One of the most daunting questions faced by CAT Aspirants is, ‘Is my profile good enough?’ Here’s the harsh reality, no profile is good enough. Even the best profiles have a black spot. But what if that profile contains 5 points? For aspirants hearing this term, it generally refers to an aspirant having a score of less than 60 percent in graduation.
So how do you overcome the five-point stain?
Work Experience: Ideally, one would recommend an aspirant to gain some work experience. A decent work-ex, even in a startup would not only add some brownie points on the applicant's CV, but at the same time, the aspirant would gain immensely from the industry exposure on display.
Moreover, from a long-term point of view, the applicant would have a lot more to say about their overall profile during the interview process and decent work experience gives the applicant an added advantage to direct the interview in the way they want.
Focus on PORs: If you are still and realize your grades are not good enough, focus on what you have learned while your time at college. Were you part of a project which was related to a social cause? Were you part of the dance society? Were you dramatics? It could be anything. Anything that added to your holistic development. If you get a chance to lead on any of the activities, do it. The least it would show that you are passionate about your interests. You do what you love. A certificate is just icing on the cake, but the often neglected perspectives that you are exposed to are invaluable.
Upskill, Upskill, Upskill: Once you have recognized your weak spot, it is time to offset the same. The college gives you an admit based on your skillset and personality, remember, more than your marks your mind matters. Upskill in any domain you want to. It can be related to your work or a domain you might explore post your MBA.
Your ultimate aim now should be to build a holistic profile.
Ace CAT: I cannot stress enough. Your CAT score compensates for everything most of the time. Focus on your weak area and be persistent and be dedicated in your approach. Remember, in order for your application to be under consideration, you must ace the CAT.
Be genuine in your Interviews: The panelists are not looking for the best profiles, they are looking for individuals that fit the ideology of the institute. Individuals with a story, with a personality. At the end of the day, those are grades and only represent your academic performance, not the person you are.
Be genuine. Narrate your story, your struggles, and your perseverance to the panelist. The only reason you have a call is that the institute believes in you. Interpersonal skills are important. Master them and use them to narrate your story!
All the best, believe in yourself and I am sure you will ace it!