'Should You Target IIM Ahmedabad?', And 5 Other Key Questions Answered By CAT, XAT Toppers

It is in your best interest to not quit your job for CAT preparation merely because quitting does not guarantee you a good CAT score. You might have a bad day or a bad 15 mins which could ruin your score. Having a plan B is very important given the nature of unpredictability of the exam.

Even at the time of interviews, it would be very difficult to convince the interview panel if you quit your job. A couple of hours of preparation each day and extended hours on weekends consistently should be more than enough for anyone to clearly understand all the topics that one needs to know for the examination and practice well.

Every IIM has a separate selection criteria. Colleges such as IIM Bangalore give weightage to work-experience right from the shortlisting stage, and therefore one would be at a position of a disadvantage as compared to others. Quitting your job affects your profile and might be a signal of poor time management to the panelists.

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Is it possible to get into the IIMs and other top B-schools with low graduation scores?

Colleges really value consistency, therefore your past academic records are an important part of your application. It is essential to maintain 60% in your graduation to be eligible for the selection process of the top IIMs.

However, the graduation score is just one part of the selection process. Another way to look at it is, based on the selection criteria released till now for different B-schools, your academic profile accounts for just 20-40% of the total composite score, and the rest is accounted for by the CAT score.

So clearly, all is not lost just because your graduation scores are low. While having poor academics hampers the scope of getting into some IIMs, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot get into any IIM. All you need to do now is focus on a good CAT score and try to score a good percentile in the exam.

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Should one pursue one's MBA with or without work experience?

There is no one size fits all approach to this question. However, it is usually advisable to gain some relevant work experience as it adds to one's perspective and gives a more realistic view of certain concepts.

When it comes to placements, people with work experience generally are held to it and most companies try to fit them into roles that will best exploit their prior knowledge. Sometimes companies prefer freshers because it's easier to mould them. You also gain a lot of clarity as to which field to choose for your specialization post an MBA if you have work experience.

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Is Targeting IIM Ahmedabad For An MBA In Your Best Interest?

It is also important to understand your potential. A few months into the mocks, one should understand their potential and where they can reach. Depending on your profile it will be wise to figure out what B-schools could you target and make an informed decision. Shortlist colleges basis aspiration, specialization, location and the types of companies that visit.

But even without having done that homework, there are people who have made it to the top business schools. The decision is yours but these are the two approaches that you can take forward. Put in your hard work and the rest of the things will follow. Everything is achievable if one puts their mind to it. Aim as high as you can and don't limit yourself.

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You May also try InsideIIM's AI-Driven Profile Evaluation Tool. Based on our extensive research, we have developed a tool that will match your profile with the profiles of the students who have made it to top business schools in India and give you a match percentage.

In case you wish to watch the entire webinar, you may watch it here!