The significance of these three rounds include in the weightage given to the performance in these rounds. In the top B schools, the weights of these rounds range from 30 to 50 per cent. While some of the management institutes conduct all three rounds or even more, some conduct only GD and PI or WAT and PI. While GD and WAT are flexible, PI is compulsory or a must conducted round at every B-School.
Let us have a look at what are the rounds conducted at the top B-schools:
|
B School
|
Selection Rounds
|
|
IIM Ahmedabad
|
WAT & PI
|
|
IIM Bangalore
|
WAT & PI
|
|
IIM Calcutta
|
GD & PI
|
|
IIM Lucknow
|
WAT, GD & PI
|
|
XLRI
|
GD & PI
|
|
IIM Indore
|
WAT & PI
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
WAT & PI
|
|
FMS Delhi
|
GD & PI
|
|
MDI Gurgaon
|
GD & PI
|
|
SPJIMR
|
Group Interview
|
|
NMIMS
|
GD & PI
|
|
JBIMS
|
GD & PI
|
|
IIFT
|
GD, PI & Essay
|
|
NITIE
|
GD & PI
|
B schools are expected to start the process from February 2013 and would continue it till April or May, as the session starts from June 2013 onwards. Given that you have two to three months to go before you face the panel, you must utilize the time in getting prepared for the GD, PI and essay rounds. Even if you are yet to take the written exams, you can fix a schedule for the preparation of the final selection rounds.
Though GD, PI and essay writing require separate preparation, you can start a common preparation which includes brushing up your general awareness. The basic preparation strategy for these three components could be as follows:
• Be abreast with the current affairs by regularly reading newspapers and following TV news. Go in the in-depth analysis and cause and effect of relevant events and maintain a log.
• Practise speaking - Work on your speech and diction. Make sure you rectify your flaws while speaking such as stammering or wrong pronunciation of words.
• Introspect yourself - To appear in the personal interview round, you must have a clear picture about yourself. You should be able to introduce yourself briefly and talk about a particular aspect of your personality in detail if asked by the panel. You should also have a clear idea of why you want to pursue MBA and your future plans.
• Practise writing – For the WAT round, it is advisable that you practise writing on any topic every day for about 20 minutes. The average duration of writing an essay is 20 minutes. Topics can be chosen from current affairs, socio-political and economic issues and some abstract topics as well. You need not use ornamental vocabulary, but it should be simple yet hard hitting.
This series of MBAUniverse.com on GD, PI will keep you updated on these rounds.
To read more on GD, PI & Essay Writing, click on the following links:
Eyeing top B-schools? Start prep for GD, PI & essay writing
Reading a lot a must to be able to write good essays
Model essay: Role of women in socio-economic growth
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on GD, PI & Essay Writing.
