Getting a call from a top B-school is no small feat. Most aspirants have spent months preparing for this moment. CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, and MAT are some of the popular MBA entrance tests. It opens doors to MBA admissions at IIMs and other top B-schools. For example, there are over 2.5 lakh participants in the CAT exam every year. But only a few thousand are shortlisted for the next stages. If you have received a B-school call, you have already won half the battle. Your next steps will decide whether the call converts into an offer or goes nowhere. Build consistency and utilise a smart approach to excel in all the admission stages. You should also review the admission requirements of your target B-school and prepare accordingly. We have shared a guide below on what after you get a call from a B-school.
Join our free CAT preparation community for complete guidance for GDPI, mentorship by CAT experts and more.
What Does a Call from a B-School Actually Mean?
A B-school call means you have cleared a key MBA admission stage. The shortlisting is based on your entrance exam score, academic records, and other factors. You will have to undergo selection rounds like the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). This selection round evaluates your personality, clear communication, analytical thinking, and confidence. You must avoid making any mistakes in this stage. Any silly error can lead to a missed opportunity. A high percentile does not guarantee admission. You will have to excel in the remaining stages to convert the call. You prepare smartly for WAT-GD-PI, build a strong academic profile, and improve your communication skills. This can help you express your ideas/thoughts clearly and confidently.
What After You Get a Call From a B-School?
The MBA admission process comprises various stages. It starts from the entrance exam results to filling applications, attending selection rounds, and receiving the admission offers. Here is the guide on what after you get a call from a B-school:
Declaration of MBA Entrance Exam Result
The first step after the MBA entrance exam is the declaration of the result/scorecard. CAT scorecards are usually released in the month of January. It includes sectional and overall CAT scores and percentiles. Every IIM and other colleges released its own admission requirements and cutoffs. Those who fulfil the eligibility criteria, clear the cutoffs, and other factors will be shortlisted for the next admission stage.
Shortlisting by Colleges/Institutes
Many institutes shortlist candidates based on their entrance exam scores, academic profile, and other parameters. For example, candidates who clear IIM qualifying cutoffs, eligibility, and other requirements will be shortlisted for WAT, GD, and PI. The IIM MBA final admission process includes:
- CAT performance
- WAT-GD-PI scores
- Academic Records
- Relevant work experience
- Gender and academic diversity
- Other Relevant Factors
Getting Ready for Your WAT, PI & GD Rounds
WAT, GD, and PI are one of the most crucial phases of the MBA admission process. It checks your thinking ability, communication skills, personality, and other factors. It assesses how clearly you answer questions asked in this selection round. The highlights of this MBA admission round are shared below:
- Written Ability Test: It assesses your ability to think and write with clarity. Topics are usually based on current events or abstract ideas. It also judges your writing speed and logical thinking.
- Group Discussion: It checks your ability to express your idea confidently in a group. You will be provided a topic to discuss. It is about your listening, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
- Personal Interview: PI is another essential stage of the MBA admission. The interviewer may ask you questions related to the following areas:
- Academic background
- Work experience
- Career goals
- Personality
- Current Affairs and General Awareness, etc.
Final Merit List
After the WAT-GD-PI round is over, the institute will release the final merit list. Various factors are considered when preparing the final selection list. Every factor will be allocated a weightage percentage. This includes your entrance exam scores, academics (10th/12th), work experience, diversity, etc. Then, you will receive either the final admission offer or a waitlist. The final admission offer will be sent via email or uploaded to the official website. If you want admission in that particular institute, then you can accept the admission offer and pay the requisite fees within the deadline.
Reporting to the B-school
After accepting the admission offer, you will have to report to the B-school with the required documents. Then, you need to pay the course fees and follow all the joining instructions to confirm your admission.
Getting a call from a B-school is just the beginning. The real thing starts when you have to attend WAT-GD-PI and express your thoughts confidently. The best part? You can excel in all the admission stages with the right approach. Smart preparation and consistency are all you require to turn the call into a seat at your dream B-school. To help, iQuanta has introduced the GDPI Course 2025. It offers features like practice PI/GD sessions, college-specific strategy, WAT prep, etc. So, why wait more? Enrol in the course today and move one step closer to your dream MBA college.
