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Go figure: NIU finance major rocks Bloomberg Aptitude Test

November 7, 2014
Franz Varga

Franz Varga

NIU Department of Finance junior Franz Varga took his love for problem-solving and, in September 2014, tested his knowledge in a highly competitive, worldwide business challenge.

The result: Varga now ranks among the top five for the Americas Region Section of the Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT).

“I enjoy working with numbers, particularly when I can help make a difference or reach a goal,” Varga said. “One of my goals is to take advantage of all the great opportunities NIU provides. So when my academic adviser sent the word out about the BAT, I jumped at it.”

The BAT is a two-hour test offered around the world on a monthly basis. It is conducted by the Bloomberg Institute and assesses a student’s aptitude for business and finance. It covers eight different topics that range from math, analytical reasoning to economics. Student participants represent 3,526 universities from 60 countries. Each month, between 5,000 and 7,000 individuals in the Americas Region take the test.

Varga, along with 14 other NIU students, completed the test in September 2014.

Varga’s stellar performance earned him a fifth place ranking where he stands in the company of students from universities such as the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University and the University of Pennsylvania.

“Varga’s performance on the BAT is yet another example of the outstanding students and academic programs in the College of Business at NIU,” said Denise Schoenbachler, dean of the NIU College of Business. “We often say that we’d put our top NIU business students against anyone’s students. Varga proved us right in his performance on this exam.”

Because of his phenomenal performance, Varga received an invitation from the Bloomberg Institute to enter the Bloomberg Hall of Fame, an exclusive designation that provides outstanding achievers like him with direct exposure and access to as many as 20,000 Bloomberg Professional Services clients as well as to more than 1,000 additional employers around the world.

“Getting the chance to be listed with firms across the globe is just incredible. In fact, I’ve already been contacted for an internship opportunity,” Varga said. The Bloomberg Aptitude Test is a great way to connect with firms from around the world.”

His score makes Northern Illinois University the only four-year public university in Illinois to be included in the Bloomberg Hall of Fame for September 2014.