What to do after CAT 2024 results are declared? Shortlist MBA colleges, prepare for GD-PI and WAT

CAT 2024 results are out and 2.93 lakh candidates now know their MBA future. Some candidates start analysing their admission chances much before the CAT exam day. The most common question is, 'Will I get into an IIM or not?' Although every CAT aspirant hopes to excel in the exam, the harsh reality is that not everyone can make it to the top. So, what happens after CAT results?

What to do after CAT 2024 results are declared?

Now that the CAT 2024 results are out, deciding the next step has become challenging and confusing for candidates who excel in the exam as well as those who fail to live up to expectations. Some decide to wait for the results of other state level exams like XAT, CMAT and MAH-CET, while some decide to try the CAT exam again.

The decision taken at this point of time should be based on personal choice and caution. On the other hand, the next challenge for those who perform well in the CAT exam is to clear the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds of the MBA admission process. All the top MBA colleges in India conduct GD-PI/WAT for admission. Just like the entrance exam, this round is also not easy.

Also Read: MBA Admission 2025; A Comprehensive and Complete Guide to MBA Admissions

Given the number of candidates applying to B-schools every year, institutes take extra care in selecting the best of the best. CareerMantra.Org brings you a list of actionable things to do after the announcement of CAT 2024 result.

Apply for Admission to B-schools:

Many business schools initiate the MBA application process even before to the announcement of the CAT results. So, assess your performance in CAT, check the cut off percentile of B-schools, make a list of institutes you want to target for admission, check out their application process, fees and schedule and apply.

If one gets selected in any of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), it is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement, but what are the alternatives if this does not happen? The next step would include looking for a premier business school, apart from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). While looking for a college, a candidate must keep in mind numerous parameters like ranking, alumni, placement record, faculty, return on investment (ROI) and environment.

Course and Specialisation Selection:

Along with college selection, it is also important to focus on selection of course and specialization. Many students initially select a college first, and then select their MBA specialisation, while some candidates search for colleges on the basis of specialization they wish to pursue.

Both approaches are right. Be clear about what you want, whether it is first college selection or specialization-based college selection. Start evaluating your options well in advance, to avoid any potential confusion in the future.

Prepare for GD-PI/WAT

GD-PI/WAT is the second stage of MBA admissions. After the CAT results are declared, the IIMs release their cutoffs for shortlisting candidates for this round. The GD-PI/WAT round takes place in February to May. Apart from IIMs, other MBA institutes also conduct this round in the same month. Thus, you have about 4 months to prepare for this GD-PI/WAT round after the CAT exam. To have a better chance of successfully clearing the GD-PI, candidates can do the following:

i) Attend GD/PI workshops: No matter how good you think you are, you will never know what it is like to face a large audience without attending a GD/PI workshop. Before joining a workshop, make sure it has a large number of participants - this will give you the confidence to face a large audience.

II) Focus on case-based as well as topic-based GD: B-schools are slowly adopting the case-based teaching method - keeping that in mind, they are moving towards case-based WAT and GD. However, to test the general knowledge of the candidate to the maximum, some B-schools opt for topic-based GD. The ideal way is to prepare for both.

III) Take guidance from seniors/mentors: Your mentors and seniors would have surely faced GD-PI, and their guidance can be very helpful. Also, they can tell you some tips and tricks that you won't find in books or on the internet, so make the most of it.

IV) Prepare for specialization (if have 4+ years of work experience): Professionals with about four years or more of experience may be asked about the specialization they want to choose - it is very important to be prepared for this beforehand.

V) Keep in mind the specific format for each call: Each B-school has a different GD-PI process and criteria for giving calls. It is very important to know about the format of each call, else you may arrive unprepared for it and miss the chance to get admission in a top B-school.

Plan B:

Life is not always easy -  your CAT attempt might or might not be successful. If you make it to one of the IIMs, congratulations for achieving what you had been aiming for, but if things do not fall in place you must always be ready with plan B. Consider the following in case you do not clear CAT exam are:

A) Will you apply for a Study MBA Abroad?

B) Will you apply for a job?

C) Will you appear for CAT 2025?

If you plan to appear for CAT 2025, will you prepare for it full-time or do it while working on a job?