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Master of Computer Applications. is a three-year (6 semesters) Professional Master's degree in Computer Science awarded in India.

This course is designed to produce a dynamic breed of computer professionals with excellent managerial skills. Emphasis is given to in-depth studies of numerous application-oriented subjects, covering various methodologies to develop software products efficiently by utilizing advance networking technologies and application software.

The IT companies are now on a recruitment spree. The remuneration and growth prospects of MCA graduates are almost similar with that of B.Tech. and M.Tech. students.

About MCA:- A few years ago, an MCA was one of the most sought after degrees. With the fall of the IT industry and the recession, the demand for MCA as a profession lessened. But look for this scenario to change soon. So what if the US doesn't want any of our computer professionals? Thanks to call centers and other backend support companies, their computer jobs are still being done by Indians right here in India. Our IT industry is getting a new lease of life. BPO companies, that seem to be multiplying by the day, need professionals to understand and design systems and who better than an MCA for the job. So all those who think they made a wrong decision by taking up MCA, think again! The future's brighter than it seems.

The course:- Typically, the MCA is a 3 year fulltime degree course consisting of six semesters. It covers various aspects of computing, accounting, finance, programming, design and managing networks and databases.

How much does it cost? MCA programs in colleges cost anywhere between Rs 15000 to Rs 1 lacs depending upon whether it is a government or private college.

Eligibility: Most MCA institutes require certain educational backgrounds like say Maths as a subject in 11th and 12th and minimum of 50% in graduation. Admissions are given on the basis of a written entrance test carried out by each university. Since there is no centralised test, you have to keep a look out for the dates in leading newspapers or check the institute websites. Generally, the information appears between March and May. Those appearing for their final year graduation exams may also apply. Just in case you havent studied Maths in your 11th and 12th, you can still get admissions in some places like Delhi University provided you have scored above 55% in graduation.

Women in Mumbai can also opt for SNDT that offers an MCA course for women only.

Which institutes have the best campus placements? Pune has by far the best placements and the maximum of them are abroad. Other institutes that offer good placements are Delhi University, Roorkee (a few of them are abroad), REC Trichy, VJTI, and BHU. JNU also has good placements.

Entrance exam tips: The entrance test for MCA is generally objective. Unfortunately, many institues follow the practice of negative marking. Since there is no centralised admission, there's also the problem of having to prepare separately for each test and choosing between institutes.

Here are some tips to make the process less frustrating: -> There are 165 government recognised MCA institutes in India. Shortlist the institues where you want to join (you can refer to the top ten institutes listed above) and prepare for tests according to their test areas.

->Most tests cover the following areas: Statistics - Quantitative and numerical aptitude, Reasoning - mathematical, logical and analytical. They are divided according to these subjects and different weightage is given to each them. Focus on you strong areas and maximise your score in those sections.

-> You can play safe by applying at institutes that have large number of seats. For example, Gujarat and Andhra University who have more than a thousand seats. This way, you have a backup just in case you dont make it to the really competitive institutes.

-> Preparation for these tests takes the better part of at least five months and longer for people without a strong background in Maths and Logic. If you are not realy confident of coping with these subjects, enrolling in a coaching class. Also try your hand at mock tests; they help develop confidence and strategy.

-> Once in the exam hall, relax, be confident, formulate a strategy according to your strenghts and allocate time slots to each section. Don't linger on a problem that's taking too much time. Don't concentrate on your score, concentrate on the problems. Take calculated risks and not wild guesses.

"If your fundamentals of maths and logic are strong, then the institute doesn't matter too much. All you require is enthusiasm and a strong will to learn. This may affect your initial placement and package but 5-10 years down the line, you will be at par with students from better institutions.

Academic degrees v • d • e
Associate's degrees (U.S.)	AA, AAS, ABA, ABS, AOS, AS, AMusA (Australia), ASN
Foundation degrees (U.K.)	FdA, FdEd, FdEng, FdMus, FdBus, FdSc, FdTech
Bachelor's degrees	AB or BA, BAcy, BAdm, BAgrEc, BArch, BBA, BBus, BCom or BComm, BCS, BCL, STB, BD, BDent, BDS, B.Ed., BEc, BEng or BE, BSBME, BFA, BHSc, BGS,BHE, BHK, BID, BJ, BTh, BLibStud, BLIS, BMath, BMedSc or BMedSci, BMus, BSN, BPE, BPharm, BS or BSc or SB, BSc(Agr) or BSA, BSocSci, BSW, BTech, LLA, LLB, MB ChB or MB BS or BM BS or MB BChir or MB BCh BAO, MA (Cantab.), MA (Dubl.), MA (Hons), MA (Oxon.)
Master's degrees	AM, M.Ag MArch, MA, MAT, MALS or MLS, MS or MSc, MSt, DEA, MAcy, MALD, MApol, MPhil, MRes, MFA, MTech, MBA, MBI, MBT, MComm, MCA, MDes, MTh, MTS, MDiv, MEd, MMT, MPA, MPD, MPS, MSN, MProfStuds, MJ, MST, MSW, MPAff, MLIS, MLitt, MPH, MPM, MPP, MPT, MRE, MTheol/ThM/MTh, STM, LLM, MEng, MSci, MBio, MChem, MPhys, MMath, MMedSc or MMedSci, MMus, MESci, MGeol, MTCM, MSSc, BCL (Oxon), BPhil (Oxon), ThM
Licentiate degrees:	Lic Arts, LDS, JCL, STL, SSL, LSS, PhL
Specialist degrees	EdS, SSP, CAS
Engineer's degrees	AE, BE, BME, CE, CE, ChE, EE, CpE, ECS, EnvE, IE, MSE, ME, NavE, NuclE, Ocean E, SysE, Eng
First-professional degrees	BDent, BDS, LLB, MB ChB or MB BS, MArch, MFA, AuD, DC, DCM, DDS, DMD, JD, MD (US), DPT, ND, OD, DO (US only), DP, PodD, DPM, MDiv, MHL, DVM, PD, STB
Doctoral degrees	PhD, DPS, EdD, DEng, EngD, DEnv, DBA, DD, JCD, SSD, JUD, DSc, DLitt, DA, MD (out of US and Canada), DMA, DMus, DCL, ThD, PharmD, DrPH, DPT, DPhil, PsyD, DSW, JD, LLD, LHD, JSD, SJD, JuDr, STD, DMin