Intellectual Ability is Not Enough - Interviewed by Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya in April 2005

Abhay More, CET-2004 topper

Tell us something about your educational backround.
I have a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from IIT Bombay. I don’t think I was an exceptionally brilliant student, but I always performed well and secured good grades. I scored 81% at the HSC level (88% in PCB), and had a grade point average of 6.1 on a scale of 10 at the Master’s level.

Why did you decide on management as a career option? Was it based on some research you did, or did you have a natural aptitude for it?
Frankly, it was based on a process of elimination. Given that I graduated from such an eminent institute, which has such excellent research facilities, the obvious choice was to pursue a doctoral programme in a foreign university. However, I realised that for success in research, one must have a deep and passionate interest in the subject, besides patience and able guidance. There is also a considerable degree of uncertainty involved in the field of research. On the other hand, with my aptitude and skills, I felt I would be good at a managerial job.

How did you prepare for the various management entrance tests that you appeared for? Did you adopt any special strategy for cracking the CET?
Management entrance tests are special in nature, in the sense that they test one’s aptitude. Naturally therefore, you cannot hope to crack such tests with last minute preparation, as you might in case of a typical academic examination. One can improve one’s aptitude only through regular study and practice. I used to study regularly for 3-4 hours a day for six months. If one is well prepared for all the management entrance examinations, clearing the CET is not a big hurdle. The only section one has to be cautious about is Visual Reasoning.

How did you prepare for the visual reasoning (VR) section of the CET? What is your advice to candidates planning to take the CET?

• Set yourself a target of solving 30-35 questions in 40 minutes, with 80% accuracy.
• Try to solve VR questions by using a method of elimination, rather than by attempting to derive a proper and exact solution.
• Concentrate on the movement of only one element, or movement in only one corner at a time, and then eliminate options.
• Do not repeat the above process more than 2-3 times. Avoid solving the same problem with other elements, just to confirm your answer.
  CET aspirants can’t afford to forget the fact that it is a speedbased test. So, maintaining a steady flow in solving questions is the most important prerequisite for cracking the CET. Through practice, you must be able to attain a reasonably good speed.

What is the secret behind cracking the Group Discussion and personal interview stages of the admission process?
If you want to get into a good institute like JBIMS, you must be well abreast of current affairs. A good deal of introspection should go into answering personal questions such as “Why MBA?”, “What are your hobbies and interests?”, and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” In addition to this, one also needs to be very confident while answering questions on work experience and academics.

Which area of management do you plan to specialise in? Did you decide this immediately after you got admission , or was the decision based on a gradual process of self-analysis? What suggestions would you give the readers on their choice of specialisation?
I intend to specialise in finance. Recently, I stumbled upon statistics, which state that 90% of failures in business are attributable to poor financing. Finance is perceived to be a challenging career option.As regards the issue of choice of a specialisation, I would advise readers to focus on whatever it is that interests you the most; for example, when you read a business newspaper or magazine, what kind of news do you usually read first? It is also important to note that most students choose a specialisation only after being exposed to a holistic view of all the subjects in management during the first year of their MBA programme. This gives a student the time to analyse his own interests and inclination.

Do you have a role model?
No, I did not have a role model. I don’t think it is essential to have role models—however, this is entirely a matter of individual choice.

To whom or what would you attribute your success?
Well, I would say it was primarily hard work, in terms of regular study and perseverance, which led me to success. Mere intellectual ability is not enough.

Do you feel an MBA is essential for someone who wishes to pursue a career in management?
To be honest, the demand for a management degree by almost all organisations today leaves no choice for someone who wants to make it big in the corporate world.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I would like to see myself heading an organisation in the field of chemical analytical instruments. This is one field I am deeply interested in.