CAT 2013@ Hard luck with CAT 2012? Know your options to plan ahead

NOIDA, India - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- With admission season 2013 in the Top B-schools including IIMs coming closer to an end, the MBA Aspirants whom the success evaded this year should be ready with their next strategy.

For admission to Top B-schools you must have taken CAT 2012. But, did your CAT score prove insufficient for your desired management programme? Did CAT 2012 evade you success towards your journey to your dream B-school? What are your options now?

MBAUniverse.com received many queries from MBA Aspirants who could not make it to the top B-schools for the academic year 2013-15. “I could not convert my calls from a few top B-schools. While my academic background was impressive, my CAT score put me behind my competitors. What should I do now?”  asks Vineet Verma, a Bangalore-based working executive with two years of experience. He put his query on ‘Ask Your Query (http://www.mbauniverse.com/mba-exam-preparation/ask-mba-queries.php)’ section of MBAUniverse.com.

If we broadly divide our MBA Aspirants base, they tend to belong to one of the below 4 categories or scenarios:

No. of Attempt (CAT): 1st

Students:

- Take job +Retake exam
- Choose between online and off-line coaching classes

Working Executive:

- Retake CAT
- Online Prep Strongly recommended

No. of Attempt (CAT): 2nd

Students: - Take admission in 2013-15 in ‘best fit’ institute

Working Executive: - choose distance/part time MBA where cut offs are lower

Scenario 1: If you are a fresher + 1st attempt for CAT

Most of the MBA Aspirants come under this category. Your CAT 2012 experience, undoubtedly, would have left you with a fair idea of your weakness and strengths. While seriously preparing for CAT, you must also have gone through the CAT syllabus, hence becoming familiar with its different sections.

Now you need proper guidance for your next attempt of CAT so that you ensure a high percentile to lock your MBA seat in top B-schools.  

Since you are fresh graduate and have taken CAT for the first time, you should tighten belt for appearing in CAT for the second time with more focus and concentration.

You also must seek mentor or expert guidance this time. We have already published articles on the ‘Importance of Expert Guidance (http://www.mbauniverse.com/article.php?id=6872)’ and ‘Factors that you should analyse before finally selecting your Coaching or Expert (http://www.mbauniverse.com/article.php?id=6875)’.

Another option for you could be to go ahead and take a job. This would help build your profile and help you get to Top B-school after 2-3 years provided you score 90+ in your CAT.

Scenario 2: If you are a fresher + 2nd attempt for CAT

If you are a fresher and already taken CAT twice, it is suggested that you take a call on you B-school admission now.

The best option for you is to take admission in your ‘best fit’ institute as per your CAT score in the academic session 2013-15.  There are many B-schools which have still kept their admission open for the academic year 2013-14.

There are many B-schools which do not announce cut-off criteria for admissions.  Thus, any student with a valid CAT score card can apply to these institutes. Nevertheless, you need to prepare for GD PI & WAT rounds properly to finally get selected.

Scenario 3: If you are a working executive + 1st attempt for CAT

There are many working professionals who in search of better job prospects or for richer job profile, choose to do MBA.

If you too belong to the same category and the last CAT exam was your first attempt, then you need not to worry a lot.

You can seek Expert guidance for the same. Since, you are a working professional and managing time for CAT preparation might be a challenge. Therefore, an online preparation course would be the best mode for you to prepare for CAT exam. Availing the benefit of online coaching will provide you flexibility and will help you to properly divide your time between office work and studies.

Scenario 4:  If you are a working executive + 2nd attempt for CAT

If you are a working executive and CAT 2012 was your second CAT, the possibility of getting your desired B-school after attempting CAT for a 3rd time is not much high.

The best option for you could be to opt for distance/part time MBA where cut offs are lower, while continuing your job.