Students’ Speak: Introspect and own your mistakes before taking decision

Management aspirants often get into panic mode after failing to clear CAT exam in their first attempt. Ambika Sur shares tips to embrace the failure and mentally preparing oneself to take the next important step.

Expecting more is not a sin, but often it is not possible to get whatever we aim for. Before discussing the next steps, if the score is not as per expectation, let’s discuss ‘HOW’ - How to deal with the failure?

• Introspect: Sit back, relax and just spend some time with yourself. Think about the mistakes you have done, places where you can improve and the sections which demand more effort. You are the only person who can criticize yourself best. This is the best time to strategize for the next step and that is not possible with a clear understanding.
• Accept: Once introspection is done and you are clear with your strengths and weaknesses. Now, you have to accept whatever the result is. What’s done is past. So just accept and focus on your next steps.

Once you have dealt and accepted your performance then we are ready to discuss the next steps. Before moving to the next step, with a very calm mind you have to DECIDE. Decide what you want.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  If your choice is to TRY AGAIN:

• Analyse - Analyse the mistakes that you have done and it will be better if you note them down, follow the questions, work on it and make sure not to repeat the mistakes again.
• Work on mistakes - Once you have analysed your mistakes then you should start working on them
• Polish your strength- Apart from your mistakes, you should be aware of your strengths too. Don’t be reluctant about it, keep on practicing the topics where you have a good grasp or else you will lag later.
• Manage your time- Time management and discipline is always a master card. For better results next time, you have to do everything better than your previous attempt. Proper management of time helps you manage your work smartly.

If these mentioned parameters are considered then you will definitely secure a far better score next time.

If you choose to MOVE ON:

Shortlist the good universities that accept different percentile ranges. Check out the list of MBA colleges for different percentile ranges:

For 90 percentile

1. IMT Delhi (CAT percentile = 90) - International Management Institute is an excellent management institute where you can pursue your PGDM if your CAT score is 90 percentile. They demand a GMAT score of a minimum 650 and attractive academics. XAT score is not accepted in this institute.
2. IMT Ghaziabad (CAT percentile = 90) - Delhi NCR’s Institute of Management Technology is another option if you have a good academic background and work experience.

For 80-85 percentile

1. BIMTECH (CAT percentile = 85) - Birla Institute of Management Technology is an option for you if you have scored 85 percentile or more. This institute has an exceptional placement facility. The location of the institute is greater Noida.
2. TAPMI, (CAT percentile = 80) - Another good choice for the students scoring 80 or more percentile either in CAT or XAT. It is located in Karnataka
3. BIMM, (CAT percentile = 80) - Pune’s Balaji Institute of Modern Management gives an advantage to the students as they accept CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT scores while equalizing other exams (XAT/MAT/MCAT) scores with CAT score. This institute offers more than 25 centres all over the country for the GD, PI & WAT.
4. LIBA (CAT percentile = 80) - Loyola Institute of Business administration of Chennai accepts both CAT & XAT scores of 80-90 percentile range.
5. IFMR (CAT percentile = 80) - Institute for Management and Research is another institute from Chennai which accepts students with CAT percentile 80 or more along with good academics.
6. NIRMA University (CAT percentile=80) - Students secured CAT percentile more than 80 can opt for this management institute of Ahmedabad.

Less than 80 percentile

1. ISME (CAT percentile = 50-70) - Besides CAT, it accepts the MAT, XAT and ATMA scores. It is a very favourable institute if you have the percentile range between 50 and 70.
2. IBMT (CAT percentile = 50) – Similar to ISME, this is another institute from Bangalore that accepts the students with 50 percentile scores in CAT, MAT, XAT and ATMA.
3. JIMS Delhi (CAT percentile = 50-60) - This Delhi based university is an option to be considered by the students having CAT and MAT percentile between 50 and 60.
4. EMPI Delhi (CAT percentile = 50) - Another management institute from Delhi providing an opportunity to the students to study MBA but requiring a percentile score of 50 or more in the MBA entrances such as CAT, MAT, XAT and ATMA.
5. FIIB (CAT percentile = 50) - FIIB accepts students with 50 percentile or more score in either CAT or MAT.

Less than 50 percentile

1. IISE Lucknow (CAT percentile = 40-50)
2. WLC Delhi (CAT percentile = 40)
3. ISB Kolkata (CAT percentile = 40)
4. DSPSR Delhi (CAT percentile = 30)

Based on the percentile you secured, go through the websites of the above-mentioned institutes, do your own studies and apply online. Keep ample options in your hand and prepare for GD & PI. Some institutes are lenient with their cut-offs but conduct GD & PI of higher standards. Smart work along with hard work is the key to success.

About the Author:

Ambika Sur is an MBA student of Lovely Professional University, hailing from an agriculture background. She is striving hard to improve her technical and managerial skills to build out a successful career in the corporate world.