If you want to get in the renowned business schools or IIMs to study MBA, you need to remember that after the CAT examination, another challenge will be presented in front of you. It is cracking the GD (Group Discussion), PI (Personal Interview) and WAT(Writing Ability Test) rounds. While many may think that passing the CAT is everything, but you must also prepare for these rounds too. To get shortlisted in any good business school in India, one will have to pass these three tests.
This is easy for some candidates while difficult for some. We present you some unique tips to prepare for the rounds so that you can clear them with full confidence.
Group Discussion (GD): In this round, a candidate is made to sit with 8 to 10 other candidates and presented with a topic on which they have to share their views. At times, they are presented with a case study and they have to come out with a solution to the particular problem. Business schools conduct this round to test your analytical skills, communication level and knowledge.
How to prepare for a Group Discussion?
One must keep in mind that the group discussion is not about how much you know about the issue. It actually depends on how you put forward your views on that particular issue. Whatever is your perspective, you are being judged by an evaluator. Hence one must learn and practise to put forward their views firmly.
Do’s and don’ts for Group Discussion
When the topic is allotted, do not start jotting down points in a haphazard manner. Instead organize the points in a sequence in your mind and then jot them down logically. One must analyze the topic and then give the answers in bullet points so that the evaluator can get to understand your viewpoint.
Written Ability Test (WAT): Most business schools test your writing ability through essay writing. This has become important as many people felt that many students might have overshadowed the others in the GD round with their good oratory skills. With the help of this round, a person can be judged on their writing capacity, thought process and also how they approach a matter.
Do’s and don’ts for WAT
One must practice writing essays on different topics so that they can write in a linear manner during the written test. One must also keep themselves updated about the recent happenings around them. This will help them to write on different matters easily.
Personal Interview (PI): After a candidate clears the GD and WAT round, they have to appear for the personal interview. You have to face a panel of interviewers who will be asking you different questions.
Tips to crack the PI round
Keeping yourself informed about the recent happenings is one good way to crack this round. You can be given any topic to test your general knowledge and keeping yourself updated surely helps you a lot.
Do’s and don’ts for PI
One must never panic when they face the interviewers. You have to stay calm, confident and positive. Never lie. Instead give them the information that they ask with full confidence. The interviewers want to discover more about you and hence answering their questions with full confidence is a good way to show your knowledge and communication skills.
Getting selected in the top business schools is never a cakewalk. So be prepared to face some hard rounds where your knowledge and other skills will be put to test. Only by staying confident and positive will you be able to pass these rounds with flying colours.
Read also: Know how to crack GD/PI and WAT for CAT?
