MBA Matters

NMAT 2007 Placement

2008-10-10T03:38:00.000-07:00

NMIMS enjoys the reputation of being one of the oldest MBA institutes in Mumbai and is known for its marketing excellence. It also has enviable industry access plus its location wins it brownie points.
For starters, it attracted the top players in the FMCG sector:

•ITC Ltd.
•L'Oreal India Pvt. Ltd.
•Hindustan Lever Ltd.
•Britannia Industries Ltd.
•Dabur India Ltd.
•Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt. Ltd.
•Marico Ltd.
•Whirlpool of India Ltd.
•Henkel India Ltd.

The Finance as well as the Pharma & Healthcare sectors were well represented.Top names include:

Finance (banks/insurance/risk management) sector

•ABN Amro Asia Corporate Finance
•Axis Risk Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd.
•Centurion Bank of Punjab Ltd.
•GE Commercial Finance
•GE Money
•HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd.
•ICICI Bank Ltd.
•ICICI Securities Ltd.
•Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
•Lehman Brothers Services India Pvt. Ltd.
•Morgan Stanley Advantage Services Pvt. Ltd.
•SBI Capital Markets Ltd.
•SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
•Securities and Exchange Board of India
•CRISIL Ltd
•DSP Merrill Lynch Ltd.
•Macquarie Bank Ltd.
•Credit Analysis & Research Ltd.
•J. P. Morgan Services India Pvt. Ltd.

Pharma & Healthcare

•Cipla Ltd.
•Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
•Emcure Pharma Ltd.
•Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
•Lupin Laboratories Ltd.
•Orchid Laboratories Ltd.
•Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
•Sandoz Pvt. Ltd.
•Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
•Unichem Laboratories Ltd.
•Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd.
•Baxter (India) Pvt. Ltd.
•Nicholas Piramal

Media groups like Leo Burnett & Television Eighteen India Ltd. (CNBC) have also graced the 2007 placement platform. Finance has been a big player in the previous year. However, this year things will be different due to the global bear run and widespread economic collapse. Somewhere or the other, this year’s MBA graduates will feel the pinch in their annual CTC if things don’t start looking up. The salary stats for 2007 are:

Domestic Placement

Highest – INR 14.25 Lacs per annum
Mean – INR 8.85 Lacs per annum
Median – INR 9.3 Lacs per annum

International Placements

Highest – USD 75, 000
Mean – USD 70,000

A sector wise placement for 2007 looks like this:

NMAT 2009 - forms are out!

2008-10-10T01:14:00.000-07:00

NMAT date is out. All applications are to be filled online.

Last date of form submission is 10th of November (6:00 pm).
Date of exam: 28th of December, 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 am -12:30 pm
Modes of Payment:
• You can deposit cash at select Axis Bank Branches. You can also make the payment by Demand Draft or Credit Card.
• Alternately, you can also pay through the IMS centers.
Registration fee: Rs 1600

Narsee Monjee scores because of its location. Mumbai offers great placement opportunity for young MBA graduates. It also ensures that you have a enough scope of interaction with fellow institutes like the Symbi colleges, Welingkar, K J Somaiya, Jamnalal Bajaj and others. You can also be guaranteed of a rocking college life. You can zip off to Lonawala, Khandala or even Goa if the city gets to you (provided you can afford to take an off).

NMIMS has a trimester system. Work load is neither more nor less than other management institutes. It’s just that we are not used to studying regularly, the general tendency being to put off everything till the last month before exams. And, that’s when the trouble starts.Will put up its placement stats...keep watching this space:)

The global credit crunch -how is it going to affect B-school placements?

2008-09-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Every newspaper and TV channel worth its salt is talking of the global economic meltdown and the weakening of the rupee. But, have you wondered what is going to be the effect of this meltdown on the B-school graduates?

The international banking sector is on a nosedive. Within a space of six months (the crisis started with the Bear Stern collapse in March), big names like Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns and AIG have been wiped out. Other hotshots like Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, American Express and Deutsche Bank will be more circumspect in their hiring.

Even hirings in the Indian banking sector have slowed down. According to a faculty member in charge of placements at MDI Gurgaon, the joining dates of MBA graduates in many banks have been delayed (the normal joining dates fall in the months of July and August). Obviously, the Wait and Watch approach is being followed.

Although not confirmed by official sources, it is a known fact that Pre-placement offers have been revoked in a couple of IIMs. But it’s the second tier MBA schools that are going to be most hard hit by this economic downturn. It is quite possible that some companies may even back-out from the placement process. Or, they might outsource the process to consultants because companies have to shell out round about Rs 1 Lac for each hiring during the final placement process.

Consequences of the economic slowdown could include:

• Less hiring so as to cut down on costs
• Comparatively lower salary packages than before
• Placements in Tier 2 MBA schools will be hit

The markets are predicted to go down even further. But, will there be any long term setback? I don’t think so. Placement for the 2008 batch should be a level playing ground. In my opinion, Marketing, Consultancy and Operation are going to be the big draw of this season. What’s your take on it?

The waits finally over- XAT 2009 forms are out!

2008-09-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Besides CAT, one of the most widely given test for MBA entrances is XAT. True to its form, XAT 2009 is scheduled for the first Sunday of January as usual. Arguably the most confounding B school entrance tests, XAT scores are accepted in all four Xavier institutes and a couple of other B schools. This year apparently 60 institutes are going to consider XAT scores. The pick of colleges includes SP Jain, XLRI, Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and Xavier’s Institute of Business Management (XIMB). The test is to be conducted in 31 countries across India.

Date: 4th January, 2009
Test timings: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Application forms out for TAPMI

2008-08-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Application forms for T.A. PAI Management Institute is now available for the 2 year full time residential PGDM course for 2009-2011. TAPMI accepts multiple scores – both CAT and GMAT.

Eligibility: BA with a minimum of 50% in aggregate in any discipline. Final year students can also apply.

Accepted scores: CAT (2008) and GMAT (2007-2008)

Admission Procedure: Candidates will be shortlisted as per their scores in any of the two management tests. Final decision will be based on their performance in the Group Discussion and Personal Interview round.

TAPMI application forms are available at:

Select branches of Axis Bank and State bank of India
Admission office at TAPMI Manipal and TAPMI CEE, Bangalore
Applicants can submit their form online

Applicants can also download the form from the site.

Cost of form: Rs 1,200

Last date for issue of forms: 1^st December, 2008

Last date of receipt of forms: 6^th December, 2008

This is what its placement wheel for the 2005-2007 batch looks like:

Comaparative MBA Application Fees

2008-07-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

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:)