Penn State provides students with so many opportunities to improve their professional status, and for those pursuing a career in finance, the Bloomberg Aptitude Test may be the best choice.

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This test, known as the BAT, is meant to find an individual’s abilities in finance. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering eight topics, and is completed over the course of two hours. Companies use this test as a way to streamline the hiring process of applicants for jobs such as a financial planner. Behrend has partnered with Bloomberg to enable its students to take the test at no charge, in hopes of strengthening their value as a potential employee.

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Bloomberg is a software company revolving around finance and the methods of using technology to enhance the industry. The company produces software for things like data analysis and equity trading. They also cover finance related news and make it available to other financial institutions and businesses.

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Bloomberg is a renowned institution in the world of finance, and their word does carry weight. When Bloomberg announced that an exam has been devised to test the financial capabilities of workers and students, companies jumped on board. It allows these companies to see which individuals can score well, but it also allows them to see which sectors of finance the individual struggled with, and where they thrived.

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With a service such as this, the only way it will work is if the hiring companies see that it is consistent and that is made well enough that it can be trusted to decide where somebody’s skills sit. If it were just another exam, these companies wouldn’t be concerned but they are, so test takers should be as well.

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Though available almost anywhere, the test is still being offered here and it is benefiting all parties involved. The school’s business department has a reputation for producing successful individuals and having students not only take the test but do well. This goes to show that the Black school is doing something right. Bloomberg obviously benefits because they are compensated for their tests and companies have the benefits to hiring. What is most important though, is how this affects you, the student who one day hopes to find a career they can enjoy.

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It’s likely that you are not a multi-million dollar institutions so this may be the push your resume needs to get you that beginning job. Aside from the possibility of being hired based off your merit, there are other hidden benefits. As we said, the BAT covers eight topics which are news analysis, economics, math skills, analytical reasoning, financial statement analysis, investment banking, global markets and chart and graph analysis. This may seem like a lot but these are the core structures of the industry. Without knowledge in these sectors, there isn’t success.

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The reason the test has been created that way is because these are the topics companies have decided candidates must know to succeed. The BAT will give you a broad overview of what is missing from your mental portfolio. If you are the student not getting internships or job offers, the results may tell you what skills you should learn before you are sought after by companies. It important to note however, that there is “no replacement for constantly applying for jobs and networking.” This is good advice because it all falls on the individual.

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No matter the score, the test will help you in one way or another but you must remember that it is just a test. It can aid you tremendously, but it is not the deciding factor in your career. It never hurts to look into the opportunities for furthering your status presented by Penn State because you did pay tuition, so get your money’s worth.