Business School Admission Process

Admission in a business school is a multi step process. The first and the most important step is the Exam that is a test of your attitude, aptitude and approach. The right combination of these three is a must to get through.

Most top ranked business schools have either two or three admission selection rounds for MBA. Applying in the first round will increase your chances of acceptance, because there are more empty slots available. By the time the third round has commenced, many students have already been accepted, which lessens your chances considerably so you must apply as early as possible.

The Written Test - Most institutes conduct their Written Tests between November and January. The written tests, inter alia, include the following:

• Quantitative Skills This section of an MBA written examination tests skill levels of aspirants upto Higher secondary school mathematics. The favorite topics for the paper setter in quantitative section include.
  1. Arithmetic (Number Theory, Ratio and Proportion, TSD, Percentages, Partnerships, Mixtures and Alligations etc.
  2. Geometry: - Lines and Angles, Triangles, Circles, Co-Ordinate Geometry etc.
  3. Algebra :- Quadratic equations, Functions
  4. Probability, Permutations and Combinations
  5. Set theory, Trigonometry, Stock and Shares etc.
• Verbal Ability This section includes Grammar, English usage, Reading comprehension, Vocabulary and other aspects of English language
• General and Business Awareness It includes static and current general knowledge and business awareness.
• Reasoning Abilities This includes puzzles, critical reasoning, visual reasoning etc.

To qualify a written test a candidate should be able to maintain a proper balance between speed and accuracy. There is a general belief that candidates who are able to manage their time will come out victorious in the 1st phase of MBA entrance. The call letter for stage 2 which involves Group Discussion and Interview is sent to students who qualify the test.

The Group Discussion and Interview - This stage of the process is held between April and August for most of the institutes. GDs and PIs are undertaken to check a candidate's personality traits. Personality traits being checked in a GD are Group Behavior, Awareness, Communication skills, Reasoning ability, Flexibility, Leadership, Assertiveness, Initiative, Confidence, Creativity to name a few. An interview can be broadly categorized into Personal Interview and Group Interview. In a Personal Interview apart from the personality traits an interviewer or the panel is interested in knowing about candidates’ academics, goals and self awareness level. In a Group Interview, apart from the parameters mentioned above, a candidate is also checked on his analytical ability.

The Final Call After having cleared the above two stages you will receive that all-important Final Call letter informing you that you have been selected.Most of the institutes ask the candidates to pay the first installment of the course within 30 days of the date of the call.