Custom Search

Saturday, December 19, 2009

BAD MBA CAT

The decision of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for cat mba to continue with computerised CAT mba 2009 and to give just 8,000 candidates another shot at the exam in late January 2010 has not gone down well.

Candidates who remain to be tested and those found to have been genuinely affected by various glitches during the first testing period will be asked to appear for the test. The IIM are setting up the criteria to identify candidates eligible for the retest of CAT. The candidates will be informed by Prometric by e-mail.

CAT Selection Process 2010

CAT Result and Short-listing

iim CAT mba 2009 result will be announced from Friday, 22 January 2010 onwards on the CAT website. Simultaneously, mba CAT website will also list the names of the candidates short-listed for interviews by IIMs for PGP. Each IIM will send interview letters to the candidates it has short-listed. The criteria for short-listing varies from IIM to IIM. Please visit the admission hotlinks of the respective websites of mba for further information.


Eligibility Verification

If a candidate is short-listed for interviews by any IIM for mba , he has to comply with the following eligibility verification:

Mark sheets

A candidate must show original mark sheets and submit photocopies to prove his/her eligibility at the time of interview.

Reservation Category Requirements

If short-listed for interview, SC, ST, NC-OBC, and DA candidates must show the original caste/class/disability certificate and submit a photocopy at the time of interview.

Candidates in the Final Year of Graduation

If short-listed for interview, candidates appearing for the final bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification examination must show an original certificate from the Principal/Head of the Department/Registrar/ Director of the university/institution certifying that the candidate has obtained 50% marks or equivalent (45% in case of the candidates belonging to SC, ST, and DA category) based on latest available grades/marks. He/she must submit a photocopy of the original certificate at the time of interview. For the PGP of IIMs, such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally only if they submit a certificate latest by June 30, 2010 from the Principal/Registrar of their college/institute (issued on or before June 30, 2010) stating that they have completed all the requirements (the results may, however, be awaited) for obtaining the bachelor's degree/ equivalent qualification on the date of issue of the certificate.

IIM mba would not allow any candidate to join their programme in case the candidate is unable to complete all the requirements for a bachelor degree on or before June 30, 2010.

The IIM would also not offer admission to any candidate after June 30, 2010.

Friday, November 20, 2009

IIM CAT 2009

The IIM MBA CAT examination starting from November 29 to December 7 will be different in more ways than one, with major logistics revamp to suit the new format.

Candidates will get only 15 minutes to familiarise themselves with the new system on how to answer and review the questions before the actual test lasting two hours and 15 minutes begins. The testing sessions will be audio and video recorded. Contingency plans have been put in place in the event of power outage, technical glitches , medical outbreaks, natural calamities and terrorist attacks, according to the guidebook.

An estimated 2.41 lakh candidates are said to have registered for CAT this year as compared to 2.46 lakh who took the test in 2008. MBA CAT is a qualifying test for a management programme at the seven Indian Institutes of Management iim as well as other institutes that accept the CAT scores. It will be held in close to 104 test centres across 32 cities in India. The results will be declared on the CAT website by the end of January.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

MBA Entrance Exam Application Deadlines

  • FMS 2010: The registration for the entrance exam for Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi started on Monday, October 5, 2009 and the last date for the same is Friday, November 20, 2009. The exam will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

  • SNAP 2009: SNAP is the common entrance exam for all the Symbiosis institutes. The registration for the same had started from Monday, August 24, 2009. The last date for registration is Friday, November 27, 2009. The exam will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2009.

  • XAT 2010: XAT is the admission test for the MBA institutes like XLRI, XIMB, XIME etc. There are many other MBA institutes that accept XAT scores like Welingkar, LIBA, GIM etc. The exam will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2010.

  • MAT December 2009: MAT, the MBA entrance exam organized by AIMA is held four times a year. The sale of the registration vouchers will end on Monday, November 9, 2009. The last date for registration is Saturday, November 12, 2009. The MAT December 2009 exam will be held on Sunday, December 6 for the paper pencil mode. The computer based exam will start from Saturday, December 12 onwards.

  • NMAT 2010: The registration for the entrance exam for Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) has started from October 27. The last date for registration is Sunday, December 6, 2009. NMAT 2010 will be online test which will be held in a window of 10 days, from Saturday, January 30, 2010 to Monday, February 8, 2010.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Four things required for Cat Cracking

Fortunately or unfortunately, competitive exams like iim cat have become a strict norm for selection to various professional courses i.e. MBA in our country. Notwithstanding the demerits of such a system, competitive exams like cat for mba are a reality for the lakhs of students who appear in them every year.

In such a scenario, everyone wants to success. Success in these exams brings immense glory and confidence to the individuals, besides giving them a clear cut break into the career line of their choice. However, seats are limited and not everyone who appears can be selected. This does not mean that those who are not selected do not deserve a training in these courses. It only means that there aren't sufficient seats to accommodate all the deserving candidates.

Keeping this background in mind, let us explore what it takes to succeed in these competitive exams.

To my mind, the first prerequisite for success in these examinations is determination. The candidate must be quite sure of his level of motivation. Without a high level of motivation, no one can go through the rigorous preparation process. Thus, you must be absolutely determined to give your best efforts in your endeavor.

Once one is sufficiently motivated, one needs to be ready to give sufficient number of hours of his or her time in studies. This is real hard work and involves significant sacrifices on the part of the individual. "All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy". Therefore it is also important that the candidate does take out some time for relaxation either through sports, music or other art forms. Regular exercise ( about 15 - 20 minutes ) every day will help maintain a healthy body which in turn will house a healthy mind.

The third requirement, is selection of the right study material. One should not go for shortcuts. Instead, try to understand the chapters / concepts in detail and practice sufficient number number of questions. Therefore go for standard textbooks, study materials provided, as various correspondence courses and other coaching institutions serve as supplementary and complementary material to the textbook material.

The fourth consideration is an appropriate 'Study Strategy'. A very common question which students ask is, How to balance the studies with competitive exam study. Think that can be incorporated within the broad framework of one's competitive exams' preparation strategy. One strategy is to look at each chapter as a chapter to be learnt, a material to be mastered; rather than dichotomizing it as school & competitive exam-related study material.


Also revise the important concepts, facts, problems that you would have marked during during your year or years of preparation before the examination.

On the day of examination, keep your cool and attempt the questions. Remember, if you have given your best during the last months, you need not fear anything. Ultimately, only effort and not the result is in your hand. Which you should do to your maximum capability as outlined above. Rest is your destiny or luck. So go ahead, give your best and leave the rest!

Talk with a Cat Cracker

"Be sure in yourself that you want to do MBA. It is not the end of the world if you don’t want it.".
Vipul Goel, IIM Lucknow (2009), IITD (2005), discusses with a leading website about his mba preparation journey and making it to best mba college in India.

1. Tell us something about yourself.

I am a Delhi guy since the start. I have done my engineering from IIT Delhi. Worked in a MNC for two years and then went for higher studies at IIM Lucknow. At present I am working in another MNC.

2. Why did you choose IIM mba Lucknow?

The reason for choosing IIM mba Lucknow was it being one of the premiere institute for pursuing MBA in India. The broader perspective to business world and the chance to pursue studies according to your choices and interests were some of the factors which supported the fact.

3. Tell us something about the life in IIML?

IIM Lucknow is a place where you get a chance to meet people coming from all walks of life. A fresher coming out of a small college in India as well as people who ended up as as COO of some top firms (after graduation), people who have written books, people who have worked in army. Ofcourse, geographical diversity of the place can never be missed. All this can provide a different aspect to one’s outlook in the life.

Other than that almost all batchmates were super enthusiastic people who take interest and pride in their work. The quality of the teams in which I have worked throughout the period was amazing. Before MBA I was a person who wasn’t confident in interacting people with various walks of life which I felt is a hindrance in reaching the top. Presently I enjoy interacting with all which I believe. This is the biggest change in myself.

The life of MBA isn’t over without mentioning the number of clubs, committees and competitions which help one in fulfilling their interests in academic interests as well as in fine arts.

4. What made you leave your well-settled job and go for a full time MBA?

Leaving a well-settled job and high paying job is never an easy decision. One needs to be absolutely sure that they want to go for it. Difference it might make to one’s career is reaching your career advance in a Ferrari then by a Honda

5. How did you study for mba entrance exam?

I never studied for CAT. That was the only exam I appeared for. I simply kept my cool on the day and cracked the same.

6. What was your strategy for GD/PI?

For GD, I only spoke my points which I felt relevant. I always avoided entering a fish market. Idea is to make your points early to give structure to a presentation or give new direction if no new points are coming up. Please don’t try to be a leader of the group as usually most of the contemporaries are aggressive enough themselves and this strategy can backfire.

In PI, be yourself. Don’t try to fake your reasons for doing MBA or your achievements. Confidence is a must as you never know, what question can come up next. I have seen interviews going in very different direction then expected. Also, don’t indulge in asking those who had given interview first as to what their experience was or what questions were asked as it only hampers your open mindedness.

Just a fact that my IIM mba Lucknow interview has lasted less than 8 minutes, ended on a seemingly bad note as per others. I ended up among top 20 entrants there.

7. According to you, what is the right time to go for an MBA. Should economic scenarios drive an individual MBA plans?

In short term yes economic scenario can drive an individual’s MBA plans. On a longer term however, it doesn’t matter. You get to learn much more during adverse times which can guide you better when times change.

8. Any advice for future mba aspirants?

Be sure in yourself that you want to do MBA. It is not the end of the world if you don’t want it. Hundreds of career waiting which can make you earn much more if you are a top performer in them.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Common Admission Test 2009

Original iim mba cat Advertisement
A day more left to start the online registration for iim mba CAT.
Get ready for CAT 2009 !!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Crack IIM CAT

Tips to prepare for IIM CAT

1. Place two table clocks on your study table. Both should be stop clocks. Give each clock a name. Let their names be "Actual" and "Believed". The Actual clock will keep a count of the actual time you spend on your studies, while the Believed clock will maintain a record of the time you believe you are spending on your studies.

2. Set both clocks to 12 noon when you start your studies for the day. Stop both when you give yourself a planned break of more than half-an-hour. However, when your break is of a duration smaller than half-an-hour, or at least that is what you believe, stop the ‘Actual’ clock and let the ‘Believed’ clock tick as usual. Even if you are daydreaming, stop the ‘Actual’ clock by the appropriate time amount.

3. Check the time on both clocks when you are done for the day. The ratio of time difference between the Actual and the Believed clock will give you the exact measure of your efficiency. An efficiency of over 80 per cent is excellent. An efficiency of over 70 per cent is acceptable.

Try to maintain & increase your efficiency.Only then u can expect to have chance in " CAT cracking "

Friday, July 10, 2009

Online Cat 2009

IIM CAT will now be a frenzied blur of clicks. The decision will impact thousands of students who appear for the highly competitive entrance exam at centres across the country in the hope of scoring high enough to make it to one of the IIM MBA. The online move will mean changes but internet-age students seem comfortable with the idea. The online model will be similar to US exams like the GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) except that the results will not appear instantly.

The process of conducting the exam will be outsourced to a private service provider.But the IIM will retain complete control over the test.


It’s a great idea but I have my doubts about exactly how the IIM will manage to conduct the exams online for such large numbers.........

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Ranking of Cat coaching Centers ( Delhi )

There is mushrooming of coaching centers in Delhi. Without any official ranking or other criteria which can be fairly used , students fails to get the best coaching.
Visitors to my blog always asks for the ranking of MBA CAT coaching centers.................here i am giving rank to four famous MBA CAT coaching centers according to Student`s experience, CAT results & other criteria as deemed fit for evaluation of coaching centers.


1) IMS

2) PT education

3) T.I.M.E.

4) Carrer launcher

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

ONLINE CAT 2009

It is very tough to say whether the IIM CAT will go online this year or not. Pankaj Chandra, director, IIM Bangalore said that they are not sure whether the CAT will go online or not.The Probability is that they will go for the usual paper-pencil test, where they are familiar with the entire logistics of printing, advertising and hiring of rental places for writing the test.

Online MBA CAT would mean taking the test on a computer which will serve questions from a local server. The IIMs have said they will need a good number of computer terminals for students to take the examination. A whole lot of other details need to be put in place which needs time. Online CAT require good work from IIMs in terms of infrastructure and facilities which will not happen in a few months' time.

Career Launcher is investing around Rs 30 lakh to facilitate online cat training on computer to its students. ETS Prometric, Pearson VUE, Eduquity Career Technologies and Mumbai-based Attest, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aptech are the four companies that are shortlisted for conducting of test online.But when will this happen only God or IIM knows!!

A degree provides you with innumerable career opportunities in various fields .It is especia