Stage 1
Written Test - Entrance Exams :
For any MBA aspirant the first step is to prepare for required entrance test. For pursuing MBA degree in India there are multiple nationally recognized entrance tests such as CAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, and JMET. Besides these exams there are various state level entrance tests like MPMET, MHCET, and RMAT etc. that you can take. The written test is the first stage of elimination, it tests a student's ability to perform under pressure. The areas of testing include basic Mathematics, English, and analytical & logical reasoning. The written test is the most difficult step in getting into a top B-School. Most of the elimination takes place at this stage.
The six IIMs conduct a Common Admission Test (CAT), either on the last Sunday of November or on the second Sunday of December. Other top B Schools such as S.P. Jain, MICA, T A Pai, MDI Gurgaon also base their selection on CAT scores. XLRI conducts XAT and this score is also a criterion for admission to XIM Bhubaneswar, XIME Bangalore and other reputed B Schools such as LIBA Chennai, and BIM Trichy. FMS (University of Delhi) Delhi, and the Schools of Management, IIT have their own respective tests.
After testing your aptitude through the written test, B-schools assess students' personalities by placing them in group situations and through one-to-one interviews. Different B-schools use different personality assessment tools, but the most common amongst B-schools is the use of Group Discussions (GDs) and Interviews.
Stage 2
Group Discussion & Personal Interview (GD / PI)
The G.D. is the second and the most important phase after the written test. Based on the performance and if students secured the qualifying cut-off scores in the written test, they are short listed for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Student's performance in a group, while discussing a topic of current importance, is evaluated by a panel of judges.
Some pointers to help you for the GD.
- Preparations (Before The GD) :
R = Read + D = Discuss + A = Assimilate
- Develop reading habits- at least two National newspapers, magazines and various business articles.
- Discuss the articles with your friends and share your views.
- Assimilate all that you have learnt by - Analyzing the article
- Collaborate it with examples and statistics, wherever possible.
- Speak before the mirror and learn to modulate your voice as is the meaning of the sentence.
- Plan of action, during the GD process :
- interact with other members of the group before the actual GD starts so that you may become comfortable with the group.
- Maintain a posture that will enable you to feel relaxed and at the same time, look confident.
- After getting the topic, structure your thoughts about it and jot down points sequentially.
- Be an initiator and try to facilitate the direction of the GD.
- Enter within first 3 minutes from the start of the discussion.
- Address the entire group while speaking and not just a single member.
- Maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.
- If you disagree with another person’s point begin by saying “You may be right but if we look at it from this perspective, you’ll see that…” and mention your point.
- Do not get into personal arguments. Be polite but firm.
- As far as possible try to supplement your viewpoint with factual examples. Avoid personal examples.
- Don’t contradict yourself during the G. D.
- Be a good listener.
- When a point has been discussed often go ahead and present a new insight.
- Be innovative and look at the topic from different perspectives.
- The discussion should be goal-oriented – do not go on a tangent.
- Allow those in the group who have not got a chance to make any contribution.
- Do not give irrelevant points just to increase your participation.
- Try and jot down points that are discussed while you are not speaking.
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