Q. How much do you think that the present MBA entrance exams like CAT/ MAT is efficient in evaluation the student’s potential to be an MBA?

A. CAT has become one of the most popular exams to judge the potential of the candidates willing to pursue their career in business administration, but not all clear them with great scores. Since CAT/ MAT is divided into segments which includes Verbal ability, Comprehension, Problem solving and Data interpretation with multiple choice questions, a student must have a deeper knowledge and clear concepts about the subject and overall aptitude to clear the exams. We cannot gauge the efficiency of these tests as there are many other tests as well. Therefore, if a student wants to be a management graduate and make a mark in the management of business in India or abroad there are many management institutes both state-run and private which can provide the requisite management degree. For getting admission in these institutes one can appear for a large number of Entrance Tests like JC CAT, SNAP, XAT, ENMAT, FMS etc apart from CAT or MAT. Students have to decide and need to have at least 10 back up plans if not more. The focus should be to land in the MBA institute of their dreams, for which they first need to know what qualities the MBA institutes look for in a candidate and what in turn they look forward from the institute. And then get cracking!

Q. Over the years, it has been noticed that the engineering students score better than others in CAT. What is your take on that?

A. Well, I don’t think so; it has a lot to do with the approach. If a student lays more emphasis on mock tests, practical rather than just going through the entire syllabus and studying for hours and hours. If a student’s approach to the subject is correct, he or she need not study for more than 4 hours a day whether he/she is a simple graduate or an engineering graduate.

Q. There are many students who miss the chance of getting admission in the IIMs by a few points. What is your advice to them?

A. A student must have the reasons clear for why he wants to get into an IIM. Some of them are not confident enough of taking self decision and decide to join simply because their friends are doing it. One must be committed to it. I strongly feel that one must not fear because one doesn’t have to be a genius or a topper but what they must have is logical thoughts and analytical mind for management studies. There are numerous entrance exams offered with many other renowned management institutes for admissions to various management courses. Therefore, instead of brooding over the fact that one has not been able to crack CAT for a few points, he / she must move on to other options that are available.

Q. There are many B Schools who starts two sessions in a year. One session starts in July and the other in February? How can a February admission benefit the students?
A. February intakes are always in demand as Loans are easily available for February batches, waiting period for sanction in banks are shorter compared to July when most of the students all across apply for Education loans. Also as Feb Batch seats intake is comparatively smaller in many institutes than July, there is more focus on students Internships and Final Placements with a lot more detailing and also competition is much lesser from students of other colleges who pass out in huge numbers generally from the July batches.

Q. Please give some advice to the MBA aspirants in regards to how to choose the right B School for themselves?
A. Well, choosing a right B school depends entirely on a student’s aim in life as in… is he a career switcher or a steady pursuer, would he be interested in jump in salary or does he seek international experience. It also depends on his primary goal whether to broaden the education and horizons or to develop specialist skills for career enhancement. So, all these aspects will save a great deal of time and energy and help a student make a more focused selection. Other than this, students can check the web sites of the B School; read about their programmes if it interests them. A student must visit the school and if desired can talk to the already existing students and the faculty. They must also check the web sites of companies which they are interested in working for to find out what type of business schools and what type of programmes they tend to hire from.