Kamlesh Sajnani
MD, IMS Learning Resources Pvt. Ltd. |
THE IIMs have released the CAT scores. Other good MBA institutes have also begun releasing their test score results. We hope that as an MBA aspirant you have done well in these tests. However, in case you haven’t got the score you hoped for, here is a plan of action you can follow.
1. Retake CAT next year and improve your performance
There are many students who believe that it is important that they do not compromise on the kind of B-School they gain admission into. So, they better their scores by taking the various B-School entrance examinations like CAT, XAT, FMS, IIFT, SNAP once again. Many students who have made it to the best institutes in the past have made multiple attempts and succeeded.
If you have decided to give another shot at CAT, do remember that the effort required would definitely be reduced. In our many years of guiding students, we have had many examples of students who have not given up and made it to the IIMs.
To take up this challenge the first thing that you have to do is to keep in touch with your prep material to maintain fundamental competency. Secondly, what you need would be Practice tests 3 months prior to the actual CAT to keep yourself primed.
2. Explore other Indian B-School options for admission in 2011 itself
If you wish to do an MBA this year itself and are searching for more options in India you can consider applying to B-Schools whose application deadlines are still open. However, it is important to map your individual profile based on the following factors to be able to take a decision on the ones you must finally select to do your MBA from.
1) Your academic background
a. The college you are from;
b. The stream you are from;
c. The scores that you have received in 10th, 12th and Graduation.
2) Your prior work experience
a. The company you are with;
b. The position and responsibility in your current organization;
c. The duration of work experience
3) Your aspiration
a. The reason you are doing an MBA;
b. The expectation you have from your MBA qualification
4) Your current score
a. Whether there are other options open to you compared to the institutes that you have currently applied to;
b. Whether you believe that you can improve your performance.
| If you decide to give another shot at CAT, the effort required would definitely be reduced |
3. Attempt and do well on State level entrances like Maharashtra MBA CET
For this academic year, there is still one entrance test remaining i.e. Maharashtra MBA CET which will be conducted on February 27, 2011. The forms will be available by the time this monthly goes to print. This test is the admission test for JBIMS, a premier B-school along with other good B-schools like Sydenham, K.J. Somaiya, WE School etc.
The test is of 200 marks in 150 minutes with no negative marks. To know more, visit www.dte.org.in. As an aspirant who has already prepared for the CAT, all you need before taking the CET is to quickly learn the additional concepts and question types (like visual reasoning) assessed in the CET and follow it up with sufficient test-taking practice – I would recommend you to take around three to four simulated practice tests and follow it with diligent analysis and feedback.
4. You want to explore International MBA/ MS options
With the opening up of economies, multinational organizations are faced with a growing requirement for transnational managerial resources. This has led education in general and management education in particular, to transgress borders.
Management education aspirants now have a viable alternative to the perpetual/perennial shortage of seats a the IIMs and other premier B-Schools in India. Securing/ getting an international MBA is an alternative one should definitely consider as a back-up option that is possible… very possible.
Long gone are the obstacles, myths that used to be associated with international education. Today, the only requisites are the willingness to put in the efforts and a keen hunger to excel.
The key reasons to seek an international degree are:
- be a global resource and hence widen career scope
- get a better-quality education than was available in their own country
- avail better career opportunities
- broaden their international experience/exposure
- gain exposure to different cultures/ways
If these reasons sound familiar, international education is a viable solution for you. And if you would like to explore international options for doing an MBA this year itself, you have a plethora of options to choose from for the August/September 2011 intake. These options include MBA, Master in Management and Specialist Master’s Programmes.
These options can broadly be classified into the following two categories depending on your work experience at the time of application:
Category 1
Top 100 Global MBA Programmes: These programmes typically require applicants to showcase at least two years of full-time work experience ranging from two to seven years. This programme ensures that the students get placed in middle management positions in multinational organisations. The average age of the Top 100 Global MBA programme admits is 27-30 years.
Category 2
Young Manager’s Programmes/ Top Master’s in Management Programmes: These programmes are meant for freshers and recent graduates (maximum of two years of work experience) who want to develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of business required for a global career in finance, marketing, consulting, and general management.
Surprisingly, the cost of the programmes is very comparable to most Indian Management Programmes and the jobs post for these programmes are available in the best 200 global organizations.
To know more about any of the options or for further support and guidance, I recommend that you svisit expert counsellors who should be able to guide you on any of these options.