When you apply for a Master of Business Administration (MBA), you can find inspiration by thinking about how this degree can benefit your future career. However, before you enter the business world, you must first complete the application process and meet certain conditions. If you want to pursue an MBA program abroad, prepare a long but effective application process.
We’ve put together a 6 step MBA application checklist since applying for an MBA is a huge milestone in your academic, personal, and professional life. This will summarise the most important aspects to think about during your application process.
Step 1: Choose your prospects wisely
- You must first choose an MBA specialisation before applying to an MBA program. And then we’ll give you a few ideas to get you started, but take a moment to look up the list to select your favourite subject:
- MBA in General Management
- MBA in Marketing
- MBA in Finance
- MBA in Entrepreneurship
- MBA in HR
- MBA in Engineering Management
- Choose a business school for your MBA degree
- Of course, depending on your schedule and options, the next step would be to decide whether to pursue an online MBA or an offline MBA.
Step 2: Register and apply for the entrance exam
Be alert for the notifications for the entrance exam that may lead you to your dream B-school.
Common Admission Test (CAT)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based entrance exam administered annually by one of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to an MBA course at India’s top B-Schools. A legitimate CAT score opens the door to more than 100 management institutes across India, in addition to the IIMs. Every year, the CAT exam is held for qualifying graduates and students in their last year of graduation.
Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
CMAT exam is a national entrance exam for admission to management programs throughout the country. The CMAT score is accepted by all AICTE- Approved Institutions / University Departments / Constituent Colleges /Affiliated Colleges. CMAT exam score assists AICTE-affiliated institutions in selecting graduates for admission to their top management programs.
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
The Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI) organises the Xavier Association of Management Institutes Test (XAT) for admission to some of India’s premier management institutes, such as XLRI, XIME, GIM, and XIMB. It’s a general awareness and aptitude test that runs on a computer. A subjective writing test is also included in the exam, for which the candidate needs to write an essay.
NMAT by GMAC
NMAT is another entrance exam that enables candidates to compete for admission in an MBA at some of the best-rated B-Schools. GMAC conducts a computer-based examination. Reputable business institutions, like NMIMS University’s Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad campuses, accept a valid NMAT score.
SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) is an online entrance exam for admission to Symbiosis International (Deemed) University’s Post-Graduate Institutes. Despite the fact that there is a single application form, the candidate must apply separately for each institute within Symbiosis International University, according to the information published on each institute’s website.
Step 3: Take the written exam
Now comes the time to sit for the written exam after successfully registering and applying for the relevant MBA entrance exam and receiving your admit card. The ultimate goal should be to achieve high percentiles and good grades in each section of the exam.
Step 4: Preliminary shortlisting
To get shortlisted at the first stage and appear in the final admission round, you must score above 96-97 percentile with a balanced high sectional percentile. Other considerations are also given weightage in the final admission round.
If you have a poor academic profile, no work experience, and no academic diversity, your high exam percentile can negate the weighting given to other aspects.
Step 5: Personal Interview round
Different components in the personal interview round are used to examine candidates at top management institutes like IIMs, FMS, MDI, XLRI, NMIMS, SIBM, and IMI, among others.
For IIMs, you must prepare for a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI); for other B-schools, you may be required to participate in a GD depending on your WAT. Psychometric assessments are also used by many B-schools. Extempore is an important aspect of the Personal Interview at FMS Delhi’s final admission stage.
For the CMAT exam, the candidate must follow the institution’s selection procedure, which may include a Group Discussion (GD) and a Personal Interview (PI).
Step 6: Final Admission offer
Top B-schools provide your performance in class 10, 12, and graduation – if you achieved 90+ marks – a different weightage ranging from 2 to 20 points. If you are not an engineer, you may be given extra credit for academic diversity. If you have prior work experience, you may be eligible for additional credit.
An MBA confers numerous technical and human benefits. Whether you’re an MBA in Finance, technology, HR, marketing, or manufacturing, it brings up prospects for career advancement and financial remuneration.
