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6 mistakes every MBA aspirant should avoid

From overanalysing mock tests to attempting only a single entrance exam, an MBA aspirant gives you a lowdown on how to prepare yourself for a management career

The MBA college you go to pretty much seals the fate and journey of your life.

A journey that will change us and our pay cheques forever (ah! one can hope you know).

But before we embark on the journey there are major hurdles in the way, the much coveted Common Admission Test/Xavier Aptitude Test and the dreaded Group Discussion/ Personal Interview/ Written Aptitude Test and whatever they feel like throwing at us.

In this one year you’ll end up facing so many highs and lows (keep in mind that serious preparation starts from June-July.)

You'll realise that the CAT isn't the end of things, the process continues till the college session starts.

In the meantime, you’ll face numerous interviews, abuse the system a million times and then endlessly wait for the waitlists (I'm still waiting on mine. Sigh!! )

So if you're aspiring to do an MBA some time soon, try not to make these mistakes.

1. Over/under analysing mocks

Mocks are serious business.

Mock scores should be taken with a pinch of salt.

If you’re scoring well, keep at it, try not to get overconfident (most people do).

But if the scores seem low don’t let them break you.

Remember that mock scores will not decide your actual performance.

The most important thing is to analyse them and look for gaps in your preparation.

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2. College forms

I will never score that high, I shouldn't fill that college form" or "That college ain't worth me, I won't apply there"

How many times we hear such things over and over again?

You can never predict your CAT/XAT percentile.

I don't care even if you’re a psychic, you just can't!!

Do not under/overestimate yourself -- Just fill the forms.

I am not asking you to fill every college form. But it’s better to make a list of target colleges keeping your profile and work ex in mind.

Also be realistic, I know every single student wants to be in an IIM but that's exactly the point, not every student will eventually land there.

So instead of ending up with shattered dreams and year end you decide you don’t want to do this again or your job sucks way too much, it's better to keep some back up colleges in mind.

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3. Every exam is important

Yes, each and every entrance exam is equally important.

Most students focus just on CAT but then if you don't appear for the other exams, you would miss the opportunity of being in some really good colleges.

With the IIMs giving so much weightage to academics, it becomes all the more important to focus on other exams like the IIFT, TISS, XAT, SNAP, NMAT and more.

Similarly, keep working on your GK, vocabulary and decision making even though CAT doesn’t have question from these.

And don’t stop after you are done with CAT, that’s not the time to lay back and relax. Your prep should be geared up even more to face the GDs and PIs that follow.

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4. The quintessential psychological barrier

I will never be able to score in VA!" Sigh!

If you keep repeating this, how will you even get past your fears?

Even without realising we put up these psychological barriers in front of us.

I know verbal section is a nightmare for many students, but there are so many ways to attempt that sections.

Like any other section with regular practice a decent percentile is achievable.

Before that, we need to fight our own fears.

A better percentile in this section will boost your overall percentile, so it needs all the more attention.

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5. Academic scores

So you messed up your 10th and were too busy preparing for JEE and AIEEE or other exams that you messed up your class 12 as well.

But now you’ll avenge everything by getting into an IIM.

Yeah, well....easier thought than done.

With all major IIMs giving weightage to academic scores we are tainted for life.

But is that a reason enough for not even trying??

Absolutely not!!

Let’s face it, there are some things we really can’t change and cribbing about it and ranting about it is just a waste of energy.

Just get it over it, work on your percentile, if nothing works, you’ll at least be proud of your own scores.

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6. Do not fall in love...just yet

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice you’ll ever get.

Falling in love will mess up your preparation like nothing else.

At least wait till the CAT/XAT gets over so that you can express your feelings to that really beautiful girl you kept staring at in the coaching class or your office.

That handsome hunk you couldn’t get your eyes off can seriously wait for some time.

Until then, good luck!