If you want to pursue an MBA abroad, you will need to have a good GMAT score.
Administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the Graduate Management Admission Test is a multiple-choice test that is held throughout the year.
In an online chat with readers on December 6, Naveenan Ramachandran and Abhishek Bhide, experts, 4GMAT addressed reader queries on how to prepare for the GMAT and offered advice on choosing a good university.
For those who missed the live chat, here's the unedited transcript:
Abhishek Bhide says, Hello everyone, We look forward to answering your queries about B-schools, applications processes and MBA.
Naveenan says, Hi All! Welcome to the Chat session on Admissions / Applications / GMAT / Essays ... All things to do with an MBA. We will try our best to provide clarifications.
mba asked, should i do an mba in india or abroad. I am confused. pls help
Naveenan answers, at 2012-12-06 15:53:52Hi - Depends on various factors - Number of years of experience you already have, international exposure that your job / education might have already given you, the country / peninsula where you want to work, budget (very important criteria), availability of collateral to take an educational loan if you want to avail one, GMAT score and academic record in school. These are some of the parameters to be considered before taking this all-important decision.
mba asked, my budget is 5 to 6 lakhs
Naveenan answers, Well - IF everything goes well at a US b-school and you get a full tuition waiver and you get some assistant-ship, then it might just fit in this budget. An Indian school fits well in this budget - even that is dependent on an additional education loan of equal amount.
manmohansing asked, what score should i look for insead? do i really need excellent par's?will my work experience help?
Abhishek Bhide answers, INSEAD is a very well known B-school and you should look for the highest possible score you can get! The average of their entire batch is about 660. Their focus in terms of work experience is on international work ex. Don't get your Question about 'par's'?
student asked, hi, can u tell me how good is an exec mba programme at iim-kozhikode? should i do distance learning
Abhishek Bhide answers, An Exec-MBA is not able to match a full-time MBA in terms of the immersive learning environment and the change in overall perspective. Having said that, an IIM exec-MBA if done with focus should give you a good understanding of business concepts. Do check other exec-mba programs as well though...
Naveenan answers, I am assuming you are talking about the programme which provides a generalist diploma in the 1st year, the option to continue the 2nd year and gives a specialization diploma in the 2nd year. It is a good programme if you have decided to go in for a distance learning programme. A program like PGPMAX (ISB's) which involves at least some on-campus sessions would be better in terms of exposure.
harvard asked, i want to study at harvard. what should i do
Abhishek Bhide answers, What is your background? Work ex? Budget etc?
vvv asked, Would doing a Long Term Certificate program with IIM B , be of any help? they are charging around 6L for one year program
Naveenan answers, Hi - If at all you are investing 1 year with IIM B, you are better off with an E-PGP programme. As Abhishek was mentioning, a full time programme is anyday better than a part time programme or a certification. A certification program may not help you gain a huge jump in your career. Hope this helps. Thanks.
Vikas asked, In the present scenario (economic) in US, would it be a good choice for a second MBA there (of couse, Ivy is the reference)
Abhishek Bhide answers, Vikas, the economic scenario will affect your job chances however an MBA from an IVY league is really much more than that! The quality of education and the networking as well as the understanding of global business- are the differentiators
nik asked, Hi I've got an offer for Full Time MBA from Cass business school , London. How's this college in terms of ROI and job prospects? Shall I try for Cambridge or Oxford as well?
Naveenan answers, The RoI will be good IF (a big IF) you are able to secure a job in UK. The issue is with the current job scenario and political/economic/visa situation in that country. If you have contacts in UK / a UK based client that you are already working with / if your firm has a division in UK that would be willing to absorb you there, then it makes a good case. Hope this helps. All the best! If you have the option, do try for Cambridge and Oxford.
roughage asked, Hi I've got an offer for Full Time MBA from Cass business school , London. How's this college in terms of ROI and job prospects? Shall I try for Cambridge or Oxford as well?
Naveenan answers, The RoI will be good IF (a big IF) you are able to secure a job in UK. The issue is with the current job scenario and political/economic/visa situation in that country. If you have contacts in UK / a UK based client that you are already working with / if your firm has a division in UK that would be willing to absorb you there, then it makes a good case. Hope this helps. All the best! If you have the option, do try for Cambridge and Oxford.
p asked, I am sorry and should not be asking this question on this forum, but I would like to know good universities for Exec MBA or how can i find the value of certification on completion of the course. I am commerce grad with 9 years exp.
Abhishek Bhide answers, P, try looking at rankings for Exec-MBAs that some organizations have done. The 'value' of such certifications is very different from individual to individual. Unlike a regular MBA, an exec program is probably more for a better grasp of concepts or an additional bullet point. May not really help in changing streams.
Do you have a question related to pursuing an MBA abroad?
You can reach our experts Naveenan Ramachandran and Abhishek Bhide on naveenan@4gmat.com and abhishek264@gmail.com. Meanwhile, you can also tell us about your study abroad experience and how it shaped your career.
To share your queries, suggestions and advice, write in to us at studyingabroad@rediffmail.com (Subject Line: 'My Study Abroad Experience') and we will publish the best responses on rediff.com.