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How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of top B-Schools? - Getting admission in B-Schools is quite a task these days due to the complexity of the admission process. Gone are those days when getting admission to top B-Schools was just a cakewalk one reason for this is the increased competition. Major top B-Schools be it IIMs, XLRI, IIFT or other B-Schools take admission through an entrance exam, post which the further selection rounds are held for shortlisted candidates. The admission process of top B-Schools includes GD-PI & WAT rounds. Clearing the B-Schools entrance exams can be achieved with hard work and dedication. But the challenge that candidates face is when they have to take part in the GD-PI & WAT rounds on qualifying the written entrance exam.
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The very first question that comes to a candidates mind when he/ she is wanting to take admission to top B-School is - How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of top B-Schools? Overall selection of candidates is based on the composite score of entrance exams, GD-PI & WAT rounds, candidate’s profile, work experience, and much more. In this article of How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of Top B-Schools? Careers360 will help you know what WAT, GD-PI is? Common yet major preparation tips for selection rounds of IIMs and other top B-School.
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Before moving straight onto the preparation tips, let us first look at what exactly the GD-PI & WAT rounds are and why they are conducted by top B-Schools to provide admissions to candidates.
WAT round is very much like the essay writing part, in which candidates are given a topic to write.
The round is conducted in offline mode i.e. pen paper-based and candidates are allotted a time duration of 15-30 minutes depending upon the institute they are applying for.
Out of the 20 IIMs, most of them have replaced GD round with WAT round as it is a great assessment process to judge candidates.
The word limit of 200 to 400 words is given to candidates.
Within this word and time limit, candidates are required to formulate ideas, jot down the points and provide a structure to reach a conclusion.
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In the GD round a group of 8-10 candidates is formed and given a topic to discuss.
The round can be conducted in both online and offline modes and the time duration is usually 20-30 minutes.
Group members are called group participants while the person conducting the GD round is called GTO (group testing officer) or if more than one person is conducting then GTO panel/panelists.
Candidates are given time to think in advance after the topic is disclosed and then participants discuss the same to reach an effective conclusion.
Personal or face to face interaction of selected candidate with the judges/interviewers is called the personal interview.
Candidates are judged on the basis of their interpersonal communication skills, responsiveness, confidence.
It is better to be well prepared as your overall impression will be impact full in a face to face round.
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Gain Subject Knowledge
Make Notes on Ongoing Trends
Time Management
Gain Subject Knowledge - Do not go unprepared for a WAT round. Gaining knowledge on major managerial subjects is one of the major preparation tips for written ability tests. Update yourself with current trends. Read national as well as international magazines/journals.
Make Notes on Ongoing Trends - One of the preparation tips for a written ability test is to make a bullet board and paste ongoing events on it. If it is not possible to have a bullet board, then buy some colourful sticky notes or flashcards and stick them in a visible place. Note all important information on them and get to read it every time your eyes attract the colour.
Time Management - As time is precious in all domains of life. Hence, while appearing for the WAT round, candidates must keep the value of time and try to submit their complete work within the stipulated time as per specifications of the B-Schools.
Note - Expert Ramnath Kanakadandi advises candidates to go for a CODER approach i.e.
Hence, collect the knowledge about the subject, organize and develop the important sticky/flash notes, express the same within the specified time limit and review them before submission.
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Read More
Avoid Jargon/Slangs
Practice in Front of Mirror
Don’t Deviate From Your Point
Read More - To prepare for group discussion rounds it is advisable to candidates to read as much as possible about the latest topics. A group discussion topics can be divided into Abstract Topics, Current Affairs Topics, Business & Economy Topics as well as Social Issues Topics. Go through some of the topics and try to add something extraordinary.
Avoid Jargon/Slangs - Do not try to showcase your vocabulary skills in a group discussion round as it may leave a reverse impact on your results. Be clear and specific to what you have to say. Avoid technical jargon and common slangs while in a formal group discussion round. It may happen that Jargon/Slangs may not be known to other group participants or group testing officers
Practice in Front of the Mirror - If you feel you are low in confidence at the time of speaking openly, then practice speaking in front of the mirror. Think about what you have to say, and then be clear with your words. See your facial expressions, body gestures while you speak this way you will learn how to speak and express yourself in front of others
Don’t Deviate From Your Point - Be specific with your points. For example, if you are with the pros of any topic stick to the same and do not deviate from your wordings on hearing others as per the preparation tips for group discussion. Do not be diplomatic until you are concluding the group discussion topic
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It is necessary that the candidates are aware of the various important topics that they should be well versed with before the GDPI rounds of premier management colleges. This is necessary because often,it is observed that the candidates have little knowledge about the hot topics on which the group discussions might take place. Careers360 have listed out a set of very important topics for the effective GDPI preparation of the candidates.
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India’s 2024 Olympics Performance | E-Commerce Discounts: Boon or Bane? |
Iran-Israel Tensions: Ripple Effects on the Middle East and Beyond | Moonlighting: Ethical Dilemma or Necessity? |
Electoral Bonds: Democratic Tool or Potential Risk? | Vande Bharat Express: A High-Speed Revolution |
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India’s Readiness for Electric Vehicles | Farm Bill Amendments: A New Chapter for Agriculture |
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Global Peace Through De-Nuclearisation? | US Political Interventions Abroad: A Global Risk? |
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India’s Moon Mission Success | Chandrayaan-2 Mission: India’s Space Journey |
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Ayodhya’s Religious Tourism Potential | Electoral Bonds: Fair or Unfair? |
Women in Combat Roles: A New Frontier | EU’s Role in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict |
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Is Gender Equality Ideal or a Burden? | India’s 2024 Paralympics Performance |
US Elections: Trump Under Attack, Biden Stepping Back - What's Next? | Funding Democracy: Are Electoral Bonds Boon or Bane? |
India’s Performance in Paralympics 2024 | India’s Performance in Olympics 2024 |
Tech Layoffs: Navigating the Downturn | The Importance of Data Privacy |
Bureaucratic Corruption: A Hindrance to Growth | India’s $5 Trillion Economy Goal by 2024: Is It Too Ambitious? |
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India’s $5 Trillion Economy Goal by 2024: Ambitious or Realistic? | Downfall of Top Startups: Lessons to Learn |
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Repealing of Farm Bills: What Lies Ahead? | India’s Successful Landing on Moon |
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India’s Emergence as an Economic Powerhouse | Regulating OTT Platforms: Necessary or Overreach? |
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Population Control Bill: Need and Challenges | GST Rate Hike in 2024: Implications Explored |
Uniform Pharmaceutical Marketing Code: Impacts on Healthcare | ChatGPT: The Dangers of Plagiarism |
Electoral Bonds: Equitable or Controversial? | US Meddling in Global Politics: Dangerous for the World? |
One Nation, One Election: Feasibility and Impact | 5G Telecom Services: India’s Leap Forward |
Climate Change: Reality or Exaggeration? | Women's Reservation Bill: Advancing Gender Equality |
Global Innovation Index 2024: India’s Leap to 39th Place | Coronavirus: Unveiling Social Inequality in India |
Tata’s Acquisition of Air India: A Historic Move | Inflation Heat in Europe |
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Showcase Confidence
Improve Listening
Have a Presence of Mind
Have a Formal Dress Code
Showcase Confidence - Being confident enhances your personality. Looking confident and feeling confident should be one of the preparation tips for the personal interview. Remember that being nervous is easy and natural, thinking the same will make you look pathetic and may reduce your chances of success in a personal interview
Improve Listening - Understand the difference between hearing and listening. Do not hear the interviewer, try to listen to what he says or asks you. By listening carefully you will be able to answer accurately and up to his/her/their expectations
Have a Presence of Mind - One of the Preparation Tips for Personal Interview apart from listening is to be present. Do not make the interviewers wait for your answer else it may leave them guessing and doubting your preparation
Have Formal Dress Code - Remember you are going to appear for a personal interview for admission in one of the top B-Schools. Hence, select a proper and formal dress code. Male candidates can go for a formal light shade full-sleeve shirt with pants. Footwear could be Oxford, Derby, Brogue, etc., While female candidates can wear a half sleeve shirt along with trousers/knee-length skirt with heels/Ballerinas. Be formal and remember that appearance also matters in a personal interview.
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The candidates are requested to download the below ebook for an overall comprehensive GDPI preparation for various management entrance examinations such as CAT, XAT and much more. This includes the topper's responses and the various other important topics that the candidates should be aware of.
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Topper's tips for GD-PI & WAT | Download Now |
To begin preparing for GDPI, focus on understanding current affairs, as well as topics related to your academic background, hobbies, and career. Practice speaking confidently by participating in mock discussions and interviews, paying attention to your communication skills and body language. Make sure to structure your thoughts clearly and stay calm under pressure to leave a positive impression.
GDPI in MBA stands for Group Discussion and Personal Interview, which are critical components of the selection process for admission to many management programs. In the Group Discussion, candidates discuss a given topic to assess their communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. The Personal Interview evaluates a candidate's personality, knowledge, and suitability for the program by exploring their academic background, work experience, and career goals.
The PI round for MBA, or Personal Interview round, is a one-on-one interaction where candidates are assessed on various aspects such as their personality, communication skills, knowledge, and motivation for pursuing an MBA. It includes questions about their academic background, work experience, achievements, and future career plans. The goal is to evaluate whether the candidate is a good fit for the program and possesses the qualities required for a management career.
To clear the PI round, focus on presenting yourself confidently and authentically. Prepare by reviewing your academic background, work experience, and career goals, and practice answering common MBA interview questions. Stay updated on current affairs, articulate your thoughts clearly, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the program. Maintaining a positive attitude, good body language, and being honest in your responses will leave a strong impression on the interviewers.
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achieving a 99.99 pecentile in the CAT exam significantly enhances your prospects for admission to JBIMS, which evaluates candidates using an application rating(AR) score, which includes
-entrance exam score (CAT/MH-CET/CMAT) : 60% weightage
-Past Academic Record (PAR) : 15% weightage (https://cracku.in/colleges/jbims/admission-process/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Extra-curricular Activities/Work Experience : 20% weightage (https://jbims.edu/uploads/announcement/Revised_M_Sc__Finance_Admission_Procedure_Batch_2024-26.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Diversity (Academic/Gender): 5% weightage
while ahigh CAT percentile is crucial, a lower academic record may impact your overall AR score. Nonetheless, exceptional performance in other areas, such as entrance exams and extracurricular activities, can help offset weaker academic credentials. it's advisable to review JBIMS's detailed admission criteria and consider strengthening other aspects of your application to enhance your chances
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query
Okay, so you're a bit confused about what to put in those CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT forms regarding your 12th scores. Since you did CBSE, they usually only consider your final 12th standard marks.
Even though you did great in 11th, scoring 495 out of 500, for these entrance exam forms, they're specifically asking about your 12th board exam marks .You mentioned you got 400 out of 500 in 12th, which comes out to 80%.
Therefore, when filling out the forms for CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT, you should enter 80% as your 12th percentage. The aggregate of 11th and 12th isn't typically what they're looking for in these sections. They want to know how you performed in your final board exams. So, stick with the 80% from your 12th results. Good luck with your applications!
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query:-
Determination of the best time to start the journey of CAT examination is based on individual factors like your current skill level, knowledge ,potential, learning pace and availability. To give yourself the best chance of success on the CAT exam , which usually takes place in November, it's advisable to begin studying between January and March of that same year. This 8 to 12-month preparation window is widely recommended by experts. But if you're managing your college along with the CAT preparations make sure you start from 2nd year onwards. It will hep you manage stress and you'll have ample amount of time to get along with the syllabus , pattern and various practice and mocks .
You'll be able to build a strong foundation in each sections and be able to know your strengths and weaknesses in different topics. The CAT syllabus is extensive, and early preparation allows for thorough coverage. Assess your learning speed and adjust your preparation timeline accordingly.
Essentially, while the ideal start time is subjective, beginning your CAT preparation well in advance is generally considered the most effective strategy for achieving optimal results.
The CUSAT CAT previous year question papers are available on the Careers360 website. You can find question papers from 2012 to 2023, which can be downloaded in PDF format HERE
Additionally, the official website of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) also provides previous year question papers. To access them, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the CUSAT official website - admissions.cusat.ac.in.
- Click on the resources tab from the homepage.
- Select the previous year's question papers from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Common Admission Test (CAT) question papers link.
- Now click on the B.Tech course.
By practicing with these previous year question papers, you can get familiar with the exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve your time management skills.
Hey Shathvika, that's a great question! So, you're wondering about MBA entrance exams besides the CAT , right? Absolutely, there are quite a few others you can consider in India. Here's a rundown: Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) : XLRI Jamshedpur runs this one, and over 150 B-schools across India accept it. You'll usually find it in January. What's cool about the XAT is that it often includes sections on Decision Making and sometimes even an Essay Writing part. Management Aptitude Test (MAT) : This is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). A lot of schools – over 600 in India – take MAT scores. The best part? You can take it four times a year: February, May, September, and December. Plus, you can choose between Paper-Based (PBT), Computer-Based (CBT), and even Internet-Based (IBT) options. Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) : If you're eyeing a Symbiosis institute for your MBA, this is the one. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) conducts it, and it's usually in December. SNAP's also known for having a somewhat unique way of scoring. Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) : The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the CMAT. AICTE-approved institutions all over India will accept it. This one's also typically held in January. It checks you on things like quantitative skills, logical thinking, how well you understand language, and your general knowledge. NMAT by GMAC : The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is behind this exam. NMIMS and quite a few other management schools accept it. What’s interesting is that you have a 75-day window, usually from October to December, to take it. And, you can even retake it up to three times if you want to improve your score! Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Exam : NTA also conducts this one. If you are keen on IIFT Delhi and Kolkata, this is your ticket. Expect to take it in December. This exam puts a little more weight on questions about international business and trade. MICA Admission Test (MICAT) : MICA Ahmedabad uses this for its PGDM-C program. They hold it twice a year, generally in December and January. MICAT looks at how creative you are, how well you write, and your general abilities. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) : GMAC runs the GMAT as well. Many B-schools in India, and even more worldwide, accept GMAT scores. You can take it pretty much any time of the year. People often go for the GMAT if they're thinking about executive MBA programs or schools with a focus on international business. Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test (LPUNEST) : LPU conducts it for admissions into its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It's held multiple times throughout the year. It also works as a scholarship test, so doing well can get you some financial aid. So, there you have it! Each of these exams has its own quirks when it comes to structure, who can take it, and the scores you need. It’s worth digging into each one a bit to see which one fits best with what you've studied and where you want to take your career. Good luck!
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A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
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Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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