As mentioned above, this is a waiting period. And a principle of good management is to have an alternate plan (called Plan B) ready in the case that your primary plan (Plan A) does not work out. You can use this waiting period to develop your own Plan B just in case. While developing your Plan B, consider the following actions and choices.
- Consider B-Schools which use multiple criteria without a CAT cut-off
Most B-Schools today recognize that a one-shot exam such as CAT may not accurately evaluate a candidate applicant on his or her aptitude and preparation for a rigorous academic schedule. Even those schools which impose a very high CAT cut-off often use additional criteria such as performance in GDs and interviews for their final selection. An increasing number of B-Schools are relying on a multi-dimensional approach to decide upon admissions without imposing cut-offs on any single criterion. For example at MYRA, we evaluate applicants on four major dimensions:
-Academic record from high school to graduate degree
- Score on a standardized test (GMAT/other)
- Candidate’s work experience
- Career and other objectives articulated in a Statement of Purpose (SOP) plus interview
One action of Plan B is to make a list of such B-Schools and identify the ones from that list that make the best fit with your background and career aspirations and apply to those schools.
- Take other entrance tests
While CAT is the most commonly accepted entrance test for B-Schools in India, there are many other tests with varying degrees of acceptability. Some of these are conducted by well known B-Schools and are often limited to that group of schools. The two most commonly accepted tests after CAT are probably GMAT and MAT. GMAT is internationally the most preferred score for admission to a management course and is considered as the best indicator of a candidate’s aptitude and level of preparation for a management education. It also gives us a common measure to evaluate candidates who otherwise come from widely different educational and work backgrounds.Hence, many schools are willing to accept GMAT (including MYRA).
The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is conducted by AIMA and is accepted by over 600 B-Schools as per the AIMA web site. You can consider taking either of these two tests. GMAT has the added advantage over CAT of international acceptance. It may be too late to take MAT for 2015.
- Burnish your resume
This is especially important of applicants without work experience. Anything that can add to your resume and stand out as a positive addition must be considered during this interim period. Some of the activities (but by no means all) to consider are:
- Do an internship at a relevant organization. Whether it is a paid or unpaid internship should not matter.
- Volunteer for any public service activity or work for an NGO helping with their organization, etc.
- Indulge in your favorite hobby and do something outstanding in that activity. For example, if you love trekking, a Himalayan trek (if you can afford it) would stand out on your resume, for example.
Many of these activities also give you an opportunity to take a break and gain a different perspective on your options.
There is nothing like a great CAT score. However, having said that that is not the be all and end all. You do have alternatives to pursue to reach your desired end of a great management education. Developing a good Plan B is in itself a sign of you being good management material!
Prof Hanumantha has himself successfully aced CAT, GRE and GATE. Dr.Hanumantha Rao’s corporate journey includes vital stints as Practice Lead, Managed Security Services, Wipro, Bangalore, CEO, Proxis Inc, New Jersey, U.S & Bangalore, India, Consultant – Mphasis Inc & JP Morgan Chase, Senior Technology Officer, JP Morgan Chase, New York, NY and Senior Consultant, KPMG LLP.
You can apply to MYRA here.
For previous stories on MYRA School of Business, please click here.
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Comments
Dinesh Gavini
Wonderful article for the students who wants to pursue their MBA in B-Schools, make sure that ready with plan B
1 Dec 2015, 09.37 AM
Rashmi Shah
PGPX at MYRA School of Business
Very useful for students interested in pursuing MBA.
1 Dec 2015, 04.26 PM
Arijit RoyChowdhury
Very well written article sir! I personally liked the "Burnish your resume" part. This will serve as a motivation to many B-school aspirants.
1 Dec 2015, 07.28 PM