Commerce

Commerce Studies Overview for Students

Introduction to Commerce Studies

Commerce studies provide a solid foundation for understanding business, finance, and economics. Pursuing a career in commerce opens up diverse opportunities in the corporate world, finance sector, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Entrance Exams

Admission into reputable commerce colleges in India often involves competitive entrance exams. Some prominent entrance exams include

Common Admission Test (CAT)

A national-level entrance exam for admission into prestigious management institutes for postgraduate studies in business administration. Here is full schedule of CAT 2024 exam:

CAT Exam Events CAT Exam Dates 2024

CAT 2024 notification release

30-July-2024

CAT exam 2024 registration dates

03-Aug-2024 (10:00 AM) to 15-Sep-2024 (5:00 PM)

CAT form correction

Last week of September 2024

CAT admit card 2024

25-Oct-2024

CAT exam 2024 date

24-Nov-2024

CAT answer key release

First week of December 2024

Answer key challenge process

First week of December 2024

Declaration of CAT 2024 result

Last week of December 2024 or First week of January 2025

Exam Schedule

Mode Computer Based Test

Duration

Total - 120 minutes, 40 minutes per section

Slots

Three

CAT form correction

Last week of September 2024

Total Number of Questions

66

Language

English

CAT answer key release

First week of December 2024

Answer key challenge process

First week of December 2024

Types of Question

MCQ and Non-MCQs

Marking Scheme

+3 mark for every correct answer, 1 for every wrong answer

Total Marks

198

Subjects

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC),Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Weightage

VARC: 72 marks, DILR: 60 marks, QA: 66 marks

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)

The exam is conducted for admission to the Xavier Institute of Management and other participating institutes for management programs. The exam is accepted by more than 1000 B-schools all over India. It consists of more than 100 multiple-choice questions under subjects of decision-making, quantitative ability, verbal and logical ability and data interpretation.

Chartered Accountancy (CA) Entrance Exam

Common Proficiency Test(CPT) is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for aspiring chartered accountants. The exam is held twice a year in the months of June and December. It comprises 4 subjects: Fundamentals of Accounting, Mercantile Laws, General Economics and Quantitative Aptitude. Students can choose to take the exam in either Hindi or English. One must have completed class 12 to take this exam.

Company Secretary (CS) Entrance Exam

Administered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for admission into the CS program. The ICSI exam is conducted 2 times a year: June & December, at 3 levels: national, executive and professional level.

Company Secretary (CS) Entrance Exam

Administered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for admission into the CS program. The ICSI exam is conducted 2 times a year: June & December, at 3 levels: national, executive and professional level.

Specializations in Commerce Studies

Commerce studies offer a range of specializations, allowing students to focus on specific areas of interest. Some popular commerce specializations include

Finance: This specialization involves the study of financial markets, investment strategies, and financial management. It opens various career options for students, such as finance managers, financial advisors, equity analysts and investment bankers.

Accountancy: Accountancy covers various subjects such as financial planning and analysis, international accounting and financial reporting. Pursuing an accountancy course allows students to get various high-paying job roles such as chief financial officer, marketing manager and investment manager.

Marketing: Some common specializations in marketing are digital marketing, international marketing, retail marketing, services marketing and social media marketing. After completing marketing specialization, students can pursue several well-paid jobs such as Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Digital Content Manager, Brand Manager and Digital Marketing Manager.

Entrepreneurship: This specialization teaches students about retail, fashion, hospitality, tourism, real estate, supply chain and technology. Some job roles students can pursue after entrepreneurship are investor, business consultant, start-up founder and venture capitalist.

Economics: The curriculum of economics specialization includes subjects such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, financial economics and public finance. This specialization leads to various job roles such as auditor, stockbroker, business manager, retail merchandiser, pricing analyst, statistician and financial consultant.

Job Options in India

Completing commerce studies opens up diverse career opportunities across industries. Some common job options for commerce graduates include:

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Chartered Accountant provides financial advice, auditing, and taxation services. A CA prepares income tax returns and conducts auditing of their client. They work independently or with auditors and financial planners. A CA possesses various skills such as written, verbal, problem solving and analytical thinking.

Financial Analyst

A financial analyst analyses financial data to support business decision-making. A financial analyst’s job is to analyse financial statements, create financial models, write reports and prepare financial reports. A Financial Analyst is equipped with a diverse range of skills, including data collection, communication, business administration, etc.

Marketing Manager

A marketing manager develops and implements marketing strategies. They are responsible for promoting the brand to new customers. Their work is to develop advertising campaigns, maintain strong public relations and maximize profits. A marketing manager is proficient in various skills such as planning, attention, innovative thinking, problem-solving and adaptability.

Human Resources Manager

A human resource manager acts as the bridge between top management and other employees of the company. Their work is to recruit staff, address employee concerns and manage the recruitment process. Various skills needed to become a Human Resources Manager are data analysis, communication, written, verbal and problem-solving.

Entrepreneur/Business Owner

An entrepreneur takes risks and starts a new business. An entrepreneur is a courageous guy who changes the whole industry with his innovation. Some of the most famous entrepreneurs in the world are Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg. To become an entrepreneur, one must be hard-working, risk taker and confidence.

Economist

An economist studies and analyses the distribution of various goods and services. Their main duties are researching economic issues, analysing collected data and conducting surveys. Economists can work in various industries such as banking, consulting firms, government agencies, healthcare, corporate and real estate.

Conclusion

Commerce studies provide a versatile foundation for a successful career in business, finance, and entrepreneurship. By choosing the right specialization, students can ensure they pursue their dream job role and have a successful career.