Hyderabad|India|January'2009: NIIT, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s No 1 Trainer announces the 5th National IT Aptitude Test (NITAT). Those who take the test will be able to not only calibrate where they stand amongst the rest, but will also be able to gauge their areas of strength and potential improvement. The country’s largest IT Aptitude Test, considered as a good first step towards eventually taking up an exciting career in the IT industry will be conducted simultaneously in over 180 cities across the nation, on Sunday, January 18, 2009.

For the benefit of students, NIIT has planned to organize a special ‘Placement Fair’ at key locations across the country and a web seminar with Jonathan Schwartz- Chief Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems. Meritorious students will get special recognitions and the 1000 performers will be awarded a letter of recognition from World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand. Students desirous of checking their aptitude for IT can appear for NITAT 2009 by visiting their nearest NIIT centre. The last for applying is 16th January 2009.

Commenting on the NITAT, Mr. Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM says, "The Indian IT-BPO industry has been an engine of growth for the Indian economy creating direct and indirect jobs for the skilled and talented youth in the country. Industry standard assessments and certification help to benchmark employability in the sector and also help students assess their individual competence. NIIT’s NATIONAL IT APTITUDE TEST" will serve as a useful test for candidates aspiring to join the IT-BPO industry."

The test evaluates detailed aptitude on key parameters, which every IT organization evaluates its potential employees on their strength and improvement areas. The resource pool identified can be accessed by prospective employers including leading technology companies for their manpower needs. NITAT has been designed as an objective type test of reasoning, comprehension, data interpretation skills and behavioral traits. Every student undergoing the test will receive a score-card with their interpretation, along with her/his nationwide and zonal ranking. The assessment is expected to be of particular benefit to career seekers in deciding the careers that they should take up.

Mr G Raghavan, President, Individual Learning Solution says, "We will be conducting the NITAT for the 5th year in a row this year. Besides being endorsed by NASSCOM and the World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, the NITAT has the benefit of participation by Technology majors like Sun Microsystems, Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe, CompTIA."

"IT industry worldwide will continue to need talent across various technologies and domains. NITAT offers an excellent first step of assessment and calibration to enable the next meaningful steps to a great career", he added.

It is expected that the IT industry will continue to grow at a healthy pace in the medium to long term, fueling the need for trained manpower. NITAT will help identify the talent pool, for meeting this requirement.

Commenting on the importance of recognizing one’s aptitude at an early stage, World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand says, "It is important to recognize your aptitude and assess it at an early stage.I identified mine at the age of six when I began my association with Chess. NITAT helps you to identify your potential and aptitude for a career in the IT industry. By recognizing and using your strength, you have the benefit of excelling in your chosen field of profession."

Since its inception in 2004, over 2.5 lakh candidates have availed themselves of an assessment through NITAT and have taken subsequent steps towards an IT career.

Reachout's News Bureau
 January' 2009