This is a question that I get asked often by students and a very important one at that — how do I build my profile? So before we get on to the answer, let us evaluate what elements of a profile are. Read More
Latest Posts
How to improve your Verbal Ability for CAT?
As discussed in the previous post, the Verbal Ability sections on the CAT and other tests end up testing aspirants’ general command over the language as much as the test-specific practice they have put in. So how does one improve one’s command over the language? How does one improve one’s reading speed? How does one widen the range of one’s vocabulary? Read More
How to plan a GMAT attempt along with a CAT re-take
In the aftermath of the CAT, a lot of aspirants who did not make it will be contemplating their next move and the GMAT as an option will be looming large on the horizon. I feel that for those aspirants who have a good profile and are aiming at top-tier colleges, the GMAT should definitely be an option to consider. Read More
How to prepare for a CAT retake – Part III
In the previous two posts we discussed the mindset and the tools that you would need for a successful retake. In this post we will take a look at the specific things you need to do for each section and area. Read More
How to prepare for a CAT retake – Part II
In the previous post, we discussed the mindset with which one should approach a CAT retake; in this post we shall look at a few more aspects with respect to a successful CAT retake. Since each one of you readers will have a different back story with respect to your first attempt and there will also be some non-IMS students among you as well, the focus of this post will be a bit wider. Read More
How to prepare for a CAT retake – Part I
Most of the institutes have given out their calls and many of you might be planning to retake the CAT. For some of you, it might be a case of almost getting there but missing out because of one poor section or just missing out on the overall percentile. For others, the CAT-day might have been a bad day at the office and you knew straight away that nothing much was going to happen.On my first attempt, I fell into the latter group — I knew I was out of my depth when I saw the Quant paper, there was no way I was going to clear the cut-offs. This despite consistently doing very well in the Sims leading up to the test. I decided to take another shot since I was very clear that it was not out of my league.
This post, in three parts, is for all those re-takers who are NOT hoping to get lucky next time around but want to ensure that they leave no stone unturned to make the cut in their next shot at CAT. Read More
My 2 cents from a lifetime experience called MBA
Over the past few years of mentoring there are always students who keep in touch even after they graduate from b-school. Some to express gratitude once they get their final placement, some to sort out their post MBA dilemmas and others just to have a nice chat about everything under the sun :-).
Likewise this year a student of mine who graduated this March, wrote to me saying that he felt investing in an MBA was the best thing he did and over the course of a few mails I asked him to do a guest post about his MBA experience.
Given that a lot of aspirants who made it to b-schools will be debating the pros and cons, thinking about the cost involved whether it is worth it, the better schools you missed out on and stuff, this post is timely.
Two years back I remember this student also being in the same dilemma. He was wondering whether it was really worth leaving his job at Ford to do an MBA. I felt he should since over the longer-term you need an MBA not just to be given the big roles but also to do justice to them.
This is his take on his MBA experience. Please note that this purely one student’s take based on his personal experience. Read More
How to approach the Indian B-School Personal Interview
Over the past few weeks, I was travelling around taking sessions at the IMS NAW, which explains why the posts have become sporadic. Now that we are done with the Achievers Workshops there is more breathing space to do some writing that captures the essence of the closing session that I took at the NAW.
The IIM interview season has already started and aspirants would be trying to get as many insights as they can right from how to dress for the interview to how to reduce India fiscal deficit without affecting our growth!
Amidst all of this clutter, how does one go in with the right perspective? What is the state of mind with which one should approach an interview? How you approach an interview will make all the difference. Read More
GD-PI 2018 – Articles of Note
I have put together a compilation of articles on various topics of interest that might turn up in this year’s WAT-GD-PI season.
Don’t speed-read these articles and make notes solely from a point of view of WAT-GD, as if you were preparing essay type answers on topics for a test in school.
The narrower you go, the deeper the hole you dig yourself into.
GD-PI Toolkit 2018
Now that the results are out, most students are scrambling to get every ounce of GK or Current Affairs they can into their system. I keep joking that if I could administer an injection, I would have.
But since that is not possible, what I have done is put together a list of different articles that might make useful reading, as well as a compilation of institute-specific processes and topics from previous years.
The articles I fully assure you will be super boring and fairly long, but then there is that saying — the harder you work, the luckier you get.
I will keep updating the folder as well.
Read away.
The CAT Writer 