Master of Business Administration (MBA) stands out as the most longed-for career option today irrespective of the state of
economy, the job market outlook and the soaring cost profile of an MBA degree. So, it is not surprising to notice that the number
of aspirants pursuing an MBA degree has been swelling consistently over the past 10 years. Over half of the MBA institutes have
been set up after 1995. It is estimated that Indians spend crores of rupees every year on MBA education. Thus, the worth of an
MBA degree is clearly beyond debate for a growing number of people.
After passing the written test, shortlisted candidates have to appear in rounds of discussions and interviews. Here, good
performance is crucial as only one out of every four students who clear the written test gets through the group discussion and interview
at IIMs. Aspirants should also keep in mind that the professors are not really looking for students who dominate but those who
have a world view, can back it up and articulate it well in a big group. The interview, the last acid test, which candidates face
before getting into a B-School, is of vital significance. What you need most is a good reason to substantiate any line of thought
you air during the interview. Remember, unlike many other institutes, B-Schools are not looking for experts in specific fields but
for generalists with well-rounded skills. So a multidimensional approach is of utmost importance.
In spite of the fact that most of the students getting into Indian B-Schools are still fresh out of college, some institutes are reporting
a steady rise in the number of candidates with experience applying for MBA.
Now, the question is whether the MBA will retain its appeal and remain as much attractive a career in future as it is today.
That depends to a great extent on where the degree comes from. Those doled out by hundreds of mushrooming management schools
never have a shine.
They were meant for students who only wanted to top a BA or BSc degree with a dash of "professional"
education. The top-of-the-line MBA programmes won't lose their worth if they continue to keep pace with the ever changing needs
of the industry and, equally importantly, churn out as many world class managers as successful entrepreneurs.
In this issue, we present the solved question papers of Management Aptitude Test, May 2006; Common Admission Test,
November 2005; Openmat (XIX) Entrance Test For Management Programmes, February 2006; MBA Admission Test,
Institute of Rural Management, Anand, December 2005 and Bank Probationary Officers’ Exam, Conducted by Central Bank
of India, July 2006, to enable our esteemed readers in assessing their level of preparation.
