Why Poor Acads?

MBA CAT 2023
1

Hey, I got 99.85 percentile in 2006 cat (and all iim calls) with 2 years workex. but my BE marks are 60% and i’m grilled on that in almost every interview. i have prepared the following pitch in defense/explanation which is the actual reason als…

2
Hey,
I got 99.85 percentile in 2006 cat (and all iim calls) with 2 years workex. but my BE marks are 60% and i'm grilled on that in almost every interview. i have prepared the following pitch in defense/explanation which is the actual reason also. pls. post in ur comments as to what can be improved here. also in case a guy gets low acads do the bschools not take him seriously?
  1. When you say 60% is poor, you are right. But compared to what? 80% or 90%? We do not have a 80% or 90% in our college for mechanical dept. The highest is 75% but still my marks are certainly below my potential
  2. The reason being in the year 2001 when I got into dce, I had also appeared for iit and missed it by a whisker. So I decided to give iitjee another try next year. As things went, I missed iitjee next year and also ended up with many backlogs in the first year in my dce. But the good thing is I managed to clear these backlogs within the stipulated time of 4 years, came out with 2 jobs in hand. Subsequently also did well in professional life.
  3. Also another thing I would mention though it is not a substitute for BE marks. I had appeared for GATE 2005 mechanical engg paper and got 94%ile there. So my mechanical is not all that bad!
Thanks in advance!
3
Hey,
I got 99.85 percentile in 2006 cat (and all iim calls) with 2 years workex. but my BE marks are 60% and i'm grilled on that in almost every interview. i have prepared the following pitch in defense/explanation which is the actual reason also. pls. post in ur comments as to what can be improved here. also in case a guy gets low acads do the bschools not take him seriously?
  1. When you say 60% is poor, you are right. But compared to what? 80% or 90%? We do not have a 80% or 90% in our college for mechanical dept. The highest is 75% but still my marks are certainly below my potential
  2. The reason being in the year 2001 when I got into dce, I had also appeared for iit and missed it by a whisker. So I decided to give iitjee another try next year. As things went, I missed iitjee next year and also ended up with many backlogs in the first year in my dce. But the good thing is I managed to clear these backlogs within the stipulated time of 4 years, came out with 2 jobs in hand. Subsequently also did well in professional life.
  3. Also another thing I would mention though it is not a substitute for BE marks. I had appeared for GATE 2005 mechanical engg paper and got 94%ile there. So my mechanical is not all that bad!
Thanks in advance!


ur first point sounds a bit on the aggressive side..mellow it down a little,n i think u got a valid point..
the second point:if ur report sheets dont show that u had backlogs,then i suggest u dont mention it..if ur report sheet does,even then i feel talking bout backlogs is kind of negative..
the third point seems fine..
u could also highlight any extra curriculars u were involved with..that would help a lot..
also if u can prepare some technical stuff properly,n show the interviewers that u r more knowledgable than ur marks suggest,that would be great..
these r my opinions,wait for others comments too...dont worry much,ur cat score is very good,n if u can manage the interview well,u should be through..
best of luck!!
4
Hey,
I got 99.85 percentile in 2006 cat (and all iim calls) with 2 years workex. but my BE marks are 60% and i'm grilled on that in almost every interview. i have prepared the following pitch in defense/explanation which is the actual reason also. pls. post in ur comments as to what can be improved here. also in case a guy gets low acads do the bschools not take him seriously?
  1. When you say 60% is poor, you are right. But compared to what? 80% or 90%? We do not have a 80% or 90% in our college for mechanical dept. The highest is 75% but still my marks are certainly below my potential
  2. The reason being in the year 2001 when I got into dce, I had also appeared for iit and missed it by a whisker. So I decided to give iitjee another try next year. As things went, I missed iitjee next year and also ended up with many backlogs in the first year in my dce. But the good thing is I managed to clear these backlogs within the stipulated time of 4 years, came out with 2 jobs in hand. Subsequently also did well in professional life.
  3. Also another thing I would mention though it is not a substitute for BE marks. I had appeared for GATE 2005 mechanical engg paper and got 94%ile there. So my mechanical is not all that bad!
Thanks in advance!


i agree with ur point that 60% is nota bad.. there will always be people with 70 - 75% scores.. but that doesnt mean that ur score is bad.. i think if someone asks u questions on ur acads.. this is the point u need to get across.. even in terms of what the entire class scores u will still be better off than quite a few...

Also regarding ur backlogs, u do have a valid explanation as to why they were there in the first place.. if someone does ask u on it.. u can tell the positive side of it that is it hasnt affected u much and u probably are a better person because u took up the challenge to clear them before ur four years...

regards
Sriram
5

Well even I need to be ready with an answer to that question
You might like to PM some of these guys and know how did they manage :)

http://www.pagalguy.com/464828-post297.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/463782-post268.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/464078-post274.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/464171-post278.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/464298-post286.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/464309-post287.html
http://www.pagalguy.com/60428-post2.html



Let us(including me first 😉 ) know the answers.

Btw,can't this thread be made sticky?

I have always believed that academic achievement is never a true reflection of your abilities(hope the IIM prof's think the same way):biggrin:

6
Hey,
I got 99.85 percentile in 2006 cat (and all iim calls) with 2 years workex. but my BE marks are 60% and i'm grilled on that in almost every interview. i have prepared the following pitch in defense/explanation which is the actual reason also. pls. post in ur comments as to what can be improved here. also in case a guy gets low acads do the bschools not take him seriously?
  1. When you say 60% is poor, you are right. But compared to what? 80% or 90%? We do not have a 80% or 90% in our college for mechanical dept. The highest is 75% but still my marks are certainly below my potential
  2. The reason being in the year 2001 when I got into dce, I had also appeared for iit and missed it by a whisker. So I decided to give iitjee another try next year. As things went, I missed iitjee next year and also ended up with many backlogs in the first year in my dce. But the good thing is I managed to clear these backlogs within the stipulated time of 4 years, came out with 2 jobs in hand. Subsequently also did well in professional life.
  3. Also another thing I would mention though it is not a substitute for BE marks. I had appeared for GATE 2005 mechanical engg paper and got 94%ile there. So my mechanical is not all that bad!
Thanks in advance!

The question is - How important are acads for an interview like those at IIMs etc ?

If your acads are good;
you are (prima facie) taken as a sincere guy, who can take the rigours of studies and come out with flying colours.

If your acads are not so good or even bad:
You are (prima facie) taken as someone who either lacks potential or aptitude to perform at IIMs.

Imagine yourself as the authority at some institution, you will always like to get the best students from the available lot.

Now the second part:

Kindly see the italicised word (prima facie= at first sight). A person with bad acads starts the game at disadvantage. But this does not mean that you are going to lose the game.

If you can somehow convince the panel that despite having bad acads, you have all the qualities necessary to succeed in the rigourous training at any IIM (or any other good B school), you may end up there.

When you say 60% is poor, you are right. But compared to what? 80% or 90%? We do not have a 80% or 90% in our college for mechanical dept. The highest is 75% but still my marks are certainly below my potential


Still compared to 75 % , your score is not that good. You have mentioned it already.

The reason being in the year 2001 when I got into dce, I had also appeared for iit and missed it by a whisker. So I decided to give iitjee another try next year. As things went, I missed iitjee next year and also ended up with many backlogs in the first year in my dce. But the good thing is I managed to clear these backlogs within the stipulated time of 4 years, came out with 2 jobs in hand. Subsequently also did well in professional life.


Not a good excuse buddy. Taking a virtual drop (spoiled dce) and still missing IIT will not put you in good light. Think something more creative.

Also another thing I would mention though it is not a substitute for BE marks. I had appeared for GATE 2005 mechanical engg paper and got 94%ile there. So my mechanical is not all that bad!

This thing might a helpful. You have performed good in GATE. It should help you.

If you can prove through your job experience etc that despite having average acads, you are quite good and really sincere in whatever you do, it will sure help you succeed in GDPI.

All the Best.
7

hello this is chahat
preparing for 07 CAT. my acad is not good 10th=69%,12th=73.4% frm the state level board.
n grad. only 67%. will it effect a lot on getting admitted into a top b-school
I m a B.Sc graduate with no work ex.
i want a good top b-school. what r my chances plzz suggest me

8

Post Deleted

9

hi 10th-88% 12th-77% BE-55% plz tel me how 2 convince PI panel abt
low marks in BE? no work ex.i hv my own reason but its not convincing.
i got very low marks in term work,orals n pracs even after performinf well.
plz help me.

10
hello this is chahat
preparing for 07 CAT. my acad is not good 10th=69%,12th=73.4% frm the state level board.
n grad. only 67%. will it effect a lot on getting admitted into a top b-school
I m a B.Sc graduate with no work ex.
i want a good top b-school. what r my chances plzz suggest me

Get a high percentile in CAT, and 67% is not bad, it is relatively a notch below when you talk of 70%+, but it is acceptable, if you could prepare well, and could show the panel that you have done several other things apart from academics during your engineering tenure.
Surely, a high score at CAT would enhance your chances.
11
hello this is chahat
preparing for 07 CAT. my acad is not good 10th=69%,12th=73.4% frm the state level board.
n grad. only 67%. will it effect a lot on getting admitted into a top b-school
I m a B.Sc graduate with no work ex.
i want a good top b-school. what r my chances plzz suggest me


Dude, first concentrate on CAT'07, crack it first and then think about low acads
12

Don't know how many times i've heard that pesky question?

To all others (Barring IIM professors) my answer is a straight faced " It's one of those things....you know...like i cant sing well, Similarly...I'm not good with studies"

Now, that you(and I) have committed the sin of not studying, fear not...for it shall not plague you the rest of your life(perhaps... this post should not be about glorifying US as a category of people)...the answer lies with dear old BAPU himself....

Yes my friends, my answer in each interview was the honest one.." I was complacent about studies during college"(Just a fancy way of saying, you were goofing off....)

Its as simple as that....although effort needs to be made for the final interview (Mugging favourite subjects(yeah....pick a few that you RELATIVELY studied the most...and REVISE))

Thats my advice to you!!!!

And if that pesky Uncle/aunty/neighbour/Bavarchi/Mai/lil girl on the road......asks you that same question....well i'm sure all of us have spent the time not spent studying judiciously (Rationing a small fraction of time in inventing,remembering, reciting, recalling and then using a plethora of abuses that would make even Dara Singh squeal)...

P.S. @Harsha:Thanks for the luck...gonna need it

Oh almost forgot!!!
My Intro (yeah!!! supposed to be up there^^):
Anyway...it all started when i realized when i was maybe 7,8 or sthin(...whtever..)THAT i detest studying...mugging, rattoing etc...
Made a mark with an unprecedented 72.0% in Xth std....(flowers bloomed...and champagne fell from the heavens)
Surprised my personal Tutor, teacher,mother ,father, brother and myself ..(in that order) when i passed Physics in XII..(Had a record goin...DAMN!!!! did not pass a single class, unit, mid term, end term, open book exam in school throughout XI & XII...FYI had to almost beg my Class teacher to promote me to XII)...anyway got a stupifying 71.2%.
(could only get through stats hons at sum unheard of DU college)
God himself intervened....got me into a college through an entrance exam (had GD/PI as well...divine intervention...like i said!!!)
From there on i give full credit to my teachers at C.B.S. for doing the impossible...
I know it would've been quite an effort to grant me the minium reqd 40%marks (they could not have ....in the wildest of their dreams..IMAGINED the answers i wrote.....you see i was making full use of the liberty, paper and time granted to me during exam hours)
Passed with some colour ...(failed to get off the ground....flying is out of the question...Maybe some hopping colour/s)...got a 59.3

So thats my story folks...till now....
I'm yet to face my biggest challenge ...
Will be in Hel(L) ina lil over a month

PEACE OUT !!!

13

Let me give you my academic record here.

10th - 87.1 -- Andhra Board
12th -- 83.5 -- Andhra Board
Engg-- 64.7 -- Sundry college in Andhra

Though I was never asked about my poor academics in IIM i/vs I have had very convincing reasons for that free fall from 80+ in 10th and 12th to 60+ in engg.

1. Till my 12th I studied in my mother tongue. So, it was kind of difficult for me once I got into engg and everything was in english.
2. I wanted to improve my english skills and dedicated lot of time reading various books and magazines.
3. In the process of improving my interpersonal skills I participated in many extra curricular activities in college. Yes, I have certificates of all those. I even won some Inter-university competitions.
4. But,after my 3rd year engg everything got stabilised and I could learn how to manage my time.That is why my final year score is 71%.


So, these were the answers that I prepared which could convince anyone and the reasons are solid as per my background.

Finally, IIM Calcutta didn't see any reason to bother about my poor academics and gave me admission offer.
But, I couldn't get even a GD/PI call from IIMB because of my poor acads even though I scored 99.71 in CAT 2006.It doesn't matter anyway

14

Hi..
Have very poor marks in Engg and 94.5%ile in quant and am selected for the pgdm prog in IIM C..

In my K interview, I was asked if I would be fine if they asked me some acads-based/related ques.. said I could try answering them..

They asked me basic questions like "what is central limit theorem" etc..

got selected here..

In my I interview, I was told that with my percentage they shouldn't even be asking me Engg ques.. again I said, I would try answering them..

They asked me about HDTV.. who manufactures them.. when was it first released.. gave them very arbit answers like better clarity; sound; greater no. of pixels etc.. guessed the other two ques..

waitlisted here.. (tho' personally i thought i aced the interview :()

In my L interview, I was not asked any acads.. therefore i couldn't really show them I knew a little more than my marks reflect..

did not get selected..

In my B interview, I was asked a very basic probability ques.. only one.. not sure if they were convinced that i had some gyan or they gave up on me..

waitlisted here..

In my C interview,
he said, I am assuming you know what AM and HM are.
ans: yes, i do..
what are they? which is greater? prove that AM is greater than HM (didn't know till i proved it that i could :))

selected here..

They never really asked me "why poor acads" outright.. but it's good to be prepared for that. don't be too apologetic about it but be sufficiently regretful.. show them one subject on your marks sheet you've aced and tell them y(there'll definitely be one subject you've got more than 80% in, if not ace ur final yr project).. tell them y u like it and how u prepared for it..
u could also say that engg was not ur personal choice.. at 16 you couldn't really decide for yourself and went along with what ur parents chose.. your marks don't reflect what you learnt in the 4 years there.. if u dont have any certificates, go do something today! u need certs for anything u say u've done.. otherwise it won't really add too much value..
also MBA is something u wanna do(prepare for the "y mba" ques really well) and how u prepared hard for CAT and got a 99+%ile which proves u can study hard when ur heart's in it..
find out one thing u absolutely love(could be AOE or old hindi songs(like one of my future classmates)) and be sure to be grilled on that.. u should go thru the interview exp on pg..
also brush up on ur basics.. and choose 2 subjects u can tolerate and try to really understand what they're about..
(for electronics and communications students, there's basic electronics by yoganarasimhan and communications by freznel.. these 2 books should be enuf).. even if they don't really ask u ques directly from these books, u'll feel confident for having spent time to prepare..

also, once the interviews actually start, be sure to go thru the interview experiences posted here and prepare for each and every ques that u could be asked too.. the usual drift of the interviews are the same..

hope that helps..

good luck!!

15

Poor Acads is a tricky one especially if you are a fresher... what I would suggest you is that as and when you get a call do brush up your acads and try being really confident of your answers...

plus I think people with kinda weak acads do help themselves a bit if they have some work ex... as if you have work ex you give the panel another facet of yourself they can question you on...

But that does not mean that they are overtly concerned about acads.. they do take into consideration the general results of your university... and if relatively your results is not that bad they do not read too much into it...

Guys above and over all this... I think that the acads is just one section of the whole process... and you can definitely cover it up in the other parts... guys another thing is that in some PI's they hardly even ask you about your acads... will add to this later...

16

Hi All,

I have 80.67 in 10th ,86.7 in 12th and 66 in Grad(NIT Surat)

I got calls ACLIK with 99.46 and converted CKL .

I stood 3rd in my class of 80 i have mentioned in every form. (so no body asked me in any interview)

if they asked me why low i would have said in NIT Surat Distinction is 66 and the topper is 68 so i have no issues.

If they have asked me why 80,86 and 66 . I would have said I am unable to meet the lectures expectations ( instead of satying they dont give marks)

and if you have extra curricular activities then u can support that by saying i am more involved with these activities.

for CAT aspirants dont worry about all these, IIM C dont look for acads.
try your best and get good goor percentile after that we(puys) are there to help you.

All the best

17

The time is right for me to make an entry over here All ya guys who claim to have poor acads will take ur claims back if u look at mine

X - 80.4%
XII - 74.8 %
Final Year Engg : 62.7 %
Engg Aggregate : 56%

And to top it all, nothing much to crow abt in the extra curriculars department either...

While I hav to admit that not every IIM grilled me abt this in the interviews, some of them are particular about acads... Atleast I felt that it affected my selection last year, bcos I acould not attribute it to anything else after a couple of flawless performances in my GD PIs

Last year profile :
16 months work ex
CAT 99.7 percentile
Calls : L,I,K
Kicked out of all 3

This year's profile
28 months work ex
CAT 99.38 percentile
Calls : A,C,L,I,K
Converts : C,K,I

K did grill me abt acads, and so did I. I handled I pretty well, but K was average.

There is no need to justify the low acads as such. The best that you can do is brush up on a few basic concepts and leave the rest upto them. I think this year my profile helped me a bit as in I had above average work-ex and had a couple of achievements to show from my company.

The past is something you can do nothing about, but I guess a knockout performance in the GD and PI increases your chances of getting thru considerably. This does not mean a guaranteed convert though.

Go thru my I and L interviews to see how good or how bad things can be

Nothing In Particular
Nothing In Particular

If there are any specific queries related to acads, I will try and answer them as best as I can.

Now that I have made it to IIMC, I am officially qualified to give gyaan

18

Dear first of all my heartiest congratulation for 99.85 percentile.
The reasons you have cited is genuine and it is OK.

19

10th - CBSE - 83.2 %
12th - CBSE - 84.0 %
B.E. - CGPA 6.16 / 10
42 months of work ex in high tech.

I guess this thread pretty much handles all the important things that need to be highlighted during a session where you are asked about your bad marks. My take on this is :

1. Don't deny it. n' don't give stupid excuses, like you were preparing for this n' that. You are a potential manager and you're expected to be able to fend for yourself. I know it is unjust and even I flunked all six papers in sixth semester 'cuz I prepped for GRE which I cracked. I had miserable performances in other even semesters 'cuz of the Trichy heat- did well in odd semesters which had finals in winter. Yes, even I left with two job offers from a place which had a one job ban.

2. I told them that I was in the top 10% in all IT-related subjects. This proved that I gave effort where it was due.

3. I also had certs for very good extra-curriculars (President of college Rotaract club, athletics, literary activities, etc.) thru' school, college and even work, so it showed that I was an all-round personality :p

In spite of all this, the IIMC interview which the guy started by shouting 'SECOND CLASS' proved fruitless, even though I immediately answered the questions put to me in matrices, though it came four years after I'd grad'd from college. The GD was excellent too, so I wouldn't say IIMC gives no importance to acads, but I do know other people with similar acads who have made it in the past.

In the IIML interview, my work ex and overseas assignment helped cover the bad acads and among all the questions about it that I answered well, I wasn't even asked this disturbing one.

Best of luck!

20

poor acads is really aworry for freshers...the best thing is to brush up ur acads so that u can be able to convince the pannel that u are not that "bad" .....but if asked about why poor acads the i think its better to tell them that i didnt study and found the meaning of life much later and thats why now i have a good percentile and sitting infront of great people ...attending iim interview