Please e-mail Selections@gmac.com with your thoughts and responses regarding this issue of Selections.

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Fall 2002
“Management on the Front Lines”
Letters to the Editor

W. Michael Mebane, International Certification Institute

November 14, 2002

To the Editor:

In the Web supplement of the fall issue of Selections, Gail Tyson presented an overview of the new Certified MBA exam offered by the International Certification Institute. Included in the story were quotes and questions about the exam that we would like to address.

The test measures an MBA’s grasp of the core curriculum portion of MBA programs, consistent with the AACSB-specified content for accreditation. Because of this focus, the exam can be applied universally, regardless of a student’s MBA program or area of specialty. The test is not intended to predict business success, leadership, or other intangible qualities-- factors that we agree would be difficult to measure with a standardized test. It will also not be used in any way to rank programs. Because of the voluntary nature of the exam, ranking schools based on test results would not be statistically relevant.

The CMBA designation is an additional tool for MBAs and businesses to use as a means of differentiation. Certification verifies knowledge and use of broad fundamental business concepts that are expected of an MBA. Participation in and passing of the exam demonstrates an individual’s confidence and knowledge. This knowledge about the candidate allows recruiters to focus on a candidate’s intangible qualities.

As of early November, the applicant pool represented more than 185 MBA programs, including five of the top 10 ranked programs, and more than 60 percent of the top 50 ranked programs. In fact, applicants from nationally ranked programs make up nearly 20 percent of the total applicant pool. We believe these numbers are representative of the market need, proving that MBAs are looking for a means of differentiation in a crowded job market, regardless of program reputation or prestige. This strong cross-section and make-up of the applicant pool should also eliminate the concern regarding a "standard of comparison," as mentioned in the article.

We are available to any student, academic, or business representative to answer any further questions regarding the CMBA.

Thank you,

W. Michael Mebane
Managing Director, International Certification Institute

and

Adjunct Professor of Organizational Behavior
Dr. Bern Beatty
Director, Academic Advisory Council, International Certification Institute, and Faculty,
Wake Forest University Babcock Graduate School of Management