Applying to B-Schools

When thinking of a career in management, the focus should be not just on exams, but also how the forms are filled which form an important basis of your selection during interview.

The starting process for applying to a B-school begins with filling the forms and keeping their deadlines in mind. The main tests for which forms are available are given below:

These exam forms are different from institute forms. While the exam forms allow you to sit for the Common Admission Test (CAT), Xavier Admission Test (XAT), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test (NMAT), and tests conducted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) For admission process of an institute, the institute forms are more detailed which seek to find the kind of person you are and thus form an integral part of the Group Discussion or Interview part.

One needs to remember while filling these forms not to give vague answers or not to write casually as they can come up during interview putting you in a difficult situation. Another important thing to bear in mind is that you need to remember what you wrote in the form. You wouldn’t want to give a different answer to the same question during interview; the panel will be quick to point that out.

Statements of Purpose or SOPs are common for those filling foreign university forms. However, most Indian B-schools have also taken the cue and are asking for SOP. These help the committee to know about your character and your aims and in general, about the kind of person you are. These are just as important as your marks in the exams.

Therefore, do not be casual about the forms instead take your time to fill the forms presenting your strengths in the form. Before filling the form write down vague ideas about your answers and then read them again to provide better answers. Grammar and spellings are important so do not think of going lenient with that aspect.

Do not give the usual and repeated answers instead try to be innovative, but that does not mean to distract you from what is right. Try to be honest instead of writing vaguely about yourself.

Keep the above tips in mind and remember to give your best.