Question 1

What CAT percentile do I require to get calls from IIM Blackis, FMS, SP Jain, JBIMS and MDI Gurgaon?

Accepted Answer

For GEM, the CAT percentiles required to get an interview call from IIM Blackis, FMS, SP Jain, JBIMS, and MDI Gurgaon are

ABC and FMS: Both institutes required nothing less than 99.5. Those who get admission at a lesser percentile, usually don’t belong to the GEM category. There are many who don’t even get a call with 99.3. So to stay on the safer side, go for nothing less than 99.5.
IIM Indore and Kozhikode: Both the institutes require percentiles around 97.5 for an interview call
SPJIMR: This Institute has unique selection criteria under which CAT is given less value and calls are issued on the basis of the candidate's profile. The CAT percentile required in this case is less than the normal if you have a good academic profile along with work experience,
MDI: This institute issues calls around the 96% mark.

It’s important to know that these figures are based on trends and not on actual data so you will find exceptions everywhere. Moreover, it’s better you don’t waste time analyzing the CAT cutoff and start preparing for the same.

Question 2

Which is the best MBA college in Mumbai among: JBIMS, SPJIMR and NMIMS? Which college among these have highest ranking?

Accepted Answer

It is a close call between SPJIMR and JBIMS. NMIMS is not in the same league as these but it is a decent B-School and ranked among the top 30 in India. JBIMS has the highest rank. Indiatoday 2021 ranked the institute 12 for MBA.

JBIMS offers better ROI. Course fees for the institute are INR 6.05 Lakhs. While the average CTC for the institute is INR 27 LPA, according to JBIMS placements highlights of 2022. If you are interested in Finance, you should choose JBIMS.

If you are interested in Marketing and Ops, you should go for SP Jain.

Question 3

How are IIM A students different from students of, say, SP Jain, NMIMS, FMS or JB?

Accepted Answer

Students at IIM-A are similar to those at SP Jain, NMIMS, FMS, and JBIMS. Aptitude and intelligence are roughly comparable. IIM-A students do not have to compete as hard for placements, so they are less concerned, whereas students from other colleges are constantly concerned about placements.

You'll notice that students from other colleges perform better in competitions than IIM-A because they are generally more hardworking during MBA because the struggle is greater for them. However, because of the brand name, IIM-A students receive far more exposure than students from any other college in India, which benefits students greatly in their personal development.

Question 4

Do students from IIM/FMS/JBIMS/SPJIMR/IIFT/XLRI bunk classes like engineering students?

Accepted Answer

At IIM/FMS/JBIMS/SPJIMR/IIFT/XLRI, attendance is seen as a crucial aspect of the learning experience. Every effort must be made to be present in class and to participate actively in the discussions. In fact, class participation is considered to be such an important factor in determining grades that a significant portion of the total course weightage is allocated to it. This system is in place to encourage students to be engaged in the learning process and to ensure that they are taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.

On the other hand, at IIT Kanpur, there is a more relaxed approach to attendance. While it is still advisable to attend classes and to be present for lectures, there is no strict requirement in place. This gives students more flexibility and allows them to choose when they want to attend classes based on their personal schedules or other commitments. It also means that engineering students are not penalized if they miss a class or two, as long as they are able to make up for it by participating in other ways, such as completing assignments or preparing for exams.

Overall, both B-schools and Engineering colleges have different approaches to attendance and class participation. While IIM Ahmedabad places a strong emphasis on being present in class and participating actively, IIT Kanpur takes a more relaxed approach. Ultimately, the choice between the two institutions will depend on the individual student's preferences and learning style.

Question 5

What exactly do I need to do to get into JBIMS Mumbai?

Accepted Answer

As a candidate interested in pursuing an MBA from JBIMS, you should aim to score a 99.97 percentile or higher in the MH-CET examination. Currently, JBIMS does not conduct a GDPI, and admission is based on the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) round, organized by the DTE. The institute has a limited number of 120 seats.

JBIMS has a relatively low fee structure, yet it offers exceptional placement opportunities. During the 2022 placement drive, the median CTC was INR 26.48 LPA, and the highest salary offered was INR 42 LPA. This highlights the institute's excellent return on investment (ROI) for its students.

JBIMS is a top B-school with a big brand value, high-quality faculty members, a rich alumni network, and excellent placement opportunities. It's the perfect place to fulfill your dream of pursuing an MBA.

Question 6

How good is JBIMS full time MBA (MMS)?

Accepted Answer

JBIMS is a top-ranked B-school in India, renowned for its excellent faculty, curriculum, and placement records. Offering MMS (MBA), M.Sc in Finance and part-time courses in Management, Finance, and HR, the institute's faculty is comprised of all Ph.D. holders. With a course fee of 2-3 LPA, students receive an average salary package of 18 LPA, with the highest CTC reaching 30 LPA. Admissions are based on scores in national or state level exams.

JBIMS has a strong placement record, with students receiving attractive CTCs from reputed companies in sectors like BFSI, FMCG, and Consulting. In the previous year's placements, all students who participated received an average salary of INR 20.13 LPA, with the highest salary package at INR 32.30 LPA. Top recruiters included Accenture, BCG, Airtel, Mahindra, McKinsey, Bajaj, Essar, Godrej, Goldman Sachs, ICICI Bank, Infosys, and Hindustan Unilever.

In summary, JBIMS offers a comprehensive education with a strong focus on practical, real-world application and prepares students for successful careers in the business world.

Question 7

Are the salary packages for IIMs higher than those from JBIMS?

Accepted Answer

IIMs can be broadly categorized into two categories; the first comprising IIM ABC and the second comprising IIM KIL. The total fees will be around 16-18 Lakhs or a few lakhs more for these IIMs. As far as the average package is concerned for IIM ABC, it is around 19-20 Lakhs while for IIM KIL it is merely 2 lakhs less. The highest CTC is around 60-70 (International) for these IIMs.

Coming to JBIMS, we get to witness a much higher ROI. This is because the average package is almost similar to these IIMs while the fees are much less. Also, it is a Mecca for Finance enthusiasts. JBIMS has many notable alumni that carry its brand name proudly. Some of them include

Vinita Bali, Managing Director of Britannia
Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank, India
Nitin Paranjpe, CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd
Ajay Piramal, chairman of Piramal Healthcare

So yes, the salary packages of certain IIMs might be slightly higher than that of JBIMS but considering the ROI factor that slightly differs doesn't really matter.

Question 8

How is MDI gurgaon's PGP-IM Programme?

Accepted Answer

MDI Gurgaon’s PGP-IM Program is one of the most coveted Management courses of the institute. It has several features that distinguish it from other regular PGP courses offered at top B Schools. My brother opted for this course out of many and he listed the following reasons that compelled him to go for the program

The PGP-IM students of MDI Gurgaon are offered an MBA degree from ESCP Europe and this is a major turning point in steering their career globally.
The admission criteria of the programs have witnessed slight changes with a work experience of 2 years being a compulsion. This is mainly because most European companies prefer prior work experience and hence it becomes easier to get jobs then.
The work experience requirement has made IM students of MDI Gurgaon in demand for Consulting jobs globally as well as locally.
The course is dynamic and requires you to go to respective ESCP campuses across London, Madrid, Paris, and Berlin for a 4-month term post which you do your internships, either in Europe or back in India.
Getting internships is not difficult at all and almost everyone gets an internship easily. 60% of students take internships in Europe, and 40% take them in India.
If you fail to get or yourself don’t take the PPO from your internship companies, you can sit for Final placements along with PGDM students without any bias.

It’s the above points that strongly assert the worth of the IM program at MDI Gurgaon. As it’s graduate you are not only an MDI alumnus but also an ESCP alumnus. You can use both brand names to your advantage. Choosing MDI is like investing for 2 years for a benefit of 30-35 years. So the brand name and alumni base definitely matter more than just a random IIM tag.

Question 9

Which college is better, IIM Indore or JBIMS Mumbai?

Accepted Answer

JBIMS Mumbai is better, especially for Finance specialization. It offers a better ROI compared to IIM Indore. The course fees are around INR 6.05 Lakhs. While the average CTC offered is around INR 27.63 LPA according to JBIMS placements 2022. EY, PwC, Deloitte, Accenture, etc. were some of the major recruiters that took part in the placement drive.

The institute has an excellent alumni base, the networking opportunities are ample.

Question 10

Will it be a good decision to choose NMIMS, NITIE, JBIMS or IIT Mumbai for an MBA?

Accepted Answer

No doubt all the institutes you mentioned are excellent in their respective standards and fields. But the primary element that should be stressed before choosing a college is what kind of MBA you are looking for. You should determine the specialization you are willing to go for, the kind of curriculum and crowd you are expecting, and various other factors.

You need to keep in mind that an MBA degree will pose just as a stepping stone to success and cannot guarantee your success. The ultimate determining factor is the level of knowledge you gain and how you perform throughout.

All the Institutes you mentioned are top-notch and are globally recognized knowledge hubs. You cannot make a choice just on the basis of your preference. You will have to work tremendously hard to make it into these esteemed institutes.