THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

The first step for an aspirant is the Management Entrance Test either carried out at the National Level or the Institutes’ level. These entrance tests are designed with a view to gauge the aptitude of the student, and the general skills as expected of a would be manager. The entrance test is of multiple-choice.

Generally, the management programs are open to all the streams of study (at the graduation level). The level of difficulty of the management entrance test is usually not tougher than the 10+2 level. However, the entrance test for bachelors level management program mainly emphasized on high school standards.

The Entrance Tests broadly consist of the following sections:

Verbal Ability Test:- This part of the test  consists of questions based on Antonyms, Synonyms, English Usage, Sentence Sequencing, Sentence Completion, Logical Arrangements and Arguments, etc.

Reading Comprehension Section:- The entrance test in reading comprehension section consists of questions based on Passages and general reading abilities.

Quantitative Ability:- The entrance test in Quantitative Ability Test section mainly consists of the following content.

Number Systems, Percentages, HCF and LCM, Ratios and Proportions, Profit & Loss, Interests, Time-Work, Time-Distance, Clocks, Calendars, Set Theory, Quadratics, Remainder Theorem, Functions, Permutations, Probability, Trigonometry etc.

Data Interpretation Skills:- The entrance test in Data Interpretation Section consists of Charts and Tables, Graphs and Functions based problems.

Logical Ability:- The entrance test in Logical Ability Test section cosists of the following content.
Analogies, Logical Clustering, Mathematical Logic, Critical Reasoning, Puzzles, etc.

General Awareness:- The entrance test in General Awareness Tests section tests the candidate's general knowledge.

Patterns

The pattern of the entrance test may vary institute to institute. Some may have or may not have all of the above sections. The number of questions per section and the marks assigned for a correct answer in each section may also vary. The pattern of the entrance tests generally changes every year.

Dynamics

The duration of the entrance test is generally 2 to 3 hours while the total number of questions are in the range of 150 - 250 in number. The tests are conceptualized in such a manner that only a well prepared and learned candidate will be able to answer all the questions correctly in the given time frame. The accuracy and speed of answering the questions are extremely important in the entrance tests as these results in the final assessment of the ability to handle the pressures.

The focus should be to maximize the overall performance, with reasonably good performance in each section. Since each section is targeted towards measuring specific skills, no section should be left un-attempted. Further, usually one has to score a minimum of marks in each section to be eligible for being considered for over all ranking. While intelligent guessing is encouraged, arbitrary guessing is penalised by way of negative marks (1/4 th to 1/3 rd mark against every incorrect answer).

Group Discussion and Personal Interview

Some business schools / institutes adopt Group Discussions in the selection process while some do not. Students qualifying in the entrance test are invited for a Group Discussion. This is further followed by a Personal Interview. The Group discussions are the first occasion on which the candidates meet and interact with the faculty and other members.

On an average 6 to 12 candidates are invited for this phase of the selection process for every seat offered. In a Group Discussion the candidates discuss the topic given to them with the faculty for a duration of 15 - 25minutes.

On basis of the Group Discussion, the candidate's ability is assessed in terms of :-

Behavior.
Communication skills.
Contribution of ideas facilitating a discussion.
The range and depth of his / her knowledge on topics of general interest
Initiative and leadership qualities.
The Personal Interview process normally takes place after the group discussions. In this interview, besides the validation of the information provided by the candidate in the application form, a candidate's suitability for the management programme is assessed on basis of various personal attributes.

Past Academic Performance

Due weightage is given to a candidate's past academic performance also during the selection process.


Work Experience

Appropriate weightage is also given to candidates having at least 6 months of full-time work experience.

Selection Process

Admissions to most of the Business Management Programs are carried out on the basis of interest and aptitude. Selections are done through a multi-mode procedure.

Admissions are made on the basis of:-

Academic performance
Performance in Entrance Test (where ever applicable)
Performance in Group Discussions
Performance in Personal Interview and
Work Experience ( for Managers )