How does one stand out in a crowd of thousands of peers holding the same degree?

To help MBA students set themselves apart in a highly competitive job market, the International Certification Institute (ICI), in conjunction with Galton Technologies, a part of Prometric and the leading provider of assessment and certification services, has developed the Certified MBA™ (CMBA), to confirm a student’s command of the common body of knowledge required across all accredited MBA programs.

“We’re excited to offer MBA students, like those at Saint Louis University, the first objective tool that can help them differentiate themselves in the very competitive MBA job market,” said an ICI spokesperson. “By focusing on the fundamentals expected of an MBA, the CMBA helps prove that they did the work and acquired the skills employers demand, regardless of the institution granting the degree.”

Although there is a standard measure of the incoming abilities of an MBA candidate through the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), there has not been a universal standard that measures the command of the core business curriculum prior to graduation.

“This is the first evaluative tool that compares MBAs on the same objective and quantitative scale, regardless of school or program,” stated Bern Beatty, director of ICI’s CMBA Academic Advisory Council, in a press release. “By taking the question of skill out of the equation, the CMBA will neutralize the bias of school rank or reputation in the recruiting process and level the playing field for all MBA students.”

The CMBA will measure an MBA student’s mastery in four core areas. These areas are required across all accredited MBA programs by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the international nonprofit accrediting agency for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting:

• Financial reporting, analysis and markets
• Domestic and global economic environments of organizations
• Creation and distribution of goods and services
• Human behavior in organizations

“Because the exam is based on the core curriculum, it tests the information already included in that coursework,” said an ICI spokesperson. As a further benefit to MBA students, a CMBA Skills Profile™ will be provided to all students taking the CMBA exam. The CMBA Skills Profile assesses students’ performance in 10 key subject areas, enabling them to identify their strengths and pursue opportunities to improve in areas where they may be weaker.

“The CMBA helps recruiters feel confident that the skill level of the student they are evaluating meets certain standards, regardless of school or program,” stated Lisa Walter, director of ICI’s MBA services, in a press release.

In general (beginning in April 2003), the exam will cost $450 (a $75 application fee and a $375 fee paid to Prometric, administrator of the exam).

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 21, 2002, a beta exam will be available to qualified candidates. Those who wish to apply for the beta exam will essentially have an opportunity to take the exam for free (the $75 application fee is refunded upon completion, and the $375 sitting fee does not apply).

The test is administered at Prometric testing centers nationwide, the same testing centers where the GMAT is given. The final exam (beginning in April) is expected to last three hours.

MBA students and graduates have the opportunity to sign up for the CMBA exam by visiting www.CertifiedMBA.com or by calling ICI at 1-866-664-CMBA.