Students from outside Bhubaneswar look for transport to get them to their destinations. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 20: Aspiring MBAs are a confused and anxious lot. The common management admission test (CMAT) begins tomorrow, but the bandh has left them high and dry.

Those travelling for the test from outside the city have been left in utter confusion by the two-day bandh call given by trade unions.

The Regional College of Management in Bhubaneswar is the only centre in the state for CMAT and students from across the state who have registered for the entrance are required to reach the venue for the tests tomorrow at 8am.

Organisers of the CMAT here said the exam has not been rescheduled.

“We are receiving a lot of queries from students, but we want to inform them again that there has been no rescheduling of the exams. Students will have to reach the venue for the exams tomorrow. In case of doubts, students can call 06742301595,” said Sunita Patra, a senior official of the Regional College of Management.

Some students of Biju Patnaik University of Technology had exams today. They found it difficult to reach the exam venue. Students of the first semester BTech had their mathematics examinations.

This apart, exams for the failed students of the third, fifth and seventh semesters were also scheduled for today.

Students who could not appear for the exams because of the bandh have urged authorities to hold a special examination for them.

The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) had announced that CMAT would be the sole, mandatory test for all AICTE-approved B-schools.

“We were worried about the small number of candidates who have registered. The strike call has further aggravated the problem. It appears that this year, too, MBA colleges will stare at empty classrooms,” said Pramod Tripathy, admission in charge of a management school.

Hardly 1,200 students have registered for the exam that will continue till February 25.

The state has 4,700 MBA seats.

Santosh, a student, had to travel all the way from Malkangiri so that he could arrange for accommodation.

“I reached here last night. The journey was so tiring that I am hardly able to prepare for the exams,” he said.

Saroj, a student from Rourkela, said he faced many problems on his way to Bhubaneswar. “The train in which I was travelling was halted by different groups at various stations leading to about eight hours delay.”

Many management colleges that have made arrangements for students from rural areas had to make provisions for them beforehand.

“After knowing of the bandh, we told the students to reach here in advance. We have also made provisions for their stay and food,” said a college faculty member not willing to be named.

“Although it’s a bandh, we will ensure that the students reach the exam venue safely,” he said.