The Journey for MBA in India is of the following stages
- Preparation
- Competitive Exams
- Based on your exams scores you will get interview calls from diffferent colleges that you have applied to
- Group Discussions(GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI)
- Final Selection and admission formalities.
- CAT
- XAT
- GMAT
- NMAT
- SNAP
- CET
- CMAT
The exams above are in reducing order of Importance. Different B schools accept different test scores. But CAT is the single most important test opening doors to all the IIMs and other top Indian Colleges. So doing well in it takes utmost significance. My answers below are based on the CAT exam which happens in November.
Before I give answers to some FAQs let me set my credibility. I am a 99.51%tiler in CAT 2014. This is despite the fact that my CAT exam was right between an ongoing CA Final exam. I was fortunate to have scored well despite my adversities. I however write this blog so that you all may score even more. You have my best wishes :)
Q.When Should I start preparing for my exams?
A. Ideally you should start your preparation should start in May. Those who havent started need not worry, they can make up for lost time by studying harder.
Q.Should I leave my job for preaparing?
A. No. Definitely not. Leaving your job not just reduces your pay-cheques, but also reduces the amount of work experience that you may gain which is given due importance in the B school interviews later. It is also very difficult to justify to the interviewers, why you left your job so early...
So, if you are working, you may take a weekend batch of MBA institute and continue working side by side.
Q.Should I do classes?
A. I believe that classes do help a lot in preparations. Exams should be given with a solid strategy where the role of your professors becomes important in shaping a strategy for you. However, join a class which has smaller batch size and where professors are approachable. It will be helpful not just in exam preps, but also college form filling, interview preps, GD preps, Written Test preps, counselling, etc. MBA is a degree where the college you do it from makes a HUGE difference on your professional life ahead. So I recommend, that you should take it seriously.
Q. How to go about studies?
A. You should do conceptual learning for the first 2-3 months. Get deep into the concepts and try developing tricks/ shortcuts. A lot of shortcuts will be given by the classes too.
Step 2- Start giving mock test papers. There are a lot of sites online where you can give tests.e.g. CareerLauncher , TestFunda, TYConline, etc. Classes also arrange for a no. of mocks.
After every paper it is equally important to spend 5 hrs analysing your performance- where you went wrong? Where did you spend excessive time? What topics have you performed well? What topics need more brush up? How to solve those questions that you werent able to answer? etc
Step 3- Identify strengths and weakness areas. Ans your weakness areas in the last. Constantly keep moulding your strategy and try different strategy to know whats best for you. Side by side, revise the concepts where you feel you are weak. There are a lot of blogs written on CAT exam strategy, you may try all you think are feasible for you and zero in on one of them.
Q. What material to refer to for studies?
A. If you are going to classes, definitely do your classes material. If you arent, take any classes material from your friends and study.
Q. Anything apart from that?
A. Yes. In the interviews, importance is also given to extra curriculars. So you may pursue your hobbies side by side. Try developing them further. Take part in competitions. Prefarably have something to show for like some certificates.(if not then some photos)
Social work is also great for your resume which will help you in interview stages. However, do it only if you have the intentions for it. If you are doing it just for the sake of it, the interviewers will mostly see through.
Last but not the least, stay updated with current affairs. Read newspapers daily. If not the details, at least go through the headlines. Know whats happening.
If you felt that this blog was helpful, do +1 it. Also share it to people whom you think might benefit from it. If you want me to post any additional material- do write in the comments.
If you felt that this blog was helpful, do +1 it. Also share it to people whom you think might benefit from it. If you want me to post any additional material- do write in the comments.
