-3 hours duration. Negative marking may or may not be there. Most tests are only in English. Syllabus / Pattern The syllabi vary widely across different tests. Also, the patterns of different tests may be different. The MCA Entrance Tests are extremely unpredictable owing to these factors. The following may keep on changing from year to year (even for one particular test) without notice. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The number of sections. The number of questions per section and overall. The pattern of questions (Multiple choice / Fill-in / T-F / Short Answer Type etc.). Time Limits (sectional & overall). The weightage given to a particular section / subject. The pattern and extent of negative marking.

No 1. 2.

Univ. Roorkee University Pune University, Pune

Eligibility Maths requirement 60% marks for General Maths at Graduation level or and 55% for SC/ST BCA 50% marks in Grad. -Open cat. Passing marks-reserved cat. 55% marks in Graduation Maths at +2 level

3. 4.

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi R.E.C. Trichy

Adequate Competence in Mathematics

Graduation with 60% Maths/Statistics at marks (50% for SC/ST) Graduation level 50% marks in Graduation At least 2 Maths papers in Graduation (or) one Maths and one Statistics or Computer Science Maths at +2 level

5.

Delhi University

6.

Motilal Nehru Engineering college (UPMCAT) Anna University, Chennai

A Bachelors degree in Mathematics or any subject Pass in Graduation

7.

Maths/Statistics/Computer oriented subject at Graduation level Mathematics at +2 level Maths/Statistics as one of the subjects in Graduation Maths at +2 level

8. 9. 10.

University of Hyderabad Pondy Central University (PGDCA) B.H.U., Varanasi

60% marks in Graduation 55% marks in Graduation 50% marks in Graduation (40% for SC/ST) 50% marks in Graduation 50% marks in Graduation 50% Marks in Graduation

11. 12. 13. 14.

Punjab University, Chandigarh Punjabi University, Patiala GNDU Amritsar

Maths/Statistics at Graduation level Maths/Statistics at Graduation or +2 level Maths/Statistics at Graduation level

Thapar Institute of Technology 50% Marks in Maths/Statistics at Graduation and 45% for Graduation level SC/ST H.P. Shimla Andhra MCA M.P.Pre M.C.A. Kurukshetra University 50% in Graduation 50% in Graduation Pass in Graduation 60% in Graduation Maths as one full paper in Graduation Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level Maths/Statistics in Graduation

15. 16. 17. 18.

19.

PSG School of Technology Bharathiar UniversityCoimbatore

Graduates in any discipline with 50% aggregate 50% marks in Graduation A Bachelors degree with 50% aggregate

Maths/Statistics at Graduation level

20. 21. 22.

B.I.T. Mesra Indraprastha University Jadavpur University (West Bengal)

Maths/Statistics at Graduation level Maths at +2 level

A Bachelors degree in Maths at +2 level Arts, Science, Commerce, Mgnt., Social Science with 55% marks (45% for SC/ST) in Honours & 60% marks (50% for SC/ST) in Engg. & Tech. (other than Comp. Sc.)

23. 24. 25.

Jamia Hamdard N.I.M. Calcutta R.I.T. Jamshedpur

Graduation with 50% marks in aggregate A Bachelors degree with 50% marks A Bachelors degree with 50% marks in aggregate

Maths at +2 level and Graduation level Maths at +2 level Maths/Statistics at Graduation level or Honours degree in Maths/Statistics with 50% marks. Students appearing in final year are also eligible Maths in +2 level or Graduation

26.

VJTI, Mumbai

Graduates in any discipline with 55% aggregate (50% for SC/ST) Graduates in any discipline with 50% in aggregate

27.

BITS, Jaipur

Maths/Statistics at Graduation level

28. 29.

Fore School of Management S.N.D.T. Womens Univ.Mumbai IMT, Ghaziabad (PGDCA) Tezpur University-Assam

Pass in Graduation Maths at +2 level Women Graduates with Maths at +2 level 55% marks at Graduation Pass in Graduation Graduates in any discipline with 50% aggregate Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level

30. 31.

32.

Symbiosis Institute of Graduates with 45% for Maths at +2 level Computer Studies & Research MCM & 50% for (MCM & PGDCM) PGDCM

33.

Galgotias Institute of Management & Technology (UPMCAT)

Graduates with 50% aggregate

Maths at +2 level

34.

Garden City College of Science Graduates with 50% & Mgnt.Studies (Bangalore aggregate Univ) Graduate School of Business & Graduates in any Administration discipline Banasthali Vidyapith ITUC School of Management Graphic Era Institute of Technology (UPMCAT) Graduates with 60% aggregate Graduates with 50% aggregate

Maths at +2 level

35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.

Maths at +2 level Adequate competence in Mathematics Adequate competency in Mathematics

Graduates in any streamMaths at +2 level Maths/Statistics at +2 level Maths at +2 level

Shri B.V.V. Sangha (Bagalkot) Graduates with 50% aggregate Gurukul Kangri-Haridwar Graduates with 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST) Graduates with 60% aggregate

41. 42.

IIT-Kharagpur (PGDIT)

Maths at Graduation level

East West College of Science Any Bachelor's Degree Maths at +2 level & Mgnt Studies-Bangalore Univ with an aggregate of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) at Graduation level. Bharatidasan University Pass in Graduation Maths at +2 level or Graduation level

43. 44. 45.

Christ College-Bangalore Univ Graduates with 50% aggMaths at +2 level or Graduation level Goa University Graduates in any discipline with 55% aggregate (50% for SC/ST) Pass in Graduation Maths in +2 level or Graduation

46. 47.

REC, Warangal Nagpur University

Maths/Statistics at Graduation level

Graduation with 50% Maths at +2 level marks (45% for SC/ST) Graduates in B.Sc or B.Com with 50% aggregate Adequate competency in Mathematics Adequate Competency in Mathematics

48.

University of Mysore

49.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Institute Graduates with 45% of IT- Punjabi Univ Patiala marks (MIT)

50. 51. 52.

Madurai Kamaraj University

Graduate in any discipline

Maths at +2 level Maths at Graduation level Adequate competency in Mathematics

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Univ- Agra B.Sc. Graduates with 50% marks Gujarat University Graduates in any discipline with 50% aggregate.

Rollwala Computer Centre L.D College of Engineering S K Patel Institute of Mgmt and Under Social science, all Computer Studies Arts graduates except (Gandhinagar) those having graduated with languages as major subject will be considered eligible for admission.

53.

Bangalore University

Graduates in any discipline with 50% aggregate

Maths at +2 level

54. 55.

Guru Jambeshwar Univ- Hisar Graduates in any discipline Thiagarajar School of MgntMadurai Graduates in any discipline

Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level

56. 57. 58.

SSN Sons College-Coimbatore Graduates with 50% aggregate Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai Graduates with 55% aggregate

Adequate competency in Mathematics Maths/Statistics at Graduation level Maths at Graduation level

Dwarka Doss Goverdhan Doss Graduates in any Vaishnav College- Chennai discipline Manipal Academy of Higher Education Graduates with 50% aggregate

59. 60. 61. 62. 63.

Adequate competency in Mathematics Adequate competency in Mathematics Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level

South Gujarat University-Surat Graduates with 50% aggregate PES Educational InstitutionBangalore G.L.A. Institute of Tech. & Mgnt.-Mathura (UP) Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya- Bhopal Madhav Institute of Tech. & Science-Gwalior (For NRIs) Graduates with 50% aggregate Graduates with 50% aggregate Graduates in any discipline Graduates in any discipline

64.

Maths at +2 level

65.

Institute of Management Education- Sahibabad (UPMCAT) Banarasidas Chandiwala Institute of Information Technology (IP Univ) Management Education & Research Institute (IP Univ) Bhai Parmanand Institute of Business Studies (IP Univ)

Graduates in any discipline Graduates with 50% aggregate

Maths at +2 level

66.

Maths at +2 level

67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73.

Graduates with 50% aggregate Graduates with 50% aggregate

Maths at +2 level Maths at +2 level Adequate competency in Mathematics Maths at Graduation level Adequate competency in Mathematics Maths at +2 level or Graduation level Maths at Graduation level

Jamia Millia Islamia University Graduates with 55% aggregate Acharya Institute of Management & Sciences Graduates with 50% aggregate

Buddha Institute of Technology Pass in Graduation Alliance Business AcademyBangalore Univ Graduates with 50% aggregate

Amrita Institute of Technology Graduates in any & Science (AITS)- Bharathiar discipline University Alagappa University-Karaikudi Graduates in any discipline Barkatullah University-Bhopal Graduates with 50% (PGDCA) aggregate Fatima College (Madurai Kamaraj Univ) Graduates in any discipline with 60% aggregate

74. 75. 76.

Maths at Graduation level Adequate competency in Mathematics Maths at +2 level

77.

GRD Institute of Management- Graduates in any Coimbatore discipline with 60% aggregate Govt College of Engg.-Karad (Maharashtra) ITS, Ghaziabad (CCSU, Meerut) Graduates with 55% aggregate (50% for reserved cat)

Maths at Graduation level

78.

Maths/Statistics at +2 level

79.