Clearing the Cat exam is one of the most panic and worrisome thing one can go through. But for the MBA aspirant, the work does not end here. The biggest worry post-cat students have is how to prepare for GD/PI/WAT. CAT, as said it just 1St milestone of your preparation; another big hurdle one needs to achieve is to go through GD/PI/WAT process.
And I am sure Many Students will have questions in their minds about how to prepare for GD/PI/WAT. What all resources to read, where to read, how much to read, what all HR questions to prepare, and many more questions like this. Don't worry I will try to answer a few of the questions which will surely help you. In your post, CAT exam preparation.
The first thing to do after the CAT is to be highly motivated as you were while preparing the cat. Many students feel lethargic after CAT. And slower downs their preparation. This will surely hamper your preparation in the future, so it is highly advisable to avoid this. Take a short break of 1 or 2 days and get back on the study table. I started my preparation for gd/pi immediately just 3 days after the CAT. I was aware that once the results are declared, there will be significantly less day time for the preparation for gd/pi. So in order to prepare well, it is advisable to start as soon as possible.
Group Discussion:
The first thing one needs to do for the preparation of group discussion is to keep reading newspapers regularly. Knowing what all are happening in and around you will not only help you in just Group Discussion but will also help you in other processes too. Also, reading the Business Articles and even knowing Geopolitical affairs helps one's in group discussion. As in group discussion, one needs to get ready to speak in a group of 5-15 members, so to prepare in advance with your peer group members. We used to take daily one topic for group discussion, and with the group of 10 people, we used to have a group discussion with one of being us a moderator to review others, or you can ask someone for help.
Working on body language is most important in group discussions. Body Language becomes one of the critical parts of this process. Try to avoid offensive gestures. Don't use any slang language. And using local or tongue language is also highly advisable.
Written Ability Test:
WAT becomes one of the critical aspects after a personal interview and group discussion. The First and foremost thing that is advisable for WAT is to have a practice of writing. As in the Online study mode and with the student not having a habit of writing, having legit handwriting fetches brownie points.
Also, this section contains one to think critically on the given topic. So one needs to be ready with its brain for thinking critically, simultaneously writing it on paper, and keeping timing in mind. Try to write at least one topic per day before your scheduled interview.
Interview Preparation:
Since the interviews are never predictable, so one can not assure you what exactly questions will be asked in your interview and how to answer that particular question. But one piece of advice would be to read the subjects related to your Bachelor's degree as one can definitely get a minimum of 2-3 questions from its Bachelor's degree.
If you have got work experience, then knowing the company profile, company board of members, social and economic activities related to the company. Also, if the company is in the manufacturing sector, then knowing the company product portfolio is also highly advisable.
It is also advisable to prepare the documents containing your original 10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets—interview and Work experience relevant work experience certificate. And any relevant documents related to academic or extra –curriculum achievements.
Also, the most important for any interview is to look formally right. For Boys, a well-cut hair and trimmed beard or clean shave is mandatory. Wearing a business formal is also compulsory. If you are going to wear it for the first time, then make sure that you have worn that particular business formal's at least ten times before your scheduled interview, as this helps in getting comfortable with your attire. It helped me.
So in the end, I would like just to say,
In any of the process, one needs to keep himself/herself quiet and calm. Panicking or worrying will only create trouble for yourself.
In the end, don't think much about how one interview went. You cannot judge is it went good or bad, once it's done means done. Just keep the learning from those interviews, like how you sub-consciously dealt with the question asked by the interview. If the problem was from your Bachelor's subject and if you didn't know the answer, try to look for the solution. Also, observe how you were behaving in group discussion. Try to work on your weak areas and convert them into your strengths. Try to work as much as you can on your body language and keep yourself mentally and physically fit.
Best wishes for your bright future.
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