[reverie]

Hi Friends,

I am a life sciences post graduate with 5+ years of experience. I want to get into a good B- school and want to appear for GMAT/CAT in 2010.

I am not sure which one to concentrate or rather focus on, GMAT or CAT?? Whcih will be more ideal for me, one year program or a two year one??

I welcome your suggestions and advice.

Thank you

Best regards

[connectansh]

Are you looking to switch the field you are working in on are you keen on working on the same sector post your MBA. In case you are looking to work in the same field, a one year MBA would be fine, either for ISB or IIM (PGPX). On the other hand, if you are looking to switch your field you should go for a 2 year MBA programme. Are you just considering an MBA in India or are open to study abroad? Also, list your profile briefly, i am sure a lot of members here will be able to guide you well.
Cheers x

[reverie]

Thanks connectansh for the earliest reply. I didn't expect to get a reply this fast.

I would like to move into consulting or marketing where I would love work on offering business solutions to the clients. Right now I work on offering technical solutions. I want to move from a technology role into a business roel. I hope I am able to clearly put my reasons.

I am not keen of doing an MBA abroad as the premier B- schools abroad are high on the cost factor.

[NOTHING1954]

reverie,
If you are approximately in the top 1% of your cohort, then you have a cahnce of getting into IIMs; if you are in the top 2% of your cohort, may be you can get into top 10-15 B-schools in India.
But if you apply to programmes like ISB-PGPM, PGPX, PGPEX etc, which accept GMAT, then they look for factors other than just academics and GMAT %ile.
Even if you are in the top 10 to 15% of your cohort in terms of academics or GMAT score , you are still likely to meet the minimum requirements of even the best B-schools in the world, provided you have some thing exceptional in other spheres like work experience, demonstrated leadership etc.
Given that you have 5 years experience, it is an ideal fit for most of the B-schools that admit experienced students.
It is up to you to assess, whether you are likely to be in the top one or two % or the top ten % of the cohort in terms of academics and CAT/GMAT scores and whether or not there is something in your profile that stands out in terms of your work experience and demonstrated leadership.
Based on this you can make your choice.

All the best.

Originally Posted by reverie

Hi Friends,

I am a life sciences post graduate with 5+ years of experience. I want to get into a good B- school and want to appear for GMAT/CAT in 2010.

I am not sure which one to concentrate or rather focus on, GMAT or CAT?? Whcih will be more ideal for me, one year program or a two year one??

I welcome your suggestions and advice.

Thank you

Best regards

[connectansh]

I agree with nothing. In case your verbal and analytical skills are better than your quantitative skills, definitely go for GMAT. The deadline for PGPX programmes at the IIM's are approaching so you need to decide pretty quick mate in case you are interested in the PGPX course at IIM. Even ISB round 1 deadline is not too far away now.
On the other hand if you feel are much more stronger on the quantitative side, you may go for CAT. I would personally advise you to go for a one year MBA though as you are already quite clear about what you want to do after your MBA.

[coolmayank123]

Originally Posted by NOTHING1954

reverie,
If you are approximately in the top 1% of your cohort, then you have a cahnce of getting into IIMs; if you are in the top 2% of your cohort, may be you can get into top 10-15 B-schools in India.
But if you apply to programmes like ISB-PGPM, PGPX, PGPEX etc, which accept GMAT, then they look for factors other than just academics and GMAT %ile.
Even if you are in the top 10 to 15% of your cohort in terms of academics or GMAT score , you are still likely to meet the minimum requirements of even the best B-schools in the world, provided you have some thing exceptional in other spheres like work experience, demonstrated leadership etc.
Given that you have 5 years experience, it is an ideal fit for most of the B-schools that admit experienced students.
It is up to you to assess, whether you are likely to be in the top one or two % or the top ten % of the cohort in terms of academics and CAT/GMAT scores and whether or not there is something in your profile that stands out in terms of your work experience and demonstrated leadership.
Based on this you can make your choice.

All the best.

I think if u r gud enough to get a call from either of the 6 IIMs, u can be certain of a 740+ score in GMAT.

If u have stellar acads, ur chances in any school in India is very high.

Add to that a quality work experience (even if thats in IT)..ISB should be well within reach.

If you are a career changer...pick a two year course.

However, IIMs are much of a gamble these days...the competition is just so beyond the roof..

[themaddy2002]

I would say go with one year GMAT at this stage.

[reverie]

Registered in PG just yesterday, started to feel a kind of bonding with all you passionate people.

Thanks connect, nothing, mayank, maddy for your posts. They are very encouraging. Called Princeton Review - hyd centre, planning to take GMAT prep classes from August.

[connectansh]

No worries reverie. I think you have made the right decision. Try to be consistent in both sections of GMAT as well as AWA and i am sure you will do well.
Cheers,
Ansh x