I used to say that ' examinations for MBA' is a waste of time. Why is this so? Firstly, the examination of two hours for a paper is really a test of two things only, not on the competence level of the candidate and yet we are telling students to do competency testing in corporates. First, it is a test of how much can you remember and recall accurately all that you have learned. Secondly, it is a test of how fast can you write them down on the paper. So far, candidates have not been allow to use the laptop or computers to type in their answers just yet. And the truth is that, most of us, as managers are more conversant with PDAs and laptops than with the old fashion of writing.
And the worst thing is that, in that two hours of testing, you are not allowed to consult your texts, or to discuss the issues with others, an unreal situation in today business environment. How is that, if I have a problem to solve, that I cannot refer to my texts or references, or to call my consultants or my subordinates for input to the solving of the issues on hand?
Yet, sad to say, this is still the testing that is being adopted by most universities to 'test the competency level' of the candidates for MBA. Ironic isn't it?