How important are academics in the MBA rat race? This question is sure to worry you, especially if you have been an average performer in college.

Last week, Get Ahead invited CAT gurus Asan Dasari and Vinayak Kudva of IMS Learning Resources to chat with those of you who are preparing for the Common Admission Test.

They said that, though your academic record is considered, what is important is your performance in CAT, and in the group discussion and personal interview that follows if you make it to the shortlist.

Asan, an engineer and MBA from IIM-Calcutta, is a product manager for CAT and guides students through their preparation. Vinayak, an engineer and MBA from Mumbai University, is the head of academics at IMS, has rich experience in academia-based research and teaches mathematics in his free time.

Get more advice and tips from Part III of the chat transcript and prepare to crack CAT 2005:

Part I: Study for CAT in just two months

Part II: How important is vocabulary 

Somalian: Sirs ,Just curious . Does Iq have anything to do with cracking the cat or is there something more needed ?

IMS: No. CAT is an aptitude test. You can crack the test if you practise regularly and analyse logically.

Amar: Sir I have one year job experience. But I switched my first job within 2 months. Does this unstability in my career hamper my chances in CAT

IMS: No, it would not hamper at this stage, as long as you are clear about your career goals.

selvajayapal: Sir, how many seats alloted for each IIMs, how they will be short listed (By marks / GD/PI / Exp. / etc.,

IMS: IIM-Ahmedabad -- roughly 250, IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Calcutta -- roughly 240, IIM-Lucknow, IIM-Indore and IIM-Kozikode -- roughly 180. Each IIM has different weightages assigned to shortlist their list of candidates.

chandervikas: Hi can u help...i have 3.5 yrs experience in IT... i want to take up some MBA course part time.....1. are there any courses available..2. does the part time courses help....

IMS : Yes, there are few good part-time programmes. However, this will depend on which city you are in.

chatterjee: i have averge academic is it possible to get into good b.school?

IMS: Academics are important, but each B-school has its own eligibility criteria. Please check the eligibility criteria for the institute you wish to apply to.

gauravsurana: sir pls suggest some good b-schools other than the iim's

IMS: XLRI, MDI, FMS, ISB, NITIE, the IIT Schools of Management are some of the good B-schools in the country.

madhavan: how important is my cgpa.am from nit trichy with 7.18 and 1 arrrear which i have cleared.How will the arrear affect my chances in IIMs

IMS: Academics are important, but you have to perform at the test, the GD and PI vis-a-vis your peers. In the end, if you are a good candidate, they will definitely select you.

Kapil: I have two years work experience, How good is ISB for me?

IMS: You should apply to the IIMs, XLRI, FMS and ISB for a strong career.

kinjal: please contact at kinj25al@rediff.com. i repeat my question: how far do yu think the percentiles projected in simcats and mockcats are realistic

IMS: The percentiles are calculated based on the scores of the students who take the test. Therefore they represent a true picture of the population which took the test.

Ajit: Sir , I have heard that IIM-A avoids taking students without work ex. I do not have one , so is getting into IIM A almost impossible for me

IMS: No, this is not correct. In fact, close to 40 percent of the entire student population is without work-ex.

chandu: hey, i have 2 yrs work-ex situated in mumbai, wat r d part-time courses available 4 me

IMS: A part-time MBA from JBIMS will be the best choice.

bugged: can u give me some tips to move from 97% to 99+ % range...

IMS: Work on your errors and solve the questions you did not attempt. This will help you perform in the next test. Most important, stay focused!

chatterbox_1979in: How do you compare IIMA with ISB?

IMS: Both are very good institutes, but the comparison will depend on your academic and work experience profile and most importantly your career goals.

dimpy_s: I have 4 years work experience in IT. Please suggest some b-schools in India to boost up my career.

IMS: Apply to the PGP programmes at IIMs, PGDCM at IIM Calcutta, ISB and XLRI.

Part I: Study for CAT in just two months

Part II: How important is vocabulary

Tomorrow: The final part

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

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