College of Charleston students who took the Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT) in May 2013 out performed the global average in every category except one. In the area of news analysis, College of Charleston test takers beat the global average by 23 percent, by 22 percent in the area of charts and graphs, and by 14 percent in the areas of financial statement analysis and investment banking.

“The results show the interest and ability of the students at the College,” says Mark Pyles, finance professor. “With the B.S. degree in finance now available, and the new School of Business Investment Program underway, we are perfectly positioned to develop the finance program and give our students the opportunity to prepare themselves for high-quality jobs in the financial sector.”

[Related: More about the School of Business Investment Program.]

The BAT tests individuals on their ability to think critically on financial topics and the results are used to measure their level of readiness for a career in business related fields.The exam is administered in 58 countries on university campusesand is distributed to employers on a global scale.

This is the first time the BAT was administered on campus to a group of College of Charleston students. Test takers volunteered to take the test on a Saturday morning during final exams, with just one-week notice. No study groups or courses were held to prepare students. Most test-takers came from the School of Business, but one political science, one math, and one health science student also participated.

“The strong performance in understanding international markets indicates the global initiatives in the School of Business are becoming more pervasive in our student learning, both in and out of the classroom,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School. “We are committed to educating students who are positioned to thrive in anywhere in the world, and this is proof we are actively working towards our vision of ready-to-work, globally-minded graduates.”

For more information, contact Mark Pyles at pylesm@cofc.edu.