MICA GE/PI chat session with Chandan Pansari!!

Q) Career shift from IT industry to communications industry

Chandan: There are a lot of people in MICA currently with IT work ex so don't be too worried about that. In terms of justification for why MICA from IT everyone will have an individual answer but to some extent you can always mention that you were interested in media/communications management however, in order to do so you need to first be a graduate. The education system in India allows you either do a general grad/medical/engineer etc. and you chose an engineering course.

Q) About Group Exercise?

Chandan: The GE process has not changed much - last year there were group tasks allotted where people were asked to make a model, etc. and judged on team work and later they were asked to discuss and explain what they made - this year we don't know what the format will be but whatever it is just ensure that you do not try to be too aggressive or assert your self - be a good team player and follow normal GD ethics.

Q)  Call conversion Ratio?

Chandan:  in previous years the ratios have been 6:1 for final selection - m not sure of how many people they have called but should not be more than 6:1 could be lesser.

Q) About SOP?

Chandan: SOP - see just include your reasons for why MICA - rationalize your choice from what makes MICA different check the website for this info and then put some points for what you plan to do here and and after you graduate like your 5 yrs plan in brief after you graduate

@ everyone - just ensure that you know all that you have filled in the form really well.

Other points:

Chandan: @ all those who are making career shifts please prepare a logical answer for why you are planning to do so...don't be too worried as long as your answer is logical it is fine

Chandan: most questions will be around your Form, why MICA, your future plans.

Chandan: @prithvi - ABM profile is really good for a MICAN most people want to start as ABMs if you want to get int marketing

Chandan: @umang - almost 60-70% people do take loans if you think you need one its fine - i m on loan for 2nd yr

Chandan: @ prithvi - you can move to become brand managers in different countires different products and move up the director level etc...

Chandan: @ Shivf1 - no scholarship straight away but if u do well in first year you do get refunds for some amount.

Thanks to Nidhi Acharya (Xanthipe) for sharing this...
-----x-----

Micat 2010 Analysis

MICAT 2010- Analysis (7th March 2010)

MICA lived up to its reputation of giving a creative as well as a lengthy paper. The paper had a good mix of questions from all the areas. The paper not only tested the knowledge of a student but also analyzed the personality traits of the candidates. The paper also gave ample chances to the students to showcase their creative abilities. It required a good amount of perseverance and out of box thinking on part of the students to attempt the paper. However, there was no information regarding the weight-age of the different sections. Let’s now look at the detailed structure of the paper:

Overall Analysis

The paper was of two and a half hour duration. It contained 3 parts and each part was further divided into sections focusing on individual areas. The parts had individual time limits and an order for attempting the sections. The marking scheme for the questions was not mentioned except for Part I where ¼ mark would be deducted for every incorrect response and no mark would be deducted for not attempting the question. Let’s analyze the parts as they appeared in the examination.

Part I - 90 mins
Sections No. of Questions
A. Reasoning 36
B. General Awareness 25
C. Quantitative Ability/LRDI 30
D. Verbal Ability 34

Total Questions 125

Part II Psychometric Tests 46q - 30 mins

Part III Creative Ability Tests 3q - 30 mins

The following is the detailed analysis of the paper:

Part I

Even though no sectional cut-off was mentioned, it would have been wise to allocate time to each sub-section and pick up the questions which were sitters.

A. Reasoning-The section was of easy to moderate level of difficulty. It
contained questions of following types:

Topics Covered No of Questions
Clue and Alternatives 15
Statement Conclusion 3
Data Sufficiency 3
Visual Reasoning 10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven%27s_Progressive_Matrices
Missing Number 5

The questions of data-sufficiency and visual reasoning were relatively easy. The clue and alternatives questions required a good understanding of English language and its application. The number of options per question was 5.

B. General Awareness- The section had a good mix of questions from the field of marketing, advertising, films, media and general global awareness. The section was moderate to difficult. The number of options per question was 5.


C. Quantitative Ability and LRDI- The section contained mainly
questions based on arithmetic (Percentages, average, mixtures, time and speed, series etc.). Other topics covered were P & C, probability, set theory, integral calculus (areas) etc. There was only one question on algebra (Data-Sufficiency). There were no questions on geometry and mensuration. There were two DI sets (Table based). There was also a set based on analytical reasoning. The overall difficulty level of this section was quite high as most of the questions involved lengthy statements. The number of options per question was 4.

D. Verbal Ability- The section had an easy to moderate level of difficulty.
Almost 30% of the questions were sitters. The passages were short and had direct questions. The passages were based on: (i) Evolution of mathematics and (ii) Business and Indian State. Sentence completion questions were of moderate level of difficulty. Statement conclusion and statement assumption questions were tricky. The fill in the blank questions on prepositions were easy. The number of options per question was 4.



Topics Covered No. of Questions
Reading Comprehension (2 passages) 8
Sentence completion 12
Preposition (FIB) 5
Statement conclusion 2
Statement assumption 3
Grammar and Semantics 4
Total No. of Questions 34


Part II

One had to compulsorily attempt all the questions in this section in order for one’s paper to be evaluated. There were no correct or incorrect responses to these questions. This part had 3 sets of questions, each testing the psychometric skills of a candidate. The first set of questions had 30 statements out of which one had to pick 10 describing one’s personality traits without ranking them. The second set of questions asked one to choose from a set of two arguments and also to rate them in accordance with one’s personality traits. In the third set of questions, one had to rank the various responses under given situations on a scale of 1 to 6 (where a rating of 1 implied highest priority and a rating of 6 meant least priority).


Part III

This section had 3 sets of questions. The section tested the creative and communication abilities of a candidate. The questions were based on essay-writing, story-writing and formation of words. The following were the topics for essay-writing and story-writing:

1- Essay Writing: Tax Deduction to Women as they take care of educational and health needs of a family.
2- Story writing: A picture was given and one had to write a story based on it.

Here is the picture provided for story writing:

For the essay writing question, it is important to note that one had to either
support or oppose the motion; not taking a stance would mean that one would
not be marked for the essay.

With best wishes!
The Career Launcher Team

Source: http://media.careerlauncher.com.s3.amazonaws.com/iift2009/MICAT%202010_Analysis.pdf

General Tips for MICAT 2010

1) MICAT is for 2.5 hours and you will have to report by 8:15 AM on March 7th, 2010. If you come after 9 AM you will not be allowed to write the test.

2) As of last year, ONLY in the psychometry section all questions were compulsory. Other sections had a negative marking of 1/4th of the original marks.

(P.S: Confirm by reading the instructions really carefully)

3) MICAT will have some sections like Quants, DI, Word Association, Verbal, Psychometric, General awareness and Essay.

4) Read the call letter carefully, take a print, take a valid photo id (e.g. Driving license, Voter card, Passport / College Identity card / Pan card) out and also carry items like HB pencils, pens, eraser, sharpener and foot-ruler.

(No i don't know why we are asked to bring a foot ruler so don't ask me) :P

5) Its also better to check out the MICAT venue before the actual exam date.
.

6) Do not use SMS language while writing essay's. Last year's paper had an essay and another story writing exercise. 2008 paper had 4 essays and 1 precis writing exercise to be completed within 30 minutes. So be prepared for anything. Practice writing a lot.

7) MICAT is supposed to be a creative test so be prepared for any kind of surprise.

8) For General awareness apart from going through current affairs keep yourself updated with the events happening in the media world (TV channels, newspapers and radios), knowledge of tag lines and punchlines might also be useful.

9) Knowledge of Idioms and Phrases, Proverbs might help you in Word Association Test, Verbal and General Awareness sections.

10) Psychometric: Choose the answer that is closer to what you do, if it is not exactly what you do. Someone has mentioned that s/he does this as well as that... In that case, what exactly do you do first. Tick the first response and not 'may be I could do this also' response.

11) Essays: Will check your language skills as well as logical thinking skills.

12) Weightage to handwriting in MICAT: Only one section needs us to see your handwriting. Hence 20% in case there are 5 section
Also, please remember that unless your handwriting is legible (not necessarily good), it will be a tough task to check your paper and that may work against you.

13) Marks for each section will be given in the paper. So you can figure out. Calls depend on number of applicants and their overall performance in MICAT.

14) You must attempt each section. Not attending an entire section is not an option. 

15) Easier said than done, Keep a cool head while giving MICAT and all the best...

P.S: Will add some more tips when i get some time....

A guide to Precis Writing

 The word 'Précis' is a French word which may mean summary, substance, abridgement, abstract, condensed, statement or epitome. All this words convey more or less the same meaning

Technique of Précis Writing:

1. In the question paper the length of the précis is stipulated and the précis of the original passage should not exceed or fall short of the prescribed length. Only five words plus or minus are allowed. If the length has not been prescribed, précis should be one third of the original passage

2. Only the bare essentials should be pruned from the original passage such as metaphors, similies, hyperboles, conceits, epigrams, should be left out. However the précis must reproduce all the main contents.

3. Précis should be an independent piece of writing and the writer should use his own words while writing the précis. The central idea around which the whole passage revolves should be borne in mind.

4. Picking up some sentences randomly from the beginning, middle and end is not a précis writing.

5. A title to a précis must be assigned whether it has been asked or not. This title should convey the Central Idea of the original passage.

6. A wide and accurate knowledge of English language and ability to sift the essential facts from the given passage will enable the précis writer to write a good précis.

Some Important Hints

1. Read the passage carefully two or three times until you have a clear idea of its general purport. The original passage may contain some ironical elements which mean just the opposite of what is said. This should be clearly understood before writing down the précis.

2. Note down the important points so that the précis can be written down from these points within the stipulated word limit in your own words by elaborating these points.

3. Illustration or stylistic effects, such as exaggeration, repetition, expansion or bombast which are not necessary to the meaning and are just added merely to illustrate the arguments should be left out.

4. No personal comments are to be made while writing the précis. 

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1074597/a_guide_to_precise_writing.html?cat=4  


Thanks to Shanker (shanker.i20fever@gmail.com)for sharing this...