MBA After BA – Is It the Right Choice for You? Eligibility, Types of MBA

During college, students often consider whether to continue their studies by acquiring an MBA degree. Some decide to do it, and some don’t, while others oscillate with the uncertainty of whether it would be a good choice or not. Questions like ‘Can I do MBA after BA’ or ‘Is it compulsory to do MBA after BA?’ are pretty common for them.

A little insight into the vast world of an MBA and its potential is all it needs to gain clarity!

Why MBA after BA?

Students tend to get flustered with the ultimate question of ‘What now?’ after completing college. The uncertainty of walking the path of higher education with an MBA may seem daunting to many. However, knowing that MBA is one of the leading degrees across the globe, it should be comprehensible for interested candidates to learn what potential it holds to enhance business acumen. 

A student of Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor in Commerce (B.COM) usually opts for an MBA program as it increases their knowledge, ability and value significantly in the relevant domain. These courses (BBA and B.COM) branch from the Commerce stream, and there is no doubt that MBA is a better choice for Commerce students.

However, students from the Humanities stream, with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) as their choice of degree and are now willing to take an MBA degree can have the following advantages as well:

• Candidates who aim to opt for entrepreneurship.
• For candidates with an inclination towards a technical or business background, MBA can flourish their knowledge and ideas to greater levels.
• Students aiming to become a part of industries like Marketing, Financing, Managing, etc., can fuel their dreams with the help of an MBA.

Eligibility Criteria for MBA After BA

Since the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree branches from the humanities, many candidates wonder if they can apply for an MBA. Fortunately, MBA is open to students from all streams- Science, Commerce or Humanities. 

In order to pursue MBA after BA, students will require a minimum of 50% graduation marks after a 3-year course which gives them the eligibility to sit for an MBA entrance exam. 

Aspirants are also required to sit for MBA eligibility tests like CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc., to prove their management acuity. Many business schools also demand work experience of a few years for their admission. Ultimately, a Personal Interview (PI) is conducted to get in successfully.

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Types of MBA: Making the Right Selection

Now that the question ‘Can we do MBA after BA’ is answered, ‘Which one?’ becomes the next. MBA programs extend a plethora of concentrations to apply for, enabling candidates to walk the path of their choice. Here are the most popular ones. 

• MBA in Entrepreneurship
• MBA in Supply Chain Management
• MBA in Finance
• MBA in Marketing
• MBA in Human Resources
• MBA in Business Analytics
• MBA in Operation Management
• MBA in Strategy
• MBA in Accounting
• MBA in Leadership

Since there are countless options to choose from, the decision consolidates to a concentration where your interest lies. Research, self-reflection, budget plans and your field of interest are some of the common factors you can consider when choosing an MBA specialisation. However, there are a few questions that you must ask yourself to make the best decision. 

• What are my interests?
• Which specialisation aligns well with my academic background?
• Which program would suit my budget?
• What kind of curriculum does this particular program offer?
• Does the program provide its candidates with placement opportunities?

Popular Selection Exams for MBA Aspirants

The eligibility to pursue an MBA degree starts after the student has passed the selection examinations. Here are some of the valid MBA eligibility tests.

• CAT –  Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most common selection exam a student can opt for. The CAT selection exams are conducted for admission in the country’s top B-schools providing MBA courses. The CAT examination is considered one of the country’s toughest exams. It is divided into three sections, namely Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) 

The total marks for the paper are 198, and every correct answer will give candidates +3, whilst every incorrect answer will deduct -1. There are no age limits or restrictions on repeating the exams, just a condition that the student has a graduation degree passed with 50% marks.

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• XAT – Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is another admission exam for the top MBA colleges. This exam is harder than the CAT examination and is generally meant for students who wish to take admissions to the Xavier School of Management (XLRI). But since this exam is harder than CAT, it can also be used for taking admission to the top MBA colleges with just 70-80 percentile marks. The eligibility criteria for XAT exams are the same as CAT exams. Students must hold a bachelor’s degree passed with 50% or above. 
• MAT – Management Aptitude Test (MAT) exams, in comparison to CAT exams, are easier, but they have their disadvantages. A student holding a MAT result can only apply to 700 business schools. On the other hand, a CAT result holder can apply to 1200 popular business schools, including the leading IIMs. 

Nevertheless, MAT exams have their advantages too. If students are not satisfied with their MAT results, they can reapply for the paper in the same academic year, whilst CAT students have to wait for the next academic year to reappear for their examination. Both the syllabuses of MAT and CAT exams are roughly the same, but the pattern is different. 

MAT exams are conducted in many modes like Paper Based Test (PBT), Internet Based Test (IBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT), though CAT exams are conducted in just one mode- The computer Based Test (CBT).

• GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exams are generally opted for by students who wish to study abroad. These exams are harder than CAT exams and will test you with verbal, written and questioning skills. The eccentric pattern of this paper will both amuse and surprise you.

The minimum age limit set by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) to appear for the GMAT exams is 18 years. However, it is reported that aspirants aged between 13-17 can also sit for the examinations with the consent of their legal guardians. 

In a report, it is seen that more than 100,000 students appear for GMAT exams every year, and amongst them, only 14% pass and 86% fail. While these statistics will make you wonder whether GMAT exams are the right choice for you, make sure to give your best shot!

• CMAT – Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admitting students to MBA colleges. Around 65,000 students give CMAT exams every year, and these examination results help in the admissions of students in more than 1200 business schools. 

CMAT exams are the easiest to crack compared to the CAT exam. A CMAT question paper comprises 100 questions, divided into subtopics like Data Interpretation, Language Comprehension and Logical Reasoning. A CMAT exam is conducted only once in an academic year and will cost INR 2000 for male and INR 1000 for female candidates.

How upGrad Can Help?

With an expansive catalogue of part-time and executive MBA programs, upGrad is one of the leading Indian education portals, extending learning opportunities to candidates from all backgrounds. Candidates hoping to pursue national and international courses are just a click away from achieving their dreams, thanks to upGrad’s career advancement opportunities that bring along global MBA leaders to provide education to young management aspirants.

Whether you’re a fresher looking to pursue higher education or a working professional aiming to expand your horizons with advanced degrees, upGrad has something for everyone. While bringing leading in-demand courses from all over the world, upGrad has various other benefits which prove to enhance the learning experience for candidates hoping to apply for an MBA degree. 

• Immersive learning experience
• Training sessions with industry experts
• In-demand course curriculum
• Flexible learning schedule
• Certification from top institutes
• Scholarship opportunities
• 24/7 career support 

With the help of upGrad, an MBA after BA can be a highly feasible option for many aspirants hoping to find a place in this crowded realm!

upGrad’s Master of Business Administration course, offered under the guidance of Golden Gate University, is an excellent choice to fuel your marketing and sales career. 

Conclusion

Can I do MBA after BA?’ is a dilemma that almost all BA candidates go through following their path to pursuing higher education. While some switch to other career options, learners moving towards an MBA are bound to explore a dynamic path, competing with countless business management students. The best way to outshine your rivals is to work hard and obtain as many skills as possible. Making the right course and college selection is the first step, so make sure to choose the best one!