Q.1. What is an MCA qualification?
Ans. MCA is a time bound three-year (six-semester) course, approved by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and conducted by almost all the Universities of India.The selection of the students is based on a written test. The aspiring students with Bachelor's or equivalent degree thereof with minimum of 50% to 60% (subject to notification) are eligible. (This apart, candidates appearing for Bachelor's degree can also apply). Some Universities may also need mathematics at the graduation level. The entrance test mainly consists of Mathematics, and Logical and Analytical Reasoning. In some universities, the knowledge of Elementary English and Computer Awareness is also examined. The M.C.A program is a blend of computer-related and general business courses. The computer related courses cover all the standard techniques of programming, usage of various software packages, system analysis and design techniques. The general business courses include the functional areas of management like accounting, sales, purchase, inventory, and production. The course emphasizes on the study and creation of business applications, rather than just programming and learning other concepts. Inclusion of projects in each semester improves student’s technical orientation, understanding of IT environment and domain knowledge. It builds right platform for students to become successful Software professionals. This emphasizes on domain knowledge of various areas, which would help the students to build software applications on it. The students are exposed to system development in the information processing environment, with special emphasis on Management Information Systems and Software Engineering for small and medium computer systems. Inclusion of Business Management Labs helps students to acquire thorough knowledge of management practices in organization. Subjects such as ERP, Information Security and Business Intelligence work as new application domains. Major focus is also given on Mobile technologies so that student can choose Mobile Technologies as their career options. Advanced Internet and Web technology includes variety of new technologies. Soft skills techniques are covered in every semester, which leads to overall personality development of the student and that helps them in their placement activities and to sustain in the organization successfully.
Q.2. What is the scope after doing MCA?
Ans. After completing MCA, there is a glut of opportunities for you.
Q.3. How much do I expect to earn after MCA?
Ans. Sky is the limit. But as it is technical field, it depends more on your technical expertise. If you do your MCA from a reasonably good institution, you may expect to get anywhere between 6 Lacs to 20 Lacs per annum in India and much more abroad. A large number of MCAs are absorbed in good MNCs abroad after a few years of experience. Infact almost every MCA qualified professional gets a chance to work-abroad.
Q.4. Is the syllabus for all the MCA entrances same?
Ans. A major portion of various MCA entrances syllabus is common but a few MCAs have some special topics also. In fact the course has been so designed that a student can comfortably appear in any entrance exam.
Q.5. Who all can apply for MCA courses?
Ans. Different institutes offering MCA degree have different prerequisites for the entrance qualifications. But a graduate with 50-60% marks in the last qualifying exam along with Maths at +2 level or/and graduation may apply in majority of institutes.
Q.6. What is the complete procedure for selection to these courses?
Ans. Generally the students have to undergo an objective written test and on the basis of this test the selection is done.
Q.7. Is the knowledge of computers essential before joining the course?
Ans. Computer languages, knowledge of hardware etc., are often asked in the entrance examinations. But, you do not need to have high level technical knowledge of computer science to clear an MCA Entrance Examination.
Q.8. What is the pattern of the written test?
Ans. It is comprising of objective type questions based on 10+2/graduation Maths, logic, analytical reasoning and computer awareness etc.
Q.9. What are the syllabi for the MCA Tests?
Ans. Syllabus of some universities are provided here. For more information, visit
Q.10. Do I need to have a strong command over English to clear these tests?
Ans. Not exactly for your entrance. But since the MCA Course is entirely in English and the jobs you would be seeking, would involve a lot of exposure to English due to international projects , it is advisable to have some command over English. To help students , DYPIMCAM Akurdi, conducts programmers on Personality Development and Communication Skills from time to time.
Q.11. Are calculators allowed for the test?
Ans. No. Calculators otherwise also would not be of much help as very few questions require actual arithmetical calculations. The question is concept based and not calculations based.
Q.12. What is the medium of the exam?
Ans. All the national level exams have English medium only. Some state-specific exams viz. MP Pre MCA Test and UP MCA Test have Hindi versions also. But it should be understood that since the test is technical in nature, knowledge of English is not very important.
Q.13. So, how exactly do ‘I’ decide which colleges to apply to?
Ans. Although, you can appear for any test in India, yet there are certain parameters we can suggest to you:
• Region-specific colleges — You may have your own preferences
• Preferences according to the reputation of college
• Preferences according to the syllabi
• Preferences according to the fact that English language may be a part of a few tests, whereas you may not be very well prepared for that
• Preferences according to the fact that knowledge of computers may be a part of a few tests, whereas you may not be very well prepared for that
• Toughness level of the test and your preparedness for the same
• But the most important consideration for the selection of a particular university or institute should be its Placement Track Record.
Q.14. What is a BCA/BIT/BCAM/MCA qualification?
Ans. All these are specialised undergraduate (UG) & postgraduate (PG) professional courses in computers.
UG Courses:
• BCA - Bachelor in Computer Applications
• BIT - Bachelor in Information Technology
• BCAM - Bachelor in Computer Aided Management
PG Courses:
• MCA - Master of Computer Applications. This is a 3-year integrated program in Computer Applications.
• PGDCA: Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. This is a 2 year program, the best being PGDCA of IIM-Calcutta
• MIT: Master in Information Technology. This is a 2 year program specific to Information & Communication Technology.
Q.15. Do I need to be exceptionally brilliant to clear these tests?
Ans. A reasonably hard working student with above average commonsense and trained as per the best professional norms should face no particular problem with this test.
Q.16. What are the various career paths available for an MCA?
Ans. Some Of The Career Options For An MCA Are Given Below:
• Network Administrator
• Software Developer
• Systems Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Web designing specialist
• Techno-Marketing
Q.17. Which are companies, which come for campus placement?
Ans. Following is the list of some of the companies on top MCA campuses Infosys, TCS, Wipro, NEWGEN, Harbinger System, Xento, AT&T, HCL, Hughes Software Systems, Citibank, NIIT, Siemens, Mastek India, Novell Software Development India Limited, Asian Paints, Oracle India, Polaris, BaaN Information Systems, Ramco Systems, BFL Software, Robert Bosch, CMC Limited, Satyam Computers, CDOT, COSL, Silverline Industries, DSQ Software, Sonata Software (P) Limited, Tata Infotech, IBM Global Services, IMR, Tektronix, Texas Instruments, Verifone India Software Systems, Kirloskar Computer Services, Larsen & Turbo Limited , Tata Unisys ltd, Microsoft etc.
Q.18. What are the average salaries offered?
Ans. Most of the top universities/colleges offer good placements in some of the best Indian and multinational companies starting salary may vary from Rs 6,00,000 to Rs 20,00,000 per annum. If one gets into a foreign company or goes abroad, the starting salary will be around $50,000 - $1,00,000 per annum. As one gains experience, the salary may get higher.
Q.19. What kind of job security does an MCA degree give?
Ans. Since the MCA is a Masters degree, which has a very broad theoretical base in Computer Science; it gives you tremendous flexibility and adaptability to work with different Computer Technologies. This is the Reason why an MCA from good Institutes will always find a job even in the worst of times. If you have an MCA you are highly Employable within the IT industry.
Q.20. Can an average student is able to get good job after MCA?
Ans. If you make it to Top MCA Institutes your past Educational Performance takes a back seat. The very fact that you have taken an MCA from a Top Institute will help you get a good job from Campus. Therefore while maintaining an average academic record you should also put your best effort to get into a Top MCA Institute.
Q.21. What is the scope for jobs in Networking and Hardware engineering after an MCA?
Ans. Networking is one of the areas showing the fastest growth within IT, however please also note that an MCA would not deal with hardware engineering.