The AMCAT (Aspiring Minds Computer Adaptive Test) evaluates and assesses the aptitude, reasoning, and technical skills of job candidates for positions with the top MNCs (Multinational Corporation).
AMCAT, also known as the employability assessment test, is a leading career placement exam and assessment for graduating students.
As a computer adaptive test, AMCAT is effective in assessing students and job applicants on necessary workplace skills such as communication, logic, quantitative skills, and technical expertise related to their job.
AMCAT takes the standard exams and assessments further by also evaluating personality traits critical to job success. Domain skills, which can cover user workflows, business policies, system configurations, data pipelines and constraints, are also covered by the AMCAT. Modules in AMCAT cover career specific skills, allowing the assessment to be tailored for specific jobs and careers.
The results of the exam provide a statistical analysis of the student’s skills, helping companies quickly and objectively rate students and their technical skills, reasoning and ability in their chosen field.
AMCAT is useful not only for the companies, but also the students.
Companies can get a look at the strengths and weaknesses of job candidates before the interview process. They can pick and choose from candidates to match the needs of the business. Using the AMCAT, the company can quickly cut down on a massive candidate list and focus on only the job applicants with the highest potential success for the company. As the job market in India improves, companies want to be sure they recruit only the best candidates.
Students can use the AMCAT to assess themselves, identifying areas where they may need additional training or study. They can also use the AMCAT to select companies and careers where they have the highest potential for success, eliminating the careers and jobs that may not be appropriate.
Today, more than 700 companies use AMCAT as a testing tool for almost all entry level roles. AMCAT is working with many companies, including small and medium businesses, to help identify and prepare successful job candidates.
What Makes AMCAT Unique?
Unlike many testing companies, or even testing preparation tools like IndiaBIX, AMCAT provides a full range of services – from offering the test itself, to preparing for the test, to training programs and classes, to job placement programs after you take the test.
Conceivably, through AMCAT, you could select the career or company you want and identify the skills needed for a position. You could then sign up for classes, targeting those skills and expertise. Many classes are offered not just through AMCAT, but through the companies using AMCAT for their hiring process.
With AMCAT, you could take the preparation exams to see how well you evaluate. You can take career classes to improve your scores. Finally, you could take the AMCAT test and send your scores directly to a selected company. The entire training, job placement, and hiring process are done on the AMCAT platform. It becomes the “one-stop-shop” for career placement, as long as you have the time and resources to buy into the AMCAT program.
Let’s take a closer look at what AMCAT offers.
1. The AMCAT Test
The base AMCAT test encompasses two areas. Everyone who takes the AMCAT will be evaluated using an Aptitude test and an AMPI (Aspiring Minds Personality Inventory) exam – the compulsory section of the AMCAT.
The Aptitude test covers English, quantitative skills and logic ability. The Aptitude test also evaluates general knowledge, including gathering and using information such as weather reports or reading an Excel spreadsheet or graph.
The AMPI questions evaluate personality. Questions cover what you might do in a situation, whether you take initiative in a given scenario, and how you might handle a variety of tasks. The focus in this section is on your openness to new experiences, how quickly you can adapt to new situations, how well you can work on a team, and your emotional stability.
After the compulsory AMCAT sections, you’ll be evaluated through skill-specific modules required for jobs and career paths. These could include computer programming, electronics and communication, civil engineering, marketing, human resources, mechanical engineering, financial services, and more. Once you’ve chosen a career path, you’ll be evaluated only on the modules that relate to your chosen career.
You can schedule AMCAT testing from the AMCAT website. The website offers multiple ways to sign up. You can select a city and then choose a site and date from a list of scheduled examination sessions. You can also put in your personal information and have AMCAT select the best session and date for your exam.
Reviewing and downloading the syllabus for every module are easy on the AMCAT site. The syllabus includes the jobs that use the module, the number of questions and duration for the module, as well as a detailed list of the skills and expertise that will be evaluated in the module.
Please note, there aren’t answers on the syllabus. The syllabus only covers the topics that could potentially be included in the questions on the exam.
2. Preparation for the AMCAT
AMCAT offers an official AMCAT preparation test.
By signing up for AMCAT prep, you can take an official sample test from any computer. This will include not only the compulsory sections, but any skill and career specific modules you need to take. The only section not covered in AMCAT prep is the AMPI, or personality module.
Once you purchase Prep AMCAT credits, you have one month to use the credits and take the simulated AMCAT test. Once you take the test, you’ll receive your scores and evaluation that same day.
Most job applicants take the Prep AMCAT test before taking the actual AMCAT test to identify strengths and weaknesses in their testing skills and expertise. The Prep AMCAT is used to select additional classes and learning before starting the career placement testing.
3. Mock-AI with AMCAT
Once again, proving the AMCAT is more than a test. It’s also a complete program for job placement. The AMCAT offers mock interview sessions.
The Aspiring Minds Mock-AI services uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help prepare users for interviews. You’re sent actual interview questions to your home. You answer the questions when you’re ready, recording the answer from your webcam.
AMCAT then uses the latest machine learning technology and advanced artificial intelligence to analyze your answers. You receive a comprehensive evaluation on not just your answer, but also your body posture, voice modulations, and facial expression. The evaluation includes video snapshots you can use to identify exactly the areas you can improve, and what you are doing right.
The feedback report includes not just an evaluation, but also tips and resources for improvement.
The Mock-AI service covers not just general interview questions. It offers more than 20 different job specific interview questions.
4. Resume Buddy with AMCAT
AMCAT offers a resume service for help in creating a skill-based resume.
You can select a resume template. Once you have a template, AMCAT walks you through step-by-step how to build the resume. This includes recommendations from the companies that use AMCAT. The service includes pre-written job and skill descriptions which you can pull over to your resume.
Once you have a resume, you can also use the template to create a cover letter. The information on your resume is used as the basis for your letter.
5. MyEnglish with AMCAT
English is an important language in the global community. MyEnglish is a service through AMCAT that assesses and improves the English of users. With MyEnglish, you receive an assessment of your English speaking and writing skills. Once the evaluation and assessment is complete, you receive official AMCAT certification.
The assessment starts with a computer-based test that evaluates your writing and speaking skills. Questions are answered in both text and audio responses. The detailed evaluation of the answers covers a range of skills. Certification is offered in both written and spoken English proficiency. The evaluation can be used to both target skill improvement by identifying areas of weakness, and to prove your certification with potential employers.
6. AM Certificates
AMCAT offers skill-specific certifications covering critical job skills like Project Manager, Accounts Payable Specialist, Full Stack Developer: PHP, Data Scientist, Business Consultant, or SEO Specialist.
By signing up for a certificate, you receive an online exam. Pass the exam and you receive an official AMCAT certification which can be used on your resume and to attract potential employers.
7. AMCAT Hiring Services
AMCAT offers a range of services to help with career placement once you’ve taken the AMCAT career placement exam and you receive your test scores.
These include sharing your scores with potential employers in your chosen field. Your scores are sent directly to the company to be evaluated, and the company will reach out to schedule an interview and further testing. With partner companies, AMCAT will also set up and host interviews with prospective employees.
AMCAT also hosts Hiring Events across India where you can meet employers and hold interviews at the event. You can also find a listing of jobs on the site.
Pricing for AMCAT and AMCAT Services
As of now, the basic AMCAT test costs about 900 rupees. This covers the basic, one-time exam session with the modules necessary for your career path. Please note, this cost can fluctuate depending on where you are taking the test and the career you have chosen.
There are a number of discounts that can be applied to your cost, and it is easy to receive a discount by mixing and matching the services you purchase with AMCAT.
For example, the AMCAT Premium includes the Prep AMCAT, the Resume Buddy and the Mock-AI for just ₹ 999 rupees if it is purchased on the AMCAT site. This is a discount of more than 60% and includes the actual AMCAT test for an even steeper discount. The AMCAT Premium is considered the all-inclusive job hunt kit.
There is a fee for the skill-specific certifications through AMCAT. The skill and level of certification (when there are levels of certification) will determine the cost of the certification
Public Perception of AMCAT
For graduates of tier 3 colleges or lower, the AMCAT is an excellent way to find a position with many companies and MNCs. The services are easy to use, and the program is comprehensive. It’s a fantastic resource for students who need to attract attention of employers
Many tier 3 college graduates have trouble attracting attention of top businesses after graduation. The AMCAT and AMCAT services offer graduates the edge they need to find a career, especially with companies plugged into the AMCAT pipeline.
Other users report difficulty using AMCAT. Many top companies with the most coveted positions don’t use AMCAT at all and won’t use the evaluation in selecting new employees. They see the AMCAT as too easy, and not useful in selecting employees
These companies don’t rate AMCAT graduates well, and there is a perception that the salary offered through AMCAT is lower than the salary offered by other services. Other reviews assert that companies will only use AMCAT to hire trainees or the lowest tier employees.
How AMCAT Compares to the Market
AMCAT is a comprehensive career placement program for many different career paths. The company considers itself a testing platform with programs like Mock-AI providing fantastic service for graduates.
Other tests and services are focused on a single area and provide a better assessment. For example, eLitmus is focused on jobs in IT and software development. The focus is almost entirely on the exam, and not the resume building, interview skills, or certificates offered by AMCAT.
As a test, eLitmus is widely considered the best for IT because it is focused solely on the skills and expertise needed for IT. AMCAT offers skill modules for everything from housekeeping, to culinary arts, to mechanical engineering and medicine. This can give prospective employers a “generalist” view of AMCAT assessment.
AMCAT also focuses on not only skills, but also personality with the AMPI test. They consider it not just career placement, but employability. For many companies, this is a strength of AMCAT.
What We Think of AMCAT
AMCAT is a great resource for graduates looking for an entry-level position at a company. It offers a range of services that can be used in career placement, and there are many companies out there looking at AMCAT scores and willing to use them in selecting candidates for interviews.
But, if you already have experience or have an edge in capturing the attention of a prospective employer, then AMCAT isn’t a resource you need. Take a close look at your job prospects and career needs before signing up for AMCAT.
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