It’s advisable to attempt CAT again next year only if you are confident that your CAT percentile will be much better next year and you will have something in your profile that will make IIM A take you or maybe IIM B.
Once you join a big B-School, you will find that the turmoil is the same everywhere. You will find the glittery life is not what it seems and you will see everyone around you is equally talented and has managed to convert to a top B-School in India. Again, the cat race will begin irrespective of whichever B-school you go for.
In my opinion, rather than taking a drop, it’s better to go for XLRI right away. The job opportunities and exposure offered are at par with IIM Ahmedabad so you don’t have to worry about placements. Your B-School is just a stepping stone in shaping your career and not the sole determining factor. So, your growth in the corporate is solely dependent on your work ethic. Go for IIM Ahmedabad only if you are adamant about the IIM tag.
One of my friends is a student of XLRI and her interview experience was quite strange. When she looks back at the experience it seems quite funny. Here are a few snippets of her experience.
Based on many incidents that I heard from my friends over the year, it seems that most interviews of B-schools are of non-standardized nature. In most cases, the type of questions they ask depends on what presumptions they make about the candidate, and some depending upon their bias on a particular topic. However, it is a matter of discussion. Here is an interesting anecdote, I know a few people who have failed in XLRI PI round but have successfully cracked IIMs PI.
I think I am the right person to answer this question as I have worked with graduates from the aforementioned top B Schools in India and my brother was a student at ISB. With the combined experience and knowledge I have, I dare to comment that ISB is an overhyped B school in India. What makes it stand is its amazing infrastructure, founding members, and the whole Western-style education. However, if you look at its academic style, I don’t find it very appealing. It fails to prepare students well and does not meet the standards of the 4 IIMs (ABCL) and XLRI.
Placements-wise one can comment that ISB is a notch better than XLRI and FMS but it is on the same level as IIM Lucknow.
Ultimately, the brand value of a business school is a matter of personal opinion and is subjective.
Past Academics are not just mere parameters for admission but they evaluate your consistency in performing well across various academic stages. This signifies your flexibility to adapt and maintain a consistent result. Thus a well-maintained and stable academic record ensures your competency and is given more importance than inconsistency in your academic profile.
Most B-School consider past academic records to ensure the student’s ability to give consistently good results. XLRI too is one such institute, the only difference being that initial shortlisting is not done on that basis. This enables candidates with a valid reason for average past academics to justify their profile. In fact, their justification can even convince the panelists to consider them over other candidates with better past academic records.
The reason I am so confident about this is that my sister told me her batchmates comprised both; students with excellent past academic records and students with below-average academic records. These students managed to seek admission by performing excellently in the post-written process.
So, XLRI does consider past academics but not for initial shortlisting and the overall weightage given to academics is comparatively less than other B schools.
XLRI has released the required XAT cutoff 2022 for their PGDM HRM and BM program. Here is the XLRI HRM Cutoff:
Category | VALR | DM | QA | Overall |
Male Engineering | 80 | 75 | 80 | 93 |
Female Engineering | 75 | 68 | 74 | 90 |
Male Non-Engineering | 80 | 75 | 73 | 90 |
Female Non-Engineering | 75 | 68 | 64 | 87 |
Students who meet the cutoff requirement will be shortlisted for the GD-PI round of admission.
Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, XLRI took interviews online for 2021-23 batch. My brother had a zoom interview for XLRI BM. He completed Integrated M.Sc from IIT Kanpur and then pursued M.Phil and Ph.D. from Tilburg University.
The interview lasted for 40 mins. There were four interviewers.
Overall, his XLRI Interview experience was smooth.
XLRI is an elite B School that not only offers a plethora of management programs but also a wide range of executive education courses. Owing to its serene location in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, XLRI Jamshedpur has a rather lively and mixed community of peers, faculty, pool, and staff.
The course curriculum is taught through a practical approach and is quite rigorous. The Pedagogy involves experiential learning, a Case-based approach, and real-life examples. The faculty pool comprises extremely qualified and learned professors that impart Knowledge through unique methodologies and make the students ready to face the corporate world.
XLRI does not solely focus on academics and gives equal importance to extracurricular activities. Its rich extracurricular culture is promoted through a variety of cultural sports and social activities. A number of student-driven clubs and committees work relentlessly throughout the year to enable students to develop holistically
With the right mindset of learning and reaching new heights, one can make the most out of the enriching campus life at XLRI Jamshedpur.
Deciding whether to join XLRI BM or try for ABCL again next year is a personal decision that depends on various factors. Here are some points that you may consider while making your decision:
Factors in favor of joining XLRI BM:
Factors in favor of trying for ABCL again next year:
Ultimately, the decision to join XLRI BM or try for ABCL again next year depends on your priorities and goals. You may consider factors such as your career aspirations, financial situation, personal circumstances, and risk appetite while making your decision. It may also be helpful to seek advice from your mentors, family, and friends.
It is important to understand that the offers that XLRI HRM pass outs receive can vary significantly, as they come from a diverse range of industries. While it is true that the average median salary for XLRI HRM pass-outs is Rs. 9.5 lacs and the highest salary offered is Rs. 12 lacs, it is important to keep in mind that these figures are just estimates, and actual salaries may vary depending on a number of factors such as the specific industry, the company, the individual's skills and experience, and the location of the job.
For freshers, it is common for the starting salary to be in the range of Rs 3-4 LPA.
However, it is worth noting that this is just a rough estimate, and actual salaries may differ based on the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the salary that an XLRI HRM pass-out receives will depend on a variety of factors, and it is important to keep this in mind when considering job offers.
During an interview, the interviewer will typically evaluate you based on two factors. The first factor is your score, which is based on various parameters such as your confidence and knowledge. The second factor is the interviewer's judgement call, which is based on their overall impression of you.
If the interviewer gives you three ayes, then you're in, period. If you receive two ayes, your score will be considered. However, if there's only one aye or fewer, you won't be considered.
Although there is no set pattern for interviews, the interviewer will usually try to make you comfortable at the beginning before finding a way to put you under pressure. For example, they may present you with a puzzle that you have a limited amount of time to solve. The key here is to stay calm and not let the pressure rattle your confidence.
Once the interviewer has put you under pressure, they'll want to see how you perform. It's essential to remain the same person you were in the first half of the interview to demonstrate your abilities effectively. With these tips in mind, you'll be well-equipped to navigate any interview with confidence and ease.