Do online MBA in business analytics along with the job worth it. I'm from non tech background. I'm considering, VIT, NMIMS and Manipal .

Hi everyone! I'm planning to pursue a PGDM from a B-school in Chennai, but I'm confused about choosing a specialization.

Which specializations, such as Marketing, Finance, HR, Business Analytics, or Operations, have better job opportunities, salary packages, and long-term career growth?

Also, which B-schools in Chennai offer good specializations with practical learning and strong placements?

I'd love to hear honest advice from current students and alumni. Thanks!

28F, B.Tech IT from Tier 3 college, but have worked really hard to switch domains & jobs to now be a Sr. PM in a fintech - with 3.5 years of PM experience & overall ~6.2 years work ex.

BTech 8.6 CGPA, 12th - 92%, 10th - 97%

Want to continue in tech, in product domain, moving to leadership roles. Always had this itch to get MBA to become better in the field.
Gave CAT in the past with average results - but had switched jobs anyways; which helped me move to the product management domain.

Does it make sense now for me to do residential MBA programs in India (only executive ones - 1 year courses) / or explore options abroad (not very open to US considering geopolitical situations, can consider UK) ?

Already prepping for GRE to apply to some of these programs - but intrinsically also inclined more towards non-residential programs like IIM A -BPGP, ISB PGP PRO, IIM B PGPEM (which will also need scores - so exam needs to be given anyway).

Folks who are/ have been in the same boat as me, any suggestions/thoughts/ideas are welcome!

I am an engineer with 4+ years of experience in engineering design looking to do an MBA pivot my career.

I appeared for a few interviews this year and got an offer from SPJIMR.

I'm still waiting for a response from my first choice school (ISB)

Here's where things get tricky:

The SPJIMR batch starts on 1st December, and ISB results apparently will come out in the end of December.

I'm hopeful for ISB but you can never be sure, and I have to make the decision on whether to go to SPJIMR or not latest by 1st Dec, because I essentially surrender half the fee if I withdraw after 1st Dec.

Here are the possibilities:

1. Withdraw from SPJIMR and hope for ISB - Works if I actually get the offer and I end up jobless if I don't (I'm on notice period)

2. Go to SPJIMR and stop thinking about ISB - Will be painful if I get an admit from ISB later that month

I'm really confused and would really appreciate any advice on this matter :)

Hi, I am 25M and have total 3 years of Work Ex and I am planning to do a Part time/ Weekend MBA

I have a B.E. degree and I work as a Risk Consultant, I want to shift from Risk Consulting to Management/Strategy consulting in future

Part time MBA will help me in any way? Or should go for Executive MBA?

I work as a Quant Researcher at a small prop trading firm, so I get why some jobs have an absurdly high talent bar. When you're making decisions with real capital on the line, your work has a direct consequence. You make money, you lose money you have full accountability

What I don't quite get at all is the concept of consulting the idea of getting paid without ownership of the outcome is just hilarious to me. MBBs hire some of the brightest people from tier 1 colleges, pays them a fortune, and puts them through a recruitment process that makes you think they're selecting the next generation of world leaders and trying to cure cancer at the same time. Yet a lot of the work seems to boil down to basic analysis, ppt decks, and recommendations that someone else gets to decide whether to implement or not

I'm clearly missing something, so I'd like to hear it from people actually in the industry

I am asking because a friend of mine, an old IIT CSE dept ranker, joined a top-tier consulting firm after interning at a quant shop a year earlier than me. He chose consulting partly for the prestige and career prospects. He makes good money, but he's beyond miserable , he's told me, the frustrating part isn't just the hours but it's putting serious effort into work that may be shelved by the client anyways lol

Not trying to take shots at the profession(okay maybe a little). I'm genuinely curious about what makes the work worth it or if its just ppts lol

Where do i start. Sources, study material, etc for CAT and GMAT

I have my ISB interview and a couple of other Executive MBA interviews soon. I wasn’t able to convert IIMA PGPX interview.

I had spent five years building my own recruitment company and in the long-term want to get back to entrepreneurship by building my family business in pre-school education.

Short-term, I want to gain corporate experience in strategy/consulting to expand on my capabilities as to how to scale and lead bigger teams.

Does this short term goal realistically help me get there or should I look at other career roles and if so, what might they be?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 25-year-old M.Sc. Biotechnology graduate, currently working as a Technical Assistant in a molecular diagnostics lab with a salary of 2.75 LPA.

I've recently started questioning my long-term career prospects in biotechnology, especially considering the salary growth, limited opportunities, and work-life balance in the Indian biotech industry.

I'm considering pursuing an MBA to transition into better-paying roles with stronger career growth opportunities.

However, I'm confused about whether investing another two years and a significant amount of money in an MBA would actually be worth it.

I would really appreciate some practical advice on the following:

1. Has anyone here transitioned from biotechnology or life sciences to management after an MBA?
2. Is an MBA from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 college worth pursuing with my academic background?
3. What kind of career opportunities can I realistically expect after an MBA?
4. Would my biotechnology background and current work experience be useful in areas like consulting, healthcare management, product management, or general management?
5. Should I prepare for CAT and aim for a good B-school, or would it be wiser to upskill and continue growing in the biotech industry?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have made a similar transition.

My main goal is to achieve better financial stability, career growth, and a decent work-life balance.

I don't want to spend another two years studying only to end up in a similar situation.

Any genuine advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

We ran mocks for a set of 1-year MBA applicants this cycle, mostly IIMA PGPX, plus some ISB, IIMB EPGP and IIMC MBAEx. 11 of them have converted

None of them walked in polished. Their first mocks scored between 29 and 58 out of 100 on our scorecard. One was rejected at an actual IIM interview before converting elsewhere.

So this isn't a "be confident, be yourself" post. These are the specific mistakes that showed up in their mocks and what they fixed before the real thing. If you have an R2 interview coming, use all of it.

1. The extempore is where most people bleed points

Almost every R1 panel opened with one. Topics we saw: quick commerce doing more harm than good, AI making middle management obsolete, banning social media for under-16s, freebies being a waste of public money, AI monitoring employees. Topics repeat across rounds, so prep all five.

What went wrong, again and again:

• Taking a stand, then folding after two pushbacks. One candidate conceded four times and ended on the word "agreed".

• Raising the other side's best argument themselves, unprompted.

• Announcing two points and only delivering one.

• Closing on the opposite of the opening stance.

What worked:

• Stance in the first sentence. A qualified stance is fine: "smaller and different, not obsolete."
• Two or three signposted points.
• When pushed, concede the fact and keep the position. "Yes, big tech cut layers. That supports my point: fewer managers running bigger teams, not zero managers."
• A one-line verdict at the end, on the same side you opened.

The panel isn't checking whether you're right. They're checking whether you can hold a reasoned view when someone senior disagrees with you.

1. Never make up a number

This was the single biggest killer in our mocks. Some examples: - "1.2 crore gig workers in quick commerce." That's roughly the NITI Aayog projection for the entire gig economy, not one sector. - "Millions of kiranas have shut." The industry body claim is about 2 lakh, out of 1.2 crore plus. - "I read it in some Hindustan Times article," and then the candidate couldn't name the article.

Once a panel catches one invented number, they discount every number after it, including the ones about your own work.

Rehearse this line until it's automatic: "I don't have the exact figure, sir. What I do know is..." It costs you nothing.

1. Your own numbers must match across CV, essays and form

Panels have your file open. These mismatches got caught: - 42% to 25% on the CV, but 43% to 20% in the essay - 10,000 partners said in the room, 1,000+ on the form - "4.5 years" said out loud, 5 years 1 month on the form - Team size described four different ways across four documents

None of these is fatal on its own. A stammered correction in the room is what hurts. Cross-check every number in your file this week. If one is off, prepare a calm one-line correction.

1. Why MBA" needs a real moment, not adjectives

"Impact at scale", "holistic understanding", "fire in my belly", "take my career to the next level". Everyone says these, and panels tune out.

The candidates who converted anchored their why-MBA in one real incident. The best one we saw: a consultant spent six months building a partner scorecard for a client, and the client's HQ killed it. It hadn't accounted for sales cycles or partner growth. That one story made the entire case for the MBA without him having to argue for it.

Find your version: a decision you couldn't make, couldn't contribute to, or got wrong because you didn't have the business side.

Lead with the conclusion in ten seconds and keep the framework for the follow-up. PGPX panels tend to cut in around 45 seconds. ISB panels will let you go to about 100 to 120 seconds, but attention drops after that.

1. Name real courses and faculty you can defend

"Decision making", "Finance" and "people management" are subjects, not courses, and panels follow up immediately.

Two traps: - Naming a professor because they interviewed you. The follow-up question about their research exposes it straight away.

• Naming a course you haven't read about. Elephants and Cheetahs comes up a lot. It's an operations strategy course, not a "big companies vs startups" course. If you name it, read the course page first.

Prepare three real course titles, with one line each on which decision in your job it would have changed. Add one senior faculty name and their actual research area.

1. Your post-MBA goal has to survive one push\

One mock went like this: "Strategy in EV." Then: "Your target companies hire for ops, not strategy." Then: "I'm open to everything." That last line is what the panel remembers.

• Check the actual placement report. Saying "I'm sure X recruits at PGPX" when they don't is a credibility hit.
• Pick one goal and keep it the same across every mock and the real interview.
• Have a plan B in the same direction, not a different career.
• If told MBB staffs associates as generalists, agree first. Then say where you'd specialise later.

1. They'll go deep into your own field

Panels love testing your home ground. - A compliance professional couldn't explain how the FCPA differs from the UK Bribery Act. - A marine engineer didn't know how ship emissions are calculated.

Both topics were part of their daily jobs. Write down every term in your field you can't define cleanly in 20 seconds, and fix them in an evening. This is almost always a recall problem, not a knowledge problem.

1. Disclose fully on the first ask

"Did you use AI on your essays?" "I wrote them." Then, when pressed: "I took some help." That sequence reads as evasion, even when it isn't meant that way.

The same goes for anything on your form: - A training programme you're leaving midway - A Dubai campus option you ticked but haven't researched - Side work while employed. Read your company's outside-work policy before someone asks.

Give the full answer the first time. If it's on your form, the panel already knows.

1. Openers are pitch invitations

"Why are you here today?" "For the interview, sir." This actually happened, twice in thirty seconds.

Have one prepared line for "why are you here", "tell me about yourself" and "what's your dream". Each one should cover your goal, your gap, and why this programme.

1. Talk about yourself, not the other candidate

"What do you bring that someone from McKinsey doesn't?" If you answer by arguing what they lack, you're making claims you can't back. Describe your own depth and let the panel draw the contrast.

The same applies to the obvious alternative path. Asked "why not become Chief Engineer?", one candidate said "I'd only optimise one ship." That runs down a senior job held by people the panel respects. Respect the alternative, then explain where the decisions you care about actually get made.

1. Cheap delivery fixes

• Pause two seconds before answering. It feels long to you and reads as composure to them.
• Make your first sentence answer the question.
• Don't open with "absolutely, absolutely." Saying it before you argue concedes the point.
• Watch for Hinglish slipping in. It happens most under pressure.
• No swearing, ever. One slip in a real panel can end the interview. Make it a hard rule in practice and in casual chat too.
• On case questions, ask one clarifying question and wait for the answer. Then build the next question from it. Firing eight in a row loses the conversation.
• On guesstimates: state the formula, compute, sanity-check, commit. Don't abandon a right answer because the panel raised an eyebrow.

1. Practise the follow-up, not the first answer

This is the biggest lesson of the cycle.

The candidate who was rejected at a real IIM interview had a decent first answer on every topic, and nothing for the second question. "Anything bigger?" "Why not?" "What did you actually do?" The interview was over in 22 minutes.

He converted after rebuilding every answer two layers deep.

Also, mocks only fix what they test. One candidate fixed every issue from Mock 1 in Mock 2, then lost points on angles she hadn't seen before. Prep beyond your last mock's question list.

The common thread

None of these 11 were exceptional on day one. What they did was take the feedback seriously, fix the specific thing before the next mock, and record themselves to catch what they couldn't hear live.

If you have an R2 interview coming up, drop your profile in the comments (keep it anonymous) for evaluation.

1. in long term finance pays more

2. in placements finance people are eligible for all companies and roles but marketing people are eligible only for marketing related roles so finance people have more probability of getting placed

3. in marketing they can send u in tier 3, tier 4 places also, also u may have to do field work but in finance u will only do deskjob in a tier 1 city in a AC office

don't think finance is tough it's easy everything is on youtube

I have an admit from IIM Ahmedabad PGPX and have given my interview for ISB PGP. I’m fairly confident about converting ISB as well, so I wanted to get some opinions before making a decision.

A little about my profile:

5.5 years of work experience by April 2027.

Working with an oil and gas PSU in the Fire, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) function.

Most of my experience has been in operations, safety, regulatory compliance and environmental management.

Post MBA, my first preference is to get into MBB consulting, preferably in the energy and utilities practice. Another option I’m considering is joining a global energy major through a leadership programme or a strategy role. In the long run, I want to move into senior leadership in the energy sector, preferably with international exposure.

I’m confused between the two programmes and would appreciate some honest opinions, especially from alumni.

A few things I’m trying to understand:

Which school would give me a better shot at MBB, considering that I’m coming from a PSU and an HSE background?

How realistic is it to move into consulting from my kind of role? Does either school have an advantage here?

Which programme has better opportunities with global energy majors, particularly outside India?

With 5.5 years of experience, does the ISB PGP or IIMA PGPX make more sense?

Looking at placements, compensation and long-term career growth, which would you choose in my position?

I know both are good programmes, but I’m more interested in actual career outcomes than rankings or brand names.

Would really appreciate insights from people who have been through either programme, especially those who have made a similar career switch or have experience with MBB recruitment.

Thanks!

Hey folks,

I'm 25M with around 3 years of work experience, but most of it has been spent in bench/shadowing roles with very little actual industry exposure. I recently switched jobs (Applied AI Engineer) with 15 LPA hoping for a change, but honestly, I hate my current role too.

I've realised that I've wasted a lot of time and haven't put in my best efforts. It's been a wake-up call, and I want to get serious about my future now.

I missed the CAT 2026 registration deadline. I've applied for XAT and SNAP, but given my current preparation level and the time remaining, I'm not confident about clearing them for the colleges I want.

My goal is specifically to get into a top IIM or a comparable top B-school. I'm not interested in doing an MBA just for the sake of it or settling for a college I'm not convinced about. I'd rather prepare for another year than rush into a decision I might regret.

I'm planning to target CAT 2027, and my current level is:

• VARC: Weak. Need to rebuild my reading comprehension, English and verbal skills.
• Quant: Average, with gaps in several topics.
• DILR: Average, comfortable with some topics but inconsistent overall.

My job runs roughly 9 AM–8 PM, and I earn around ₹1 lakh/month. I have strong parental support and am open to quitting and preparing full-time if that makes sense. I'm also willing to invest in good coaching and mock tests, but I want to choose the right resources.

Apart from CAT, I want to rebuild my communication skills and confidence, which have taken a hit over the past few years due to terrible job experince.

I'd appreciate honest advice on these questions:

1. Is CAT 2027 a realistic target for someone starting from my position?
2. Should I continue working while preparing, or quit after a few months and prepare full-time?
3. Which coaching would you recommend for VARC, Quant and DILR? One comprehensive course or separate courses?
4. Which mock test series and study materials are genuinely worth the money?
5. How would you structure preparation from now until CAT 2027, especially with VARC being my weakest section?
6. How can I improve my English and communication skills alongside CAT preparation?

I know there's no guarantee of getting into a top IIM. I'm ready to put in the work; I just want to make an informed decision about the strategy and resources before committing.

What would you do if you were in my position?

now that Cluster 1 (C1) is over, here are a few things I wish someone had told us before we joined.

PlaceCom does not allow students to participate in case competitions. If you do participate, you will not be allowed to include it on your CV.

Don’t blindly trust PlaceCom or the placement process. Transparency and fairness are not necessarily what they are made out to be.

Don’t trust companies and their pre-placement commitments. Promises mean very little when they aren’t honoured.

Prioritise the SIP process over academics. Some mahaan person will tell you that the “A” in IIMA stands for Academics, but you’ll soon realise what actually matters when placements begin.

Take advice from PGP2s with a pinch of salt. Your experience may be very different from theirs. From the moment you enter IIMA, favouritism seems to influence clubs, committees, and eventually placements. Meritocracy increasingly feels like a myth.

Question the fairness of the placement process. There were instances where students with shortlists allegedly did not even get their interviews scheduled, while others reportedly secured placements without being on the original shortlist. If true, this raises serious questions about how the process was conducted and who was allowed to bypass it.

PlaceCom and the administration owe students answers. For an institution that prides itself on being India’s best B-school, such allegations should be a matter of shame and serious introspection. Students work incredibly hard to get here, and the least they deserve is a fair, transparent process.

The absence of several major recruiters this time is another worrying sign. It raises questions about whether the institution is maintaining the standards and industry relationships it has long been known for.

IIMA has built its reputation over decades, but a reputation alone cannot sustain an institution. When students begin losing faith in the very systems that are supposed to support them, something is fundamentally wrong.
What we are witnessing feels like the beginning of the decline of an institution that has long called itself the best B-school in India.

To the incoming batch: work hard, but don’t assume the system will reward you fairly simply because you deserve it.

Welcome to IIMA, where meritocracy is celebrated in theory but, in my experience, not always practised.

I’m 30M and looking for some genuine career advice.

A little background about me:

Graduated from a Tier 1 college.

Spent around 6 years working at my father’s kirana shop in a village.

Recently worked for 4 months as a Marketing Manager at an export company.

Currently planning to start my own manufacturing business.

I want to give entrepreneurship a serious shot, but realistically, there’s always a possibility that things might not work out as planned.

In that case, I’m considering preparing for CAT 2027 and pursuing an MBA from a good B-school.

My main concern is my age and work experience. By the time I join an MBA programme, I’ll be around 31. I’m also unsure how recruiters would view my experience at a family-run kirana shop compared to traditional corporate work experience.

I’d like to hear from people who have been in similar situations or have experience with MBA admissions and placements.

Does pursuing an MBA at 31 make sense if my ultimate goal is to land a well-paying job at a good company?

Would my background be a disadvantage during MBA admissions or placements?

Would it be better to focus entirely on building my business rather than keeping an MBA as a backup plan?

If I decide to pursue an MBA, would it still offer a good return on investment at this age?

Looking for honest, practical advice rather than generic motivational answers. Thanks!

Hi All,

I am 31M. Multiple attempts CA and CFA Level 2 qualified by profession. I have more than 6 years of work experience with SBI Funds, ICICI Bank and an MNC. Current salary is only 20 lacs. I have a low GMAT FE score <600. I have good grades at 10th and 12th. However, low CGPA at Bcom.

10th - 92%

12th - 80.5%

BCOM - 5.49/7 CGPA but 6.5/7 in the final year

Do I stand a chance at ISB for their flagship program?

What other MBA options I have in India? Being a CA, MBA only adds value if I do from ISB or ABC is what I personally think. However, I am open to views.