Comaparative MBA Application Fees

I have prepared a list of application fee for colleges that the average MBA aspirants may apply to. As you can see, MBA is one expensive proposition. My purpose of putting up this comparative table is to urge you to choose your colleges with care. Don't follow a herd mentality. Think about what you want from your education and evaluate whether the college that you are applying to can provide it. Don't cut corners...it's your future…take control of it!

IIFT test tips

If you are thinking of sitting for IIFT, then it might help to keep these pointers in mind.Afetr all, the IIFT exam does enjoy a reputation of being one of the quirkiest entrance tests.

• The paper is bound to be longer than CAT. So, time management is essential.
  
• Last year there was a negative marking of 1/3. In 2006, it was 1/5. What’s it gonna be for 2008 is anybody’s guess.
  
• There is variation in weightage of the different sections.
  
• No specific sectional cutoff pattern is provided. However, its safe to assume that you will be in good stead if you attempt 10 to 12 questions in each section.
  
• In 2006, there were multiple correct answers (@#$%%^ irritating I tell you). In 2007, there was (thankfully) only one correct answer among 4 choices.
  
• Focus equally on business and general awareness issues. This is one area where you can score. The 2006 paper followed a business awareness approach. But, the 2007 paper stressed on general knowledge. It’s best to prepare a mix of the two.

IBSAT forms are out

IBSAT application forms are out guys…the score will be used for admission into the 22 ICFAI business schools in India. There are two ways of getting your hands on the form:

A) Go to the website, download the form, fill it up and mail it to the Hyderabad centre. Payment will be accepted through a demand draft.
B) Fill up the form online. Payment is to be made through credit card.

Important
The last date of receipt of the filled OMR form is November 20th, 2008.
Date of exam: 21st December, 2008

My personal opinion is that anyone who practices for CAT should be able to clear IBSAT. ICFAI Hyderabad is the best one of the lot especially if you are inclined towards finance. ICFAI Gurgaon also scores because of its location and the efforts of a dedicated placement head Prof. Gautam Kaul.

Thrash Da CAT

I was just going through a couple of postings on forums when I happened to chance upon this post.

Nowadays, most students start their MBA prep from BA II year itself. And why not, with the stiff competition, it’s almost impossible to get a good CAT score without coaching. So why would anyone want to sit for CAT without adequate preparation? I don’t think giving CAT without any prep work is an indicator of your strength or weakness. The only point I see here is that by giving CAT this year, the student in question may very well be starting her journey to master CATOPHOBIA.

CATOPHOBIA or phobia of CAT is the fear psychosis that typically grips the entire student population from the time they start their MBA preparation. The hysteria increases as the days creep nearer to the 2^nd week of November.

Clearing CAT and getting into the IIMs is the stuff of dreams. And, the best way to do it is to understand the exam pattern and decipher ways of how to clear the hurdles. Technically speaking, if you can clear 8 questions from each section, it’s safe enough to assume that you can get into the crème de la crème of B schools in India. How do you do it? Well, to tell you honestly, I don’t know…but this is how I cleared it.

• Time management is absolutely crucial. Even if the current pattern gives you more time for each question, maintain a balance of time/accuracy per question. It helps if you take simulated tests.

• If you look at a question that you think is difficult, I suggest you move on, especially in the DI & LR.

• When preparing for the quant section, pay attention to the basics as well as the application of a formula to a particular problem. Application is the Most Important thing.

• Some institutes will ask for a higher verbal score. So, don’t scrimp on the verbal practice.

• Make a list of all the formulae and keep revising it. I followed the 3-1-3 system i.e., I revised all the formulae in 3 days, took one day off and then repeated the process again.

If it helps, I will make a list of all the formulae and put it up for reference.

And last but not the least…Don’t fear CAT. As the slogan for a popular cola tells you: Daar Ke Age Jeet Hai!

Red alert: forms out for IIFT

Application forms for India Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) are out.

The test is exactly one week after CAT.

Important dates:

Last date for sale of prospectus by post: 20th August 2008

Last date for receipt of completed application: 3rd September 2008

Written Test: 23rd November 2008 (10 am – 12 noon)

ISB Admission Information Sessions

If you are aiming to get into ISB Hyderabad this year or the next, it might be a good idea to attend their admission information sessions. Conducted across pan Indian locations, these sessions can help you learn more about the school, meet school staff & get details regarding admission into the Post Graduate Programme in Management.

In Delhi, the information sessions are scheduled for 27^th July, 2008. Registration payment has to be done online through Visa/ Master Card or by using the ICICI Net Banking option.

Click for more details.

And your time starts now - CAT date announced

The CAT date was announced yesterday. November 16^th (Sunday) is the day on which all you MBA aspirants will have a chance to literally “Crack the CAT”. Now that the time is creeping near, it might be helpful to give a few Sim CATs. Most coaching centre hold SIM CATs every fortnight. Dates might differ but the general trend is to hold it on Sundays so that maximum people can give it. Even those of you who are not enrolled into any coaching centre can register yourself only for the Sim CAT.

I know many of you will find hundred reasons to not go for these simulated tests. The common excuses range from: “I am not ready” to “a waste of time”. But, let’s face it…you will never be ready for CAT. Every year I hear kids complaining about how they weren’t prepared for the quant or the comprehension part in verbal. It’s a never ending saga of incomplete preparation and over exceeding expectation from oneself. One of the first rules of taking any entrance test on a national scale is to acclimatize yourself with the test pattern, followed by time management. A simulated experience allows you to do just that without cheating & most importantly, without breaks.

The Masters of Business

A few days back I went to visit one of my friends who lived near Delhi University. The place always brings memories of my golden years as a student – attending classes or often bunking them to catch up the latest flick at Batra hall or just hanging out in Kamla Nagar. At hostel, much of our time was spent on 3Cs - carom, cricket, and the mighty CAT.

Thankfully, 13 years ago belling the CAT was not as tough as it is today. In spite of our frequent all night binge and self study, almost all of us managed to get into fairly good MBA institutes including IIM Indore, XLRI and FMS. I would be lying if I said that were no coaching centers then with overzealous & tough taskmasters. But, the focus on self study was more. Not everyone could find a good mentor who could counsel them on what to study and how to study. This included yours truly too. (I got into IIM in my 2^nd attempt). So many of us ended up wasting hours and hours reading useless notes while we could have had fun!

But now, things have certainly changed. Almost every gali worth its salt houses an MBA coaching centre. Even the Internet – the last free zone of speech - has succumbed to the MBA craze. It made me wonder why don’t I too add my two pence to the world of MBA? From CAT to SNAP, from the BAAP of all – IIMs - to the new kids on the block – ISB – I intend to cover it all...or at least..as much as I know:)