Master in Business Administration ...Information that students need

2. Masters in Business Administration

3. Professional career - Overview In today's time when people are giving up on academic studies, professional courses are gaining popularity just for the simple reason of getting a job of your choice and being already trained in that career will definitely give you advantage. When deciding a career a lot of things need to be considered like if it suits your lifestyle and interest. To begin you can start by the type of course you will undertake in order to prepare yourself for that dream career. By assessing the course you choose, you will be able to focus on that particular occupation that actually will fit your more immediate objectives. Further more than considering the course of education you also will want to make an honest assessment of your innate capabilities. You will be more successful at a particular career -- and you will be more successful in studying in preparation for a particular occupation -- if you do select a field in which you have a natural talent. Finally, when it comes to selecting a career, you will want to make certain that you choose an occupation that you personally will enjoy. Too often in this day and age, people are stuck in careers that they end up disliking -- which is a terrible situation. Therefore it is always better to choose a career which will help you grow not only professional but also personally

4. A list of careers Actuarial Science Air Hostess Aviation Chef Cosmetology Critics Commercial and Fine Arts Disaster Management Entrepreneurship Management Fitness Training Flight Steward (Cabin crew) Foreign Languages Footwear Technology Fine Arts Insurance Intellectual Property Rights Infrastructure & Real Estate Merchant Navy Modelling Massage and Spa Therapy Nanotechnology Photography Public Speaker Scientific Research & Development Sports Telemarketing Tourist Guide Translators/Interpreter Transcription Music Video Gaming

5. Introduction Master of Business Administration or a post graduate diploma in management is perhaps the most sought after. The impact of privatization and liberalization has increased the need for managers in business establishments across all the sectors of the economy and those with an MBA degree from a reputed business school in India are the real beneficiaries of the changes brought by the globalization of India's market economy. Successful completion of an MBA course in India from a reputed institute promise a career that can touch unknown heights. A career in management, however, also demands great amount of dedication and good character.

6. MBA Courses

8. The students take up their respective major and minor specialization subjects. The choice of specialization subjects generally include: Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Operations and Logistics, Information Technology, Systems, International Trade and Business, Consumer Behavior, Risk Management, and many others.

9. However, executive MBA, part time MBA, distance learning MBA and even online MBA courses are increasingly becoming popular in India.

11. Academic Preparation You will need certain quantitative and analytical preparation for most programs, such as calculus, statistics, and economics. If you did not take these courses in college, MBA programs may require you to take some courses before you enroll, so you'll be ready to do well in the core curriculum. Academic performance does matter, but how performance is judged will vary from school to school. Some schools will give consideration to difficult majors (such as engineering) or prioritize candidates from particularly competitive schools. The combination of your academic achievement over a period of time and your GMAT® score gives MBA admissions staff a good sense of your academic preparation for the MBA.

12. When to Get Your MBA Most MBA students are ages 25 and 34, but many people go for an MBA earlier or later. Many decided to apply only after knowing that they had enough career experience and insight to set practical goals and how their MBA investment would pay off personally and professionally. Every job has a plateau, where your skill level reaches its limits; this is when the MBA can help you get to the next level. Only you can determine when it’s the right time for you to go back to school, in terms of your learning curve and your finances

13. Steps to a Graduate Business Degree

14. 1.Self -Assessment1.Start Smart—Self AssessLet’s be honest—making the decision to pursue a graduate b-school degree isn’t always easy. Start Simple Why do you think a graduate business degree is right for you? What do you have or do you want to have in common with business professionals? What future careers fit your personal strengths, interests, abilities, and values? What kinds of business schools, companies, and corporate cultures seem to be the best fit for you? Get a Head Start Need help getting your self-assessment going? It helps you explore your interests, abilities, work-related values and motivations, giving you a customized report of your unique profile.

17. Be realistic-Make sure that your career goals are based on an accurate assessment of your experience and skills. Also, check that your credentials match the typical admissions requirements of the schools to which you apply; you want to apply where you have a solid chance of being admitted.

18. Be proactive-Student interaction is an important part of the MBA education. Show that you'll be a valuable member of the learning community.

19. Be knowledgeable-Know about the school and program where you are applying. Show that you are familiar with the given school and why you are a good fit.

20. Be a good fit.-.Avisit to the campus and talking with former and current students can help you figure out if you fit in. Cultural considerations should also help you decide where to work. Know what kinds of cultures will be best for you.

22. The GMAT® The GMAT exam is a standardized assessment, delivered in English, that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. By taking the GMAT exam, you have a better chance of being targeted by business schools that are a good match for you—and learning more about their programs and admissions processes. You can help them find you by creating an mba.com profile and opting in to being contacted by schools. How much does it cost to take the GMAT® exam? Where can I take the GMAT® exam? What schools use GMAT® scores? How can I prepare to take the GMAT® exam? What does the GMAT® exam measure? The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that you have developed in your education and work. It does NOT measure: your knowledge of business, your job skills, specific content in your undergraduate or first university course work, your abilities in any other specific subject area, or subjective qualities—such as motivation, creativity, and interpersonal skills.

24. Exploring Graduate Business Degrees Financial Questions Do I need to work full time while going to school? Will the company I work for sponsor my education? Do I need financial aid, including loans or a scholarship? Do I prefer to have financial aid? Do I need to spread the cost of an MBA out to minimize my debt? Lifestyle Questions Work/life Balance Could I handle a full-time workload and full-time course load? Is it important that the school offer peer groups of people with my interests and experience level? Will I want total immersion (activities outside of class and my network)? Am I ready to assume the responsibilities of an MBA-level position? Family Considerations What special needs might my family have? Will my spouse need to relocate and enter a new job market? Is there a school-run organization to help spouses and families? Program Style Will I stay with my current employer after I earn my degree? What kind of learning environments work best for me? What biases exist in my targeted industry or company that could affect my choice of program type? Do I already have a functional or industry specialty? Do I need an MBA to develop a functional/industry specialty? Location Do I want to study in my home country, within my region, or abroad? Will the local business community be an advantage? A disadvantage? (Consider the school’s access to speakers, the availability of local internships, and access to local companies for class projects) School Culture Does the prevailing culture of a school fit with my personality? Do I like the dominant personalities of the student body, staff, faculty, and alumni?

25. Figuring Out Your Finances Start Your Planning Early Even while you’re thinking about applying to business school, you should start to get your finances in order—consider saving some money to pay for at least a part of the cost of your education.. Consider the Pros and Cons of Borrowing There are two big “ifs” in the financial aid process: The school has to approve your application for financial aid. A lender has to loan you the actual money. Before you apply, you should reduce as much of your personal debt as possible and make sure you are up to date on all credit card payments and outstanding loans. Even if you are a credit risk, a school may or may not allow you to borrow the maximum a lender will approve. The school uses an estimated cost of education and living expenses to figure out what you should borrow, which may be less than the maximum you could borrow. If you decide to spend more than what the school estimates you should spend, you will be responsible for those extra expenses. Take a Closer Look at Loans Loans can be a good way to finance your business education, but avoid borrowing more than you actually need. Remember that loans are paid back over time, with interest accruing, so be careful to not borrow so much that it’s a struggle to make the monthly repayments after you graduate. Review Your Financial Big Picture Look at your total costs: Total cost of tuition and related academic expenses—compare the costs of each school you are considering in order to make the best choice. Total cost of living—factor in the location of each school Availability of financial aid Opportunity costs—estimate a modest starting salary and compare your projected earnings over the next several years with and without a graduate business degree.

26. How Much Will an MBA Raise My Salary? In general, more education will result in higher pay, especially when it comes to business. That’s why so many professionals decide to pursue an MBA. MBAs often lead to career acceleration as well as higher salaries. In fact, according to a Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) survey, Many MBAs even find themselves in high demand after graduation with two or more job offers that give them leverage to command a higher salary. While overall, MBAs can expect to see a salary increase, there are a number of factors that can make a big difference in your final earnings. If you want to take your MBA to a higher salary than average, be sure to pay attention to these details:

27. The prestige of your school If you’re looking for a big push to launch your career, you’ll need to consider the value of the "name" of the program you’re going to attend. Highly ranked MBA programs are much more likely to give you a higher salary than ones that no one has heard of. To find out which MBA programs are the most prestigious, you can check out rankings from publications like Business Week and US News & World Report.

28. Your field The GMAC survey reports that MBA graduates who decide to work for investment banks or consulting firms can generally expect to earn more than other MBA holders. Additionally, MBA holders can expect to earn higher salaries when going into the IT sector. However, MBAs who want to work for the federal government and not-for-profit organizations can also expect to do well as the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that demand for MBA grads in these fields is expected to increase.

29. Your networking ability: Getting ahead in business has a lot to do with who you know, not necessarily what you know. So an MBA holder who actively networks with other professionals will tend to earn a higher salary than one that does not. This is because active networking will open up more opportunities and make your personal brand more valuable.

30. The area in which you live The cost of living in your area has a lot to do with your salary. If you’re living in New York City, chances are your salary will increase exponentially with an MBA when compared to a comparable MBA professional in rural Idaho. It’s also worth noting that demand for professionals with an MBA degree will be higher in different parts of the country than others, so this will have a large effect on salary as well.

31. Your level of experience Getting an MBA fresh out of undergraduate school may not help as much as waiting until you have experience and a higher job level. An MBA is not a silver bullet and will not automatically propel you into an executive position. You can expect to see a large difference between entry level MBAs and executives, which come in at $60,000 and $120,000 respectively.

33. Many business schools are creating concentrations for investment management, real estate, arts administration, biosciences, and other fields, and they tend to bring more to the table.

35. The Top 10 Reasons to Get an MBA

36. MBA Entrance Exams/Tests in India To get into a management institute, one has to go through a selection process which includes the following :1. Written Test 2. Group Discussion 3. Personal Interview4. Essay Writing5. Psychometric Test6. Group Task7. Management GamesThe written exam tests the aptitude of the candidate in a number of areas. It usually consists of questions related to :1. Quantitative Ability (Mathematics mostly from 8-9-10 standard, covering Arithmetic, Geometry, Menstruation, Algebra, Trigonometry and Co-ordinate Geometry)2. Verbal Section - (Grammar, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension & Verbal Analogies)3. Data Interpretation(Analysis of Data. Usually data is in form of tables, charts, graphs.)4. Logical Reasoning/Ability (using Common Logic)5. General Awareness. (current/past issues (national & global), economics, general knowledge etc.There are a large number of Entrance exams for MBA/PGDM courses in the country. Some of these exams are used by multiple institutes as a part of their admission processes. There are some management institutes which conduct their own entrance exams. Some of the reputed among them are FMS, IIFT, IRMA, MICA, NarseeMonjee, FLAME. Some others like ISB, Hyderabad take GMAT Scores.

37. Preparation Strategy to Crack CAT 2010-11 & other Management Entrance Test: One should take care of the following :1. Clear your concepts of 8-9-10 standard maths (preferably NCRT)2. Extensive Reading on current issues, business, economics etc3. Regular puzzle solving4. Solve as many questions in all areas of the CAT Test. Subscribe to study material from any national coaching center or download from internet. This practice will give you the required speed needed for CAT.5. Daily write an essay (2-3 pages) on any one topic of your choice. Try refining them after 1 month.6. Speak English 24x7 for fluency & confidence7. Increase your vocabulary by over 1000 words (i.e. memorize & then use 20 new words daily).

38. List of Prominent MBA Entrance Exams / Tests in India 1. CAT 2010 & CAT 2011 (Common Admission Test for IIMs) IIM Ahmedabad / IIM Bangalore / IIM Calcatta / IIM Lucknow / IIM Indore / IIM Kozhikode IIM Shillong / IIM Ranchi / IIM Rothak 2. Management Aptitude Test (MAT) All India Management Association 3. XAT Test MBA at XLRI, XIMB, GIM Goa, LIBA and other BSchools. 4. Maharashtra CET (Mh.CET) Common Entrance Test for MAH-MBA/MMS-CET 2010 5. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade IIFT Entrance Test 6. FMS, Delhi MBA Entrance Exam 7. JMET 2011 Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET ) PGP in Mgt offered by IITs 8. SNAP Test for Symbiosis Postgraduate Programmes 9. Karnataka Management Aptitude Test (KMAT 2007) 10. RMAT (Rajasthan Management Admission Test)

39. Common Admission Test (CAT) 2010 The Indian Institutes of Management will conduct Common Admission Test (CAT) from CAT 2010 will be held in a 20 day window, between October 27 and November 23, 2010 . CAT is conducted by IIMs as a pre-requisite for admission to various management programmes of IIMs. These programmes are a. Post Graduate Programmes in Management • IIM Ahmedabad PGP, PGP-ABM and PGP-PMP • IIM Bangalore PGP, PGSEM and PGPPM • IIM Calcutta PGP-PGDM and PGP-PGDCM • IIM Indore PGP and EPGP • IIM Kozhikode PGP • IIM Lucknow PGP and PGP-ABM • RGIIM Shillong PGP b. Fellow Programmes in Management (FPM) [equivalent to Ph.D.] of IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Lucknow

40. How and when to apply for CAT 2010 The CAT 2010 vouchers can be obtained from selected Axis Bank branches between Monday, 30 August - Monday, 27 September 2010 for Rs. 1400/- (Rs. 700/- for SC/ST candidates) You don't need to buy the CAT Bulliten from any bank, but a prospective candidate can buy a scratch-voucher from the designated bank branches, and, later registers online for CAT 2010.Also See CAT 2010 Exam Date Voucher once sold cannot be refunded under any circumstance including but not limited to loss of voucher, inability to read voucher number due to mishandling of the voucher by candidate, candidate being ineligible for taking CAT, CAT not being a pre-requisite for a programme, and rejection of candidate registration due to incomplete and/or wrong information. If the voucher is lost, voucher number is not readable due to mishandling of the voucher by candidate, and/or candidate thinks he/she has made mistake(s) in filling-out information during the online registration, then the candidate can purchase a new voucher and re-register online Axis Bank branches: Visit the website www.catiim.in for exact locations of Axis bank branches and their associated outlets where voucher sale is arranged. Registration for CAT: On purchasing the CAT 2010 voucher, prospective candidates must log on to the website www.catiim.in to register for CAT 2010.

41. MBA Admission Process in India

42. In Brief Clearly focus on the desired goalsPGDM or MBA: accordingly choose the school(s). Any specialization: Subjects include: marketing, finance, human resources, rural management, retail management, operations and logistics, systems, intellectual property, international trade and business and many others. Carefully examine the Institution profiles for appropriate programs, information is easily available. Check the EligibilityThough a few Institutions look for higher percentages in the qualifying examination and a consistently good background, the minimum requirements for almost all institutes are, either:· A Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in any discipline (those appearing final examination are eligible), with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories). · applicants with a post-graduate qualification having at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) in either their Bachelor’s or post-graduate degrees.

43. In Brief Short list the Institutions Courses in various modes are offered by premier Institutions like the IIMs, Management schools of IITs, S.P. Jain Mumbai, MDI, Gurgaon, NITIE Bombay, XLRI Jamshedpur, XIM Bhubaneswar, BIM Trichy, LIBA Chennai, XIME Bangalore, Goa Institute of Management, FMS Delhi and by various Universities. It is important to shortlist the intended schools and students must plan out in advance about which exams they would like to take up seriously. Thus, preparation can be focused and one need not spend unnecessarily in application forms and admission tests. Select the modeMBA India is normally offered in the following four modes:· Full-time· Part-time· Distance Learning· ExecutiveChoose as per your convenience, desired outcomes and that suit your pocket

44. Know the admission requirements

45. In Brief 1. The Entrance TestThe main entrance examinations are, Common Admission Test (CAT), Common Entrance Test (CET), Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), Xavier Admission Test (XAT) and AIMS Test for Management Admissions (ATMA). Admission is usually offered based on the cumulative scores of written test, GD / PIs, and work experience in a few cases. 2.Written Test The first phase of selection of candidates for admission into Management programs is on the basis of their performance in a written test, which tests the aptitude of the candidates in four major areas - verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative ability and business data interpretation. Some institutes also ask business and general awareness questions while some may include an essay writing section. 3.Group Discussion & InterviewThis phase mainly includes two stages, group discussion and personal interview and assesses personality attributes like, leadership abilities, grasping capability, analytical thought process, communication skills etc. Final selection is based on marks in the written exam and the GD/PI. Work experience is given additional weight age in most of the institutes. So decide in a cool mind after going through a SWOT (strength-weakness-opportunity-threat) analysis critically, funds are never a constraint for the determined ones, since banks offer liberal educational loans.

46. Types of Jobs after you do an MBA

47. Types of Jobs after you do an MBA

48. Top MBA Colleges in India

49. Top MBA colleges in Mumbai WELINGKAR INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.500000 Cut offs: CAT- N/A MAT- N/A Institute of Technology & Management - ITM Institute of Technology & Management - ITM Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.464000 Cut offs: CAT- 70% MAT- 82%

50. International School Of Management Excellence - ISME, Bangalore, Navi Mumbai Location: Bangalore Fees: Rs.435000 Cut offs: CAT- 65% MAT- 65% SPJIMR - S P Jain Institute Of Management & Research Mumbai Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.630000 Cut offs: CAT- 85% MAT- N/A

51. JBIMS - Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies Mumbai Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.200000 Cut offs: CAT- 99% MAT- N/A NarseeMonjee Institute of Management Mumbai NMIMS Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.700000 Cut offs: CAT- N/A MAT- N/A

52. Shailes J. Mehta School Of Management IIT Bombay SJMSOM Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.850000 Cut offs: CAT- N/A MAT- N/A K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR) Location: Mumbai Fees: Rs.270000 Cut offs: CAT- 75% MAT- 45%

53. Time (Mumbai) Andheri 1st Floor, Kapadia Chambers, 82, Old Nagardas Road, Nr. Chinai College, Andheri (E)Mumbai - 400069Telephone: 26833059Email:andheri.mumbai@time4education.com Borivli Ajanta Industrial Estate, 4th Floor, Flat No.15, Gulmohar Road, Above Vrunda's Hotel, Opp.Vodafone Gallery, Borivli(West)Mumbai - 400 092Telephone: 28909030Email:borivli.mumbai@time4education.com Malad West 101, Sainath Chambers, Opp. Futurz, Near MTNL Building, Malad West, Mumbai – 400 064Telephone:022- 28804907Email:malad.mumbai@time4education.com Santacruz (West) Shop No.1/A, Arun Bazaar,2nd Hasnabad Lane, Station Road,Santacruz (West),Mumbai - 400054 Telephone No: 022-26053937Email: santacruz.mumbai@time4education.com

54. T.I.M.E.(Triumphant Institute Of Management Education Pvt. Ltd) 1 Year Correspondence Course 2010 1 Year Correspondence Test Series (REGULAR) for IIT-JEE 2010 1 Year Correspondence Test Series(ADVANCED) Plus Talent File for 2010 2 Year Correspondence Course 2011 ATMA Course Bank Clerical Course Bank PO Course CA CPT CAT(AIMCAT series) CAT(Crash course) CAT(Long-term course) CAT(Super long-term course) Crash Course for Law Entrance – CLAT 2010 Crash course for the combined SNAP + MH-CET ( MBA) GCET-MBA GCET-MCA

55. Courses in T.I.M.E GMAT ICET long term coaching IIT-Foundation Kerala MCA entrance examination Long term course for a combined SNAP and MH-CET ( MBA)). Long Term Course for Law Entrance - CLAT 2010 Long Term Course for RMAT. MAT Programme MCET NIMCET RMAT Crash course. RMATCombo Course RMCAAT TANCET - MBA TANCET – MCA Two Year Comprehensive IIT-JEE Coaching programme for students completing 10th Standard. XAT Course

56. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research -Programmes Postgraduate Programs PGDM (with specializations in Marketing, Retail, Finance, HR, Systems, Operations) PGDM E-Biz PGDM Business Design MMS Other AICTE approved programs PGDM Family Managed Business (PGDM FMB) PGDM Retail management PGDM Executive Program (Full Time) Other Programs Post Graduate Program in Healthcare Management PhD Programme in Management Studies of University of Mumbai Business Management for Legal Professionals Part Time Courses Three Years Part Time Master Degree Distance Learning Programs 2 years PGDBA 1 year diploma course 6 month diploma course Advanced certificate courses International Post Graduation MSc in Finance and MSc in Accounting & Financial Management(4-week sponsored unique pre-term programme) Special Courses Diploma in Agribusiness Management (DABM) Diploma in Retail Management (DRM) Diploma in Commodities Market (DICM) Diploma in Banking

57. Mumbai Campus Address Office Hours : Monday to Saturday, 10:00 hrs - 19:00 hrs Address :Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & ResearchLakhamshiNapoo Road, Near Matunga (Central Rly.),Mumbai- 400 019.Tel.: 91-22-24178300Fax: 91-22-24105585

58. Group Discussion After getting success in CAT for admission in IIMs and other reputed schools , the very important assignment is to appear in GD & Personal Interview. Start making preparations for group discussions and personal interview right away. It is important to concentrate on subject knowledge and general awareness. Hence, the prime need for thorough preparation. Remember, the competition is very tough. Only few hundred candidates make it to the final list from lacs of aspirants each year. Group discussions are used as a selection tool because they provide lots of information about candidate’s personality. GDs are used to assess group skills such as leadership skills, social skills, listening and articulation skills, situation handling ability and interpersonal ability.

59. Critical Success Factors in GDs

60. GDs can be divided into three phases:

61. Facing the GD

62. Communication Skills The first aspect is one's power of expression. In a group discussion, a candidate has to talk effectively so that he is able to convince others. For convincing, one has to speak forcefully and at the same time create an impact by his knowledge of the subject. A candidate who is successful in holding the attention of the audience creates a positive impact. It is necessary that you should be precise and clear. As a rule evaluators do not look for the wordage produced. Your knowledge on a given subject, your precision and clarity of thought are the things that are evaluated. Irrelevant talks lead you nowhere. You should speak as much as necessary, neither more nor less. Group discussions are not debating stages. Ability to listen is also what evaluators judge. They look for your ability to react on what other participants say. Hence, it is necessary that you listen carefully to others and then react or proceed to add some more points. Your behavior in the group is also put to test to judge whether you are a loner or can work in a group. You should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily and convincingly before a group of people. Confidence and level headedness in doing so is necessary. These add value to your presentation. In case you are not good at it, you might gain by joining an institute that offers specialized courses in public speaking. For instance, British Council Division's English Language Teaching Centre offers a wide range of courses like conversation skills, business communication skills, business writing, negotiation skills and presentation skills. Mostly people attend these courses to improve their communication skills. Students here are involved in activities which use communication skills and teachers provide inputs, monitor and facilitate the classes. The course at the Centre makes you confident enough to speak before people without any nervousness.

63. Knowledge and Ideas Regarding a Given Subject Knowledge of the subject under discussion and clarity of ideas are important. Knowledge comes from consistent reading on various topics ranging from science and technology to politics. In-depth knowledge makes one confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and confident. Leadership and Coordinating Capabilities The basic aim of a group discussion is to judge a candidate's leadership qualities. The examiner withdraws and becomes a silent spectator once the discussion starts. A candidate should display tactfulness, skill, understanding and knowledge on varied topics, enterprise, forcefulness and other leadership qualities to motivate and influence other candidates who may be almost equally competent.

64. Exchange of Thoughts A group discussion is an exchange of thoughts and ideas among members of a group. These discussions are held for selecting personnel in organizations where there is a high level of competition. The number of participants in a group can vary between 8 and 15. Mostly a topic or a situation is given to group members who have to discuss it within 10 to 20 minutes. The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their skills, which normally cannot be evaluated in an interview. These skills may be team membership, leadership skills, listening and articulation skills. A note is made of your contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, the rapport you strike, patience, assertion, accommodation, amenability, etc. Body language and eye contact too are important points which are to be considered. Addressing the Group as a Whole In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone by name. Even otherwise you may not know everyone's names. It is better to address the group as a whole. Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you everyone else too can. Needless to add, as for the interview, attend the group discussion in formal dress. The language used should also be formal, not the language used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like "yar", "chaltahai", "CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a high sounding, pedantic language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and simple language. Hinglish, (mixture of Hindi and English) should be discarded. Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are of help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not be superfluous. Try to be specific. Do not exaggerate.

65. Thorough Preparation It may so happen that you are called for interviews and group discussions from three or four organizations but are not selected by any. The reason obviously lies in your not being well-prepared. In a group discussion you may be given a topic and asked to express your views on it. Or in a case study GD, students have to read a case study and suggest ways of tackling the problem. For this you should have a good general knowledge, need to be abreast with current affairs, should regularly read newspapers and magazines. Your group behavior and communication skills are on test, i.e. how you convince the others and how clearly you are able to express your points of view. You should be articulate, generate ideas, not sound boring, should allow others to speak, and adopt a stand on a given subject. During the course of the GD this stand can even be changed, giving the impression that you are open to accommodate others' viewpoints. Additional marks may be given for starting or concluding the discussion

66. Points to Remember

67. Important Skills for GD

68. Personal Skills The panel members look for initiative displayed by the candidate, his extent of self-confidence, his depth of knowledge, and level of understanding of the subject. Another important criterion would be the candidate's consistency in thinking and presentation of facts. The candidate must have his facts right. It is very important to see whether the candidate reiterates erroneous facts, whether he bombards others with data and confuses the issues at hand, whether he shows shallow understanding and superficial knowledge, etc. Such negative features if observed carefully may make the task or rejection easier.While selecting the right candidate, the ability in coherent organization and logical development of thought is looked for. Equally important would be his personal skill of logical and rational reasoning. Again, it would be useful to see whether he is relaxed, pleasant, courteous and co-operative .Moreover, it is extremely important to look for the vital skill of assertiveness in the right candidates.

69. Group Skills In this category, the panel members look for the candidate's extent of valueaddition to the group, his ability to communicate ideas fluently and efficiently, his ability to listen attentively as well as his willingness to listen to logic and reason, besides his ability for sustained interest. The panel members also take note of the candidate's ability to enhance the quality of discussion; especially, his ability to contribute original points (not repeating the same points). Another major group skill would be the candidate's ability to discuss different dimensions. His ability to steer the group into discussing other angles is also looked for. Furthermore, it is observed whether the candidate has the ability to make consistent efforts to relate with others in the group. Last, but not the least, is the candidate's ability to build on valid points. Leadership Skills In this category, the candidate's ability to influence and persuade others, his ability to encourage and also to compromise is looked for. His ability to co-ordinate and summarize is also taken into account. Another important aspect would be his ability to build up the confidence of the group, thereby encouraging even the silent members to participate in the GD.

70. Group Discussion Guidelines First and foremost, besides communicating ideas fluently and effectively, the candidate must be able to listen attentively. It is also important to encourage participation from all members. Remember to keep the discussion on the subject, or to bring it back to the subject. Do not take the discussion on a tangent by adding irrelevant points. Do not harp on small points thereby obscuring the critical issues. In this connection, you will have to deal tactfully with irrelevant contributions. Similarly, you must remember to control the over-talkative members. Do not allow one or two members to monopolise the discussion. It would be useful to develop your ability to make original points that steer the group into discussing other angles to the topic . You must focus your efforts on consistently making points that will enhance the quality of the discussion. Avoid personal arguments. Similarly, avoid sub-grouping tendencies. Candidates lacking self-confidence, tend to converse with other members instead of addressing the group directly. It would be useful to draw out group-members’ views and experiences which may be relevant and helpful. Hence, get each member to voice a range of opinions all different from your own. Help to activate the thinking process in the group. Also remember to check on the group’s assimilation of the subject matter. For effective leadership in group discussions conclude each argument at the right time and in the right manner. You should be able to review the highlights of the discussions that the group arrives at during the discussion.

71. Group Discussion Topics

77. Abbreviations/Terms ASSOCHAM – Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries BPL – Below Poverty Line BSE – Bombay Stock Exchange CRR – Cash reserve ratio ED – Excise Duty FDI – Foreign Direct Investment FICCI – Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industries FTZ – Free Trade Zone GDP – Gross Domestic Product INR – Indian Rupee “Rs.” IT – Income Tax ITR – Income Tax Return NIFTY – Benchmark index of National Stock Exchange “NSE” NSE – National Stock Exchange SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation SAFTA -South Asia Free Trade Agreement Sensex – Benchmark Index of Bombay Stock Exchange SEZ – Special Economic Zone SGDP- Sustainable Gross Domestic Product SSI – Small Scale Industry STPI – Software Technology Parks of India VAT – Value Added Tax

78. CAT Top Ten Tips Don’t study any further on the day before the exam. Hang out with your friends. Spend time with your family. Go for a good evening walk. Just RELAX. Think positive, how much you have learnt in a year, that’s enough. Take atleast 8-9 hours of sleep the previous night, which will help you to stay fresh for the exam. Take a light breakfast, atleast an hour before leaving for the examinationcentre. Reach atleast half an hour before the commencement of the examination. Read thoroughly all the instructions supplied in the exam paper. Don’t forget, you have 30 minutes for this. Normally it would take 5-10 minutes to fill up the details. During the remaining 20 minutes try to maintain your focus, simply shut your eyes and take deep breaths, thinking, ‘I can do it , I will do it’. When you start attempting the paper and you find that the paper is unexpected, then don’t panic as CAT never goes perfect for anyone. Avoid guessing, there is negative marking. Guessing is definitely a RISK Attempt your favourite section first, followed by the toughest one next. Then attempt the other two sections. So plan your work and then work your plan and you will be belling the cat fast.

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81. Thank You Presented by : Judanna Pereira