MBA Admission Process and Preparation

IIM Calcutta already announced the answer sheet and individual response sheet of CAT 2018 which is conducted on November 25, 2018, in two slots – morning and afternoon. The MBA Admission process will start after the announcement of the CAT 2018 results, which may be declared on January 07, 2019. Its high time to know the IIM Admission Process and its preparation.

The dream of every CAT 2018 Aspirants is to take the admission in IIMs or other top B-Schools for Management programmes. Every year 2+ lakh students appear in this exam (CAT), amongst them only a few thousands of candidates can make it to IIMs.

The first is obviously the CAT score that is considered by IIMs and other top B-Schools, if your score is above cut off score and fulfil the other eligibility criteria, then you will be shortlisted for the next admission rounds that include Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). Each of 20 IIMs and other B-Schools has their own admission procedure and selection criteria (weightage to different factors for admission).

How IIMs or B-schools Shortlist for MBA Admission Process?

1. They will shortlist on the basis of the Common Admission Test (CAT) scores. Each Institute has its own cut-off to call the candidates for next round of admission.

2. MBA aspirants have to apply separately to the institutes within the deadline.

3. The Institute’s Admission committee assesses the candidates’ eligibility based on their CAT 2018 or other MBA entrance exam score, Academic records, work experience, achievements etc.

4. The candidate who qualifies it (above point 3) will be shortlisted for the next selection rounds – GD or Writing Ability Test (WAT) and PI. Some institutes conduct Group Activity or Group Exercise instead of Group Discussion. Few Institutes conduct both Group Discussion or Group Activity as well as WAT/Essay writing along with PI rounds.

READ Too: CAT 2018 Answer Keys Released By IIM Calcutta

How to Prepare for MBA Admission?

After clearing any MBA Entrance exam, one needs to focus on how to clear the Institute selection rounds i.e WAT, GD and PI. In this article, you will find the MBA admission process and the preparation tips for the same to get admitted in IIMs or other B-schools. Candidates who are aspirants of CAT exam and other MBA entrance exams can check all the details related to the preparation for MBA admission. IIM Calcutta has released the CAT 2018 answer key on December 7, 2018.

Written Ability Test (WAT)

Topics generally asked in WAT are –  Business, Economics & Finance, Social, Political, religious, national or international affairs, Sports related news or could be an abstract, Demonetization, GST, Make in India, Bank Recapitalization, Changes in Budget cycle and Merger of Railway Budget with Union Budget among others are the latest WAT topics that candidates may be asked in the exam.

Tips for WAT Preparation

1. Make each answer clear and understandable.
2. The WAT answers require good information and some relatable data or news.
3. Before you are going to plan the answer for the question just remember that the introductory paragraph should have the quality writing.
4. Conclude your answers with the impact quoting about some political advisors, prominent personalities, leading analysts etc. but with acknowledgements.

Preparation of WAT

1. Make your writing good by learning grammar and don’t do the spelling mistakes.
2. Make your answer point to point don’t write ‘Ramayan’ in the answers.
3. Bear in mind with things happening in the country.

READ ALSO: 3 Business Schools Added To GMAC Global Membership

Group Discussion (GD)

The group discussion is meant to see your interaction with the other people, and how you respond to them by giving your answers. Be calm, clear to your views and patient in the group discussion.

Preparation of GD

1. Get used to reading newspapers regularly so that you don’t fall short on content.
2. Listen and try to enter the GD at the right point, such when others are taking a small pause be loud and assertive on points.
3. Remember that it is group discussion not the debate so does not try to prove others wrong in a GD.
4. Participate by putting up relevant points, showing maturity; build your arguments with facts, figures and situations. Keep a logical approach throughout the GD then it will become easy to build on others argument and conclude.

Personal Interview (PI)

This the last and final stage but the foremost important thing of the MBA admission process to get you admits in the IIMs or other top B-School.

Tips for PI Preparation

1. The first thing that interviewer seek for any candidate will be his/her Maturity, Communication Skills, Honesty, Motivation, High Energy Level, Confidence, Pride, Initiative, Listening, Skills, Sense of Humor, Analytical Skills, Leadership Potential.
2. Don’t hesitate to say ‘I don’t know‘ in an interview, instead of answering a question without any knowledge about the topic (read bluffing). Get yourself humble and state that you are not aware of the facts.
3. Be present and listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions and answer accordingly don’t babble incessantly about a related topic or answer the question you wish he had asked.
4. In the interview walk with an air of confidence and professionalism, offer a firm handshake and a professional demeanor.
5. Keep your answers short, but informative. Get yourself prepared to offer a 4 to 6 line answer to every question.

ALSO READ: Cleared MBA Entrance Exam? Now Prepare WAT And PI For Admission In B-School

We hope for your betterment in your career and wish you all the best!!!

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