TIPTOP

Make the right first impression

Abhishek Vyas gives tips for GD/PI & WAT

Scoring a good rank at the written test of the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) and other entrance exams is only half the battle won. The students have to go through a rigourous personality test that could be oral (group discussion, personal interview, extempore) or  written (essay or note writing). With personality test round imminent at various B-schools, here are a few tips that will help you do well:

Group Discussion (GD)

Group Discussion (GD) is a systematic and purposeful interactive oral test where students exchange ideas, view-points and thoughts. The typical size of a GD is 8 to 10 candidates and the duration is 15 to 20 minutes which will be evaluated by a moderator. The GDs are conducted by many top B-schools like MDI, XlRI, NMIMS and FMS. The weightage assigned to GD is 10 to 15 per cent of the total points. Some are topic-based GDs or case-based and role-play. However, the first two types are more prevalent at B-schools.

• The evaluation will take place on content, communications, group behaviour and leadership qualities.
• The most important parameter is content.
• Start a GD, only when you are very sure of the topic.
• Back your points with relevant examples and statistics.
• Try to speak for at least four to six times during the GD (adding value to the discussion each time).
• Don’t conclude the discussion abruptly.
• Give everyone a chance to speak.

In the end, understand that GD is a team play. It can’t be won playing individually.

WRITTEN ABIlITY TEST (WAT)

B-schools ask the candidate to write on any topic (general or abstract) for around 300 to 400 words in 30 minutes.The expectation from the candidate is to check the understanding of the topic and also the ability to write in a logical and coherent manner. It accounts for 10 to 20 per cent in the overall selection process. Asking questions from WAT written in the interview is a good possibility. Good writing requires content, logical thought process and above all practice. Some quick tips for WAT:

• Read the instructions and the topic properly. Words like narrate, describe, examine and critically examine have different meanings and the response should be accordingly.
• Avoid abbreviations and slangs. Use simple and easy English.
• Be very careful while writing the WAT as questions can be asked from what has been written in the WAT.
• Prepare on content by reading as much as possible. There is no substitute for content.

Personal Interview (PI)

The PI stage is the most important in the overall selection process. Some of the top notch B-schools accord weightages up to 45 per cent in the entire selection process. The PI could be defined as a ‘formal interaction’ between the candidate and the interview panel. The interview types held at major B-schools are personal interviews and group interviews. This is the stage which requires the maximum efforts.

Here are some quick tips:

• Be presentable. Remember, the first impression is the last impression.
• Be honest and rational in an interview.
• Prepare well on personality-related questions (introduce yourself, strengths, likes/dislikes), academic questions and current affairs.
• Have a clarity about your goals.

(The writer is Regional Head, Academics, TIME, Delhi)