Entrance Exams in Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research

On the basis of one’s potential and convenience, a candidate can decide, which entrance exam should be focused on the most.

Both the Mumbai and Bengaluru campuses of Welingkar Institute of Management accept multiple MBA entrance exam scores for admission to their full-time PGDM and MMS courses. This gives students the benefit of having another exam score as a backup for admission into their choice of course in the institute. Scores of exams such as the CAT, XAT, CMAT and ATMA are accepted for all the eight PGDM programs while CET is considered only for the MMS course. For example, for the upcoming 2022-24 batch, CAT 2021, XAT 2022, GMAT 2019 onwards, ATMA Feb 2022, and CMAT 2022 scores are accepted for shortlisting for the interview processes.

Tentative Schedule of Entrance Exams

The exams mentioned previously are conducted as per their respective schedule. For example, CMAT is usually conducted in the month of January, while CAT happens in November and XAT in January. A score of at least 80 percentile, along with an overall good profile should surely fetch a candidate the interview call for the top courses such as PGDM Core, e-Business, and Research & Business Analytics. A basic overview of these entrance exams for the academic season 2021-22 is tabulated below:

Four key factors are considered while evaluating any candidate; entrance exam score (40% weightage), past academic scores (15% weightage), extra-curricular activities (5% weightage), and the pre-interview questionnaire and GD-PI rounds (40% weightage). Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the interview rounds have been happening online. Coming to the interview rounds, they start with the Pre-Interview Questionnaire (PIQ), followed by the Group Discussion (GD) and finally Personal Interview (PI). 

Selection Criteria

The PIQ is basically an exhaustive form which needs to be filled properly. It checks the character traits and psychology of a candidate, along with his/her basic attributes such as strengths and weaknesses, replying to some basic questions such as “Why MBA?”, “Why this particular course?” among others. The typical GD round lasts for about 10 minutes, with a minute or two given to the candidates to ponder over the topic and then 8-10 minutes reserved for discussion. 30 seconds might be given to each candidate by the panelists to conclude or summarise the topic. A GD topic could be either abstract, philosophical or based on current affairs. The PI round may last anywhere from less than 10 to more than 25 minutes One should expect questions on all the major aspects such as CV, work experience (if applicable), MBA-related current affairs, past academics, hobbies and interests, etc. 

To conclude, one must prepare well for both the MBA entrance exams as well as the subsequent interview rounds to get admitted to Welingkar. On the basis of one’s potential and convenience, a candidate can decide which entrance exam should be focused on the most. Being aware of current affairs, knowing one’s CV thoroughly, dressing up properly and answering every question with confidence and a gentle smile should sail one through. All the best!

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