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MBA entrance – know the pattern to excel
The number of graduates inclined towards pursuing their Master in Business Administration (MBA) is increasing by the day, because of the great demand for management degree holders from reputed B-schools, as they are popularly referred to. The best part about the MBA programme is that a graduate from any stream can major in management. As a management professor puts it, “A doctor, engineer or even a mass communication major can pursue MBA, because it helps anyone and
everyone elevate to a higher managerial position in their respective fields.” This is precisely the reason why most graduates go in for MBA.
The toughest part of pursuing the MBA course comes in the form of cracking the entrance exams. It is imperative to pursue your MBA from a reputed school to accrue complete benefits of holding the degree, since there is always an extreme dearth of qualified management graduates from reputed business schools, in the market, which is otherwise flooded with management graduates from numerous other institutes. “We prefer candidates from premier B-Schools like the IIMs and often give in to their demands in terms of salary and incentives, because the value they add to the company is definitely worth much more!”, says an HR executive from a leading corporate house.
The most popular entrance exams that can get you into premier B-schools like the six IIMs, XLRI, NIIE, IIFT, MICA,SIBM and the like are the CAT, XAT, MAT, SNAP and other national aptitude and admission exams. These exams follow a more or less similar pattern, with the subject matter almost being the same. Here is a rough overview of the subject matter one is evaluated on, though there might be few changes in the question paper pattern set for each exam:
Verbal ability: Under this subject, a candidate’s verbal ability is assessed through reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, analogies, reasoning ability, sentence construction and completion, and paragraph jumbles. While the core subject remains the same, the approach undertaken by each examination could be different.
For instance, reasoning and non-verbal ability could be clubbed under this section or could be treated as a separate. To face this section confidently, a candidate must have excellent command over English, must have fluent and rich vocabulary, and must be able to combine this with logical interpretation.
Quantum: This section is often the most dreaded, since students from a non-science background find it relatively tougher. However, the subject matter covers topics done at school-level and can be attempted by one and all, if practised systematically. Arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, problem solving, comprehending and solving word problems form the core syllabi form this section. It is recommended that a candidate read books specially designed and formulated for the Quantum Section in such examinations since it helps one upgrade one’s level of problem-solving and increases pace and accuracy.
Data interpretation: This section covers transformation of data given in the form of Venn diagrams, pie charts, tables or graphs and answering questions by interpreting this data. This section could also be inclusive of data sufficiency, where links need to be established between statements made, to reach a logical conclusion.
Analytical and logical section: This section again examines the aptitude of the candidate in analysing the data given and proceeding towards a logical conclusion. Data arrangement, blood relations, input-output and the like are some of the questions that come under this section.
G K and current affairs: While most hard-core management examinations do not include this section, exams like the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) attach importance to the general awareness of candidates, especially relating to the business and economic activities. This can come in the form of both, static and dynamic general knowledge questions, and a candidate is expected to reel out facts from subjects, ranging from the social sciences, to physical science, current political scenario to world affairs. This again is not a cakewalk for all candidates, especially for ones whose GK levels are not up to the mark. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is by far considered the toughest B-School entrance exam to crack, since the level of questions asked is quite high and the time limit can be quite a deterrent if not well-prepared.
Several coaching institutes offer short-term and crash courses to long-term ones, to polish the candidate and make him/her fit to face the challenge. Browsing the net can help you find MBA-preparation exam portals like pagalguy.com, onestopmba.com, just to name a few, that give a complete overview and also pass on sample question papers to members.
Wish you good luck in all your entrance exams.
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PREETI RAGHUNATH
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