Many candidates believe that the CAT score is the major determinant of their admission prospects to a good business school. While most good business schools use CAT scores as only one of the components for assessing the candidature of applicants, some others compare it to a benchmark score for screening candidates for the actual selection process that follows.
Among the components of the admission process followed at business schools, the personal interview (PI) is, more often than not, the most critical part of the selection process. The PI and group discussion (GD) provide opportunity to assess candidates’ personality and behavioural traits both in one-on-one and group situations.
Knowledge matters
Apart from verbal and non-verbal communication skills, the GD tests the awareness and depth of knowledge, as well as team behaviour and attitude of the participant. For both GD and PI, while keeping up with business and general news and issues can be done online, participants must read articles and editorials for an in-depth scenario analysis, essential for differentiating themselves significantly from others.
A recording of an impromptu solo speech either with someone close, or in front of the mirror, is the age-old method of improving diction and confidence for GD. Practising through GDs among friends and batch mates can be fruitful if it is conducted in a structured format, and the recording is analysed for improvement required by each participant. While it is of utmost importance to speak well in a GD, it is equally important to listen carefully to others and respond positively by quoting facts and examples. Building arguments and consensus is important as it demonstrates the ability of the participant to play the role of a leader or a team player as the situation demands. Candidates need to train themselves to think ahead while the GD is in progress so as to introduce unspoken relevant points in the discussion, bringing both productivity and new directions to the discussion.
The PI needs both general preparation and some preparation specific to the business school and the programme that the candidate is seeking admission to. Applicants must go through their application form (especially the individual focus items like the statement of purpose) before the day of the interview, to present a coherent consistent image to the interview panel.
Aspirants must pay attention to grooming and dress and to personal etiquette. Many business schools check the extent of knowledge of the participants’ graduating domain. This is more often than not tested through candidates’ ability to apply concepts to specific problems, or issues posed by the panel.
It is also important that candidates should be thorough and convincing with how their academic and career achievements fit well with the specific requirements of the B-school. For detailed information on the business school, a thorough examination of the brochure, website and other public domain sources is recommended. Getting informal information through a prior interaction with the Alumni or the present students of the business school can provide an edge. It is good to anticipate questions about gaps in the candidate’s profile that can negatively influence chances of success at the PI and prepare credible responses to them.
The writer is Chairperson — Marketing Area, IMI-New Delhi.
