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CAT GYAN
FAQs About CAT
- What is the weightage given to CAT scores, GD and PI?
No one knows for sure, except of course the professors
themselves. You have enough to worry about as it is, so leave
weightages alone. Just put in your best at every stage.
- Does work experience make a difference?
Let’s put
it this way. Work Ex. is not a negative. Depending on the profile
the profs are looking for, it could be a positive. Only the
preparation will differ slightly. Check the Interview tips.
- Do I have to indicate an area of specialization?
Not really. Do so if you are really keen on a particular area
and then be prepared to answer a few basic questions regarding
that area. Most people decide only after getting here, so it’s
okay to say that you’re keeping options open.
- What if I have no extra-curricular activities to talk
about?
Come on, you must have taken part in some race,
some small elocution in the ninth standard, or in the very least
played cricket with friends from the colony! You don’t have to be
a stud player (that helps though), but you need to come across as
a person with diverse interests.
INTERVIEW GYAN
An interview is a selection method unlike CAT, which is an
elimination method.
So, prepare on several levels -
- General Knowledge - have an opinion about things… you
don’t have to be an expert but 'awareness' is the key. It could be
about anything - from Presidents to polls to the budget to the
population of your native place
- Academics - if you’ve got work ex, you might not be
grilled too much on your grad fundas, but in any case, you’ll have
to dust your textbooks and read up on the basics. If you are a
fresher, then chances are you might have to take a lot of acad
related questions.
Now, what do you study up on? However much
you try and cram in, there’d always be things you can’t cover in
the given amount of time. The best way to get a hold on things is
to get your grounding firm. Revise your core courses and do the
basics - the stuff that’s elementary but important in your line of
specialization. Concentrate on application, rather than pure
theory.
For IIMC in particular, do a bit of Math –
probability, differential calculus, trigonometry, etc. (prove a
triangle sum of angles is 180!)
Example: For an Electronics
and Telecomm. Engineer: 555 timer circuit, how does a
fan/circonditioner work, latest in telecom industry, WAP,
M-commerce, etc
- Work Experience - be prepared to answer any question
regarding your work. Prepare to talk about your projects, your
major achievements, failures and learnings. Also find out about
your company statistics (size, profits, market share) vis-à-vis
your competitors
- Personal - the general load of questions about why you
did xyz and not abc in life... why MBA... describe yourself in a
sentence, a word… please think about these questions carefully in
advance. Don’t make up answers on the spot!
- Stress - be prepared to handle stress. Remember that
you are being tested,
- Practice - And most importantly, get yourself seriously
interviewed by friends/parents/coaches. Get them to take your trip
on different levels – fundas, stress, GK, etc. It helps.
GROUP DISCUSSION It is not
about airtime. Speak confidently and speak well. Do NOT speak
rubbish just for the sake of getting yourself heard - in that case,
any amount of airtime won’t do.
Talk sense, whatever be the amount of airtime. Don’t try to hog
the limelight by uttering things like "I agree with my friend here"
or "That’s a good point", unless you are going to add something that
is cogent and that hasn’t been said before. At the same time, don’t
remain too quiet and passive, don’t keep the interviewer in doubt,
chances are that he won’t look at it too well.
You can also try bringing in a different point of view - a
different definition of the topic given, that could show your
creativity. But again, let it be realistic so that you won’t be
wasting anyone's time. Again, prior practice helps. |
