How to Do MBA After 12: A Comprehensive Guide

An MBA degree holds tremendous value in unlocking senior leadership positions across diverse industries. With the rising demand for highly skilled management professionals in India, how to do MBA has become a frequently asked question.

The journey of how to do MBA requires significant planning across choice of streams in 10+2, performance in bachelor’s degree, getting work experience, preparing for competitive exams and applying to premier B-schools. 

The MBA is the most popular online graduate degree. Over 90% of MBA graduates see a meaningful improvement in their professional networks. So, an MBA not only advances your business administration skills but also opens doors for leadership roles across sectors like marketing, finance, operations, HR and more. However, since pursuing an MBA is a huge investment of time and money, choosing the right specialization and college is very important.

There are three primary pathways to doing an MBA:

• Integrated MBA – After 12th grade
• MBA after graduation – Most popular route
• Executive MBA – After few years of work experience

Let us look at each of these routes in detail.

Eligibility Criteria for MBA

The formal eligibility mandated by AICTE and UGC for how to do MBA programs is 50% aggregate bachelor’s degree marks from a recognized university.

However, the IIMs and other top business schools in India usually have higher cutoffs:

• 60% – 70% of academics in under-graduation
• Relevant work experience of minimum 2 years
• Competitive scores in entrance exams like the CAT

Strong performance on these parameters significantly increases your chances of getting into premier MBA institutes. Graduating in quantitative domains like engineering or commerce is preferred.

Types of MBA Degrees in India

When considering how to do MBA, it’s essential to know that there isn’t just one type of MBA. The degree comes in various formats, each catering to different needs and circumstances:

Two Year Full-time MBA

• Duration – 2 years
• Offered by – IIMs and top tier-1, tier-2 colleges
• Require high test scores and excellent profile
• High investment, better career prospects

Part-time or Executive MBA

• For working professionals with a few years of experience
• Classes held on evenings/weekends
• Duration – 3 to 4 years
• Moderate test score requirements

Online MBA Programs

• Provide flexibility of timings for working people
• Lower course fees compared to full-time
• Recognized degrees from authorized institutes
• Suited for entrepreneurs, family businesses

In addition, many reputed B-schools offer industry/domain focused MBA specializations like Finance, Marketing, HR, Healthcare, Operations & Supply Chain, Information Technology and more. Choosing the right specialization aligned to your interests is key to getting your dream job.

Key Differences Between MBA Programs

Type	Duration	Format	Work Experience
Full-time	2 years	Weekday classes	0-2 years
Part-time	3 years	Weekend/evening classes	Required
Executive	1-2 years	Weekend classes	Minimum 5 years
Online	1-3 years	Anytime, anywhere	Not mandatory

Pathways to Pursue MBA in India

To learn how to do MBA in india, let’s take a look at the three key pathways to pursue an MBA:

1. Integrated MBA After 12th

A few colleges in India offer integrated MBA programs of 5 or 6 year duration to which you can enroll after completing 12th grade.

How to do MBA after 12th

• Take PCM or commerce/arts stream in 11th and 12th grades
• Appear for entrance exams like SET, SITEEE, BVP CET etc.
• Score well in 12th boards along with these tests
• Apply and secure admission to integrated MBA degrees

Some of the institutes offering integrated MBA courses are:

• Birla Institute of Technology (BIT Mesra)
• NMIMS University (Mumbai)
• BVP Pune
• LBSIM Delhi
• Symbiosis Institutes

The key benefit here is saving 2 extra years that a separate bachelor’s degree would require before a regular MBA. But very few colleges offer this option, so seats are limited.

2. MBA After Graduation

If you’re asking “how to do MBA after graduation,” the process is relatively straightforward. This is the most popular route chosen by a majority of MBA aspirants in India. Completing your bachelor’s degree with strong academic scores gives you the required eligibility and foundational skills to prepare for MBA entrance tests.

How to do MBA after graduation

Choosing your undergrad major is super important—whether it’s engineering, economics, commerce, or something else. Aim to keep your CGPA high, around 8+ out of 10 or 70% and above, throughout your semesters. Start prepping for competitive exams in your final year. Take exams like CAT and go through group discussions and personal interviews. Apply to various business schools based on your scores.

Careful selection of graduation stream basis interests and MBA specialization goals is crucial. Programs like Engineering, Chartered Accountancy, Commerce, Statistics, Economics offer a strong foundation for MBA quant courses later.

3. Executive MBA After Work Experience

Alternatively, you can choose to work for a few years post your bachelor’s degree and accumulate professional experience before taking up an MBA.

Many premier B-schools actually prefer candidates with deep industry knowledge and look for minimum work ex of 2-5 years. Leadership skills and career progression are also evaluated during these executive MBA admission processes.

How to do executive MBA from IIM

Complete your under-graduation and start working to gain 3-5 years of experience. After that, take the GMAT exam along with any optional tests. Use your essays and MBA interviews to highlight your achievements and impact. Top IIMs offer 1-year executive MBA programs for those ready to take the next step in their careers.

These are rigorous programs tailored for professionals with higher maturity levels and real-world business context.

4. How to do MBA after BTech

For engineering graduates wondering “how to do MBA after BTech,” here’s what you need to do:

1. Prepare for MBA entrance exams during your final year of BTech or after graduation
2. Gain some work experience if possible (this can strengthen your application)
3. Apply to desired MBA programs
4. Clear the selection process (written test, group discussion, personal interview)

Many MBA programs value the analytical skills that BTech graduates bring to the table, especially for specializations like Operations Management or Technology Management.

Doing MBA from Top Institutes

The brand value and reputation of your MBA college plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of your career. Premier B-schools have extensive industry networks, top-notch faculty and state-of-the-art curriculum design. Here’s a quick look at how to do MBA from the best institutes:

MBA from IIMs

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) across Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and others offer the most prestigious and coveted MBAs in India with the highest salary packages. Their robust selection process makes it very competitive to get in.

How to do MBA from IIM

• Appear for Common Admission Test (CAT)
• Attend Writing Ability Test and Group Discussion rounds
• Clear final personal interview hurdles

Over 2 lakh students appear for CAT enticed by the brand value of an IIM MBA and high ROI it offers. You need around 4-6 months of rigorous prep focusing on quant aptitude, data interpretation, logical reasoning, verbal and essay writing.

MBA from IITs

The IITs are globally recognized for excellence in engineering research and education. The MBA degrees offered by various IITs like Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee also have strong brand value in the industry.

How to do MBA from IIT

• Take Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
• Appear for personal interviews and group discussions
• Demonstrate strong analytical and logical reasoning skills
• Possess basic techno-managerial competence

Apart from the common MBA specializations, some unique offerings from various IITs are MBA in Operations Management, Energy Management, Infrastructure Management, Manufacturing Management, Entrepreneurship and others tailored to industry demand.

Key Takeaway – Whether you target the IIMs, IITs or other reputed private B-schools, developing sharp analytical skills, mathematical ability, logical reasoning, strong communication and keeping up with current affairs is crucial.

Specializations and Career Options

When figuring out how to do MBA, it’s important to consider the various specializations available. Some popular options include:

• Finance: For those interested in investment banking, corporate finance, or financial analysis
• Marketing: Ideal for creative minds interested in brand management, digital marketing, or market research
• Human Resources: Perfect for those who excel in people management and organizational development
• Operations Management: Suits analytical thinkers interested in supply chain and process optimization
• Information Technology: For tech-savvy individuals looking to bridge business and technology
• International Business: Ideal for those interested in global markets and cross-cultural management

Each specialization opens up unique career paths. Some exciting career options post-MBA include:

Marketing Management

Some leading roles and responsibilities include:

• Brand Management
• Advertising & Promotions
• Market Research & Analytics
• Digital Marketing & Growth Strategy

Human Resource Management

Typical job roles:

• Talent Acquisition
• Learning & Development
• Total Rewards Management
• Employee Relations and Engagement

Operations & Supply Chain Management

Job profiles:

• Production Planning & Control
• Logistics Network Design
• Warehouse Operations
• Strategic Sourcing

Information Technology Management

Career options:

• Tech Consulting
• Product Development
• Program Management
• Data Science & Analytics

Finance Management

Domains:

• Investment Banking
• Equity Research
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Analysis

So, align your interests, skill-sets and previous academic background while deciding on an MBA specialization for maximum value. 

MBA has many career benefits. Here are some of them. 

• Equips you with sharp business acumen to take on leadership roles
• Opens up opportunities to switch industry domains
• Builds strategic thinking capability coupled with execution focus
• Strengthens commercial aspects across verticals
• Offers networking channels through alumni base
• Pathway to senior management career growth

So an MBA serves as an accelerated career booster to unlock your true potential.

Entrance Exams and Admission Process

Cracking the right entrance tests with stellar scores and outperforming in group discussions/interviews is key to getting into a top B-school. The competitive intensity of these exams continues to rise each year.

Here is a comparison of the popular MBA entrance tests in India:

Exam	Conducted By	Exam Pattern	Difficulty Level
CAT	IIMs	Quant, Verbal, LRDI	High
XAT	XLRI	Decision making, Essay	Moderate
SNAP	Symbiosis B-schools	Analytical, Logical Reasoning	Moderate
NMAT	Narsee Monjee	Language Skills, QA	Moderate
CMAT	AICTE	QA, Language, Logic	Moderate
MAT	AIMA	Intelligence, Language, Data	Low-Moderate

Key aspects of MBA Admission Process

The MBA admission journey has three main phases:

Stage 1: Entrance Exam Preparation

• Solve previous year papers and mock tests
• Learn short tricks for quant and DI sections
• Build verbal ability, vocabulary and reading comprehension skills
• Analyze past exam paper patterns and identify focus areas

Stage 2: Application Shortlisting

• Shortlisting based on entrance test scores, past academics, essays, profile
• Cutoffs for tests like CAT, XAT etc. keep increasing
• Top IIMs shortlist less than 10% of applicants

Stage 3: Group Discussions & Personal Interviews

• Assess thought process, subject knowledge and communication ability
• Show strong alignment towards goals and interests
• Exhibit leadership principles and depth of perspective

To ace the MBA admission process, you need around 6-12 months of rigorous preparation across quant, verbal, analytical domains and keeping up with general awareness. The earlier you start planning from graduation onwards based on capability and colleges of choice, the higher the chances of converting a top B-school.

Start Your MBA Journey Today

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to do MBA, it’s time to take action! Choose the path that aligns best with your career goals and personal circumstances. Remember, an MBA is not just about the degree – it’s about the skills you develop, the network you build, and the perspectives you gain.

Planning early, targeting institutes as per capability, maintaining strong quant, logical and verbal skills will help you successfully get through the competitive admission processes for the best B-schools. The proven high return on investment and versatile career growth potential make an MBA an attractive proposition for young aspirants and mid-career professionals alike.

Make informed choices and enjoy the journey of personal transformation that an MBA promises to unleash your leadership potential as an industry-ready management professional!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also Read:

A Comprehensive Guide to Entrance Exams for MBA Aspirants 

All You Need to Know About Commerce Stream

Is Finance a Good Career Path?

Scope of Marketing with Career Insights

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